Funding for
encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National
Endowment for the Humanities.
Biographical Note
Laura Foss was born on July 1, 1905 in
Copenhagen, Denmark to Peter Madsen and Dorthea Jensen, who were both from
Lolland, Denmark. Laura's father was a blacksmith for the government, and Laura
and her siblings had a wonderful home life; there were six children in the
family including Laura. Laura was confirmed when she was fourteen years old and
then got a cleaning job with a local family. Laura worked for them until she
decided to immigrate to America in January 1921. She came over with her cousin,
Greta, from Germany, and they settled in Seattle, WA, where Laura's aunt and
uncle, Hans and Marie Pedersen, lived. Laura stayed in Seattle for two months,
until deciding to stay with her uncle, Olaf Madsen, in Mt. Vernon, WA. She
stayed in Mt. Vernon for two months as well and then returned to Seattle to
help care for her aunt, who was a diabetic. In the fall of 1921, Laura got her
first job in the United States, in which she helped with childcare and
housekeeping for the Russell family. At this time, she also attended night
school at Broadway High School in order to improve her English. The following
spring, Laura started to attend church and a Danish society for young people.
These activities provided Laura with more of a social life, and the church was
where she and Greta learned of the Danish "folkskole" in Solvang, CA. They
attended for one school year (October - March) and had lectures, gymnastics,
folk dancing, handcrafts, and Bible classes. While in Solvang, Laura met her
first husband, Harald Christiansen, who was doing carpentry work for a
contractor in town. Harald was also from Denmark and had attended the school a
year before Laura. When Laura was done with school, she and Harald moved back
to Seattle and were married April 8, 1925. They had two children, Paul and
Norma, and maintained Danish traditions within their household. In 1930, Laura
and Paul visited Denmark for five months, and in 1948, the whole family went.
Both of the children can speak Danish. In 1965, Harald died of a heart attack,
and Laura took another trip to Denmark. On this trip, she met up with Hjarne
Foss, who was also visiting from Seattle. They were married in 1967.
Lineage
Full Name: Laura Marie Foss. Maiden Name:
Laura Marie Madsen. Father: Peter Madsen. Mother: Dorthea Jensen. Paternal
Grandfather: Jorgen Madsen. Paternal Grandmother: Petrine Madsen. Maternal
Grandfather: Lars Jensen. Maternal Grandmother: Marie Jensen. Brothers and
Sisters: Harry Madsen, Arthur Madsen, Sonja Madsen, Frode Madsen, Aase Madsen.
Spouse: Harald Christiansen, Hjarne Foss. Children: Paul Erik Christiansen,
Norma Christiansen.
Content Description
This interview was conducted with Laura Foss on October 20, 1982 in
Seattle, Washington. It provides information on family background, emigration,
employment, education, marriage and family, community involvement, and Danish
heritage. The interview also includes photographs of Laura when she was two
years old, Laura with her family when she was four, Laura with her first
husband in 1925, Laura in 1934, and Laura and Hjarne Foss at the time of the
interview. Also see Hjarne Foss.
Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Access :
The oral history collection
is open to all users.
Restrictions on Use :
There are no
restrictions on use.
Administrative Information
Custodial History :
The Oral History collection
project was started during an experimental course on Scandinavian Women in the
Pacific Northwest. Students in the course were encouraged to interview women
and learn about their experiences as immigrants to the United States. The
project was continued and expanded with support from the president's office and
by grants from the L.J. Skaggs and Mary C. Skaggs Foundation, from the Joel E.
Ferris Foundation and the Norwegian Emigration Fund of the Royal Norwegian
Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The project was directed by Dr. Janet E.
Rasmussen. The collection was transferred to the Archives and Special
Collections Department.
Acquisition Information :
Related Materials :
To search and view Pacific
Lutheran University's digitized images, visit our
Digital Assets
Website
Processing Note :
The interview was conducted by
Inger Nygaard Carr using a cassette recorder. A research copy was also prepared
from the original. To further preserve the content of the interview, it is now
being transferred to compact disc. We deliberately did not transcribe the
entire interview because we want the researchers to listen to the interviewee's
own voice. The transcription index highlights important aspects of the
interview and the tape counter numbers noted on the Partial Interview
Transcription are meant as approximate finding guides and refer to the location
of a subject on the cassette/CD. The recording quality is good
The
collection was transcribed by Mary Sue Gee, Julie Peterson and Becky Husby.
