Descedants report

1. Bertel Hansen Holm #346, b. ABT. 1788, Sparbu. He married Maren Lorentzdatter #347, b. ABT. 1792, Sparbu.

Bertel and Maren are mentioned in the LDS's (the Mormons') genealogy database as parents of my great-great grandfather Lornts Bertelsen Holm. Except for approximate year of birth - 1788 and 1792 respectively, and assumed place of birth (Sparbu, Norway), no other details are available there. I have not been able to trace them in the 1801 census, neither in Sparbu nor in neighboring counties. The church records of Sparbu has not been checked, but as the Mormons are actively using church records in their genealogy research it is natural to assume that they have found something on Bertel and Maren there. Bertel's marriage to Maren Lorentzdatter may be registered there, or if their son Lorntz is baptized in Sparbu, the child's parents, and possibly their age or year of birth will be mentioned as well.

2. Lorntz Bertelsen Holm #21, b. 1813, Trondheim. He married Anne Margrethe Gundersdatter #22, b. 1811, Inderøy, d. 1890, Sparbu. Lorntz died 1884, Sparbu.

Lornts Bertelsen Holm was according to the local History for Ogndal og Sparbu born in Trondheim. He came to Sparbu around 1840 with his family, and settled as a cotter under the Froeset farm. He and his wife lived at this place for almost half a century, and the strip of land he leased is still carrying the name "Holmplassen". Before he came to Froeset, he and his family had lodged at the Vist farm, Sparbu.

The proprietor of the Froeset farm was at this time the attorney Ole Holm, who in 1828 bought the far from the estate of the deceased Soeren Brun, at the price of 1931 speciedaler. Ole Holm also came from Trondheim, but was born in Verdal. The author of Sparbu and Ogndal Local History indicates that if Ole and Lornts Holm were not brothers, it is highly probable that they were closely related.

The census 1865 mention Lorntz as a cotter with land, and of domestic animals he keeps 1 cow, 9 sheep and a pig. He had sown half a barrel of barley, 1/4 barrel of mixed grain, 2 1/2 barrels of oat, and put 5 barrels of seed potatoes in the ground. Holmplassen was also accasionally referred to as Holmstoea (the Holm landing place), and was beautifully located directly on the seaside. According to an old legend, a treasure was supposed to be buried at this place, but it is not known if there ever has been performed a search for a possible treasure. Neither is there any reference to what kind of occurrence or situation such a treasure should be connected to. The present proprietor of the Froeset farm, Lars Hofstad, informs that in recent times Holmplassen has been used as a loading place for transport of marble from the Froeset marble quarry. A major part of this marble has been used for reconstruction of the Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim.

Nowadays the whole area of Holmplassen has been converted to sites for pleasure homes. There are 5 - 6 summer cottages located on the property, and on the exact spot of Lorntz and Anne Margrethe's house there is nice cabin owned by a Swedish female journalist.

Anton Bertrand Holm was initially a cotter under the Toldnes Farm in Sparbu, then later under Lø Farm. He moved to Beitstad around 1875.

The census 1900 mention Ole Holm as a journeyman butcher at Munkrøstad's slaughterhouse in Levanger.

3. Martin Bernhard Holm #102, b. 1840, Sparbu. He married Karoline Sofie Ludvigdatter Eidem #105, 1866, in Sparbu, b. 1841, Trondheim.

Martin Bernhard and Karoline Sofie had their son Ludvig Tonius in Sparbu in 1867, but moved to Trondheim shortly afterwards.

4. Peter Andreas Holm #10, b. 15 Jun 1849, Sparbu, baptized 10 Feb 1850, Sparbu. He married Cicilie Evendatter #11, 11 Nov 1870, in Skogn, b. 20 Apr 1845, Langås, Skogn, (daughter of Even Evensen #109 and Ane Marta Larsdatter #110) baptized 17 Aug 1845, Skogn, d. 1907, Trondheim, buried: Trondheim. Peter died 19 Apr 1925, Hitra, buried: 1925, Sandstad Kirke.

Peter Andreas was baptized at home after his birth in 1849, and the baptism was confirmed in Sparbu church 10. feb. 1850. Godparents at the baptism were: Anne Arentsdatter Lehn and Zacharias Andersen, Nicolai Petersen Leinsplass and Elen Anna Gundersdatter, and Inger Albrechtsdatter Lehn and Anton Olsen.

Peter Andreas and Cecilie were living with his parents at Holmplassen for a while after they were married. However, shortly after 1880 they moved to Soerenget, a small strip of leased land under the Laankan farm, also in Sparbu. In addition to working the land at Soerenget he also served as farmhand for sheriff Petersen at Brekka.

Peter Andreas and Cecilie didn't stay long at Soerenget. The census 1900 has them registered in Trondheim, with an address at 10 Nordtvedt's street, but they probably moved there already around 1890. At the time of the census only two of their children, Thorvald and Godtfred, are mentioned at this address - both as sailors. The census also mention Peter Andreas at the Jevika farm, Sparbu. He was probably working there as a farmhand, or he might have been there as a fisherman. According to information conveyed through the generations by his son August Martin and his grandsons, Peter Andreas took part in the traditional cod fisheries in Lofoten several winters. It is assumed there was an appropriate boat and necessary equipment for the Lofoten fisheries in Jevika.

Peter Adreas and Cecile were the last cotters at Soerenget, and the only trace they left is the name "Holmteigen" which is now included in the Laankan land. The strip of land is still visible from the E6 highway running north shortly after passing Maere.

After Cecile died in 1907, Peter Andreas moved to the island of Hitra where his oldest son August Martin lived. August had at this time put up a house at Hamnavollan under the Hamn farm, and Peter Andreas lived there for a while. He worked on the farms around, frequently as a lumberer, and did a lot of fishing with his son August. At one of the Akset farms he met Marit Pedersdatter Ledal (born 1864 in Aure), whom he eventually married. She had in 1914 leased a strip of land from Akset South, and had a small house put up there. The place was called Sollia. Peter Andreas and Marit lived off this land until he died in 1925. Marit's son from a previous relationship, Jonas Kjørsvik, came to Sollia later, and took over the place. He cultivated some additional 4 acres of rough grazing land which later was transferred to Sollia by the owner, shipbroker Jacob C. Lund.

There are still some anecdotes being told about Peter Andreas. His capacity as a hard worker was legendary, as was his remarkable way with children. It has been said that he had this rare ability to put himself at the very same level as the children around him, which of course made him a very popular grandfather. There are also some tales about some of his rather dramatic experiences from his many seasons at the Lofoten fishing grounds. On two occasions he barely survived after his boat capsized when the whole Lofoten fleet of fishing vessels was hit by unexpected hurricanes. On both occasions he made it to the shore after clinging to the bottom of his boat for hours. One of the latest events still being talked about took place after he moved to Hitra. He and his son August Martin were on their way to Sandstad to trade fish and do some shopping at a small general store located there, and as usual they traveled by August's small boat - a faering equipped with sails. They had a fair wind, and made it to the Sandstad strait in no time. However, the land on the north side of the strait rises quite steeply to a rather high level, which often causes unpredictable gusts of wind. And that's what happened on this particular day. A strong burst of wind gone astray hit their sails, the boat capsized, and Peter Andreas and August Martin went splashing into the sea. However, they both managed to climb out of the sea and up on the overturned boat's keel. Sitting there, wet but safe, Peter Andreas decided this was an excellent opportunity to do a thorough examination of the condition of the boat's keel, and after a few minutes ha had the following message to his son: "One thing I see for sure, boy: If you wanna save the keel of this here boat afore it's too late, you'd better waste no time changing the keel board, and that's a fact!" (Author's note: The keel board is a protection that runs all along the keel, to avoid damaging the keel when the boat is being pulled ashore on rocky beaches).

Cecilie: Cecilie was born at Langaas farm in Skogn, but moved to Ogndal in 1857 when her parents Even Evensen and Ane Marta Larsdatter bought the East Skei farm. Originally her father came from Sandsvaer township near Kongsberg, and in his younger days he worked in the silver mines there. Later he moved north to Skogn where he married Ane Marta Larsdatter born 1815 in Skogn. They bought the Langaas farm in 1839, but never managed to get a somewhat difficult financial situation under control. They had to sell the farm in 1853, after which the family moved to Gustad West (ref. Skogn Local History volume 1 Frol, page 468). In 1857 they bought the East Skei farm in Ogndal. At this time the family had 7 children, and after they settled at Skei they had two more. The preliminary land register describes the Skei farm as follows: 34 acres of cultivated land, 4 acres cultured meadows, 8 acres of cultivable land, excellent grazing land, but forest only for fencing material and heating. Average annual crop was calculated to 1/2 barrel of rye, 16 barrels of barley, 60 barrel of oats, 72 barrels of potatoes and 100 loads of hay. The livestock was 2 horses, 7 cows, one heifer and 25 sheep.

