Rygmyr, Odlaug

2 file folders
1 sound cassette
2 compact discs

This interview was conducted with Odlaug Rygmyr on April 6, 1978 in Seattle, Washington. It contains information on family background, work, the German occupation of Norway during World War II, emigration, Norwegian heritage, and community activities. The interview was conducted in English with some Norwegian towards the end of the interview.

Folder Contents

Box 1, File 2 Personal and Family History
Tape Archive Sheet, Tape Index, and Family Background

Box 1, File 2A Correspondence and Forms
Checklist and Release Form
Handwritten Tape Archive Sheet and Family Background

Interviewed by Inger Nygaard Carr
Transcribed by Mary Sue Gee, Julie Peterson and Becky Husby
Encoded by Kerstin Ringdahl & Amity Smetzler
Recording Quality: Okay. Some background noise

Biographical Note

Odlaug Rygmyr was born in 1932 in Norway. She grew up in Kristiansund, Møre og Romsdal, Norway with her family and was one of four children. Odlaug attended school until the seventh grade, but her family did not have enough money for higher education, so she began working on farms at the age of fifteen.

During the beginning of WWII, Odlaug was working in the fish industry in Nord Norge during the winter months, but moved to Romsdalen, Norway in 1942, where she worked at a hotel/farm until the Germans took it over. She then found a job at a small farm, but the Germans did not think she was needed there and sent her to a larger farm where she was forced to do a lot of work. After six months of working there, the lady on the smaller farm managed to have Odlaug work for her again. After the war, Odlaug moved to Oslo and began working at the British Embassy, which helped her become better acquainted with the English language.

In 1948, she decided to immigrate to Seattle, where she had an aunt and uncle, and obtained several jobs working as a housemaid. After five years, she was hired by Boeing and worked there until her first child was due. Odlaug had married a man named Chester, and they had a son and a daughter. She did not go back to work until her children were finished with school, at which time she began working at a bakery.

Odlaug strongly believed in maintaining one's cultural ties, and she and Chester were active members in the Sons of Norway. They were also active in Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Stanwood, Washington, participating in the Sunday school program, Altar Guild, and Women's Circle. Odlaug does not regret coming to America, but does wish she had taught her children more of the Norwegian language.

Lineage

Full Name: Odlaug Rygmyr
Maiden Name: Odlaug Hasløy
Spouse: Chester Rygmyr