Bibliography :
Rasmussen, Janet Elaine. New Land
New Lives: Scandinavian Immigrants to the Pacific NorthwestTacoma, WashingtonUniversity of Washington
Press1993
Additional Reference Guides :
Detailed Description of the Collection
The partial interview transcription
highlights important aspects of the interview. Numbers may be used as guides to
important subjects. Two numbers separated by a slash indicate that the first
number is for cassette and the second for CD.
Cassette
193, side 1
018: Laura Marie Madsen
Christiansen Foss
Born July 1, 1905 in
Copenhagen, Denmark.
193, side 1
034: PARENTS
Peter Madsen and Dorthea Jensen. They were from Lolland, an
island south of Copenhagen. They grew up in poor circumstances.
193, side 1
055: GRANDPARENTS
Maternal - vaguely remembers her grandfather. His
name was Lars Jensen. He died when she was quite young. Laura's grandmother
died after Laura came to the US. Her name was Marie. Her grandparents lived on
Lolland and never left the island as long as they lived. Laura's grandfather
did odd jobs and had a little business of making brushes. They didn't have much
land. They had some chickens but there wasn't enough room for a cow. Paternal
grandparents - grandfather's name was Jorgen Madsen. Grandmother's name was
Petrine. She was older than grandfather. Always sickly. Died when Laura was
about eight. He lived with Laura's family from time to time. He worked on a big
estate for a count. Grandfather was humble. Would bow for this count. Made
barely enough money to feed his family. They had their own little house with a
thatched roof.
193, side 1
194: PARENTS
(See also I-034) Father was the youngest of ten children.
Only four of the ten grew up. The others died when very young. Sanitation
wasn't good in those days. Laura's paternal grandfather worshipped grandmother.
She was beautiful when she was young and he never forgot that. Laura's father
went to Copenhagen as a young man. She doesn't know how her parents met. Father
worked for the government. Was kind of a blacksmith for the military's arsenal
department. Worked there until he retired. A very respected man. A wonderful
person.
193, side
1
368: BROTHERS AND
SISTERS
Three boys and three girls in
their family. Oldest brother, Harry worked for the government. Died in 1980.
Laura describes why she thinks he was such a remarkable person. He visited them
in the U.S. in 1970. Arthur was a year younger than Harry. He was a machinist.
Died in 1961 when 59 years old. Laura was the third child. Sonja was born three
years after Laura. She was a wonderful person.
193, side 1
400: BROTHERS AND
SISTERS
Sonja was a lot like Harry. She
could accomplish a lot through it seemed as if she hadn't been doing much. She
died of cancer at age 54. Frode, Laura's youngest brother, was born next. He is
a retired plumber, living in Copenhagen. They have a summer home and an
apartment, which they use in the winter. They grew up in a wonderful home. Lots
of singing, music, and laughter. Father had a good sense of humor.
193, side 1
458: CHRISTMAS
Their father would take them into downtown Copenhagen
when all the street were decorated for Christmas. They loved to go
window-shopping. Christmas Eve was exciting. They would have goose or pork
roast with red cabbage, potatoes, and all the works. They'd have apricot
pudding with whipped cream. They had a Christmas tree with real candles. There
were little packages underneath the tree. They'd join hands and sing Danish
Christmas songs. They would play with their toys on Christmas day. Sonja and
Laura got dolls one Christmas. They were going to sew clothes for them but
their mother said they would get infected fingers for sewing on Christmas. They
didn't go to church on Christmas.
193, side 1
548: CHURCH AND
SCHOOL
Laura's family didn't go to
church. Her mother felt they got enough religion in school. They had catechism
and Bible studies. Said the Lord's Prayer and sang a hymn every morning before
class. They didn't go to church but they were baptized and confirmed. Laura was
fourteen when confirmed. She had a white dress and white shoes with high heels.
They had company after church.
193, side 1
610: WORK
Got a job working for a family in their home half a day. The
man was studying to be a judge at the University of Copenhagen. They had a
seventeen-day-old baby the day she started working for them.
193, side 1
635: SCHOOL
(See also I-548) School had two shifts: 8:00-1:00 and
1:00-6:00. Boys and girls were separated (not in shifts). Had to curtsey in
front of teachers. Boys and girls separated on play field by a board fence.
