Simonseth, Gertrude and Nels

Simonseth, Gertrude and Nels

2 file folders
1 sound cassette

Box 5, File 17 Personal and Family History
Tape Index

Box 5, File 17A Correspondence and Forms
Checklist
Handwritten Tape Archive Sheet and Family Background

Nels and Gertrude Simonseth provided a personal tape, which chronicles their departure from Norway until their settling in Stanwood, Washington. See also Nels Simonseth and Gertrude Simonseth.

Box 5, File 17 Personal and Family History
Tape Index

Box 5, File 17A Correspondence and Forms
Checklist
Handwritten Tape Archive Sheet and Family Background

Interviewed by (This is their personal tape.)
Transcribed by Mary Sue Gee, Julie Peterson and Becky Husby
Encoded by Kerstin Ringdahl & Amity Smetzler
Recording Quality: Good

Nels Simonseth oral history interview

Gertrude Simonseth oral history interview

Biographical Note

Nels and Gertrude Simonseth left Norway on September 1, 1922, departing from Oslo. The trip went well, and there was a lot happening on the boat, including church, dancing, and a variety of good foods to eat. From New York, Nels and Gertrude took the train to Dawson, Minnesota, where they knew a farmer named John Egen. Nels began doing carpentry work and farming for John's neighbor, and Gertrude became a housekeeper.

They were married on January 29, 1923 and moved into town, where Nels began working for the railroad. Nels was later contracted to do carpentry work in Winthrop, Minnesota and Scobey, Montana. Gertrude took the train to Scobey to meet Nels, and from there, they moved to the West Coast, eventually settling in Stanwood, Washington.

In Washington, Nels worked in logging camps for fifteen years and also helped construct various military bases when the war broke out. Nels also did work on his own, building houses on Whidbey Island and around Stanwood. In the meantime, Gertrude and their children picked berries to make extra money. Gertrude also worked as a waitress at the Cedar Inn and as a cook at Sunset Home in Stanwood. Nels and Gertrude have made several return trips to Norway but did not know very many people.