Tomsli, Astrid

Tomsli, Astrid

• 1981-09-29 (Creation)

2 file folders
1 sound cassette

The interview was conducted with Astrid Tomsli on September 29, 1981 in Cathlamet, Washington. It contains information on family background, emigration, marriage and family, community activities, and return trips to Norway. The interview was conducted in English.

Folder Contents

Box 4, File 10 Personal and Family History
Tape Archive Sheet, Family Background, and Tape Index

Box 4, File 10A Correspondence and Forms
Release Form
Letters from Janet Rasmussen in regards to Mrs. Tomsli’s participation.
Handwritten Tape Archive Sheet and Family Background

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

Biographical Note

Astrid Tomsli was born in 1904 in Vik, Helgeland, Norway to Helge and Signe Sørene. Astrid's father was a fisherman, and her mother did weaving at home. Including Astrid, there were six children in the family.

In 1924, Astrid married Olaf Tomsli, and their wedding lasted for several days. Three years later, the couple decided to immigrate to America. They came over on the Stavangerfjord and took a train from Quebec to Seattle, Washington, where they were met by Astrid's uncle, Ole Pederson, and his son. From Seattle, they drove to Westport, Oregon and took a boat to Puget Island on the Columbia River. Olaf obtained a job at a sawmill, and Astrid became a housewife.

When they first moved to the island, it was mostly a Norwegian community, and Astrid was very active in the Norse Hall. Astrid and Olaf had three children: Orville, Sonja, and Reier. All of the children can speak some Norwegian and have visited Norway. Astrid herself has also made return trips, her first in 1952. She did not recognize her home place and got better acquainted with her siblings.

Lineage

Full Name: Astrid Jerney Sørene Tomsli
Maiden Name: Astrid Jerney Sørene
Father: Helge Sørene
Mother: Signe Sørene
Brothers and Sisters: Arthur Sørene, Magnhild Sørene, Gudrun Sørene, Hjørdis Sørene, Sverre Sørene
Spouse: Olaf Tomsli
Children: Orville Tomsli, Sonja Tomsli, Reier Tomsli.