The family's time as farmers at Skei didn't last long. The finances were still in a bad state, and they had serious trouble in paying off their debts. In 1868 it was all over; a forced sale was arranged by the authorities, and the farm was sold. After this the family is to found at one of the Musum places in Verdal.

The census 1900 has Thorvald registered as a cook onboard S/S "Vallien". Later he went to America, where he had some contact with his brother Karl Oskar who emigrated in 1903. In one of his letters to his brother August Martin he is referring to a land property in the Seattle area. In this particular letter he is talking somewhat sadly about his life in general and about his future, and concludes like this: "If I had a living human soul around me at the time I had this land in Washington, I would never have left the place. But as it happened I got myself a new berth again, and with that the cow was sold". (Author's note: "The cow was sold" is an old Norwegian saying, meaning something like "there was no turning back").

After the first World War was over he returned to Norway, but it was very difficult to find work here at that time. He didn't stay long, and resumed his profession as a sailor. It is not known when, where or how he ended his life, but according to his cousin Trygve Holm he didn't live long after he left Norway for the last time.

At the time of the 1900 census Godtfred Armand is registered at his parents' address, 10 Nordtvedt's street in Trondheim, but is already at the age of 18 a sailor with whereabouts unknown. He came to America approximately at the same time as his brother Thorvald, and there still exists a couple of letters that he wrote to his brother August Martin during this time. One was written Dec. 12, 1917 while he visited the Norwegian Seamen's Church, 111 Pioneer St. Brooklyn, New York. The letter starts as follows: "Dear Brother August, it is so terribly long since I wrote to you that I now have to make amends. I believe it must be 7 - 8 years ago. No, come to think of it, I probably haven't written since our mother died". (Cecilie died in 1907).

He continues by telling that he and his brother Thorvald left Seattle the year before on a Norwegian oil tanker, went through the Panama Canal and continued south to Rio de Janeiro where they were put ashore. From there they traveled to Buenos Aires to look for berth on another ship, but things were very difficult. Thorvald got a job on another Norwegian vessel after a while, but Godtfred spent 8 months in Buenos Aires until he finally could sign on a Danish ship that went south around Cape Horn, along the Chilean coast, through the Panama Canal again and north to Boston. From there he traveled by train to New York, and in the Norwegian Seamen's Church he found a letter from Thorvald, informing him that he had traveled west. There also was a letter from August Martin addressed to Thorvald c/o the Church. Apparently they this agreement that they could open each other's letters, so Godtfred opened it, read it and put it back again.

In another passage of his letter to August he is talking of the possibility to go home to Norway again, but concludes that "there is probably no work to find there now at this difficult time. He is referring to the war (the first World War), and indicates that he may consider returning to Norway after the war is over. Actually he did get back to Norway a while after the war. However, it turned out to be impossible to find a land-based job here at the time, and finally he had to resume his occupation as a sailor. An extensive strike among sailors kept him out of work for a long time, and during this strike he stayed for more than a year with his brother August Martin at Hitra. Before he left for the sea again he was briefly engaged to a young woman from Trondheim. His cousin Trygve Holm remembers this, and he also remembers that this woman was pregnant at the time Godtfred left. She is supposed to have given birth to a boy, but the woman's name is not known and there is no information available on Godtfred's son.

According to Trygve Holm, Godtfred got sick in America after he went to sea again, and died some place over there. It is not known when or where he died.

5. Ludvig Tonius Holm #106, b. 1867, Sparbu. He married Anna Karoline Holm #1048, b. 1873, Trondheim.

Ludvig Tonius and his wife were at the census 1900 living at the address Nonnegata 18, TGrondheim. This was an apartment house harboring 6 housholds. The consus mention that living with Ludvig Tonius and his family is their maid named Inne Fredrikke Arntzen, born 1881 in Stjørna.

6. Laurette Amalie Holm #27, b. 1871, Sparbu. She married Johan Sivertsen #421.

In the Local History of Sparbu and Ogndal Laurette Amalie is mentioned as maid on the Oestby farm, Egge, in 1891. At the time of the census 1900 she is registered at Heir farm in Levanger, also here as maid, and with her is an 8 years old boy named Marginus Holm. He is mentioned as a shepherd boy. It is assume that Marginus is a son who Laurette had out of wedlock; her nephew Trygve Holm confirms that she had a child before she married. However, Marginus is not mentioned in any letters or other documents after his brother August Martin.

In letters to August written in the period 1910 - 1920 she is using "Sivertsen" as family name, which indicates that she is married at the time. The address she is using is: O. S. Dyrstad, Vik, Eggebogen.

Johan Sivertsen: As of today it is not known who Laurette Amalie Holms husband was. The only indication of his identity is the fact that she around 1915-1916 is referring to him in a couple of letters to her brother August Martin, and the fact that she at this time is using "Sivertsen" as her last name.

In an old photo album after August Martin and Stine Holm ther is a photo of a young woman named Thekla Sivertsen, who was the daughter of August's older sister Laurette Amalie. The photo was probably taken at her confimation.

7. August Martin Holm #8, b. 11 Aug 1873, Sparbu. He married Stine Jensdatter Nesset #9, 1894, b. 2 Aug 1872, Nesset, Hitra, (daughter of Jens Andersen #18 and Ingeborg Marie Pedersdatter Nesset #19) d. 3 Oct 1958, i Skogstad, Sandstad, buried: 1958, Sandstad Kirkegård. August died 7 Feb 1945, På Hamnavollan, Sandstad, buried: 1945, Sandstad Kirkegård.

August Martin Holm was born in 1873 at "Holmplassen" leased from the Froeset farm in Sparbu. His parents were Peter Andreas and Cecilie Holm. Early in the 1890-ies he was working at the Roestad farm in Levanger, probably as a farm hand, and he met there Stine Jensdatter from Nesset farm at Hitra. They married, and lived for a few years at Nesset where Stine's brother Iver Jenssen was running the farm. They were still living there at the time of the Census 1900, and had by now 3 children. Shortly after 1900 they moved to Akset, a small settlement on the south-eastern side of Hitra, where they first lived as lodgers at Storvika. In 1904 August Martin signed a leasing agreement with Daniel C. Strøm, on a small piece of land under the Hamn farm, and the same year he put up a the first house on this land. A rather small one; only about 16 by 16 feet, with a loft. This first house was made of timber, which previously had been a storehouse on a farm in Hemne, a settlement on the mainland across the fjord from Hitra. August Martin transported all the timber beams across the sea floating after his small boat which was run only by oars and sails. Another 16 by 16 feet, a kind of framework construction, was added to the house within a couple of years, making a total square footage of approximately 520. In the original part - the timber part - there was a sitting room on the ground floor, and a loft with one bedroom upstairs. In the framework addition they made space for a kitchen and a small chamber on the ground floor, and a second bedroom upstairs. In this second part of the house they also made a hay store which was filled up in the autumn and served as supply of winter fodder for the animals they kept. There also was a basement; under the sitting room they kept their food supply, and under the kitchen and hay store they made space for their first animals - a cow and 4 - 5 sheep. To keep the animals in the basement was, however, only a temporary solution; a few years later a small barn was put up on the hill east of the house, with space for a cow or two and a calf, a few sheep and some hens. They named their new home "Hamnavollan".

Most of the cultivated land on Hamnavollan was cleared by August Martin, mainly by hand with no other tools than a pickaxe, a spade and a crowbar - and an occasional borrowed stump puller. The last strip of land he cleared was "Nylandet" on the west end of the property. This was partly marshland, and partly a gravel rising from which an enormous amount of large stones had to be removed. Large dumps of stones down at the beach serve as monuments over the amount of work invested in this small piece of land to make it possible to get a crop out of its soil.

As the years went by August Martin and Stine's family grew, until they had 8 children. As soon as they were old enough they had to move out to find work, and one of the daughters, Ingrid, ended up in Trondheim as a maid. There she became the family's first victim of the tuberculosis epidemic that ravaged the country during these years. In 1916 and 1917, four of their children died from tuberculosis, and the 5th, their last daughter Agnes, died some years later. A tragedy that put its mark on both August and Stine for as long as they lived.

It should be mentioned that August Martin at a very early age was put in a fosterhome, at a farm in Sparbu. This was something he rarely and reluctantly talked of, but the few details he revealed to his wife and children were not of a pleasant nature. This may be the reason why he flatly refused even to discuss the question of including work duties for his children when the lease contract for Hamnavollan was negotiated.

In 1942 August demanded to acquire Hamnavollan as his own property, pursuant to new legislation, and during the month of August the same year formal assessment took place. Cross marks were chiselled in solid rock and marking stones put down, but the parties could not agree on the price. In the end this question was submitted to the council committee concerned with questions of land and forest use, which after a brief consideration decided that "One thousand Norwegian kroner would appear to be a reasonable price for the assessed property, including the forest". The conveyance of the property was then registered, and August's 38 years as a cotter on leased land had come to a conclusion.

August didn't get to live long as proprietor on his own land. A wintry day in early February 1945 he came ashore from the sea after having hauled the fishing nets he put out the day before. The rise from the shore up to his house was more than he could take that day, and from the window it was observed that he had to sit down for a rest halfway up the rise. His wife Stine hurried down to help him, and eventually managed to get him inside the house and to bed. He never came out of his bed alive - he died February 7th, 1945, from pneumonia.

According to letters written by Ingrid to her parents, she worked as a maid on several farms in the Troendelag area and in Trondheim after her confirmation. It is not known where or when she contracted tuberculosis - which at that time was a deadly illness - but she is mentioning chest pain and weakness in a letter dated as early as 1913. She spent her last months in her parents' home, until she died in January 1916. Ingrid was at that time engaged to be married to John Skjemstad from Trondheim.

iii Olga Holm #24, b. 1900, Sandstad, baptized Sandstad, d. 1917, buried: 1917, Sandstad.

8. Petra Selma Holm #107, b. 1875, Sparbu. She married Johan Kristian Haarberg #318, b. 1865, Hasselvika, (son of Johan Petter Jonsen Haarberg #486 and Karen Sofie Tomasdatter Søtvik #487).

The census 1900 mention Johan, Selma Petra and the children Sverre, Audun and Sølva living at the address Sjøgata 42b, Levanger. They were lodging there - the owner of the house was the widow Elen Myr. Johan was at this time working as a bricklayer. The family moved later to Ranheim near Trondheim, where Johan and eventually several of the children were working at Ranheim paper mill.

vi Halvdan Ferdinand Engelhart Haarberg #505, b. 13 Jan 1905, d. 14 Dec 1976.

viii Torleif Miliam Størk Haarberg #495, b. 5 Aug 1908. He married Elida #520. Torleif died 23 Jan 1994.

9. Karl Oscar Petersen Holm #12, b. 13 Apr 1878, Sparbu. He married Martine Johannesdatter Rozella Hofstad #57, 4 May 1899, b. 6 Sep 1869, Verdal, (daughter of Johannes Bastiansen Musemsenget #365 and Marit Larsdatter Bjørstad #366) baptized 26 Dec 1869, Verdal, d. 22 Jul 1948, Los Angeles, California, buried: North Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. Karl died 27 Dec 1937, Los Angeles, California, buried: 31 Dec 1937, North Hollywood, Los Angeles, California.

Karl Oskar Petersen Holm and his wife Martine were at the time of the census 1900 living in Levanger, Norway, at the address 43 Church street. According to the census his profession was factory worker, and according to information conveyed by his daughter Myrtle Cecilia he was a shoemaker. At the time of the census they had two young sons, Trygve Agaton and William Valdemar.

The situation in Norway around 1900 was very difficult. The population was rapidly growing, and there was very little free land to develop as farmland. The industrial revolution took its time to make an effect in Norway, and to find work that was paid sufficiently to feed a growing family was difficult. It is accordingly no wonder that Karl Oskar and his family decided to look for a better life outside Norway, and in March 1903 all was set for the long voyage across the Atlantic Ocean to America. A friend og the young family, Ole Reitan, was living in Wisconsin, and they were able to borrow the money needed for the trip from him. The agreement was that Karl Oskar would work for Ole to pay off the loan.

From Trondheim they went to the port of Kristiansund, where they on Friday 20 March boarded a ship named "Montebello" for a two days' crossing of the North Sea to Hull, England. From Hull the family travelled by train to Liverpool, and on 23 March they boarded the steamship "Noordland" of the Red Star Line to 3rd class quarters. The "Noordland" was built in 1883 in Birkenhead, England, Her details were: 5,212 gross tons, length 400 ft. x beam 47 ft, one funnel, four masts, single screw and a speed of 13 knots. There were accomodations for 63 1st, 56 2nd, and 500 3rd class passengers. She made her last voyage of service in 1908 and was scrapped later the same year. (Source: ShipsList by Ted Finch 17 Nov 1997).

After crossing the Atlantic in dreadful storms, which they at times thought they wouldn't survive, they reached their U.S. destination of Philadelphia on Saturday 3rd April 1903 after 10 days at sea. From Philadelphia they travelled to West Salem, Wisconsin (near La Crosse), where they met with the family's benefactor Ole Reitan. Ole was also Martine's brother in law, as he was married to her sister Anna Martha. (Their 10 years old daughter died on the ship when coming to America earlier).

Karl Oskar worked for Ole doing construction work to pay back his loan, and he also pursued his own shoe repair trade. While they were living in Wisconsin they had their first daughter, Emma Lydia, who was the first Holm of this family to be born in America (Feb. 1904), and the son Alec Johannes (Jan 1906).

Karl Oskar and his family didn't stay long in LaCrosse. About April 1907 the family moved to Powers Lake, North Dakota to develop the homestead they had allocated. The homestead was one-quarter section of land, on which they eventually farmed wheat, oats, flax and barley. They also had a garden, and raised lots of potatoes. Later Karl Oskar bought a thrashing machine and an Avery Tractor for use on his own land and on neighbouring crops for extra maney.Their first house was more or less a shack, hardly fit to keep the snow and cold of winter out. Their last daughters, Charlotte Magdaline and Myrtle Cecilia were born in this house. A barn for the horses as well as a barn for the cowes were also built, and later the family was able to move into a new two-storeyed house with basement The farm had about six horses, 8 cows, plus calves, pigs and chickens. Later they bought another 160 acres of farm land, increasing the total acreage to 360.

Sundays were very special days. the whole family would dress up, for morning and night church services. Karl Oskar would drive them all intheir old wooden wagon, and in winter time he would heat rocks to helo keep the childrens feet warm. In his vest pocket he would lways wear his gold watch, which he was very proud of and would look at often. Karl Oskar was a very religious person, and was an avid follower of Aimee Semple McPherson of teh Angeles Temple of Los Angeles, Ca. Aimee had made a revolution within the religious establishment of the time with her sermons over the "wireless telephone". (The radio). It has been assumed that she was one of the driving forces that influences Karl Oskar to sell his farm and move with his family to Los Angeles.

In 1919 Karl Oskar paid his first and only visit to Norway after he emigrated to America. He started his journey on a wintry day by walking the 18 miles to the town of Stanley, where he caught the eastbound train bound for his port of departure. During his visist he mainly stayed a the island of Hitra with his father Peter Andreas and brother August Martin. His father was at this time remarried to Marit Ledal, and lived with her at Sollia under Akset South farm. Accompanied by his brother August Martin he also took a trip to Ranheim outside Trodnheim where his sister Petra Selma was living with her very large family, and to Steinkjer where his other sister Laurette Amalie had settled with her family. When he was dressing for this travel his nephews Arne, Karl and Trygve were very impressed with the fur coat he put on. They were connvinced it was made of the fur of several wolves.

Despite the rather tough climate in North Dakota, Karl Oskar and his family managed to make a living out of the farm, even though it certainly could be somewhat scanty at times. He had, however, a strong wish to get away from North Dakota before the children got old enough to start their own families, and in November 1923 the farm was sold to John and Lizzie Hegstad. Everything was sold, and without knowing anything at all about California he bought a new Ford Touring, loaded up what little they had kept of movables and set out on their journey to this warm, sunny and prosperous land they had heard people talk about. Emma Lydia and Alec Johannes stayed behind - they both had work in Powers Lake, but a couple of months later they came after their family to California.

When they arrived in Los Angeles in November 1923 the weather was warm and pleasant, and there was no snow. At first they had to put up a tent in Lincoln Park, and stayed there until they found a couple of rooms for rent. A couple of weeks later they bought their first house in Los Angeles, at which time both Karl Oskar and his two oldest sons already had a job with Goodyear Rubber Co. Charlotte was working as waitress at hotel. In February 1932 Korl Oskar lost his job at Goodyear, and he and Martien then moved to Colton, Oregon, where they bought 15 acres of strawberry land. Colton is some 500 miles north of Los Angeles, and this soon became a bit too far away from the children and by now a growing umber of grandchildren in Los Angeles. In 1934 they sold the strawberry farm, and bought a beautiful house outside Los Angeles. But also this turned out to be a bit too far from the children, so in 1935 they bought a smaller house in the city.

After breakfast on December 27, 1937 he went to catch the bus to go downtown to pay some bills. He didn't get far; at the gate ha collapsed and was lying in a pond of water from the rain showers the day before. Martine saw what happened and went to get help. But it was too late - he died a few days later, only 59 years old.

