Solheim, Aagot

3 file folders
2 photographs
1 obituary
1 sound cassette

This interview was conducted with Aagot Solheim on November 12, 1982 in Tacoma, Washington. It contains information on family background, emigration, work, marriage and family life, and community activities. The interview also includes two black and white photographs of Aagot at the time of the interview. This interview was conducted in English.

Folder Contents

Box 9, File 15 Personal and Family History
Tape Archive Sheet, Family Background and Tape Index

Box 9, File 15A Correspondence and Forms
Checklist and Release Form
Letters from Janet Rasmussen regarding Mrs. Solheim’s participation.
Handwritten Tape Archive Sheet and Family Background

Box 9, File 15B Photographs
Two photographs

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

Biographical Note

Biographical Information Aagot Solheim was born on July 29, 1889 in Falkfjord, Nordland, Norway. Her parents were Ole Kristiansen and Gunelia Olsen, and she was the third of four children. The family lived on a self-sufficient farm, growing potatoes and hay, and Ole fished for cod in the Lofotens during the winter. Aagot had an active childhood, which involved helping take care of the cattle and activities such as knitting, crocheting, baking, skiing, and sleighing.

Aagot's sisters, Alfhild and Clara, left Norway for America in 1911 and 1913, respectively, and Aagot decided to emigrate as well in 1916. Aagot was only seventeen at the time and went to Dooley, Montana, where her sisters and their families were living. In Dooley, Aagot began working for farms and soon met her husband Kristoffer Solheim. Kristoffer was from Tysnesoy, Norway and had immigrated to Albert Lea, Minnesota when he was sixteen. Aagot had only been living in America for one year when they married in November 1917, and they had four children: Myrtle, Gladys, Caroline, and Agnes.

In 1934, they moved to Sand Point, Idaho, where Kristoffer worked in the forest, and then moved to Tacoma, Washington in 1942. In Tacoma, Aagot worked as a plumber in the shipyards, and Kristoffer had various jobs as a laborer. They were not active in church in Tacoma, but Aagot was a member of the Daughters of Norway. Kristoffer died of cancer in 1967, and they never had the opportunity to return to Norway.

Lineage

Full Name: Aagot Johanna Solheim
Maiden Name: Aagot Johanna Christiansen
Father: Ole Kristiansen
Mother: Gunelia Olsen Paternal
Grandfather: Kristian Gabrialsen
Paternal Grandmother: Ingeborg Olsen
Maternal Grandfather: Ole Pederson
Maternal Grandmother: Gjertrud Rasmusen
Brothers and Sisters: Alfhild Christiansen, Clara Christiansen, Olaf Christiansen
Spouse: Kristoffer Solheim
Children: Myrtle Solheim, Gladys Solheim, Caroline Solheim, Agnes Solheim