Gjelstad, Thora

Gjelstad, Thora

• 1984-06-24 (Creation)

3 file folders
1 photograph
1 sound cassette

This interview was conducted with Thora Gjelstad in Oslo, Norway on June 24, 1984. It contains information about her family background, emigration, re-emigration, and further contact with America. The interview was conducted in Norwegian.

Folder Contents

Box 12, File 4 Personal and Family History
Tape Archive Sheet, Family Background and Tape Index

Box 12, File 4A Correspondence and Forms
Checklist and Release Form
Handwritten Tape Archive Sheet and Family Background

Box 12, File 4B Photographs
One photograph

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

Biographical Note

Thora Gjelstad was born in Toerklep, Norway on February 3, 1902. She was the youngest of nine children, and when she was four and a half years old, she immigrated to America. The family stayed in Stanley, Wisconsin for three years and then moved to Tacoma, Washington, where Thora grew up.
From 1914 - 1916, Thora and her parents returned to Norway, where her father had planned to stay permanently. He could not find a steady job, however, and the three returned to Tacoma. By this time, Thora had finished school and got her first job in a restaurant. She later worked for a factory that made broom handles. Although she was not a part of any Scandinavian groups while living in Tacoma, Thora did participate in Norwegian festivals and meet many other Norwegians.

In 1918, Thora and her parents returned to Norway indefinitely. She met her husband, Anders Gjelstad in Vestfold, Norway and was married for fifty-two years. They lived in Stabekk, outside of Oslo, and had two children. Thora's sister Sigrid and brother Einar continued to live in Tacoma, and Thora remained in contact with them. She also continued to keep some American customs when back in Norway and visited Tacoma with Anders in 1960.

Lineage

Full Name: Thora Gjelstad
Maiden Name: Thora Toerklep
Father: Johan Toerklep
Mother: Anna Kristina Toerklep
Paternal Grandfather: Anders Toerklep
Paternal Grandmother: Helle Hvidtsten
Brothers and Sisters: Ole Toerklep, Helle Toerklep, Johan Arnt Toerklep, [+ WWI] Sigrid Toerklep, [+ child] Einar Toerklep, [in Tacoma] Sigurd Toerklep, Thora Toerklep [+ child], Sigrid Barkost [Tacoma]
Spouse: Anders Gjelstad
Children: Berit Synnoeve, Hans Gjelstad.