(1881 - )
Nels Johannes SANDNESS
(1881 - )
Nels Johannes SANDNESS
Abt. 1902
Nels Johannes SANDNESS, son of Johannes Nilsson Otnes SANDNES & Dordi Larsdotter ENGLI (a.k.a. Dardi Larsdotter ENGLI SANNES) had two younger brothers, Lars SANDNES & Magnus SANDNES. As the farm in Norway could not support everyone, both Nels & Magnus went to America. Magnus remained in Norway for a few years following Nels' departure in 1902. Family tradition is that Magnus had to walk over the hills to get to the ship that would take him to America & he cried as he walked. The middle brother, Lars, stayed in Norway.
At first, Nels was in Bayfield, Wisconsin. (It is thought that a cousin, Ole Johannes SANDNES also came to the U.S.A. at that time, but he remains a bit of a mystery!) In the U.S.A., Nels met & married Astrid BJORUM (a.k.a. Esther BJORUM), who was born in Skage-I-Namdalen, Norway. Her parents were Andrew BJORUM & Ellen SOLLIE (also known as Ellen Anna Eliasdatter SOLLIE LINDSETH). Magnus also married in the U.S.A.Excerpts from a letter written by Nels
"Two Harbors, the 16th. of Aug 1945. Dear brother Lars. . . It was nice to hear that Valsøyfjorden and the people there were spared for most of the concequences of the war. Here in America we too feel the concequences. We must pay a high income-tax and all the articles we buy in the shops are very expencive, althougt not so expencive as during the war 1917-1919. Yes, I knew that father was dead. I read about it in the norwegians papers that are published here in the state. 94 years is a high age. I should believe, Lars, that only a few people in Valsøyfjord can match that age. . . I understand that it is difficult to buy clothes i Norway now. I have som clothes I could do without and which I would like to send you. Mostly I speak about mans-clothes, but of course for the ladies, too. I will collect this into a parcel as soon as possible and send it. This letter was not written as soon as I could like due to the fact that I am very busy. I still work for the railway company and I am still occupied with unloading coal (Baade?). I hereby finish my letter for this time. Best wishes from all of us here in Two Harbors. Nels J. Sandness and family"
shortly after the end of the Second World War
to his brother Lars in Norway
(especially sad is the part about his father's death,
which he learned by reading the Norwegian newspaper):
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