| HURDAL - GARSJOEN |
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| I, Fred Matson, took this picture when I visited Norway and Hurdal on 13 July 1968. I know that I visited the Garsjoen family, I believe the Martin Garsjoen family, that was located right along the King's Highway. I purchased a 1958 copy of the Hurdal Bygdebok from Martin Garsjoen, who was also our host. Before I could report back to my father on my visit, the word had already arrived in Strum that I had been in Norway and in Hurdal. I don't recall, yet, whether this is a picture of the place I visited, or, whether it is a picture looking out across the valley toward other homes and buidings. I remember that I took both such pictures. I was impressed with the valley and Martin suggested that our family could have been from either side of the valley. . This picture was given to my father, Roy Matson, shortly after my visit to Norway. When I arrived in Hurdal, I was absolutely impressed with the area, the similarity with the Eleva and Strum area, and with the history already in place in the church cemetery. I recall to this day, going to that cemetery and seeing many of the same names, surnames, or close surnames, that are in the Strum, Wisconsin cemetery: Garsjoen (Garson), Gullicksrud, Rognlien, Moltzau, Dahl, ..... It was a very strange, and for a young man, then in the U. S. Army and stationed in Germany, also a very heart warming, feeling. I was home!!! |