193, side 1
690: SUMMER
Went to Lolland for 4-6 weeks to visit grandmother and aunt.
School system paid the fare. People in the country would volunteer to take the
children from Copenhagen in their homes for the summer. City children would get
fresh air and learn about life in the country. The Foss children stayed with
family but the school still paid the fare.
193, side 1
773: WORK
(See also I-610) describes her job working for the family
she mentioned earlier in the interview. Cleaned. Helped take care of the baby.
They lived on the 4th floor. Had to go to the basement for supplies. People
living in the building had to clean the stairwells.
193, side 1
825: REASONS FOR IMMIGRATING TO
U.S.
Her father's sister lived in Seattle
with her husband, Hans and Marie Pedersen. They had visited Laura's family
once. Laura planned on coming back to Denmark. She left for America at age
fifteen. A family living in the US came to Denmark for a visit. They were
contacted and asked to look after Laura on her journey. Laura's aunt had money
in a bank in Copenhagen, which she allowed Laura to use. This aunt was quite
well to do. At the last minute, it was decided that a cousin from Germany would
come too. Things were still bad in Germany in January 1921 because of WWI so
Greta went to America as well. She was 16 years old. Laura never realized until
long afterwards how much her mother didn't want her to go. At age 15, she was
too excited to think about it. Her mother couldn't go to the ship to say
good-bye. The rest of the family went with her to the boat.
193, side 1
940: THE TRIP TO
AMERICA
12 days on the ship. 5 days from
New York to Seattle on train. The German cousin managed to learn a quite a lot
of Danish. They sailed on a Danish ship, Frederick VIII. Traveled 2nd class.
They were with the Nielsen family. Laura shared a cabin with the Nielsens and
Greta shared a cabin with someone else. They weren't used to afternoon coffee
with homemade pastries. The trip was quite elegant. There were many Poles
traveling 3rd class. Thought they were dressed funny. Those traveling steerage
brought their own food. Cold and stormy in January. Laura got seasick. Greta
didn't.
193, side
1
996: ARRIVAL
Didn't have to go to
Ellis Island like most of the immigrants did. They got the New York o January
18, 1921. They were excited to see the Statue of Liberty and the skyscrapers.
It was too cold in New York to be out very long. The Nielsens took care of
their papers, passports, and money. They had no problems. At age 15, Laura was
too young to live in the US alone. She had an affidavit from her uncle saying
that he was responsible for her.
193, side 1
1020: TRAIN TRIP
Doesn't remember going from the boat to the train.
They had to wait in Chicago for a few hours to catch the train to Seattle.
Remembers the Nielsens taking them to a drug store. She had her first ice cream
soda there. She was surprised. Drug stores in Denmark are strictly pharmacies.
Remembers Mrs. Nielsen speaking English in the stores. Thought she'd never
learn to speak that well. Had her first baked potato on the train. Had several
hours in Ogden, Utah. The Nielsens took them to show. It was a silent picture
called "Love." Came to Seattle on January 25, 1921. Her uncle met them at the
depot. They had a nice house on 10th Avenue North, a block off Broadway.
193, side 1
1077: FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF
SEATTLE
It was raining when they came, but
at 15 years of age, she didn't pay much attention to the weather.
193, side 1
1091: SCHOOL
The neighborhood school wouldn't take them. They spoke no
English. They had to go to Pacific School on lower Broadway and Jefferson. This
school had a class for foreigners. This class had Chinese, Russian, and Greek
students. Greta and Laura didn't sit next to each other at school so they
developed their own sign language to use in class
193, side 2
013: SCHOOL
Both Laura and Greta had had good education in their home
countries but they had to start from scratch with the English language. It was
more difficult for the Chinese who had to learn a whole new alphabet.
193, side 2
049:
Laura stayed in Seattle for two months. It was decided she
would stay with an uncle, Olaf Madsen in Mount Vernon. His wife was from Texas.
She was a crude person. Laura's aunt was not very healthy. She was probably a
little irritated with the girls. She was wonderful in many ways, but she had no
patience.
193, side 2
160: MOUNT VERNON
Laura's uncle was good natured. Laura could speak
Danish with him. His wife Laida (?) was a "hot-tempered Texan." Laura had to
try to speak English to her. Laida (?) didn't like Laura to speak Danish to her
uncle. Laura would try to help with the housework. Laida was a sloppy
housekeeper. If Laura made the house look nice, you'd never be able to tell the
next day.
