I’m back from Wisconsin (and Iowa), and have quite a lot to report. Not much time right now so will just do an introduction.
Getting there was half the fun 🙂 On a seven-hour layover at O’Hare, I got to kill a couple of them listening to a blues band, thanks to a special series at the airport, and a blues festival in progress at a park downtown.
Layover Blues
Once in Dubuque, we spent quality time with Madeline, Caleb, and Lucas, our youngest grandchildren.
Madeline
Lukie, Caleb, & Thiel
And Dana & Katy, of course.
Thiel and I made a side trip to SW Wisconsin, where we met up with Cousin Aline. Her sister Clarice (and husband Sam) were also there for a visit; that was a wonderful suprise. We all went together to the Brush Creek church and cemetery, and to Ole Larson’s farm site and Olaf’s log cabin, both in Norwegian Valley just one mile from the church.
Clarice & Aline
We also stopped in Westby, WI, where I met for the first time cousin Norma Samuelson Haakenstad.
Norma & George
Also visited graves of other ancestors at Coon Prairie cemetery in Westby. Lots more to follow.
Bonnie
Jun 29, 2009
HI G.
I guess I haven’t looked at the blog for awhile!!! Fun to see the kids and hear about your trip. Thanks for posting all those photos. I don’t think I’ve seen Aline & Clarice since they visited Longview to see their dad. That was a long time ago. How does the new cousin fit into the family picture?
George
Jun 29, 2009
Hi B
Norma Haakenstad is the granddaughter of Ole Samuelson, who was the brother of our great-grandmother Anne Samuelsdatter (Ole Larson’s first wife). That makes Norma our second cousin once removed (I think). For kicks, google her brother (the same degree of cousin) Orion Samuelson.
Norma’s first cousins include Joyce Wassilchalk (recently deceased), and Doris Bulletset. They are the same kind of cousins to us as she is. I found Norma through Joyce’s daughter Karen Wassilchalk. Norma wrote a complete accounting of Ole Samuelson’s descendants (and other lines of hers) a few years ago. I took pictures of the pertinent pages.
Bonnie
Jul 3, 2009
Interesting about Orion S. Where does he live now? You’re right about the 2nd cousin once removed—I had to chart it out to get there, though. I think it’s very cool that you’re making all these discoveries. I didn’t know that Joyce was no longer living. Or if I did, I’d forgotten.