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Archiver > NORWAY > 1997-11 > 0878461217


From: Knut Bryn <>
Subject: Re: Cousins by the Dozens
Date: Sun, 02 Nov 1997 10:00:17 +0100


Neil!

Thank you very much for your description of your work with the family forest in Årdal. As you know, my early ancestors lived in Årdal too. When I started my work on those people 20 years ago I found lots of interesting information in the bygdebook, but just very little about my own ancestors. I spent quite much time searching the bygdebook for names that could put me on the right track. With too weak results (and too little time) I concluded that once in the future I would put all people in the Årdal bygdebook in a large database to solve the riddle. Now you have done it! It is absolutely great!

But the riddle is still there. My ancestors left Årdal about 1745 and they did not go westwards with a boat, but southwards through the mountain areas you describe. They had a 100 miles long trek to Kongsberg. So they must have been goats at that time. Perhaps this is the reason why you have not found out the relationship to me? However, I liked your admissions about affection for potatoes. I absolutely find that in my family too! This must be a proof that we are related, so we have to go on puzzling.

To be serious for a moment. Even though Årdal is quite remote, there was some mining industry in the early 1700s, and both miners and some administrative people moved to Årdal. Are these people found in your database, and did some of these people stay in Årdal when the mines were closed down in the 1730s?

Have a nice Sunday!

Knut Bryn

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