193, side 2
209: RETURN TO
SEATTLE
Two months later, Aunt Marie was
really sick. She had diabetes. This was before insulin. Laura's cousin, who was
a nurse, quit her job at Providence Hospital and stayed home to take care of
Aunt Marie. Her food had to be weighed. She was hungry and couldn't have enough
to eat. She was cranky. Laura was needed there. Aunt Marie bossed Laura around
and took advantage of her. Greta was sent to Mount Vernon and stayed with a
younger family. She had a lot of fun up there. Laura's first summer in the US
wasn't too great. Still, she wasn't ready to go back. She thought she'd stay
here for a couple of years. She never complained in her letters home.
193, side 2
253: TRIPS TO
DENMARK
First trip back was in 1930. Her
mother told her she knew what Aunt Marie was like. She thanked Laura for not
complaining.
193, side 2
286: FIRST JOB IN THE
U.S.
Got a job in the fall of 1921. Took
care of a 2 year old and helped with the housework. They had a daughter in high
school and an 11 year old son. She stayed with them for a year. His name was
Russel. He worked for the Seattle Water Department. Ate dinner with the family.
Remembers the first time she had cream style corn. Still doesn't care for it.
Her aunt and uncle insisted she go to night school so she went to Broadway High
School twice a week. They always tried to separate Greta and Laura so they
didn't let Greta take English as Laura did. Greta took sewing. They both had
class from 7:00pm to 9:00pm twice a week. They looked forward to their reunions
on 9:00pm. They'd go to a nearby bakery and eat a dozen cinnamon rolls. Laura
envied the Russel's daughter. She would come home from high school with
friends. They'd play the piano and sing while Laura was in the kitchen peeling
potatoes.
193, side 2
382: DIFFICULTIES
Missed the fun and laughter they had in their home in
Denmark. Her aunt would have dinner parties but the people there were older.
She wasn't around many young people. Everything was serious. There was no
laughter. The sky was the limit when her aunt bought food, however. Goodies,
fresh fruit, things they didn't usually get in Denmark. Laura's aunt could be
very demanding and quite impatient. Laura and Greta were afraid to not complete
the tasks she requested of them. Laura gives several examples of this. Once she
sent Laura to the butchers a few blocks away. She'd often expect them to be
able to do things even though they didn't speak English. She wanted 12 loin
pork chops and wouldn't let Laura write it down. Laura forgot it by the time
she got the butchers. He started naming things, When he said loin pork chops,
she remembered
193, side 2
557: CHURCH
Many of the young Danish girls working as housekeepers would
meet at the church on Thursday afternoons, their day off. Laura started going
to this church the first Easter after they had come to Seattle. The Nielsens
invited them since Laura's aunt didn't go to church. The sermon was in Danish.
Then they started going to a Danish Society for young people. The fellows would
come to the church on Thursday evenings after work. All clean fun. Wouldn't
interest young people today. This group was organized by the Pastor Alfred
Sorenson. Theresa, Hjarne's first wife went to these meetings. Later, Hjarne,
Laura's second husband came too.
193, side 2
627: SOLVANG,
CALIFORNIA
Greta and Laura heard about
the Danish folkskole in Solvang. They wrote to Pastor Christiansen, who was in
charge. He said they could stay there for half-price if they helped in the
kitchen. It cost $200 for the school year (October - March) for room and board.
They paid only $100. Pastor Christiansen picked them up at the depot in
Solvang. It was all work and no play. They were up before everyone else.
Cleaned the halls and steps. Set the tables for breakfast and while the others
were in class, they did the dishes. Very little they could take part in. After
two weeks, they talked to Mrs. Christiansen, who had decided that they could
clean her apartment as well. He said they'd have to hire a full-time girl to
clean and they could go to school. Greta and Laura had a lot of fun after that.
Had lectures, gymnastics, folk dancing, handicrafts, Bible classes, etc.
193, side 2
718: MEETING FIRST
HUSBAND
He had attended the school a year
before Laura. While Laura was there, he was doing carpentry for a contractor in
town. There were some cottages behind the school where he and some other young
men were living. They boarded at the school. His name was Harald Christiansen.
