Whitman, Nannie

Whitman, Nannie

• 1982-04-28 (Creation)

2 file folders
1 sound cassette

The interview was conducted with Nannie Whitman on April 28, 1982 in Port Angeles, Washington. This interview contains information on family background, Swedish holidays, school, work, emigration, Swedish organizations, visits to Sweden, church and community life, and Swedish heritage. The interview was conducted in English.

Also see the interview with Nannie Whitman's brother, Emil Lundbeck and Emil's wife, Anna Linnea Lundbeck.

Folder Contents

Box 7, File 19 Personal and Family History
Tape Archive Sheet, Family Background, and Tape Index

Box 7, File 19A Correspondence and Forms
Checklist and Release Form
Letter from Janet Rasmussen regarding Mrs. Whitman’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

Emil Lundbeck (brother) oral history interview

Anna Linnea Lundbeck (wife) oral history interview

Biographical Note

Nannie Whitman was born Nannie Lundbeck in Toere, Sweden in 1898. One of twelve children, Nannie lived on the Lundbeck farm and helped with the chores. The Lundbeck family celebrated holidays like Christmas, Pingst, and Midsummer. Nannie attended school through the sixth grade. She worked one summer in Luleaa, but for the most part, Nannie helped with all the children. She began to think about improving herself, and she was convinced she needed to move away in order to do so.

Therefore, in May of 1923, Nannie traveled to America. She sought out her mother's cousin who lived near Hoquiam, Washington and helped Nannie find work helping a local family. Then Nannie found a job at a boardinghouse where she cooked and washed dishes. In 1924, Nannie married Mr. Whitman, whom she had met on the ship over to America. They had three sons. Nannie did some housekeeping and some weaving while her husband worked in the lumber industry.

In 1956, they visited Sweden for the first time to visit relatives. Nannie initially tried to maintain Swedish traditions in their home, but the children did not seem to be interested. As a child, Nannie and her family read Lutheran books and occasionally attended the Lutheran church, but now she is a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church.

Lineage

Full Name: Nannie Lundbeck Whitman
Maiden Name: Lundbeck
Father: Anders Lundbeck
Mother: Anna Lundbeck
Brothers and Sisters: There were twelve children in all. (Please refer to Emil Lundbeck for more detailed information.)
Spouse: (?) Whitman
Children: Lawrence Albin Whitman, Carl Stanley Whitman, Harold Eugene Whitman