In connection with the project Signs of Origin we have visited descendants of Norwegian emigrants in the United States and descendants of immigrants to Norway. How do they relate to their origins, and how do they display the connection in their homes?
If you were to choose an object that describes yourself and your heritage, which object would you choose?
We surround ourselves with objects during our entire life. Our homes are showcases which display who we are and what we like. Our need to display our heritage is often strengthened when we move to a foreign country. In connection with the project Signs of Origin we have visited descendants of Norwegian emigrants in the United States and descendants of immigrants to Norway. How do they relate to their origins, and how do they display the connection in their homes?
I’m often asked “Where are you from?” So there’s a sense of otherness, because I don’t have the stereotypical appearance.
Born 1955. Lives in Northfield, Minnesota
4th generation
“The sweater represents St. Olaf College. It was started by Norwegian immigrants in the late 1800’s. My grandfather graduated in
1905, and my grandmother in 1912, and all their children went there. It’s kind of a status symbol, that I have a Norwegian sweater.”
Born 1986. Lives in Åsbygda, Stange
2nd generation
“The cupboard is special because it stood in my grandparents’ house, and the special smell where they lived has remained in the cupboard. Every time I open it I recognize that smell, and it reminds me of France and Paris.”
Born 2008. Lives in Hamar
2nd generation
“It is significant, as I received it from my father. I received it during a celebration of Eid. My dad told me to use it when we dance. This is what I appreciate so well by being Kurdish; the big family, there are many to socialize with.”
Born 1967. Lives in Everett, Washington
3rd generation
“Sometimes these type of artifacts are more than just an item. There’s the spirit that is with them, that you can connect to your culture. Especially a person such as myself; I’m a Native-American and Scandinavian, but yet I don’t totally fit in either stereotype. I’m often asked “Where are you from?”. So there’s a sense of otherness, because I don’t have the stereotypical appearance.”
Born 1970. Lives in Varaholla, Trysil
13th generation
“It is a culture I got as a birth gift, since my parents were very into their ancestral origins. The knowledge of the Forest Finn culture that
the older generation had , that I was given, has become, although I was not aware of it at the time, an essential part of my identity. And when you burn for something, you want to pass it on to others.”
Born 1961. Lives in Northfield, Minnesota
3rd generation
“I feel like it becomes less and less important for me to keep my Norwegian identity. That’s not to put any negativity on it, but the
further removed, I think, one is from knowing relatives or friends in Norway, the less important it has become for me.”
Born 1944. Lives in Northfield, Minnesota
3rd generation
“This is a direct connection to Norwayfor me, in that it was made there. It is unique. Only the Norwegian culture has developed the Hardanger fiddle.”
Born 1992. Lives in Austin, Minnesota
5th generation
“I’m younger so I don’t have a lot of objects yet. People in my family still have objects from their parents, and they haven’t passed, so the way I identify with my heritage is really through the stories and through my name. I don’t even think I’ll change my last name when I get married, because, I just wanna keep it.”
Born 1990. Lives in Spring Grove, Minnesota
4th generation
“There are a lot of people in America who don’t know their backgrounds very much, beyond their parents or grandparents. I feel once you know where your family is from, and the struggles and successes they’ve overcome, it gives you a sense of pride. Coming here, starting a new life, starting a farm, and then 150 plus years later, I’m still living here and my dad is still farming the land.”
Born 1999. Lives in Northfield, Minnesota
5th generation
“It’s just a jacket that I got at Raggstokk, but it’s something that I wear almost every day. I have sort of tricked it out with elements that highlight my own personality and the things that I want people to know about me, or that I think are fun.”
Born 1943. Lives in Spring Grove, Minnesota/Florida
4th generation
“I say this a lot: If you don’t know from whence you come, you don’t know yourself.”
Born 1946. Lives in Northfield, Minnesota
2nd generation
“You know, we grew up in a small town, and you hardly knew any other ethnic background, unless they were Swedish or Danish. So I
think Norwegians tend to be a little too proud sometimes of their Norwegian background, but that’s okay.”
Born 2006. Lives in Northfield, Minnesota
5th generation
“I chose this because my dad went with his grandpa to Norway, and they picked this one out. When I was younger, I discovered it on
my dad’s shelf in his workshop, and I just fell in love with it.”
Born 2003. Lives in Northfield, Minnesota
5th generation
“The biography is important to me because it’s a part of my past. If my great, great, great grandfather hadn’t immigrated to America, I
would never be where I am today, I wouldn’t have the friends that I have, and the amazing life that I’m blessed with.”
Born 1949. Lives in Spring Grove, Minnesota
3rd generation
“I had neighbors that were older than I, and they all spoke Norwegian all the time. We were good friends, but everybody in
school would just kind of cast them aside like they’re just dumb idiots because they could speak Norwegian.”
The project is a cooperation between Anno Norwegian Emigrant Museum and Anno Glomdal Museum.