Laura saw him on weekends and in the evenings. He was Danish. Was orphaned at
age nine. Worked for a family. Eventually came to the US with a cousin. He did
very well for himself here. He worked for the government. Was in charge of all
the different shops at Pier 91 in Bremerton, Washington (carpenter shop, paint
shop, etc.) until he was discharged on a medical. He was a diabetic and had had
several heart attacks. He knew Laura would go to Seattle after school was out
so he went there to find work., Laura worked in California until she had enough
to pay Pastor Christiansen back and then returned to Seattle. She and Greta
worked in homes in Santa Barbara. They ended up owing $200 because when Laura's
aunt found out they weren't working, she decided not to pay the $100 for their
room and board at school. Laura earned $50-55 per month. She had to earn the
fare home and she still owed $75 to Pastor Christiansen.
193, side 2
834: GETTING
ENGAGED
Got a job in a home from Grunbaum
Bros. in order to pay the $75. Got engaged to Harald and he paid the $75. She
wouldn't get married until she earned $75. Bought bedding with the money.
193, side 2
846: WEDDING
Married April 8, 1925. Her parents silver anniversary.
Married in the basement of the parsonage, which was cozy. Church on Spruce
Street wasn't built yet. Friends decorated parsonage with wild cherry blossoms.
Laura's aunt outfitted them for the wedding. Her aunt was generous. Her
apartment was on Queen Anne Hill so she gave Laura and Harald a reception
there. Had a happy marriage.
193, side 2
894: CITIZENSHIP
Took out first papers in 1930 because she was going
to Denmark for a visit. Paul, her oldest son was 2 years old then.
193, side 2
906: TRIPS TO
DENMARK
(See also II-253) Laura and Paul
were gone for five months. Traveling took more time then. Took train to New
York and boat to Copenhagen. Laura's parents were still living. People in her
neighborhood had flags out for her homecoming. She'd been gone for ten years
but things hadn't changed much. Her sister who was seven when she left, had
become a young lady.
193, side 2
936: CHILDREN
Paul, director for a long term foster care program in
Seattle. He married a third generation Danish girl. She speaks Danish. They
have three married children. Norma, four years younger than Paul. She married a
high school teacher. They have a son and a daughter. Both of Laura's children
live in Seattle.
193, side 2
973: CHURCH
(See also II-557) Very active in the church. Harald was
president of the congregation when the church was at its old location. The new
church is across from Woodland Park. Laura is active in a circle. They take
care of wedding receptions. Give dinners and luncheons. They have a friendship
group for Danish ladies. They meet in each other's homes. Their group is
getting smaller.
193, side 2
1020:
Laura and Harald lived in a house down by where the freeway
is now. They lived there for over 30 years. Had a contractor build the house
Laura lives in now. They'd lived in this house for 10 months when Harald died
of a heart attack. She lived there for five years alone. Then she married
Hjarne.
193, side
2
1037: TRIPS TO
DENMARK
(See also II-253 and II-906)
1930, Laura and Paul. 1948, the whole family went to Denmark. They took the car
along. 1965, Harald passed away and Laura went alone. Flew both ways. Met
Hjarne over there.
193, side 2
1048: DANISH
TRADITIONS
They have Danish meatballs at
times. Danish desserts, fruit pudding and soups. Chopped parsley and gravy.
Liver paste. Open-face sandwiches. They spoke Danish in the home. Norma speaks
Danish quite well. Paul doesn't speak as quite as well.
193, side 2
1072:
Speaks Danish.
Subjects
This collection is indexed under
the following headings in the online catalog. Researchers desiring materials
about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these
headings.
Personal Names :
Christiansen, Harald
Christiansen, Norma
Christiansen, Paul
Foss, Hjarne
Foss, Laura Madsen
Christianson--Interviews
(
creator)
Jensen, Dorthea
Madsen, Olaf
Madsen, Peter
Pedersen, Hans
Pedersen, Marie
Family Names :
Christiansen family
Foss
family
Jensen
family
Madsen
family
Pedersen family
Corporate Names :
Frederick VIII (Steamship)
Geographical Names :
Copenhagen (Denmark)
Lolland
(Denmark)
Seattle
(Wash.)
Solvang (Calif.)
Subject Terms :
Christmas
Confirmation
Danes -- Ethnic identity
Danish-Americans--Interviews
Danish-Americans--Northwest,Pacific--Social life and
customs
