Simply "Blogged Down" for Awhile

I thought I should write something before this blog withers away. Much of my spring and summer has been taken up by family health concerns. My husband recently had surgery: one down, one to go. He will be doing great in no time, so no worries. It has put a tiny damper on writing and research, but nonetheless, there is news.

I have a release date for my book of images: "Snoqualmie Pass," by John and Chery Kinnick (www.arcadiapublishing.com). It will be available beginning October 8. You will not find it listed on the website just yet, but info should appear well before the release date. I am also in the final prep stages for the family history I have been working on for five years; it will be going to the printers in August. I decided on a slight title change in order to make the family history subject matter more evident at a glance. I am currently taking pre-orders from family members for "A Long Way Downstream: the Life and Family of Thibertine Johnson Winje, Norwegian-American Pioneer."

I have also been gathering information on my next topic for the Nearby History writing seminar offered through Seattle's Museum of History and Industry - my second go around. During last year's seminar I met two exceptional ladies, Luci Baker Johnson and Cathy Lykes, who are also passionate about Norwegian American research. The three of us formed a writer's support group (the "Nearby Norwegians") and meet monthly to share ideas. We are completely invigorated by these sessions! For those of you thinking of forming or joining a writer's support group, I highly recommend it.

In the next blog post, I will write about my great great grandfather (Gulbran Olsen Berge) and his experience during the crossing of the Hannah Parr, a Norwegian immigrant ship. In 1868, it suffered major storm damage while setting out across the Atlantic, and had to limp back to Limerick, Ireland for extensive repairs. I am also hoping to update my website soon with images from an 1880s-1890s photograph album belonging to my great grandparents, Ole and Malla Johnson of Clearwater County, Minnesota.

So much genealogy, and so little time...

I wish you a family history-filled summer. Apologies to my relatives for not making the Anderson Family reunion in Minnesota this week... I know it must have been fun (especially the auction).