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 3: Photographs

Series 3 contains a variety of photographs, dating from the late 1800s to late 1980s. The series holds mostly pictures of the Pederson family in the US and in Norway, as well as friends and relatives. Photographs also show the Norwegian homestead of Tomine Pederson's family.

Box 1

Folder 9: Momb family photographs
Folder 10: Johnson family photographs
Folder 11: Larson family photographs
Folder 12: Paulsen family photographs
Folder 13: Miscellaneous photographs: Folder contains various photographs of people who have been identified on back.
Folder 14: Hans Pederson family photographs circa 1880s-1930s
Folder 15: Bjontegaard family photographs
Folder 16: Pictures of relatives and family homestead in Norway
Folder 18: Harold Pederson family photographs
Folder 19: William Pederson family photographs and newspaper articles

Box 2

Folder 1: Miscellaneous photographs circa 1977-1987: Album contains photos of Ragna's grandchildren.
Folder 2: Holiday greetings photo cards
Folder 3: Photographs of Ragna's sons' weddings
Folder 4: Photographs of Ragna: Album contains 3 photographs: Ragna's wedding portrait, Ragna in 1921, Ragna's grade school picture.

Browse by Series:

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

Department of Special Collections
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