Syttende Mai (May 17th, in Norwegian)

A happy Syttende Mai to everyone! Don't ask me how to pronounce that - this is only my first year celebrating the Norwegian Constitution/National Day. I've known of the Norwegian heritage of my Gunderson ancestors for some time, but only since my brother, Regan, did some genealogy work on this family line have I learned more about Norway. In the process, I decided to put their National Holiday on the calendar and celebration. And just in case any of our ancestors/relatives are jealous, I can assure you we have other national holidays on the calendar (Sweden, Ireland, England, Wales to name a few), and we'll do our best to commemorate their respective holidays in turn.


On May 17th, in 1814 (194 years ago), the Constitution of Norway was signed, making Norway an independent nation - well, sort of. It seems that prior to 1814, Denmark had ruled Norway for 400 years. Denmark sided with Napoleon as he attempted to conquer the world, and when he was defeated, Denmark was forced to give up Norway to the king of Sweden. In response, the Norwegians wrote and signed a constitution, declaring themselves independent. Sweden wasn't happy with this and attacked Norway that same year. It wouldn't be until 1905 that Norway was 'officially' independent.



So where were my Norwegian ancestors in 1814? Two of my Great(x4)-grandparents, Mari Torgersdatter and her husband, Gunnof Ostensen, were likely children in Norway at that time. Mari was given a small psalm book at her birth that has been handed down in our family. Writing in the cover of her psalm book says she was married in 1829 (in the village of Tinn, Provence of Telemark, Norway - located southwest of Oslo), to Gunnuf Ostensen, also from Norway. Gunnuf and his son Osten eventually sailed to the US, settled in Minnesota, and 5 generations later here I am in Omaha celebrating my 1/16th to 1/8th Norwegian heritage.

We decided to celebrate by making a Norwegian Hazelnut Cake (http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Norwegian-Hazelnut-Cake/Detail.aspx?prop31=1). I'm suspicious it's not an authentic recipe, but it sure was delicious. Maybe next year we'll be brave and try something very traditional like Lutefisk - codfish prepared with lye. Then again, there's a good chance we won't, since it's famously unpalatable. Garrison Keillor describes it as "gelatinous fishlike dish that tasted of soap and gave off an odor that would gag a goat". Here's the delicious Norwegian Hazelnut Cake in all it's glory - complete with detailed map of Norway made out of hazelnuts and Norwegian flag marking the home of the Gundersons.

- Ryan