Marius and Caroline Gjelsnes Papers

Collection — Box: 1

Identifier: OGLMC-1233

Scope and Contents

The Marius and Caroline Gjelsnes Papers document the Norwegian immigrant experience in North Dakota's Red River Valley. The collection consists of letters written in Norwegian from December 1886 through September 1892. First are love letters written between Marius and Caroline (1886-1888). There are both photocopies of the original letters and their English translations. Next are original letters and translations written during Caroline's trip to Kongsvinger, Norway, to celebrate her parents' 25th wedding anniversary (May-September 1892). Also included are copies of articles from the Grand Forks Herald describing the collection and the Gjelsness family reunion.

Dates

created: 1886-1896, 1991
Other: Majority of material found in 1886-1896
Other: Date acquired: 06/30/1991

Creator

Gjelsness, Caroline (Person)
Gjelsness, Marius (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.

Biographical or Historical Information

Marius Gjelsnes (now spelled Gjelsness) emigrated in 1880 from Sander, Odalen, Norway, first to Wisconsin and then to Dakota Territory. Caroline Olsen came from Kongsvinger, Norway, in 1886. They met in Reynolds, Dakota Territory, at the home of Caroline's aunt, Olivia Peterson, who was married to Marius' cousin, Peter Peterson. Marius worked as a railroad section hand primarily from Larimore to Devils Lake. Caroline worked as a housekeeper for Grand Forks Sheriff Swan and one or two families in Crookston, Minnesota. Marius and Caroline were married August 21, 1888, in Hillsboro, Dakota Territory. They farmed near Reynolds and had six children: Clara Mabel, Rudolph, Fred, Helen, Ruth, and Walter.

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