Ragna Pederson Toren Papers, 1888-1987

Ragna Pederson Toren Papers

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Collection Overview

Title: Ragna Pederson Toren Papers, 1888-1987

ID: OGLMC1643

Primary Creator: Toren, Ragna (Pederson) (1899-?)

Extent: 7.5 Linear Feet

Date Acquired: 10/20/2015

Subjects: Ethnicity - Norwegian, Grand Forks, University of North Dakota - Alumni

Languages: English, Norwegian

Abstract

Family material related to the Pederson family which emigrated from Norway and established residency in Grand Forks, North Dakota, during the 1890s.

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The Ragna Pederson Toren Papers are divided into four series, including one oversized folder. The collection follows the life of the Pederson family, starting with Hans Pederson who emigrated from Norway to the United States in 1888, settling in Grand Forks, North Dakota in 1891. His wife Tomine Momb Pederson emigrated from Norway to the United States in 1895. They were married in 1895 and raised their family in Grand Forks. The couple had three sons and one daughter, Ragna. The collection contains a variety of photographs and photo albums from the late 19th century through the 1980s. Included in the collection are newspaper articles in English and Norwegian, personal correspondence in English and Norwegian, personal mementos and family heirlooms, and scrapbook albums that contain memorabilia and material culture objects from the 1910s and 1930s. Of particular interest are two of Ragna's photograph scrapbooks. The first one dates from circa 1905 to 1928 and includes a variety of personal memorabilia, dance cards, various theater programs and newspaper clippings. The second one dates from circa 1916 to 1932 and pertains to activities at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. The collection in particular offers a glimpse into the cultural history of Grand Forks during the 1910s and 1930s.

Subject/Index Terms

Ethnicity - Norwegian
Grand Forks
University of North Dakota - Alumni

Administrative Information

Repository: Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections

Access Restrictions: Open for inspection under the Rules and Regulations of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.

Acquisition Source: Robert Dean Pederson, Spokane, Washington

Acquisition Method: Donation; 2015-3286

Related Publications: Going Home Again: On Reclaiming Our Past. Robert Dean Pederson and Shirley Rae Pederson. 2012.

Preferred Citation: (Description of Item). Ragna Pederson Toren Papers. OGLMC 1643, Box #, Folder #. Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections, Chester Fritz Library, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks.

Processing Information: Processed by Susanne Watts, Graduate Student Intern, in Fall 2017.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Hans and Tomine Pederson],
[Series 2: Ragna Pederson Toren],
[Series 3: Photographs],
[Series 4: Oversized Material],
[All]

Series 1: Hans and Tomine Pederson

Series 1 consists of material pertaining to Ragna's parents, Hans and Tomine Pederson, and her brothers Harold and William. The series contains family pictures dating from the mid-to-late 1800s to the early 1900s and includes pictures of the family homestead in Norway. Of particular interest are Hans Pederson's personal documents from Norway: his apprenticeship graduation certificate, work related letters and certificates, and his penmanship exercise book. The collection also contains his Declaration of Intention to become a US citizen (1888), the certificate of becoming a US citizen in 1894, and his US Passport issued in 1928. Included are also personal correspondence, Norwegian newspaper articles about Tomine's family (Bjontegaard), and Hans and Tomine's marriage certificate. The series also contains the memorial books for Hans (died 1932) and Tomine (died 1954). Noteworthy is the baptismal cap and gown sewn by Tomine Pederson that was used by newborn family members.

Box 1

Folder 1: Tomine Pederson Memorial Book
Folder 2: Hans Pederson Memorial Book
Folder 3: Hans Pederson US Citizenship Papers and US Passport 1928
Folder 4: Hans Pederson diplomas/certificates/documents/apprenticeship papers from Norway
Folder 5: Correspondence Tomine J. Momb in Norwegian
Folder 6: Correspondence Hans Pederson in Norwegian with English translation
Folder 7: Newspaper clippings (Norwegian) and Postcard (English)
Folder 8: Newspaper articles in Norwegian about Bjontegaard family (Tomine Momb Pederson's family)
Folder 17: Harold Pederson miscellaneous items: Folder contains Grand Forks High School commencement program from 1916; Rockwood Clinic Prescription pad; adoption announcement.
Item 1: Baptismal cap and gown sewn by Tomine Pederson that was used by newborn family members.

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Hans and Tomine Pederson],
[Series 2: Ragna Pederson Toren],
[Series 3: Photographs],
[Series 4: Oversized Material],
[All]

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