Rokstad (John and Elizabeth) interview

Rokstad (John and Elizabeth) interview

Rokstad, John

Rokstad, Elizabeth

Sundberg, Gerda

Sundberg, Edward F

5/27/76

Kristiansund, Norway John and Elizabeth Rokstad were born in Norway and married in 1946. They immigrated to the United States and settled in Olympia, Washington. The Rokstads speak about their life in Norway, immigration experiences, and Norwegian crafts, customs, and food. John Rokstad also chronicles his experiences as a sailor during World War II. Subject timestamps: (0:20) John's early history, (0:55) Elizabeth's early history, immigration to US, (2:10) John's first stay in US in 1939, (2:33) Sailing ships during WWII, (5:45) Elizabeth's education in Norway, (6:55) Work in coat factory, (7:13) Father's work as machinist, mother's work as seamstress, (8:00) Experiences during WWII, (8:22) John's education in Norway, (8:54) Going to sea, father's job as captain, (9:29) Parents' history, (10:20) Reasons for immigration to US, (11:14) Parents' feelings about immigration, America, (12:25) Elizabeth's mother visit to Minnesota, Wisconsin, (14:17) Learning to speak and read English, (16:42) Earning US citizenship, (18:30) Sinking a boat during war, Omaha Beach, (21:10) Lack of communication and news during war, (22:54) Return visits to Norway, (23:59) Changes in Norway since time of immigration, (25:10) Parents' involvement in unions and politics in Norway, (25:58) John's participation in local unions, (26:57) Leaving sailing, work in construction, (28:40) Children's names and ages, (29:18) Description of hometown in Norway, (30:28) Names, languages of islands near hometown, (31:11) Description of Grip, Norway, (32:04) Handcrafts- sewing, crocheting, beadwork, (33:56) Woodcarving and furniture making, (34:45) Description of chair made by John, (36:33) Norwegian foods- bread, meat, (38:19) Norwegian Christmas customs, foods, (40:38) Norwegian holidays, 17th of May, (41:18) Children learning to speak Norwegian, (42:39) Membership in Lutheran church, (43:45) Wedding dress, crown, (45:01) Norwegian newspapers, correspondence, (46:15) Membership in Sons of Norway, Order of Vasa, (50:56) Feelings about experiences, life in US, (52:01) Norway's ability to take care of own people, (53:15) Effects of oil finds in North Sea, (54:07) Character of Norwegian people, (55:24) Future of folk arts tradition This accession is part of the Scandinavian Archives Project. The Sundberg Nordic Oral History Collection was a project emphasizing Scandinavian emigration and settlement in the US. The interviews were taped by Edward and Gerda Sundberg during a sabbatical from Cabrillo College in 1976. Sundberg N-21, N-22

Norwegian Americans--Washington (State)--Olympia

Norwegian Americans--Social life and customs

Immigrants--Washington (State)--Olympia

Citizenship--United States

Handicraft--Norway

Cooking, Norwegian

Christmas

Sailors--Norway

Rokstad, John

Rokstad, Elisabeth Boje

Berg, Carl

Berg, Ana

Rokstad, Elizabeth Bakken

Rokstad, Irene

Rokstad, Erwin

Sons of Norway (U.S.). District 2

Vasa Order of America

Northwest Digital Heritage

image

http://digitalcollections.lib.washington.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ohc/id/183