I am so excited to share our first-ever guest post on The Home Historian! This week's post features a family history story from Jennie Hegge, a graduate student at South Dakota State University and family history enthusiast. Jennie reached out to me with a few questions about genealogy, and was kind enough to return the favor by sharing her personal ancestry story and how she came to fall in love with family history. It was a pleasure to read Jennie's story and I'm thrilled to be able to share it with you. Without further ado, here is Jennie's experience*:
I was in the third grade when a group of five or so strange people showed up at my grandparents’ farm. They dressed differently, talked funny, and were from a different country (Norway to be exact); my little mind was so confused and it left me speechless. I had so many questions: "How did they get here?" "Why are they speaking another language?" "Who are they?" "Why are they here?" "Pretty sure those cookies are for me." You name it, I was probably thinking it.
Our Norwegian visitors: Ola, Marit, Oda, Ann Karin with baby Inga, and Mary Ann.
Being that I was so young at the time of their visit, the only thing that really sticks out in my mind (besides being confused) was that Oda—a little girl in the group—came to school with me for a day. She couldn't speak English and I couldn't speak Norwegian, so we just colored all day.
Years later, Oda described our affinity that day.
"I had no clue what anyone was saying or doing, but somehow you and I managed to connect," said Oda.
I completely agreed. Oda and I have stayed in contact over the years through cards, letters, and now social media. It is crazy how the times have changed and I often wonder what would be different if the generations before us could keep in touch like we can today. Thankfully, we are not taking the resources of the present for granted.
Oda and I (Jennie) attending school together during her visit in 2005.
In the years since Oda's visit, I've wanted to learn more about my own family's past. I really didn't know much about my family history beyond my grandparents and the farm. As my grandparents are nearing 90, it put a fire under me to start researching and learning as much as I can. I recently started asking my grandma question after question, most of which she didn't know or couldn't quite remember. It took a while of searching through old photos, talking to other family members, and looking at records to really find out where our family came from.
A group call among Jennie, Janet and Elmer (Jennie's grandparents), Oda (Jorgine's great-granddaughter), and Marit (Jorgine's daughter/Oda's grandmother). The call lasted a little over an hour , with Oda translating for Marit.
Turns out, if you haven't already guessed, I am Norwegian! The Hegges are Norwegian; that's why strange people from Norway were visiting. It all made sense now.
Most might assume, if they are Norwegian, that their ancestors came to America in the early 1800s to either get away from the Church, which they felt was taking away their religious freedoms after transitioning to the Lutheran faith, to get away from the Civil War, or to find farmland—but that is not what brought my family to America.
The story all started when my grandmother, Janet, found out she had a half-sister named Jorgine who was born, raised, and since passed in Norway.
"After my mother passed away, my aunt sent a letter and told me about my half-sister, Jorgine. Then I wrote to my cousin and asked her what that was all about," said Janet. "She explained that I was never to be told about her [Jorgine]."
Pictured from left to right: Knut, Jørgine, Anlaug, and Marit on Jørgine's arm
My grandmother wished she knew this information before her parents had passed away so she could ask them questions. After writing her cousins, she started to piece together more of the story.
"In 1921, after my folks got married, my dad sent money to Norway because they were supposed to send Jorgine to America," said Janet. "My dad paid for her trip, but my mother's folks wouldn't let her come. I just kind of understood from little bits and pieces from my cousins that there were hard feelings because my mother never talked about Norway."
To try to learn more, I then asked Jorgine's daughter, Marit, if she knew anything about my grandma or America before the letter.
"I was told at a young age that I had a grandma in America, but other than that I wasn't told much,” said Marit. "I would sometimes get Christmas presents from America, but I didn't know anything about the country itself or the people there. It was harder back then because you couldn't communicate like you can today."
In August, I was supposed to go to Norway for two weeks to further explore my roots, but due to COVID-19 my plans were cancelled. I hope to reschedule in the near future, because there is still so much to learn.
While the story may be at a halt for now, it is far from over. Finding out about this family mystery completely enthralled me. From the amount of information I have learned in such little time, I can't imagine what is yet to be discovered. Your family story is worth knowing; trace your roots!
Thank you so much, Jennie, for sharing your story. There are so many reasons that people become fascinated by their own family history. How did you come to fall in love with genealogy? Let us know in comments!
*Post contains minor edits for clarity.