Christine Gilsrud was born Anna Kristine Satervik. I do not know if she dropped the Anna because she wanted to be more American, or if her family back in Norway had always called her Kristine. I do know that Ove called her "Kristine Satervik" his sister on his intake interview when boarding his ship for America. She used the Americanized Christine on all the baptismal and church documents for her children and with the census takers. However, at the time of her marriage she used the full name *she* was baptized with, Anna Christine Satervik. I don't know where Ole got Karstena from, whether that was a nickname he had for her. My research indicates that it is not a typical Norwegian (or even Swedish) pronunciation of Kristine. I can't help wondering if her name was misspelled on her gravestone just as Ove's last name was misspelled on his. Unless the stone was added later by one (or more) of her children and they are remembering others using that name in an endearing way. Unfortunately, those I have reached out to for confirmation have not answered me. My own aunt (daughter of her son) does not remember where the name came from, but the only place I have found it is on her grave marker.
Aunt Margie does remember asking her family in Norway when she visited with her other sisters in the 90s why Kristine made the trip to America alone and why Ove (Kristine's younger brother) would have followed her by himself as well. The Saterviks told Aunt Margie that there simply were no jobs to be had in Norway at the time. The country was still politically entiwined with Sweden (Norway was not granted Sovereigncy until 1905) and unemployment was abysmally high. Neither Kristine, nor Ove saw any hope for a future staying in the old country. Unfortunately, their lives were very short lived here in America. According to his death certificate Ove died of toxic anemia in the Lutheran Hospital, very shortly after Kristine married and she of course died of teburculosis, leaving her children orphans with a father who refused to care for them.
The one thing that Grandpa Olaf remembered about his mom was how loving and kind she was. He himself, was an amazing father and grandfather. Not one person in our large family will tell you different. She passed her intrepid spirit on to her children and grandchildren and beyond, and for that I am very grateful, but even more grateful that the ability to love and show that love got passed down as well.
1885 - 1908 (22 år)
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