Bruflot, Arnfinn

3 file folders
2 sound cassettes
3 compact discs

This interview was conducted with Arnfinn Bruflot on June 30, 1981 in Tacoma, Washington. It contains information on family background, emigration, marriage and family, Arnfinn's writing career, and Norwegian heritage. The interview also contains two articles on Arnfinn and his writing career. The interview was conducted in English.

Folder Contents

Box 3, File 9 Personal and Family History
Tape Archive Sheet, Family Background, and Tape Index

Box 3, File 9A Correspondence and Forms
Release Form
Letters from Janet Rasmussen regarding Mr. Bruflot’s participation.
Handwritten Tape Archive Sheet and Family Background

Box 3, File 9B Clippings
Clippings

Interviewed by Morrene Nesvig
Transcribed by Mary Sue Gee, Julie Peterson and Becky Husby
Encoded by Kerstin Ringdahl & Amity Smetzler
Recording Quality: Good

Biographical Note

Arnfinn Bruflot was born on October 19, 1904 in Naustdal, Sunnfjord, Norway to Lars Henrik Bruflot, a dairy farmer, and Anna Maria Gjengedal. Arnfinn had five older siblings: Nikolai, Jakob, Reinhart, Andreas, and Albert. Arnfinn began school at the age of six and went on to high school, middle school, and college.

In 1928, he decided to immigrate to America, where he settled in Tacoma, Washington. There, he was first employed at St. Paul Lumber Mill and was later employed as a painter. In the 1930s, he obtained an editing job at the Western Viking, a Norwegian newspaper. In addition to editing, Arnfinn wrote editorials, did artwork, and supervised.

In 1948, Arnfinn married Ingrid Grolid and had one son, Norris. Arnfinn had always had an interest in writing, and after he retired, he began to write more seriously. He has published four poetry books and a novel, including Juni-baten - 1969, Det Storkna Havet - 1970, Praeriekveld - 1973, Dei Kom til Amerika - 1975, and Inn I America - 1980. His writing is aimed at social developments and has received good reviews.

Arnfinn believes that Norwegian heritage is very important and a good influence, and he has participated in the Sons of Norway, Nordlandslaget, and Northlight - Unique Light of Northern Norway. He has also been a member of the First Presbyterian Church. Arnfinn feels that America has given a lot to him, and he has no regrets about immigrating.

Lineage

Full Name: Arnfinn Bruflot
Father: Lars Henrik Bruflot
Mother: Anna Maria Gjengedal
Paternal Grandfather: Nels Vonen
Paternal Grandmother: Rise Vonen
Maternal Grandfather: Jakob Gjengedal
Maternal Grandmother: Martha Gjengedal
Brothers and Sisters: Nikolai Bruflot, Jakob Bruflot, Reinhart Bruflot, Andreas Bruflot, Albert Bruflot
Spouse: Ingrid Grolid
Children: Norris Bruflot