(Photo of their first house)

Martine: Martine Johannesdatter Rozella Hofstad had 13 siblings, and because her parents couldn't afford to maintain and feed them all she was loaned out to their neighbour Andreas Tiller in Verdal at the age of 7. At this time it was quite common for cotters' families with many children to loan out some of their children, mainly to land-owners who was in need of labour. These children had do a certain amount of work for their keep. Martine lived at the Tiller farm until she married Karl Oskar Holm in 1899, at which time she was 29 years old. Her job was to help with the milking and to keep the cow barn tidy and clean. The Tiller family treated her as their own , and she was awarded six beautiful silver spoons as a reward for taking excellent care of the Tiller Barn.

When Martine and her young family set sails for America she had two children under 24 months, and was still nursing one. To make such a venture into the unknown requires courage and strength, as there was little more than their own hands that they could bring with them to the new world. Most of their possessions had to be left behind, as the available space for luggage was limited.

After Martine and her family go to their homestead in North Dakota things were still hard, while they were trying to build a home out of nothing. She has been heard to say: "What will I fix for dinner today?", and then out of some flour, water and grease she would make some dumplings, and that would be dinner. As the farm developed she was the one who took care of the milk cows, pigs, and the chickens. When the garden was established she would get her winter type vegetables, and lots of potatoes. By now the children were getting older, and could provide some help.

As the farm was further developed, Oskar and the oldest children Trix (Trygve), Bill (William), Emma and Alec would be the only help for the harvest. Emma would keep up with the boys and do her part sheaving the fields. Martine would take care of the chores and cooking with the help of the younger girls Charlotte and Myrtle. After the days work was over Martine would sometimes tell the children stories on her life in Norway.

After the family moved to Los Angeles all the family members, and sometimes their friends, would come home hungry, and Martine would have a big meal ready. She loved to cook and have people eat her meals. Sundays became family days and Martine would cook for all. Watching people enjoying her food was her greatest pleasure, and she would never sit down herself. She would just walk around waiting to serve while nibbling on a piece of bread or something. On occasions she would make "hyllkake", a local speciality from Verdal in Norway, made from potatoes and cooked thin, in a round pan.

Martine could read and write, and had learned much about life. She was 4'10" in height, and weighed about 150 pounds. She had blue eyes and very dark brown curly hair that turned white very early in life, some say caused by a fever.

Martine remarried 3 May 1946 to John Weems (born abt. 1866). However, she died two years later of cancer in her right kidney, and was buried in Valhalla Cemetery, Burbank, California side by side with her first husband Karl Oskar Holm.

10. Arne Holm #25, b. 1897, Nesset. He married Jenny Sandvik #26, b. 14 Nov 1903, Fillan, (daughter of Johannes Andeassen Sandvik #99 and Karen Anna Knutsdatter Sandvik #100) d. 27 Nov 1977. Arne died 15 Jan 1972, buried: Sandstad.

Arne Holm bought in 1936 approximately 10 acres of land at Hitra, partly from Olsvika farm and partly from the Hamn farm. The same year he built a cow barn on the property, and lived there with his family through the winter until a farmhouse was ready in 1938. Arne cultivated 4 1/2 acres of the land, and the livestock was in 1960 1 horse, 2 cows, a couple of calves and some sheep.

11. Karl Oskar Holm #5, b. 23 Apr 1905, Hitra, baptized Sandstad Kirke. He married (1) Jenny Elise Johansdatter Børøsund #6, 1938, in Sandstad Kirke, b. 3 Oct 1916, Bjugn, (daughter of Johan Olaus Gabrielsen Børøsund #32 and Sofie Elise Sivertsdotter Sæther #33) baptized Bjugn, d. 31 Mar 1943, Orkdal Sykehus, buried: 1943, Sandstad Kirkegård. He married (2) Eva Guldteig #28, 1965, in Trondheim, b. Ørlandet, d. 1993, buried: Brekstad Kirke. Karl died 8 Apr 1976, Regionsykehuset i Trondheim, buried: 1976, Ørland Kirke, Brekstad.

Karl Oskar Holm grew up as a cotter's son at Hamnavollan under the Hamn farm at Hitra. The first years after he married Jenny they were living in rented lodging, a. o. with Oluf and Hanna Berlotte Aune at Nordaunet, Hestvika.

The marriage to Jenny was short - she died in Orkdal Hospital early 1943. After this he moved home to Hamanvollan with his two young children. His father August Martin died in Febrary 1945, and after that he more or less took over running the small farm. Formally the property was transferred to him on the summer of 1946, and his plans to start clearing and cultivating a piece of land that he had bought from the Akset farms in 1936 was abandoned.

In his best years he worked the small strips of soil at Hamnavollan optimally, with maximal crops of what was cultivated at the time. Longline and net fishing in the fjord gave an important contribution to what was served on the dinner table, and a bit of extra cash as well. In addition he took on any jobs available, like lumbering, farm work and whatever. When construction of new roads at Hitra was initiated, he was working on several of the projects taking place during the nineteen fifties and early sixties.

Towards the end of the fifties and early sixties he ran into some problems with his health. Increasing pain in his back caused by sciatica finally made him unable to do hard physical work. After an operation in his back he came to the State Rehabilitation Centre in Trondheim, where he was re-educated as a welder. After the education he got a job at the Nobø Factories in Trondheim, and worked there until he retired in 1972.

While attending the State Rehabilitation Centre he met Eva Guldteig from Uthaug, and they married in 1965. The first couple of years they lived in a somewhat modest flat in Sandgata, Trondheim, but moved later to a larger flat at Møllenberg. After he retired they bought a house directly on the harbor of Uthaug, and lived there until his death in 1976.

12. Trygve Holm #50, b. 1 Mar 1909, Sandstad. He married Petra Staven #51, b. 23 Jul 1921, Åfjord, d. 1998, Trondheim.

13. Sverre Margido Haarberg #481, b. 1897, Levanger landsogn. He married Sigrun Guldberg #492. Sverre died 22 Oct 1985.

Sverre Margido was a son that Petra Selma had before she was married. His father was from Levanger, with family name Magnussen.

14. Audun Ingemar Henry Haarberg #423, b. 18.01.1899, Levanger landsogn. He married Mary Rønning #493, b. 19 Feb 1906, d. 9 Oct 1994. Audun died 12 Nov 1969.

15. Sølva Kathinka Haarberg #480, b. 03.03.1900, Levanger landsogn. She married Per August Flach #496, 31 Dec 1923, in Strinda, b. 30 Jan 1892, d. 18 Jul 1966. Sølva died 9 Apr 1973.

16. Karl Godtfred Anker Haarberg #422, b. 22 Apr 1906, Ranheim. He married Valborg Mathilde Nilsson #494, b. 24 May 1911, d. 17 Jan 1999. Karl died 7 Apr 1990.

17. Hergeir Waldemar Jahn Haarberg #497, b. 8 Mar 1910. He married Jorun Johnsen #498, b. 19 Nov 1914, d. 3 Aug 1987. Hergeir died 5 Jul 1968.

18. Alf Ingeman Helge Haarberg #499, b. 20 May 1911. He married Johanne Kambuås #500, b. 13 Sep 1908, d. 20 Oct 1986. Alf died 30 Jul 1994.

19. Lydia Therese Haarberg #508, b. 30 Jan 1916. She married Kristian Lorvik #989. Lydia died 11 Nov 1996.

20. Nelly Cecilie Haarberg #509, b. 30 Jan 1920. She married Karl Jean Hansen #510, b. 16 Feb 1921, d. 30 Sep 1984. Nelly died 12 Feb 1986.

21. Trygve Agathon Holm #356, b. 25 Dec 1900, Levanger. He married (1) Pearl Beason #410, 1926, in Los Angeles, d. FEB 1946. He married (2) Maida Holm #1051, 31 Oct 1948. Trygve died OCT 1986, Perris, Riverside, California.

Trygve was only two years old at the time his family emigrated to America. At the age of 22 he left North Dakota with his family in 1923, for California with expectations for a better life. He had at that time attained some automotive training, and unlike most of the Holm family members who started working at the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. Trygve followed the automotive line of work. It was through this profession he meet Elmer Woodruff who later married his sister Charlotte.

Trygve was a religious man, and he later built a church in Bell Gardens. He spent a good amount of his time doing church work. He was a good singer, and performed solos in his church work.

His favourite drink was freshly made lemonade, which he would always keep around the house. Trygve was about 5'2" tall and weight about 140 pounds. He had brown hair, and was quite muscular. He had a bit of a stutter.

At the time of his death in 1986 he was living in Perris, California. Cause of death was attributed to injuries of being hit by a car. He had been treated for a detached retina, and could not see well.

22. William Valdemar Holm #357, b. 20 Jun 1902, Levanger. He married Alice May Dow #412, 4 Jul 1926, in Los Angeles, b. 8 May 1903, d. 1996 in Lake Isabella, Ca. William died 24 Jan 1995, 92399 Calimesa, Riverside, California.

William (Bill) was only 9 months old and still nursing when his parents set sail for a new life in America. He was next to the oldest son. In America he had to grow up fast as there were farm chores to be done, and his father expected everybody to help with the work. Later in his young life William and his older brother Trygve would work some winters in Minneapolis, Mn., to make some extra money.

His only schooling came before he was a teenager. Math was his best subject, and he was good at figuring out the best way to do things as later life would show.

When the family moved to California Bill went along, and like most of them he stared working at the Goodyear Tyre Co. Soon he was elevated to a manager's position. Bill worked 20+ years at the Goodyear and then retired. Afterwards he went to Emmet, Id. where he bought a rundown vacation type motel. He remodelled and upgraded the motel, but was unaware that a new paved highway was being built that would bypass his property. As the new highway was opened it absorbed most of the traffic, and Bill shortly found that his motel was located on a dirt road that could be blocked by winter rain and snows. The guests were few, so Bill sold and returned to Los Angeles.

Bill then ventured into buying Real Estate Trust Deeds. He would buy Trust Deeds (mostly Seconds) at big discounts. They would have a large degree of risk, but would pay return of 25% to 50%. Bill's keen knowledge for real estate values and mathematics reduced the risk factor, and he was started on his way to become a wealthy man.

About 1936 Bill got into another venture, this time drilling for oil. He was so convincing on this venture that his father Karl Oskar and several others the Holm family members put up money into the plan. The oil well was drilled in Santa Maria, Ca. With oil rigs pumping oil 100 feet in every direction of their proposed site, it didn't occur to them that they could miss. So the well was drilled - and they hit saltwater! The company wanted more money to drill deeper. This happened again and again, and the money and desire an out so the investors gave up. All the money spent was lost, but Bill was by far the biggest looser.

Bill was an avid hunter and fisherman. He camped and fished the Klamath River in Northern California for months every season, for more than 30 years. This salmon fishing was not only for sport, but also for food, and it was actually hard work. His wife Alice had the duty of canning a large portion of any catch. Bill would also camp and fish in the High Sierra lakes during the trout season. His hunting was mostly for quail and chukar.

Bill hat arthritis in his hands and both knees. His knee joints were replaced when they got very bad, after which he had to give up his hunting. However, he continued fishing until his death of prostrate cancer. After the death of their adopted daughter Patricia, his and his wife's health seemed to go downhill fast.

Bill was about 5'10" tall and weighed about 160 pounds. He had brown hair and blue eyes.

Alice: Alice was talented at housekeeping, sewing, cooking and oil painting, and was always near to answer any need of her husband Bill. When they were camping she would pick all kinds of berries and can them just as she would any extra fish. Sometimes when her work was done she would sit and paint the beauty of the camp surroundings. She was liked by everyone.

Alice and Bill were unable to have any children of their own. In July 1936 they adopted Patricia, who was about two weeks old at the time. Alice was very happy to have her, and would spend all available time caring for the new baby.

Alice never had much money of her own, as the allowance from Bill was scarce. Years later she bean getting Social Security, which was now her own money. She began collecting dolls and dressing them neat and fancy, and soon had dozens in her collection. She also made her own Teddy bears of which she gave many away to her friends. She was very happy in her new-found independence.

After Bill died, Gerry, her son-in-law, moved her from Yucaipa, Ca, to Lake Isabella, Ca. He added a room for her and her many dolls to his home. Gerry would look after her needs, and would often take her out to dinner. Eating out was a treat she never experienced while living with Bill, and it pleased her and made her feel important.

Alice had many skin cancers removed over the years. The cause of her death can be attributed to a nasty fall she had down a bank at a lake she and Bill were camped. The fall injured her arm and for years she never was the same. She grew weaker over time as other ailments combined and brought on her death.

23. Emma Lydia Holm #391, b. 3 Feb 1904, West Salem, LaCrosse, Wisconsin. She married David Swancoat #392, 29 Jun 1929, in Los Angeles, b. 6 Dec 1896, Wales, d. 4 Dec 1994.

On 3 Feb 1904 a baby girl was born in West Salem, Wi. near Lacrosse. This baby was the first of the Holm family members to e born in America, and the girl was given the name Emma Lydia. About that time her uncle, August Martin Holm built his small home at the island of Hitra in Norway. In this house today there is still a large photo of the American Holm family hanging on the wall. Right in the middle there is this girl with her reddish auburn hair reaching down to her hips, with a white bow on top. That girl was also Emma Lydia Holm, a few years older.

In North Dakota the farming season was short and the winters long. This concentrated the time for preparation and planting, caring and harvest. The work was hard and everybody had to pull their own. At harvest Emma and her brothers would work a row one after the other until the work or harvest was done. The question of hiring outside help was never raised.

It wasn't always just hard work, though. Emma has told stories of how she and her brother Alec would catch gophers. They would lay on their stomachs with their hands far into the gophers' hole, and then maybe after hours, when the gopher would come forward to small their hands, they would quickly grab it and slam it very hard onto the ground killing it. The farm was a bit hilly, and it has been told that Karl Oskar, their father, built a sled for the children, and maybe some skis.

The farm was located two miles east of Powers Lake, ND, and even with the work required at the farm, the bitter cold winters and limited lighting, Emma was the only one of the children to graduate from high school. She was even able to take some speciality subjects such as algebra and Spanish. After graduation she went to Minot Normal for teaching training. She then applied for a teaching job with the Powers Lake School District, and Emma was hired to teach at the Mollet School. The school name was derived from the Mollet Farm, on which it was located. It was a white one room school about 12 miles from town, with 9 students in grades one through eight. Besides teaching, some of Emma's duties were bringing in the fire wood, water and of course cleaning the blackboards and everything else. Soon after she started teaching her father sold their farm, now fully developed, bought a new Ford Touring auto and moved most of the family to California to start a new life. Emma and her younger brother Alec were left behind, but as soon as they were able to they followed by the Burlington Northern Train, arriving in California for the New Years Celebration of 1924. Emma has describe how the sound of the fireworks frightened her.

In California, like many of her family, she started working at the Goodyear Tyre and Rubber Co. There she worked building "bands", the inner part of a tyre. Through her brothers she met David Swancoat, her future husband. Emma worked for Goodyear until she was laid-off with all other married women at the start of the depression.

Before they were married Emma and Dave visited places like Lake Arrowhead, Zzyzx, and of course the Sunbeam Theatre. On their way home they would occasionally share an apple or something. They were married on 30 June 1929 in the Four Square Church on Florence Ave, Los Angeles. They honeymooned in Seal Beach which at that time was an undeveloped area south and west of Los Angeles, California.

Children were soon to arrive, and by the first of 1937 she was caring for four boys under the age of 5 1/2 years - of which two were twins. She was now more than a full time mom. The family grew again when Babe, Buttercup and Pansy were added. These were goats which had been acquired to help out with the milk bill. Now there were goats to be milked they had to be fed, and their stalls cleaned, and this is where the boys started to have chores to help out, Emma would cook big meals for Dave and the growing boys, and they would always have a desert with every evening meal. As the older children started in school there were more lunches to be made. Emma learned sewing, and made a good share of her children's clothes.

On Sunday, after church, on 7 Dec 1941the news came out about the attack on Pearl Harbour. The war would change the families' way of life for years to come. Family necessities were rationed or hard to acquire, but Emma never was at a loss about what to do. She hand digged an area of maybe 100 sq. ft to make a Victory Garden to help feed the family. As time passed the garden grew too small, so Emma would hand dig more and more of the area around the house. Soon her garden covered the vacant lot east of her house, an area of about 50' x 120'. Neighbours would ask to buy fresh green beans, golden bantam corn, tomatoes, squash and potatoes, plus other vegetables. Emma found herself in charge of a small thriving farm that was making money, with the help of her sons who made the deliveries and did the watering and weeding. Again Emma expanded her farm Victory Garden, this time to the front of the house. And as the garden grew in size, so did the number of animals. The goats had kids. Lying hens were acquired, and there were frying chickens and rabbits. Now there was a real farm, and Sam's Market bought all the young friers and rabbits that could be raised.

Emma also grew famous for her pies. There were apple, fresh pumpkin and lemon, mincemeat and pecan pies with their light flaky crusts, but her best was the apple cobbler. After peeling the apples she would slightly parboil them with the right combination of spices so that the baking dish ended filled overflowing. When the top crust was applied it would be raised, and only the savoury odour of cooking would escape. People would ask her "When are you going to open your own Pie Ship?"

