Nordic Blue

Ernest Johnson Begins Farming During the Depression era, independent farmers like my maternal grandfather, Ernest Johnson, found it inc...

This WPA poster from the late 1930s, designed by Vera Bock, is just as applicable today as it was then. It's also the perfect segway int...

Much to my surprise, I found a short new book review of my family history, A Long Way Downstream: The Life and Family of Thibertine Johnson ...

I am very pleased to announce that an article I've written, "The Naturalist and His Camera" has just been published in Old New...

Becky at Kinexxions began this genealogy meme. In her blog entry, she wrote: "With the help of the genea-blogging community a list of ...

...Literally! Just before Christmas, while at work--in the middle of moving to a new house and the worst winter weather the Pacific NW has s...

This post is written for the 62nd (whew!) edition of the Carnival of Genealogy . The topic is Three Wishes. This is your chance to write a l...

Mysteries throughout history can be brought to light through family history research. An example is this inspiring story involving a World W...

Look what's on CNN today: the story behind the black and white classic "Migrant Mother" Dustbowl-era photograph taken by Dorot...

The Nordic Heritage Museum in Ballard just held another Yulefest (annual Christmas Festival) on Nov.22-23. Attendees shopped for hand-craf...

The time has come," the Walrus said, "To talk of many things: Of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax-- Of cabbages--and kings-- An...

As my mother grew up on her grandparents' farm in rural Minnesota, she looked forward to the picnics held, typically twice each summe...

Each autumn after an annual membership drive, the Chippewa County Historical Society of Minnesota holds a special event, the "Enchanted...

Whenever I look through Norwegian genealogy and census records that are filled with many of the same names (Karen, Maren, Berit, and Kirsten...

An Imaginary Trip to Hobohemia ( Hobowhatia? ) The bindle stiff looked around cautiously as he exited the alley. He’d been carrying the ba...

In September 2005, Cousin Duane was driving two of my first cousins and me around Leonard, Minnesota to see the old family sites. We stoppe...

I heard a faint knock at the door late yesterday, and at first I thought I'd been imagining things. But, the dog barked insistently, ale...

I must pause briefly from my Norwegian-American focus to introduce a source helpful to those wanting to read more about population migration...

I am a Bay Area girl turned Seattlelite, with eclectic interests ranging from history and genealogy to science-fiction and Chinese film, to ...

I would love to spend months exploring Chippewa County, Minnesota. It is the center of the genealogical universe when it comes to my mothe...