1928-9-2 Letter from Margit Holtin to Olufine Solaas (Olga Mortenson) (Ltr32)

Translator's note: As you will note, the letter is to Olufine, Albert`s sister, and sent from another girl from Skor valley. Her name is Margit, and she is referring to her brothers Oscar and Conrad, so we`ll be able to identify her in due course [she's later identified as Margit Holten]. She`s obviously on relatively close terms with Olufine, so I guess they are more or less of the same age.

The letter is interesting in many ways: First of all there is the adress where it was sent from, which probably is "Perth" in North Dakota, but she spells it "Pereth". It´s not exactly clear whether she has married or is just living or working with someone; there is no explicit reference to a husband. Obviously the letter was sent to Olufine before she married, and I`d say also before Olga arrived. It is my guess that Margit came over on the same ship as Albert and Olufine, she knows both quite well. She`s writing a living language, however one word in the Norwegian text left me puzzled for quite some time: "törkis" ); it took ages for me to realize that she had made her own Norwegian word for "turkey" which was unknown in Norway those days.

It is also interesting to note that I personally knew two of the persons she is referring to, but only as old people: Johannes in Skara is actually Johannes Röstenskar, who I only knew as a widower. His wife Inger must have died as I was just a child. The other person I knew was Sivert, who is Sivert Skaar. He was a brother of Hans Solaas, and a cousin of Ivar Anfinnson, Alert`s father. Sivert was in good health untill he died well over 90 years old; actually his son Anton Skaar moved to the senior citizens retirement home before Sivert did.

I guess this letter is interesting also to the Mortensons; at least it shed`s some light on Olufine`s first year in USA.

Pereth,No Dak
2 Cept. 1928

Dear Fina! [Olufine, later Olga Mortenson]

Many thanks for the letter I got. I've been thinking for quite some time now about writing you a letter, but so far it has only been a thought. Now I am in place and there is always something to do. They will soon have finished the house, -- so we have moved in again now. We have been cooking in pans (outdoors) this summer and it has been very hot. Much hotter than I have been used to. Soon they will start threshing - I will stay here until the treshing is over. - -

Sunday 9. Yes, that is as far as I wrote last Sunday. Now I will have to write some more. During the week I had no time; because we have been busy moving back into the house. Tonight Oscar, my brother, is coming and shall be here for the treshing. And I'm happy about that. But it will be a very busy time, I prophesy. For a lot of men shall be here. How is it where you are (living)? Do you have working people (servants) - or is Albert doing it all by himself? Are you cooking for the treshing men ?

I see that you have been ill this summer - I hope you have been healthy now. You will soon be working with hens and törkis (turkeys) - I prophesy. Have you received letters from Norway recently? It has been quite a while since I had any. I had one from Olav last. He is working with goats this summer in the valley. And it is Berta who is cooking the cheese. We should have taken a trip home now- me and you, and tasted the cheese. Lina has been ill , Olav wrote, - and she has lying in the hospital in Bergen, but they thought she would get well again. It is Johannes in Skara and his old lady which will be (working) with Sivert this summer. Yes now Johannes and Inger are wed also, they should be married in July. I think it was the 4th. I have been celebrating weddings here in America also now; but I found it funnier in Norway now. So it would have been great fun to be at Johannes` wedding party. I see that you shall have your teeth taken out. I have had some, but not all, taken out. You will remember that I had one large (tooth) standing outside of the others I have had it drawn, and the dentist took 3 dollars for removing it. But then I am now even much more beautiful since I had it taken out - ha ha. Have you received a letter from Lovisa? They will maybe build a house there this summer. They have a hired hand I guess. Jonas was gone as I was home. The poor guy; he doesn't like it anymore since you left. You are probably often out driving now that you have a new car. Last night Martin - one of the sons here - and I went to a (cattle) show. I like driving in a car. You can probably also drive alone now? I don't dare that. This summer as my brother Conrad was here we went (by car) to Killverney- Canada. The 4th of July, I was in Canada. Where were you on the 4th? Did you go to a dance ? I have been once to a dance here. I will have to stop here with a lot of greetings to you and Albert from

Margit [Holten]