NORWAY-L Archives

Archiver > NORWAY > 2002-12 > 1039046880


From: Barbara Gunvaldsen <>
Subject: re: Burns
Date: Wed, 04 Dec 2002 19:15:47 -0500


"To biddle" is a made-up word coming from a research project that gave me a
great deal of trouble. It means: to search persistently at great length
for specific information. If Bev "biddles", I believe that she will
(eventually) find her answer. She has two points that favor success:
1st. Harriet (and its variations) is not a frequent name in
Norway
2nd. The Burnses were pretty concentrated on the Scottish/English
border in the early 1800's.
Despite my earlier speculation about a phonetic eqivalent for "Burns", I
think that Bev is right in saying that she is going to have to search for a
Burns who married a Harriet (extend that to a Norwegian Harriet).
Harriet's marriage to Bev's great grandfather may not have been her first
marriage--it is very possible that she married a Scot named Burns and,
later, an Englishman named Henson. "Harriet Burns" does not sound
especially Norwegian to me.

Biddle on, Bev. You'll find what you seek. And if I encounter a Harriet
who married a Burns as I biddle along in my own research, I'll surely let
you know!

Barbara Gunvaldsen (Fairfield, Maine, USA)

>Indeed, I believe you have a major problem and I am not very optimistic that
>you will find her.
>

>>The only thing I can think of is to find
>>a marriage between some guy named Burns and a lady named Harriet. Almost
>>comical isn't it. Personally I don't think I have a tinkers chance but have
>>to at least try.
>>

This thread: