Visiting the Tungset Family Farm

Earlier this month I was contacted by Ellen-Marie Pedersen-Gustad with Tidens Krav AS and asked some questions about the visit I took to my family farm with Alt For Norge in May. It was so nice for me to intentionally reflect on that special day, so I thought I would post the Q&A's here for you to read!

First, let me attach the beautiful script that I was able to read at the family farm:

Dear Kelsey,
Welcome to Tungset farm, the place where your family name originates!
You have roots in this area that go back to at least 1650. But the story about how this particular farm became a part of your family history, starts in the eastern part of Norway and the county Hedmark.

Around year 1800 the farmers in Hedmark experienced crop failures. Food was scarce, and many people suffered from the life threatening disease scurvy, due to lack of essential vitamins. For your four times great grandparents, the newly-wed couple Jacob Estensen Sæter and Marit Toresdatter Nøren, the situation was hard. They did not have a farm of their own. The lack of resources and possibilities led them across the country in hope of a better life. They settled here in the coastal municipality Averøy, where you are now. Here Jacob got a job as a shoemaker. But in spite of this, their living conditions didn't improve much. In 1818 Marit gave birth to a little baby girl, your three times great grandmother Tørri. But the blessing of a new family member was followed by the responsibility of a hungry mouth to feed. Their poverty forced Marit and Jacob to make a desperate decision: to give away, or more likely sell, their two year old daughter to another couple in hope of a better life for the child. Then they moved again.

Luckily little Tørri came to a good and caring home. Her new parents were Knut Andersen and Gunhild Frantsdatter who lived here at Tungset. They had lost their only son from chicken pox ten years earlier and were glad to welcome a child to the farm. Tørri was treated well. When she married your three times great grandfather Paul in 1838, they inherited the farm and took its name as their own. Paul and Tørri raised seven children here at Tungset, among them your great great grandfather Peder Olaus who was born here in 1853. As it was the oldest son Elling who was next in line to inherit the farm, your great great grandfather decided to seek his fortune in the nearest city Kristiansund.

In the latter part of the 19th century Kristiansund was thriving. The town was flourishing because of the trade with salted and dried cod, the clipfish. Stories of wealth and enormous possibilities attracted a lot of people and the number of citizens doubled in just a few years. As Peder Olaus reached his twenties he became part of the wave, hoping to succeed in this growing city of dreams.
In 1875 Peder rented a room in the main street and worked as a carpenter. He soon met the love of his life, your great great grandmother Karoline Setnes who had moved to Kristiansund with her parents. They married and started a family.
In the beginning of the 1880s Peder was an established shopkeeper and a trader. His shop sold groceries and clothes. By now he also had five children to support, and more were on their way. But as hard as he tried, Peder was unfortunately among the persons who did not succeed in Kristiansund during these golden years. His business went under and the growing family struggled to make ends meet. Faced with these difficulties, Peder had to make a tough decision. Again he was tempted to seek his fortune away from home, but this time the leap of faith was even bigger; America.

Then came 1893, the year that changed the family´s life forever. In September Karoline gave birth to their eight child. Only one month later, the 11th of October, Peder left for the land of opportunities – alone. In order to provide for his beloved wife and children he decided to embark on the long journey, hoping that he would soon be able to send for his dear ones and bring them over to a better life. Back home Karoline was now alone with low income, seven children and a newborn baby. Some long fall- and winter months passed. The family was eagerly awaiting news from Peder Olaus arrival in America. And finally, the 2nd of May 1894, Karoline could take her kids – among them your great grandfather Anton – and leave Kristiansund for Minnesota. They never returned.
Peder Olaus and his family have several hundred biological relatives in Norway. That means that you have a big Norwegian family looking forward to meeting you – and many of them still live here in Averøy!

Peder Olaus, my great great grandfather (tippoldefar) that emigrated and his wife Henrikke Caroline Gurine Pedersdatter Tungset

Additional Ponderings

My first name, Kelsey, means "From the Isles," and I'd always thought it to be appropriate: I tend to float around in my own little world and therefore gravitate towards the island life mentality, (if not also residing on an actual island). Sometimes that can be painful, because I can feel rather isolated or scared to share my life with people- even close friends and family. As I came to this realization about myself, I was thrilled to discover a new way to identify with the meaning of my name...

