I knew we were getting closer to my roots when I spotted the Saetre cookies in the grocery store in Olso. But today I found the Saetre farm.
I knew about the Western Norway Emigration Center in Sletta/Radoy. My dad preached at its dedication in 1997 and my father-in-law was the guest preacher on its first anniversary, even though no one in Norway knew the two were connected.
Today the next generation of Satre/Davick preachers checked it out. This is what we saw.
This is a stone dedicated to my 3rd great grand uncle (I think that’s the right generation?!?), who built churches across the Dakotas and Canada.
This is a church from North Dakota that was disassembled, shipped across the ocean, and reassembled. It was not built by O.I. Satre, but it is from a similar vintage. We watched a short video about it…and spotted my dad twice.
When we were finished with our tour, the manager asked if we were going to the Saetre farm. I said I didn’t know where it was. She did.
She pulled up “Saetre grendahus” on my phone. It was 9 minutes away.
Then, because I am who I am, I kept walking. I found a couple on their porch, who pointed me to these folks.
The woman pulled out a book about the Saetre family in Radoy. It had my great grandmother in it…and my great grandmother’s parents.
Then she pointed back to the first house, saying that’s where my line of the Saetre family came from. I went back to tell Linda the good news. Linda asked if we wanted to come in for some lemonade. We did. On the way out, I hugged Linda and Svein, thanking them for their hospitality. Linda said, “I will never forget Caroline from America!”
Today I found some distant…but deep…roots. What a joy!
Here are a few other joys from Bergen.
Wherever your adventures take you this summer, blessings along the way.
Caroline
Wander Tales by PC, PB, and Ellie 