The wedding was that of Matt Hemmingsen to the best girl in the world; Margaret Alexander.1 It had taken place in the beautiful Comox Valley on 2 June 1910. It was that same quiet affair which had earlier prompted the question “was Ed Hemmingsen at the wedding?”2 We thought not, but being able to actually qualify … Continue reading Matt Hemmingsen (1876-1967) Memoirs: So was Agnes Alexander at the wedding?
Category: Before Memories
The Adoption Witness: Escalating Those Carstairs.
Double Genealogy: The Adoption Witness Update 7 Addendum 11* We just got word that John Kelly's son, Robert, died in Wayne County, Michigan.1 We had ruled John out as an ancestor, but this news reopens the case. Recall: John, born 1834, in Carstairs, was coal mining out of Legbrannock in 1851.2 We hoped to prove … Continue reading The Adoption Witness: Escalating Those Carstairs.
The Adoption Witness: Rare Postcard to Skog-Vefsn; Revealing What?
This is sixth in a series on Edward Hemmingsen and his wife Anna Tobiassen, or Thompson. See Notes and Source, for details. Sisters! Here is an undated photo-postcard of Johanna Karoline Tobiassen in Minneapolis, with two unnamed Swedish companions. She sent it inside an envelope to some Skog-Vefsn folk such that it is unaddressed and … Continue reading The Adoption Witness: Rare Postcard to Skog-Vefsn; Revealing What?
The Adoption Witness: Tales From Skog-Vefsn Before Lake Cowichan
Our last post on the Baroness of Skog-Vefsn got the attention of descendant folk in Norway. She was the daughter of great uncle Ed Hemmingsen, and his wife, Anna, who lived at Lake Cowichan, B.C. Circumstances led us to opine that she, Dorothea Elizabeth (Betty) was both adopted by, and great-niece, to Anna. Could that … Continue reading The Adoption Witness: Tales From Skog-Vefsn Before Lake Cowichan
Our McArthur Clan: Robert (1887-1948) and Thomas (1892-1923); Hidden in Plain Site
UPDATED: HIDDEN IN PLAIN SITE – the BAKERY THIS TIME. Please scroll to UPDATE June 6, 2020 By 1912, all four grandparents had made it to Vancouver Island. Matt Hemmingsen had married Margaret Alexander. We await James Dickson to marry Janet McArthur. Meanwhile, we have been truing their sibling data to that point, shy of … Continue reading Our McArthur Clan: Robert (1887-1948) and Thomas (1892-1923); Hidden in Plain Site
Miss Denham (1879-1978)
Miss Denham belonged in Granny’s kitchen, just as much as Granny herself. Indeed, she held position at our dining table. We imagine her still, its linen laid, pushing the swing door to pass through the butler pantry and emerge in the kitchen. No one hides kitchen from dining anymore. Pity, for the reverse trip brought … Continue reading Miss Denham (1879-1978)
Matt Hemmingsen (1876-1967) Memoirs: Convergence 1912; James Dickson (1882-1969)
Our maternal grandfather, James Dickson arrived at Canada's east coast on 6 Feb 1912 bound for the coal mines of Nanaimo B.C. He was a humble hewer of coal who would become the Chief Inspector of Mines for British Columbia. - Nanaimo Harbour and Bastion, Nanaimo, B.C. As he stepped upon his destination, the Udston … Continue reading Matt Hemmingsen (1876-1967) Memoirs: Convergence 1912; James Dickson (1882-1969)
Matt Hemmingsen (1876-1967) Memoirs: His Innovations in West Coast Logging 1907-1911
Photo © Sean Hemmingsen 2020 Our Tsolum River post featured Matt Hemmingsen using hands-on expertize that he had gained during river drives in Wisconsin, to correct an epic logjam in British Columbia. That was 1907. Our last post enlarged a segment of photo left, to describe a "log trough" system he developed around 1910. It greatly … Continue reading Matt Hemmingsen (1876-1967) Memoirs: His Innovations in West Coast Logging 1907-1911
Matt Hemmingsen (1876-1967) Memoirs: Oil Painting on Maple Burl; Logging 1912, Cowichan Lake
Look closely at the tall spar, center left, to see its fine network of wires. We shall enlarge a portion of the picture to explain the logging operation that is underway - Cowichan Lake. Oil on Maple Burl ca 1912, artist unknown. Photo © Sean Hemmingsen 2020 Matt Hemmingsen's memoirs left off in 1910, with … Continue reading Matt Hemmingsen (1876-1967) Memoirs: Oil Painting on Maple Burl; Logging 1912, Cowichan Lake
Mildred Dybedal (Hemmingson) (1897-1987): Sole College Graduate Among Fourteen Siblings
Mildred was never bored. Her father, Ole Hemmingsen (1851-1903), emigrated from Norway in 1882 bringing a degree in Civil Engineering to a new beginning; a homestead and roads to build in northwest Wisconsin. Life soon conspired against certain dreams. A couple of his fourteen children became educated to fourth grade, several to eighth, and three … Continue reading Mildred Dybedal (Hemmingson) (1897-1987): Sole College Graduate Among Fourteen Siblings
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