Time passed and the children needed less care. With extra time available she found a job at Fremont H.S. as a kitchen helper. But there were better jobs available, so she took the required tests. The School District Officials were impressed by the knowledge she documented on her exams, and she was hired as the Pastry Cook at Carson H.S. She worked there until her retirement at the age of 65. The School did not want her to retire, and suggested that she continued part time, but her mind was made up. She took retirement. Three persons were hired in her place.

Dave retired before Emma, and in their spare time they would go to swap meets, garage sales, and on camping trips with their trailer. At one of those swap meets Emma bought a small doll for 10 cents, and in the evening she sewed some clothes for the doll. This was the start of her next adventure - collecting and repairing dolls. The house became filled with dolls, and the collecting spread to her sisters and others. As space in the house dwindled, Dave started doing his thing: building. He built two gabled doll houses in the back yard of their home. They were painted white and had a shelving, and in time the doll houses were full. It is estimated that Emma at times had more than 1200 dolls, and to reduce the number she had doll or garage sales. The dolls she had were "rescue dolls", as the joy of making the dolls beautiful out of nothing made her the happiest. Emma also collected a few named dolls like Madame Alexander, Shirley Temple, and some valuable dolls that friends gave her.

Emma and Dave rarely missed going to church. At the age of 85 Dave had disabling stroke and could no longer drive, and Emma, who had never driven a car before, starts learning to drive at the age of 78. A few days after Dave was released from the hospital Emma got her driver's license, and they could go back to Church, Seniors Citizens and to Norms, their favourite restaurant. The Church members all welcomed them back, and at the Church Socials some were heard to say "now we will get Emma's great sandwiches and cookies again!" They were also hoping for her occasional outstanding apple cobbler.

Emma had a Goitre since childhood which she controlled with a strict diet. In older age she had a swallowing problem because of her over-active thyroid. Her heart was weakened by three leaking valves and of age. With all these complications it was pneumonia that beat her very strong willpower and robbed her of her final Mothers Day on the 11th May, 2002, at 1:15 AM. Emma died peacefully on the third consecutive day that the staff of the nursing home called the family to come in. Her strength fooled the nursing staff many other times, and they were heard to say, "her rebounding strength and robust activity thereafter has made her a legend." Everybody in the home loved her - except when Emma won six or seven Bingos in the same afternoon!

This information would not be complete without a complete list of Emma's offspring, who all loved her. At the time this is being written (October 2002) they are as follows:

Four (4) sons
Twelve (12) grandchildren
Twenty six (26) Great grandchildren
Eight (8) Great- Great- grandchildren

Emma and her husband visited Norway around 1981. They came to Norway after crossing the Atlandic onboard "Bergensfjord", and visited relatives of her mother in Nord-Trøndelag. After her husband passed away she lived alone in Torrance, Ca., tending her garden and managing on her own until autumn 2000 when she moved to a nursing home. .

David: David Swancoat was born in Wales, but emigrated to with his parents to Alberta, Canada. He moved to Los Angeles after he grew up.

iii Richard David Swancoat #427, b. 15 Jan 1936, Los Angeles. He married Barbara #429.

iv Ronald Jack Swancoat #428, b. 15 Jan 1936, Los Angeles. He married Paula #456.

24. Alec Johannes Holm #358, b. 31 Jan 1906, West Salem, La Cross, Wisconsin. He married Myrtle Maria Cowan #415, 25 Apr 1925, in Los Angeles. Alec died 28 Mar 1991, Brooks, Oregon.

Alec was the second child to be born to the Holm family after their emigration from Norway. He was born about a year before the family moved again to North Dakota to develop the homestead his father Karl Oskar had been allocated. His young life was just starting in the hardship of developing a new farm.

During the next 17 years he would learn all there was to farming. Alec managed to complete about six years of school before his father decided to move to Los Angeles for a better life. His father was also following the teachings of a young lady preacher named Aimee Semple McPherson, who later would affect Alec's entire life.

When in Los Angeles, like most of the family Alec started working for the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. He then improved his position by moving to Firestone Rubber Co., and this is where he met his future wife Myrtle Maria Cowan.

Alec, on his own money, now started attending the Life Bible College in Los Angeles, which was sponsored by Aimee McPherson. Alec became a licensed and ordained Minister, and Rev. Alec Holm chose the "Assembly of God Church" to be the branch he would spend his life's work in.

Getting started was not an easy task, for his approach was to build his church and then become the Church's Minister. He would first have to work to earn the money needed to start the church. Then with a small group he would build a backbone of members, who later would grow to be the Church's congregation. As the backbone of members grew, financing became possible from the Church's Building Fund. Rev. Alec Holm now could spend some time involved in the construction and nearly full time in the Church's work.

Rev. Alec Holm built and became Pastor of three churches. they were located in Colton, John Day and Umatilla, Oregon. He also was Pastor of churches located in Emmet, Idaho, Siletz, Oregon and at Prairie, a community near Redding, Ca. Later he assisted in pastoring churches in Salem, Oregon and Crescent City, Ca. From time to time he worked for Wards or in the lumber mills, in addition to his church activities, to gain additional family support.

Rev. Alec's hobbies were fishing, music, and in general being with people. He made music playing the mouth harp, electric keyboard, mandolin, banjo and Vienna accordion. He sang mainly with groups, and was part of a family quartet for years.

Rev. Alec's major illnesses were kidney and bladder problems, swelling of the legs, phlebitis and heart problems. He died after suffering many heart attacks aver a period of about 18 months.

Marie: Marie worked the Goodyear Co. as a floor lady, then moved to Firestone where she met Alek. She had completed the eighth grade in school.

Her years after they were married were spent as a housewife and a pastor’s wife. For a while she worked in the family dinner in Colton, Oregon. The dinner served meals to the loggers. Her hobbies were fishing, sewing and preparing meals for family and visitors.

Marie had undergone gall bladder surgery, and suffered from diabetes. She died of lung cancer that spread to her esophagus and windpipe.

25. Charlotte Magdaline Holm #359, b. 19 Sep 1908, Powers Lake, Burke, N. Dakota. She married Elmer Woodruff #360, 9 Aug 1927, in Los Angeles, b. 12 Dec 1901, Stella, Oklahoma, d. 24 May 1972, Pauls Valley, Oklahoma. Charlotte died 12 Jan 1994, Purcell, Oklahoma.

Charlotte was about 15 years old when the Holm family moved to California. She would now get more schooling, and would spend her time on odd jobs to fill in. In a photo album after her uncle in Norway, August Martin Holm, there were a few photos of Charlotte - one of her alone taken shortly after the family came to Los Angeles, and a couple of her and her husband. On the back of the first one (probably at the age of 17 - 18 years) she has written that she is working as a waitress. Later she had a job at an aircraft factory.

Charlotte got married at young age, and this marriage would have her spend most of her life in Oklahoma as that's where her husband came from. They moved there after their first two children were born, and bought some good bottom farm land. Charlotte now became a farmer's housewife.

Charlotte was an excellent cook, and sewed a lot. Like her sister Emma she was into doll making and collecting. Occasionally she would come to California to visit and go to swap meets, as she claimed there was a better selection of dolls in California.

Charlotte was bothered by Rheumatoid Arthritis from an early age, but even though she suffered a lot of pain she was able to raise a family. Her fingers and legs became distorted, and many treatments were tried to achieve some relief from the pain. Most gave only temporary relief. Eventually she had to start using crutches to move around, and would also have to rely on aid of others.

One day she fell while leaning forward. She was on her way to see the doctor when this happened, and the fall broke her arm and caused other injuries as well. Her health went downhill fast after this accident, and her death came soon.

Elmer: "aam 'n eggs" was what Elmer ordered from the pretty young waitress. He later found out her name was Charlotte.

Elmer worked at Nadows, and auto repair garage just down the street, and he would stop in often to eat and maybe just to see Charlotte. They were married a short time later in Los Angeles. After two children were born they moved to Oklahoma where Elmer was born. First to Bradley, and later they bought some good bottom farm land outside the town of Lindsay not far from the Washita River. They were cattle farmers, and grew broom corn, hay, cotton and other farm crops. The farm produced considerable oil royalties for many years.

About 1941 their house burned down, and they lost everything, but insurance covered most of their losses. Elmer had another house moved onto the farm, and things were back to normal in a short time.

Elmer was a large man, 6'3" tall. He had a laid-back style and didn't get too excited about things in general. He was lucky in his investments, as they always seemed to turn out well.

Farming required him to work out in the sun, and he developed skin cancer on his face. The skin cancer spread into his ear, and eventually led to his death.