Since coming home and reminiscing on my trip to Norway, I have read more about Averøy and learned that the famous Atlantic Ocean Road connects Averøya - the MAIN ISLAND - and the smaller, surrounding islands! Driving across this famous highway will always be a reminder of the enriched idea of who I am, where I've been, and from where I come. This trip was essential for me understanding my identity in so many ways, and I find this particular detail quite significant.

Q&A by Tidens Krav AS

How was it to come to Averøy? Describe your feelings on the trip out there.
Coming to Averøy had extreme significance for me. The exact city was unknown to me before my adventure with Alt for Norge, and on the drive, I was aching to see things for myself. We drove alongside fjords and jagged mountains, then we came to the Atlantic Ocean Road and I was stunned by the beauty and creativity of the road. I had so many questions racing through my mind as I admired each turn and change in height we took with the highway: What will this place look like? What did my ancestors appreciate about Averøy? How could they bear to leave? How were their living conditions? Who and where are my modern day relatives? Will I find a piece of myself through this journey after all?


What did you think when you saw the farm for the first time? What went through your head?
Recalling seeing the farm for the first time still brings tears to my eyes. The first building that I saw was a barn on the lower edge of the property. Immediately I had flashbacks of my childhood and wonderful memories of exploring the lofts, grooming my horse, and shooting bow and arrow against the outside walls. When I walked across the bridge and up the driveway, I was amazed at how much Tungset farm resembled the home where my family had lived before the tragedy. I wondered if some magnetic pull to our family's farmstead was attributed to our Norwegian roots in Averøy.


What was it like to sit on your ancestor's village and read the family history?
Sitting in the village of my ancestors and reading the family history was extremely surreal. My brothers and sister and I have considered the Tungset farm a legend since we were children... but we were missing some information! I am incredibly thankful to the geneologists and relatives who worked together to snap the missing puzzle pieces into place. As I read every name, date, and detail, I felt like there had been holes or wounds in my heart that were being filled and healed. So much of the story felt intimate and applicable to my life! It is very symbolic to me that this type of healing came while I was sitting in Averøy, on the steps of Tungset Gard, and it is with my whole heart that I can say I now embody the pride of my family's journey and am honored to better know our history.


What do you think about the farm and the nature around it?
The farm property immediately felt like home to me. As I gazed to the edge of the property, I felt protected by the forest and invited by the meadow. I imagined running around with my siblings and cousins and wondered if my ancestors had likewise played in this yard. It didn't take long for me to wish I could raise my own family in this place. The nature around the Tungset farm inspired me: flowers kissed the hill below the house, a young maple tree grew next to the barn, and a glimpse of the water on the horizon beckoned with the encouragement to seek adventure.


What kind of relationship have you got to Averøy and Norway after this visit?
My time in Averøy and Norway so helped me solidify parts of my identity that felt unanswered. Because of the lines of communication that were opened, I better understand Norwegian traditions, historical facts, and philosophies. My relationship now with Averøy and Norway is just getting started! I still feel like a young child who has much to learn, but I am thrilled to be on the right track.


Do you feel more or less Norwegian after this experience?
Before this experience, I thought "Alt for Norge" was a phrase that united and inspired cameraderie between Norwegians. The journey I took is in many ways attributed to the people I met in Norway who gave me a pride in the very concept of Alt for Norge that is so much deeper and truer. Tusen takk! After this experience, I feel that I have a firmer foundation of what it means to be Norwegian. I plan to continue building and strengthening my Norwegian identity and am honored to be able to pass down what I have learned to future generations.

Takk for sist!

Watch Alt For Norge on TV Norge Sunday nights at 20:00

Read more here:
http://www.pressreader.com/norway/tidens-krav/20151003/282003261242899/TextView
http://www.tk.no/nyheter/averoy/tv-serie/et-sar-i-hjertet-er-helbredet/s/5-51-117803