Valdres Samband
The Oldest Bygdelag in America - 1899
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The stevne at Sioux
Falls was a great success. I extend my thanks
to the many members who helped plan and carryout the event along with the staff at The
Oaks Hotel and Convention Center. We were
able to get many talented people to perform and present seminars. The genealogy research is always a great
attraction. I really enjoyed the tour on
Thursday to various sites of interest in the Sioux Falls area. It is worth taking time to enjoy the early
Norwegian settlements in the area while attending the stevne.
A significant
change has taken place. Betty Rockswold has
asked to be relieved of her duties as genealogist. After
many years of service to the Samband and its members, Betty desires to reduce her “work”
load. Genealogy is a labor of love for Betty
and many members have benefited from her tireless efforts in researching genealogy. Betty recommended her replacement, Be
Gunelson of Crosslake, Mn. Be was appointed
at our September board meeting. The transfer
of our resource materials was made in mid-October.
The amount of
reference material and the volume of research being done has
grown greatly over the years. Several
volunteers have assisted Betty with projects which have benefited all Samband members. As Be becomes
acquainted with the material and assists members with research, please consider way in
which you can help out. Russ Elmore and Paul
Anderson are working on transferring family charts collected by Betty Rockswold into
Family Tree Maker. We can always use some
volunteers to assist others in genealogy research at the stevne.
As I was doing
some research this fall, I came across a letter from A. A. Veblen to Rev. Nils Brandt. The letter was on Valdris Samband stationary,
dated November 1909. The stationary was
headed with the following: “Valdris Samband, a society of
natives of Valdris, Norway, and their descendants, which
seeks to promote acquaintance and intercourse among Valdrises, and to increase and spread
the knowledge of their activities and special interests.” This is still the main goal of the Samband, even
after a century of existence. As a bygdelag,
we continue to expand on ways for members to understand our heritage, strengthen ties in America
as well as in Norway, and develop activities and special interests.
Initial planning
is underway to explore a group trip to Norway in 2004. This is one of the best ways for members to
identify with our homeland in Norway and strengthen our ties. The board of directors has approved Borton
Overseas to assist us in determining the level of interest in a group trip, air fare, and
group tours. We must first determine the
level of interest in a group tour, then make plans on travel
specifics based on response. Our counterparts
in Norway have formed an initial planning group to host a stevne in Fagernes. We cannot promise to match the extravagant
reception we received for our centennial celebration in 1999, but we do hope for an
enjoyable visit with our many friends and relatives.
Please advise us
if you and your family are interested in traveling to Fagernes in 2004. We will develop specific plans based on response
and group needs. We hope to offer extended
tours to other parts of Norway as an option.
In closing, I
want to wish you a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Michael
R. Bergan
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Last updated: October 25, 2002.