26. Myrtle Cecila Holm #361, b. 16 Jul 1912, Powers Lake, N. Dakota. She married Warren Lloyd Edmonds #397, 27 Mar 1932, in Los Angeles, b. 15 Feb 1910, Corona, Long Island, New York, d. 16 Jul 1984, Santa Barbara, California, buried Jul 1984 in Inglewood Park Cem..

Myrtle was prematurely born in their North Dakota farmhouse, and tiny as she was her first bed was her mother's sewing machine box top with a cotton wrapping. She nursed more or less to the age of 4 and always kept close to her mom's skirt. Karl Oskar, her dad, also gave her special attention, and when he went to town he would bring back special treats, maybe a box of Cracker Jacks or something like that. This probably made the other children jealous, but Myrtle was the baby of the family.

Myrtle didn't attend much school in North Dakota. The school was located quite a distance from their home, and she couldn't walk that far without getting a side ache. Sometimes her dad would help and carry her part of the way. Then the family left North Dakota when she was eleven, and went to California. When Myrtle got to school in Los Angeles she didn't know what grade she was in, and she also had a bit of a stutter which didn't help. School was hard at first, but then she caught on, and soon her dad would be after her if anything but "A's" showed on her report card.

Myrtle went to work at the age of 13 in a restaurant for the summer. Then at the age of 15 she started working in a Venetian Blind Factory, and stayed there until she was 22 years old. At the factory she met and later married Warren Edmonds. She became a housewife when a son, Robert, was born in 1934. Her daughter , Marilyn, was born in 1940.

Myrtle was a store manager at Coast Curries Ice Cream Co. for more than 4 years. Then she worked for Judy Lynn Bakery in Fullerton, Ca. She is an excellent cook, and her family and friends have had many opportunities to enjoy her cooking talents.

Accompanied by her daughter Marilyn and son in law Roger Grunwald, Myrtle visited Norway for the first time the summer of 2000, and was reunited with members both of her mother's and father's family in the Trøndelag counties. For the fist time she met her only living Norwegian first cousin, Trygve Holm, and during her visit she also got to see the places on which her parents and grandparents used to live. She also went to the island of Hitra to visit the place where her father's brother, August Martin, was struggling to develop a small farm at the same time that Myrtle's parents were struggling to make a homestead in North Dakota.

Myrtle often writes poems during her pastime. Below is one of her favourites:

Our Mama

The Angels were singing more joyful that night
As they waited to carry Mom's soul into flight
Her pain and sorrow was almost gone
As she pointed towards heaven, it was almost dawn.

l
To us she was Mama, no other names would do
She was a friend to the friendless, she showed love to all she knew
A cup of coffee, a donut or some cake
Was sometimes all she had, all that she could make

l
She loved to go to Church, to sing and to pray
She couldn't always sing the American way
She knew her Lord and Master, and the way that she should go
Although her body was so tired, and her steps becoming slow

l
The windows by her bed were open that night
It was as tho' they expected her soul to take its flight
She tried so hard, but she was past three score and ten
And this was the night heavens homecoming must have been

l
Before daylight came - 4:30 AM - her breath was stilled
All her duties here on Earth were now fulfilled
We knew she was happy in heaven that morn
Into a blessed new life she was now reborn

Warren: Warren started working as a machine operator, and then becam a foreman for the Venetian Blind Co. He worked there from 1927 to about 1947. Between about 1950 - 1960 he worked for Space General, then on the Santa Barbara pier with work on oil rigs.

Warren's hobbies were in electronics.

He died of a heart attach.

27. Ingrid Holm #58, b. 21 May 1925, Sandstad. She married Julius Jensen #59, b. 26 Dec 1920, d. 19 Jun 1995, buried: Sandstad.

28. Leif Holm #1, b. 29 Mar 1939, Hitra, baptized Sandstad Kirke. He married Synnøve Størdal #2, 12 Sep 1964, in Lensvik Kirke, b. 5 Jun 1944, Agdenes, (daughter of Olaf Størdal #16 and Marie Martinsdatter Hernes #17) baptized Lensvik Kirke.

29. Kari Elisabeth Holm #7, b. 6 Jan 1942, Hitra, baptized Sandstad Kirke. She married Wemund Wemundstad #15, 10.06.1961, in Statsbygd, divorced 1977, b. 20 Jul 1940, Statsbygd, (son of Johan K. Vemundstad #93 and Anna Elfrida Ytterås #94).

30. Inger Holm #52, b. 20 Aug 1942, Sandstad. She married Arnfinn Leraand #635.

31. Stine Holm #53, b. 24 Aug 1944, Sandstad. She married Einar Rømma #652, 31 Dec 1965, b. 5 Jan 1941, Åfjord.

iii Karin Rømma #873, b. 17 Mar 1972, Åfjord. She married Gisle Kvernland #882.

iv Mona Rømma #874, b. 23 Feb 1974, Åford. She married Knut Audal #883, 10 Oct 1998, b. 19 Oct 1959.

32. Torfinn Holm #54, b. 6 May 1946, Sandstad. He married Martha Marine Brevik #503, b. 17 Sep 1949, Forsnes, Hitra.

33. Ingvar Holm #55, b. 26 Jan 1948, Sanstad. He married Inger Strømmen #643, b. 1 Mar 1955, Kvenvær.

34. Jarle Holm #56, b. 11 Aug 1949, Sandstad. He married Randi Tingstad #646, b. 15 Feb 1950.

35. Bjørg Linnea Flach #906, b. 19 Jan 1924. She married Erling Hoel #912, 30 Oct 1943, divorced 1984, b. 22 Dec 1922.

36. Odd Leander Flach #907, b. 4 Apr 1925. He married Gertrud Christian Eriksson #913, 12 Aug 1950, b. 7 Jan 1927.

37. Per Sander Flach #908, b. 2 Nov 1926. He married Maj-Lis Christina Åslund #914, 20 Dec 1952, b. 15 Jul 1930.

38. Carl Gunnar Flach #909, b. 2 Dec 1927. He married Ulla-Britt Elisabeth Tibblin #915, 16 Dec 1950, b. 8 Jul 1928.

39. Solveig Irene Flach #910, b. 8 Nov 1928. She married Paul Emil Grøtting #916, 10 Jun 1951, b. 10 Sep 1927.

40. Frits Jørgen Flach #911, b. 22 Dec 1934. He married Katri Maria Nevalainen #917, 4 Oct 1958, divorced 1988, b. 5 Oct 1936.

41. Gunlaug Vera Haarberg #516, b. 4 Feb 1933. She married Tor Ledang #517. Gunlaug died 25 Jul 1997.

42. Selma Marie Haarberg #512, b. 24 May 1934, Ranheim. She married Petter Ivar Hofstad #513, b. 2 Feb 1934, d. 17 Nov 1998.

43. Villy Haarberg #514, b. 25 Jun 1931, Ranheim. He married Ragnhild Hansen #515, b. 19 Jan 1937, Kirkenes.

44. Reidar Kristian Haarberg #424, b. 14 Dec 1935, Ranheim. He married Jorund Amalie Fines #511, b. 12 Sep 1931, Verran.

45. Bodil Ellinor Haarberg #518, b. 25 Sep 1946. She married Harald Nikolaisen #519, b. 3 Mar 1944.

47. Torgeir Haarberg #522, b. 13 Aug 1946. He married Sissel Wold #967, b. 10 Jul 1946.

50. Unni Hansen #997. She married (1) ?? Kvarme #998. She married (2) Torstein Holm #1000.

51. Carl Martin Holm #411, b. 27 Feb 1934, Portland,Or. He married Marilyn Levy #501, b. 7 Jun 1929, Shuboygen, Wisc.

52. James Glynn Swancoat #425, b. 15 Jul 1931, Los Angeles. He married Donna James #431, 1954.

Jim attended Freemont H.S. from 1946-49. While there, he completed a 2000 hours Smith Hughes vocational program in architectural drafting. Upon graduating he was employed by Kistner, Wright & Wright Architects (KW&W). He worked there from 1949 to 1964 as a Job Captain in charge of the construction drawings for about 21 school projects throughout Southern California.

From 1951-55 he was a member of the US Air Force. He was discharged as a Senior Cartographic Spec. He served in Texas , North Carolina, and two years on Guam.

In USAF, Jim took many USAFE courses. While on Guam he participated in a University of California Extension Program, 1953-54. After his USAF service he continued his education at L.A. City College in 1955, El Camino College in 1956, and in architecture at the University of Southern California 1957-58. He then enrolled in private instruction (with USC professors and other trade professionals) 1959-62. He obtained his ARCHITECTS LICENSE in 1962. Calif #C-3547.

