| Notes |
- Confirmation Record: Church Book: Bjørnskinn 1918-1938
Confirmation Date: 13 Jun 1926
Name: Hjalmar Johan Smedvik
Birthdate: 24 Jun 1911
Baptism date: 1 Oct 1911
Birthplace: Bjørnskinn
Parents: Gbr. Johan Smevik og k Hilda f. Hanssen
From a letter written to Jerry Lowell by Hjalmar Smevik, dated November 20, 1995, living in Oslo:
“Hjalmar Smevik
Hovseterv. 44C
N-0768 Oslo
Norway
Oslo, 20 November 95
Dear Jerry,
“Thank you for your interesting letter. You “emigrants” are far more interested in knowing about and documenting your roots than those of us in the “old country”. Naturally enough: You went so far away from them, while we have them around us aall the time. This searching for things past was evident in Harald in Vik (Harold Nelson) in 1921, and in Aunt Karen during her visit here at about the same time, and I felt really ashamed when Kalmar, still with a broad Sortland’s dialect after 50 years in America, could tell me about relatives, even here in Norway, who I had no idea existed.”
“But those times have gone. The old storyteller traditions vanished in this country at the start of the century, and now everyone’s searching for their ancestors in the archives. Meanwhile, a lot has disappeared--since many church books have been destroyed by fire. I can trace my wife’s family back to 1650, but my own only to around 1800.
“The following is a summary of my knowledge of our common ancestors: Hans Andreas Jakobsen, 30 Dec. 1833-11 Feb. 1914, a farmer and fisherman, lived at Bjørnskinn on Andøya in Vesterålen. He came from Skjolde, eight kilometres south of Bjørnskinn. His parents were Pernelle Hansdtr. and Jakob Andreassen.
“He had managed to acquire a medium-sized property, with animals and farm implements and nets to fish with in the winter. He was a hard worker, and well-liked.
“He was married twice, both times to women from Kolvereid in Namdalen, in North Trøndelag.
“His first wife was Pauline Olsdtr. (1834-1870). Children: Kristine (1838), Vik in Sortland; Adolf (1859), Å in Andøy; Hans (1862), Vik in Sortland; Anna (1864), Myre in Øksnes; Marie (18xx), Medby in Hinnøy; and Helmer (1870-1957), Tromsø. By the way, of all the men who were in polar explorer Roald Amundsen’s service, Uncle Helmer was the only one who went through the North West Passage (Greenland - Nome), to the South Pole and through the North East Passage (Novaja Semlja - Nome).
“After the death of Pauline, he remarried, this time Johanne Paulsdtr. (1844-1918), Kolvereid. Children: Petra (1872), BJørnskinn; Amanda (1875), Haugnes in Andøy; Simon (1878), Bjørnskinn; Hilda (1880-1972), Bjørnskinn; Daniel (1883), Bjørnskinn; Bernhard (1885), America; and Ragnar (1887), Haugnes in Andøy.
“My mother often liked to tell of how happy they were in their childhood home. But no-one used the word half-brother or half-sister. All 14 were brothers and sisters--the best proof that H A J together with first Pauline and then Johanne, managed their most important task: to create a good, comfortable home for a large family.”
“So far, I have 84 1/2 interesting years behind me. Starting in 1910, through a period with two World Wars and enormous changes, and now at full speed into an incredibly different existence, I have been allowed to participate in humanity’s perhaps most revolutionary epoch. Bearing in mind my forefathers’ existence, I feel undeservedly privileged and deeply grateful.
“Just after the Second World War, I was lucky enough to take part in establishing something which was unique at that time: The State Loan Fund for Students--a bank where the Government guarantees for loan repayments. I had the honor of being in charge of this work for the rest of my working life. However, this entailed interrupting my philological studies before I had managed to acquire a reasonably satisfactory knowledge of English and this has bothered me ever since.
“Today, my age and reduced sight have restricted my activities mainly to home, and I find it difficult to read, even with strongly magnified spectacles. But I can watch TV and listen to the radio quite well, and I get others to write for me.”
“I hope the little information I can give you is of some help.
“Now we’re approaching Christmas and New Year, and my family and I wish you and your family a very merry Christmas--and all the best in the year to come!
“Best regards,
“Hjalmar
“P.S. A copy of this letter has been sent to Sonia.”
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Connected Bloodlines
1911 - 2001 (90 years)
