Velkommen to the
Ringerike - Drammen Districts
Bygdelag

Ringerike-Drammen Districts Lag BREV

"The Brev", RDD's quarterly newsletter contains a variety of stories about the people and places from eastern Buskerud; information about our annual STEVNE (conference) held in conjunction with six other lags and mini-stevnes.

Articles, News and Highlights on this page are taken from recent issues of BREV.

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Source: BREV Vol.22, No.4 November 2008

Here is ViKer Kirke by Ardis Danger and Else Sevig, translator Follow E16 going norhwest out of Oslo to Viker Church, which is located on the west shore of Sperillen Lake in Ådal Ringerike, Buskerud.

The first church located on the Viker estate was a stav kirke built in 1400s under authority of the Catholic church. It is mentioned in Diplomatorium Norvegicum in 1462. Before the 1600s it was related to Hole and then connected after the reformation to Norderhov parish. By 1860 Ådal had its own prestegjeld.

By 1702 the building was torn down and replaced with the current church to seat 250 people. The wooden interior is beautiful while the wooden exterior is dark brown. Because it is situated in the middle of a forested area, it is difficult to see Viker church from a distance. (for complete article see Brev newsletter).

.....Some of the other articles included in the November 2008 BREV include "Here is Veme Kirke" by Ardis Danger and Else Sevig, translater; "Norwegian Weapon Production at German-Controlled Workshops"; "One Fourth Norwegian by Blood but Four/Fourths in Heart" by Clare Blexrud Liebe; and "Norway to America and on to Minnesota" written long ago by Ole Ellingson.

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Source: BREV Vol.22, No.3 August 2008

Here is Haug Kirke by Ardis Danger Take county road #163 northeast out of Hønefoss to Klekken and then, travel either over Floytingen north of S‚trang or Ø Klekkenvei south of Klekken Hotel

This brings one to the village of Haug which includes Haug Church, Bang primary School, Haugsbygd middle school, grocery stores, a medical center , a beauty salon, and a combined post office-bank. Located relatively high in elevation, Haug village is one of the most desirable in Ringerike in which to build new develpments. Modern residences and agricultural estates are found here as well as the old historical proofs, the S‚trang discoveries (burial mounds, dating from 375 A.D. and found in 1834) and the Gjermundbundbufunnene (a Viking era burial mound from about 950 and found in 1943).

.....Some of the other articles included in the August 2008 BREV include "Gubberud Homesteads Near Spring Grove in 1854" by Stan Guberud; Fellesraad Plans Bydelag Week in Salt Lake City February 22-28"; "Honorary Consulate Opens; CG Rolf W.Hansen Bids Adieu"; "Minnesota Stategood Project For Norsk Pioneers Continues"; and "Three Submit Applications for Minnesota Pioneers".

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Source: BREV Vol.22, No.2 May 2008

This is Tyristrand Kirke by Ardis Danger and Marilyn Somdahl using the drawings of Architect Christian Grosch, the Tyristrand Church was build during the years 1856-1857 by Peder N. Stiksrud and Ole Nubsen Opsahl. Grosch was born in Copenhagen, but he lived most of his adult life in Kristiania (Oslo). He designed several well known buildings that are still standing, and this church is one of these. The building site for the church including space for a graveyard surrounding it and a grassy meadow were given by Consul Bache of Drammen, who owned Skjaerdalen's ground at the time.[above is a small portion of article with photos]

.....Some of the other articles included in the May 2008 BREV include "Research Gems in Oslo" by Marilyn Sorensen; and "The Hans Havorson Family in America" by John Halvorson.

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Source: BREV Vol.22, No.1 February 2008

Here is Lunder Kirke, by Ardis Danger Located just off Highway 7, northwest of Oslo, Lunder Church serves the Sokna community of Ringerike. Its history goes back to the first church, a small starvkirke, near the Oppegard farm. An old, large key that was found in the "church field" at Lunder about 100 years ago probably belonged to this church. Today it is used in the nearby Strømsoddbygda chapel, which has celebrated its 50th anniversary.

As the population grew, a new church was erected a few hundred yards away on the Øvre Lundesgard farm. This church was a cruciform (cross-shaped) one built with logs. The logs were covered with paneling inside and outside and it was completed in 1706. Because its foundations proved too weak and settling occurred, the church was moved in September 1761 and consecrated in its present position. In the 1880 rebuilding a steeple was added. Extensive reconstruction was also carried out from 1922-1924. [above is a small portion of the 3 page article complete with photos]

.....Some of the other articles included in the February 2008 BREV include "My Ancestor Ties to Lunder Church"; Dora's 1902 Letter Arrives From Ringerike Part Two"; "Ballad of the Pineries"; and "Norwegian Settlers Become Lumberjacks in Wisconsin".

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Source: BREV Vol.21, No.4 November 2007

River Falls Mini-Stevne Boasts 37 Participants [condensed] During the one day lag meeting September 29 at River Falls, WI the board registerd 37 members and friends of Ringerike Drammens Districts Lag. Tables of resources, especially from Modum, were within easy reach; many belonged to Aloha Hovd, chairperson of the local arrangements. President Narv Somdahl brought all the lag's large laminated maps of the nine Norwegian communities included in the lag. Both Phyllis Maxwell and Marilyn Sorensen were on hand to help answer questions.

After a welcome and introductions of board members, Donna Pearson gave a history of River Falls and the changes from milling and lunbering to the present. Several of the first pioneers came from Modum, including Rev. N.C. Hovde, whose relatives in the area attended the lag meeting.

In addition to a full American lunch buffet, many Norwegian specialties were offered at noon and also for the coffee breaks -- kringle, fløtegrøt, søtsuppe, lefse, primost, and krum kake. This was, indeed a special way to welcome the lag for its first-ever mini-stevne.

A 2006 gift DD from Modum Konnune was played after lunch. It featured what it is like to grow up, work, worship, shop, and live an active life for all ages of people in Modum today.

.....Some of the other articles included in the November 2007 BREV include Presidents' Letter; Introduction of Co-editors Linda Christensen and Steven Hall and Membership committee, Gene and Ardis Danger; new column "About churches in Ringerike' featuring Norderhov Kirke; and "Dora's 1902 Letter Arrives from Ringerike".

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Source: BREV Vol.2 No.3 August 2007

RDD registers 33 at the 2007 Seven-Lag Stevne in Wahpeton, N.D. Overall registrations totaled 296 for the three-day celebration that took place July 12-14 on the North Dakota State College of Science campus. the theme of this event was "lets Rally in the Valley".

Viking Treasure Hoard Uncovered [condensed] BBC News Published 19 July 2007 The most important Viking treasure find in Britain for 150 years has been unearthed by a father and son while metal detecting in Yorkshire.

The ancient objects come from as far afield as Afghanistan in the East and Ireland in the West as well as what is now Russia, Scandinavia, and central Europe.

It was probably buried for safety by a wealthy Viking leader during the unrest following the conquest of the Viking kingdom of Northumbria in AD927.

.....Some of the other articles included in the August 2007 BREV include RDD Lag Annual Meeting Report; Skredsvug-Braateliens's Breidablik, House of Culture on the Dakota Prairie;

Updated on December 30, 2007