Prior to leaving KW&W, Jim formed a partnership for developing and operating of A&W Root Beer Drive-ins. The first restaurant was opened in Feb 1960 in Whittier, Ca. Other locations in North & South Downey and Westminster, Ca were opened by 1964. The North Downey Store was ranked Second in the Nation in sales, (two different years), out of 2500+ stores. All of the other locations were in the top 10 percent in Ca. Other franchise locations owned were in Fountain Valley, La Mirada, Montebello, and Pico Rivera. The last of the Locations and Stores were sold by 1976 because of changes in the Parent Company.

In late 1970, with sales of some Store locations pending, Jim was employed by the Ralph M. Parsons Co as a Project Architect. During the next 22 years he provided design and construction documents for: Industrial, Nuclear, and Fusion Facilities, Oil and Gas Conditioning Plants, Port and Harbour Installations, as well as Military and Missile Facilities. Since his retirement in 1992 he has been active in the management of investments, properties, and his hobbies. Some of his hobbies are: fishing and hunting (probably a heritage from his Norwegian genes), travel (also a traditional Norwegian activity. The Vikings travelled worldwide already a thousand years ago), cars, oil painting, finance, and his families genealogy.

Jim's youth activities included: delivery of magazines 1939-41, newspapers 1942-48, playing the violin 1942-48, fishing and making equipment 1943-49, woodworking 1943-44, football and track, racing pigeons 1943-49 (a member of the Los Angeles Junior Racing Pigeon Club), collecting, a free skin diving pioneer 1946-51, and drag racing 1949-51 (at Santa Ana - the first drag strip in the nation).

Jims biography is included in Who's Who in the west, additions 1967 through 80, and indexed in Who's Who in America 1974-75. He was a co-inventor of "The AutoMix" by A&W of Whittier.

53. Waldemar Bernard Swancoat #426, b. 9 Sep 1933, Los Angeles. He married Mary #430. Waldemar died 25 Apr 1985.

54. Margaret Laverne Woodruff #393, b. 7 Sep 1927, Los Angeles. She married Thurman Roy Allen #395, 25 May 1946, in Oklahoma, b. 25 Jul 1925, d. 6 Mar 1998.

Margaret lives in the town of Maysville, and owns about 400 acres of land on which there used to be around 150 mother cows. After her husband Roy died she has turned the land and farming over to her son Michael Roy, but is still keeping a garden where she is growing vegetables like onions, corn, tomatoes, squash and peppers.

55. Donna Joan Woodruff #394, b. 17 Sep 1937, Wallville, Oklahoma. She married Bill Ralph Stephens #396, 1958, in Oklahoma, b. 22 Oct 1935, Oklahoma.

Donna Joan lives in the country, approximately 4 miles outside Maysville. She works in the Garvin County Courthouse, as a Purchasing Agent in the County Clerk's office, a job she has held for about 40 years. Her husband Bill is a farmer with cattle, and is raising soybeans, wheat and alfalfa hay.

56. Dorothy Woodruff #367, b. 8 Sep 1940, Wallville, Oklahoma. She married Billy Ray Miller #389, 6 Jun 1975, in Oklahoma, b. 8 Sep 1940, Oklahoma.

Dorothy Woodruff lives in a small town named Maysville, Oklahoma. With her husband Ray Miller she owns and runs a farm supply store.

(Author's note: Dorothy was the first of the American Holm descendants I managed to track down, after all contact was terminated in December 1937 when Dorothy's grandfather Karl Oskar died. What happened was that my Internet request for information on possible descendants of Charlotte and Elmer Woodruff to the Garvin Co. Ok Query Forum on 29 Dec 1999, was answered by Julia Embree of Nora Sparks Warren Library in Pauls Valley. She gave me a transcript of Charlotte's obit of 13 Jan, 1994 in Pauls Valley Democrat, as well as addresses and phone numbers of Charlotte's daughters Margareth, Joan and Dorothy. This took place on Dec. 30, 1999, after which I phoned Dorothy and we had our first phone conversation).

57. John Alton Woodruff #419, b. 2 Nov 1930, Los Angeles, California. He married Sharon Denson #467, APR 1954, in Oklahoma, b. 1934, Oklahoma. John died 9 Feb 1990, Norman, Oklahoma.

58. Robert Warren Edmonds #364, b. 12 MAI 1934, Los Angeles. He married Betty Jean Stanley #432, 27 Dec 1957, b. 2 May 1938, Los Angeles, California.

i James Robert Edmonds #447, b. 8 Mar 1967, Los Angeles, California. He married Heather (Mrs.) Edmonds #448.

59. Marilyn Louise Edmonds #414, b. 16 Apr 1940, Los Angeles. She married Roger C. Grunwald #420, 27 Jun 1958, in Fullerton, Orange, California, b. 16 Aug 1936, Fullerton, Orange, California.

60. Synnøve Jensen #327, b. 12 Oct 1947, Hitra. She married Tore Aune #329, 1968, b. 15 Sep 1948, Trondheim.

61. Arnhild Jensen #328, b. 27 Nov 1949, Hitra. She married Sture Arntzen #331, 6 Sep 1969, b. 24 Nov 1948.

62. Tone Wemundstad #29, b. 16 Nov 1961. She married Bjørnar Charles Haugen #31, b. 13 May 1955.

63. Bente Wemundstad #30, b. 19 Jul 1963. She married (1) Erling Tollefsen #184, 31,08,1986, in Drammen, divorced 1992, b. 23 Jan 1956, Drammen. She married (2) Geir Sundet #187, b. 23 Apr 1966.

64. Kari Leraand #637, b. 7 Nov 1964, Trondheim. She married Lars Ole Krogh #639, b. 14 Jun 1965.

66. Robert Rømma #871, b. 30 May 1966, Åfjord. He married Hege Jystad #875, b. 9 Feb 1968.

67. Torunn Rømma #872, b. 23 Sep 0969, Åfjord. She married Asgeir Frønes #879, 26 Jan 1991, b. 31 Aug 1967.

69. Tonje Holm #647, b. 19 Jan 1971. She married Geir Engen #649, b. 20 Jan 1969.

71. Sonja Beate Hoel #918, b. 14 Jun 1941. She married Stig Norrbom #1007, b. 3 Feb 1941, d. 21 May 1981.

72. Kaj-Enar Hoel #919, b. 15 Jul 1946. He married (1) Margitta Hammarstrøm #1002, 1967, divorced 1969, b. 30 Jan 1948. He married (2) Bodil Mork #1005.

73. Benny Elise Hoel #920, b. 27 Jun 1948. She married Stig Hed #1013, 24 Feb 1968, b. 17 Feb 1945.

74. Tove Kerstin Hoel #921, b. 7 Jul 1953. She married Leif Ek #1018, 1979, b. AUG 1944.

75. Oddveig Christina Flach #922, b. 8 May 1951. She married Stig-Åke Torsten Svaerd #1021, 21 Jul 1973, divorced 1991, b. 24 Feb 1941.

76. Maritha Christina Flach #923, b. 4 Nov 1948. She married Stig Henrik Johanson #1024, 19 Jun 1970, b. 23 Apr 1938.

77. Carl Gunnar Urban Flach #924, b. 25 Sep 1950. He married Ann-Charlotte Melander #1026, 1989, divorced 1992.

78. Gun-Britt Anette Flach #925, b. 8 Jan 1952. She married Leif Birger Askløf #1030, 12 Feb 1982, b. 28 Oct 1950.

79. Ulf Jørgen Flach #926, b. 10 Apr 1953. He married Anne Mariette Hammarberg #1033, 2 Jan 1988, b. 26 May 1962.

80. Lisbeth Synnøve Grøtting #927, b. 16 Feb 1950. She married Lars Lindkvist #1036, 12 Oct 1974, b. 27 Feb 1946.

81. Maj-Britt Anette Grøtting #928, b. 20 Sep 1952. She married Ulf Gustav William Staering #1038, 2 Dec 1978, divorced 1999, b. 16 Jan 1947.

82. Helena Kristina Flach #929, b. 16 Apr 1959. She married Kjell Bergkvist #1041, 1979, divorced 1985.

83. Hans Jørgen Flach #930, b. 25 Apr 1961. He married (1) Gun Marianne Hemlin #1044, 1989, divorced 1992. He married (2) Therese Kjellman #1046.

86. Ann Bente Hofstad #934, b. 25 Jul 1958. She married John Sødahl #937.

87. Grethe Elin Hofstad #935, b. 19 Jul 1960. She married Eystein Larsen #938.

88. Hans Petter Hofstad #936, b. 22 Oct 1962. He married Trude Berg #939.

89. Ragnar Vilgot Haarberg #940, b. 28 Sep 1955. He married Marianne Stageberg #942.

90. Laila Venche Haarberg #941, b. 25 Jul 1958. She married Per Thorshaug #943, b. 18 Mar 1950, Fræna.