Ragna Pederson Toren Papers, 1888-1987
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
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
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 2: Ragna Pederson Toren
- Series 2 depicts Ragna Pederson Toren's life from the early 1900s through mid-1980s. The majority of materials deal with her high school and college years. The collection contains several postcard albums, photograph albums, scrapbooks, and personal correspondence. Of particular interest is Ragna's high school graduation book. It contains comments from fellow students and well wishes, commencement programs from her brother Harold's graduation in 1916 as well as her own. It also includes an English essay by Ragna, titled "The Blot on American Civilization," from March 1917. The scrapbook holds calling cards, dance cards, and material relating to extra-curricular activities. The series also holds Ragna's scrapbook from (circa) 1916 to 1932. The album has the UND logo on a green cover and "Footprints of Fellowship dedicated to Our Alma Mater" printed on the title page. The scrapbook contains photographs of UND May Fetes beginning 1916 through the 1920s. The album includes university programs, newspaper articles, programs of various theater plays, and a variety of pictures and memorabilia of Ragna's trips.
- Box 2
- Item 1: Ragna's photo album and scrapbook dating circa 1905 to 1928
- Photo album and scrapbook that allows a glimpse into Ragna's social life. It contains school records, theater programs, UND commencement booklets for 1921 to 1923, and dance cards/booklets from various university clubs and associations from 1917 to 1928. Ragna's scrapbook also includes mementos and memorabilia she picked up while traveling throughout the Midwest such as hotel cards, menus, postcards.
- Item 2: Ragna's High School Graduation book "School Memories," 1917
- Ragna's High School Graduation book 1917. It contains student comments and well wishes, commencement programs from her brother Harold's graduation in 1916 as well as her own. It also includes an English essay by Ragna, titled "The Blot on American Civilization," from March 1917. The scrapbook also holds calling cards, dance cards, and material relating to extra-curricular activities.
- Item 3: 2 penknives
- Item 4: 1 coin purse
- Item 5: 2 cuff links
- Item 6: 1 advertisement note pad
- Item 7: 1 6-inch wooden ruler
- Item 8: University of North Dakota ceramic logo medallion, made by the School of Mines, 1926
- Item 9: Felt pennant "1916 Grand Forks"
- Item 1: Ragna's photo album and scrapbook dating circa 1905 to 1928
- Box 3
- Folder 1: Ragna's Wedding album and cards
- Folder 2: Correspondence from Kari Oien/Yarborough, nee Evanger, in English and Norwegian
- Folder 3: Personal correspondence in English
- Folder 4: Personal correspondence in Norwegian
- Folder 5: Newspaper articles in English and Norwegian
- Folder 6: UND correspondence
- Folder 7: UND grade records
- Folder 8: Ragna's postcard scrapbook, circa 1908-1913
- Folder 9: Ragna's Birth Certificate
- Folder 10: Sigma Kappa Sorority 1928 annual
- Folder 11: Hans Pederson photo album circa 1913-1917
- Hans Pederson family photo album, pictures of Grand Forks, Utah, and Spokane, WA.
- Folder 12: Hans Pederson photo album circa 1935-1942
- Hans Pederson family photo album, pictures of Spokane, WA, Grand Forks, and Chicago.
- Folder 13: Ragna Pederson Toren photo album circa 1913-1915
- Album contains photos of Ragna, her friends and family around Grand Forks.
- Folder 14: Ragna Pederson Toren photo album 1918-1919
- Album contains photos of Gackle, ND where Ragna taught school.
- Folder 15: Ragna Pederson Toren photo album circa 1929-1937
- Ragna's photo album, pictures of her honeymoon with Clifford, pictures of vacation/travel around the country, visiting friends and family.
- Folder 1: Ragna's Wedding album and cards
- Box 4
- Box 5
- Item 1: Ragna's scrapbook circa 1916 to 1932
- The album has the UND logo on a green cover and "Footprints of Fellowship dedicated to Our Alma Mater" printed on the title page. The scrapbook contains photographs of UND Spring Fetes beginning 1916 (May Fete) through the 1920s. The album also includes university programs, newspaper articles, programs of various theater plays, and a variety of pictures and memorabilia of Ragna's trips.
- Item 1: Ragna's scrapbook circa 1916 to 1932
- Box 2
Browse by Series:
[Series 1: Hans and Tomine Pederson],
[Series 2: Ragna Pederson Toren],
[Series 3: Photographs],
[Series 4: Oversized Material],
[All]