Tweiten, Carl

3 file folders
3 photographs
2 sound cassette

This interview was conducted with Carl Tweiten on January 25, 1982 in Tacoma, Washington. It contains information on family background, return to Norway, emigration, occupation, and Norwegian heritage. The interview also contains an article from a Norwegian publication, which includes a photograph of Carl, and photographs of a painting of the Tweiten home in Norway and Carl at the time of the interview. The interview was conducted in English.

Also see Martha Handeland and Anna Hopen.

Folder Contents

Box 6, File 6 Personal and Family History
Tape Archive Sheet, Family Background, and Tape Index

Box 6, File 6A Correspondence and Forms
Release Form
Thank you letter from Janet Rasmussen.
Sirdals bok, how names have been changed.
Handwritten Tape Archive Sheet and Family Background

Box 6, File 6B Photographs and Clippings
Two photographs
One clipping in Norwegian

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

Martha Handeland (sister) oral history interview

Anna Hopen (sister) oral history interview

Carl Tweiten autobiography

Biographical Note

Carl Tweiten was born on June 12, 1909 in Deming, Washington. His parents were Omund Tweiten and Pauline Liland, and he was the eldest of eight children, including Martha (Handeland), Oscar, Anna (Hopen), Alma, Bertha, Jørgen, and Thor. Carl's father first came to America from Tweiten, Sirdal, Norway in 1897-1898, and made three trips back and forth before settling in Tacoma, Washington. In Tacoma, Omund met Pauline Liland, who had emigrated from Liland, Sirdal, Norway in 1905. They were married in 1908 and then moved to Deming.

In 1920, Carl's parents decided to go back to Sirdal, Norway, where Omund became a chauffeur and the family lived and worked on a small farm belonging to Carl's uncle. In Norway, Carl attended 'omskole,' summarized high school, and trapped birds, harvested hay, and helped his uncle with cattle trading to make money.

After seven years, Carl decided to return to America with his sister Martha. They stayed with an aunt and uncle in Tacoma, Washington for one year, and Carl worked in a local sawmill. Carl later began working in logging camps, and then did trapping and mining in Alaska. While mining, Carl was caught in a dynamite blast, and had to have surgery to save his eyes. Nevertheless, he still lost much of his eyesight.

After the accident, Carl went back to Tacoma and began working for a plywood company. He also built a house for himself despite his poor eyesight. Carl has not participated much in Scandinavian organizations but does belong to Gloria Dei Church. He appreciates his Norwegian heritage and has taken two trips back to Norway.

Lineage

Full Name: Carl Omundson Tweiten. Father: Omund Karlson Tweiten. Mother: Pauline Omundsdatter Tweiten. Paternal Grandfather: Carl Person Tweiten. Paternal Grandmother: Marte Jørgensdatter Lunde. Maternal Grandfather: Omund Pearson Hampland Liland. Maternal Grandmother: Anne Malena Jonsdatter Espeveit. Brothers and Sisters: Martha Handeland, Oscar Tweiten, Anna Hopen, Alma Johanna Tweiten, Bertha Berg Jørgen Tweiten, Thor Bernard Tweiten.