Funding for encoding this finding aid was
provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the
Humanities.
Biographical Note
Edward Flones was born on April 8, 1907 in
Hustad, Romsdalen, Norway to Markus Flones and Ellen Erikson. Markus was a
fisherman and had changed his name from Peterson to Flones, "flo" meaning the
tides and "nes" meaning front. Edward had fourteen siblings, many of which
passed away. Edward attended school through the age of fifteen, and then he
began fishing from fall through spring. In the summers, he went into the
country and worked on various farms. In December 1929, Edward decided to
immigrate to America, where two of his brothers were already living. His
brothers liked America because the weather and fishing were better. Edward met
one of his brothers in Seattle and stayed with him for the first year. The
following year, he began fishing on a 10-11-man boat in Alaska. Edward fished
on a boat called the "Nort" for fifteen years, and when the skipper died,
Edward did the navigating himself. Eventually, Edward bought his own boat and
began fishing by himself. By the time he retired, he owned six boats.
In
1932, Edward married Inga Haugen, whom he met in Seattle at a card party given
by the Sons of Norway. Inga was from Stanwood, WA, and her father, Pete Haugen,
was from Norway. They were married in Everett and after renting for awhile,
they bought a house in Stanwood. Edward and Inga had four sons: Melvin, Magnar,
Richard, and Peter. The family was active in the Lutheran Church, and all of
the children were confirmed there. After attending night classes in Everett,
Edward obtained his American citizenship in 1942. He and Inga returned to
Norway in 1962 and 1971, and Edward thought the Norway that he left and the
Norway he returned to were like "night and day."
Lineage
Full Name: Edward Flones. Father: Markus Flones. Mother: Ellen
Erikson. Brothers and Sisters: Edward Flones, Severine Flones Nerland, Eddy
Flones, Ole Flones, Sophia Flones, Yngeborg Flones, Lars Flones, Martin Flones,
Sverre Flones, Hans Nerland. Spouse: Inga Haugen. Children: Melvin Flones,
Magnar Flones, Richard Flones, Peter Flones
Content Description
This interview was conducted with Edward Flones on October 29, 1981 in
Stanwood, Washington. It contains information on family background, work,
emigration, marriage and family, church, community activities, and Norwegian
heritage. The interview also provides photographs of Hustad, Edward's brother's
house, Ed and Eddie Flones when they first came to America (1930), Edward's
first and last boats, a fishing boat with a Caterpillar Diesel D342 Marine
Engine (1956), and Edward at the time of the interview. The interview was
conducted in English.
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
109, side 1
005: FAMILY
BACKGROUND
Born in Hustad, Romsdalen,
Norway on April 8, 1907.
109, side 1
017: PARENTS
Father was Markus Peterson. Father put the name Flones on
the farm when he bought it in Norway. Farm was by the ocean. "Flo" means the
tide goes in and out. "Nes" means front sticking out in the water. Father's
name was Markus Peterson Flones.
109, side 1
036: FISHING
Father was a fisherman in the summer and caught cod,
herring, and goldfish. Big fishing village where they lived. Mostly fishing
along the coast.
109, side 1
046: FAMILY FARM
Five acres, had one cow, and raised vegetables for
the family.
109, side 1
050: FISHING
Father fished with another man. Went out in the morning and
came back in the evening. Used sack nets. No motorboats. Used sailboats. Didn't
go far out in the ocean, 2-6 miles.
109, side 1
064: FATHER
Quit fishing and began repairing fishing nets and making
nets.
109, side 1
072: DEPRESSION AFTER WWI,
1920
When he left Norway in 1929 it was
hard to get work.
109, side 1
080: GRANDPARENTS
Maternal, Erikson. Paternal died long before he was
born.
109, side 1
088: MOTHER
Ellen Erikson from Hustad, Norway.
109, side 1
095: BROTHERS AND
SISTERS
Fourteen. Many passed away.
Oldest brother died before Edward was born by drowning. A sailboat capsized and
sank.
109, side 1
111:
Sister Severine lived in Hustad and married Stephen Nerland.
He was a fisherman.
109, side 1
134:
Brother Eddy came to the U.S. in 1910. He was a fisherman.
Died in 1952.
109, side 1
145:
Brother Hans Nerland came to the U.S. Nerland is the name of
the place. He changed his name when he came to the U.S. He also fished. Lived
in Seattle. Died in 1971.
109, side 1
160: BROTHERS AND
SISTERS
Most are dead now. One brother
left, Martin. All brothers fished in Norway. Lars did some sailing, big oil
tankers. Martin lives on the home place.
109, side 1
183: SISTERS
Sophia died. Yngeborg died, her husband was a fisherman.
109, side 1
195: CHILDHOOD HOME
"Liveable," Never home all at the same time so there
was enough room.
109, side 1
212: SCHOOL
Eight years, through the age of 15. No high school, only
grade school. First year went five times a week for 4-5 hours a day. After this
they went every other day for two weeks then one week off. Teacher had many
classes. Big classes.
109, side 1
235: TEACHERS
Had many different teachers. Many died of the flu
epidemic (Spanish Flu).
109, side 1
250:
Edward had the flu when he was 10.
109, side 1
259: CHURCH
Big, confirmed in church. Parents went to church every other
Sunday. Shared a preacher.
109, side 1
273: CHRISTMAS
Celebration not in church. It was in another place
Berihus. Many missionaries in the church.
109, side 1
304: CHRISTMAS DAY
Had a service in the church. Had a tree in the house
but not in the church.
109, side 1
307: CHRISTMAS
Describes what they do in the Berihus. Christmas in
Norway lasted three weeks. Something going on everyday, visiting, singing.
109, side 1
330: PRESENTS
Mostly homemade, socks and clothes.
109, side 1
335: CHRISTMAS EVE
Ate meatballs, gravy and bread. Lots of Christmas
cookies. Not much lefse or lutefisk. "Didn't want to spoil fish." Julekake.
109, side 1
358: CHRISTMAS DAY
Special dinner. "Went no place except church," stayed
home. Made decorations and candles for the tree. Place to put the tree called
"ungdomshus."
109, side 1
385: FOLK TALES
Not many folk stories. Some about Julenissen roaming
around during Christmas Eve.
109, side 1
400: CHRISTMAS
ACTIVITIES
As young kids of 17-18 they
went dancing after Christmas programs. Danced in big warehouses. Someone
playing the accordion. Could only do seven dances in one place. Government put
on this restriction.
109, side 1
440: FISHING IN
NORWAY
Big boats 70-80 feet went up and
down the coast. When they were through with herring fishing they went to
Lofoten and Finmarken in the northern part of Norway for cod fishing.
109, side 1
457: 17TH OF MAY
CELEBRATION
Many people from southern
Norway up north in a small town. 10,000 fishermen up in a small town. Three
policemen to keep order.
109, side 1
494:
Harbor full of boats, dance hall full, fighting, and drunk
fishermen.
109, side 1
564:
Edward fished with another guy named Tommer Sander. The name
of their boat was the Havguller. They used nets and hook and line. Thirteen men
on the boat. Didn't fish in the summer.
109, side 1
585: SUMMER WORK
Went to the country and worked on farms.
109, side 1
594: REASONS FOR LEAVING
NORWAY
Two brothers in U.S. They liked
the U.S. Better weather. Fishing better. Made more money. Too many fishermen in
Norway. No system or union in Norway like in the U.S.
109, side 1
632: LEFT NORWAY
After Christmas 1929, Edward had the home place in
Norway. Father had given it him when he died. Brother Lars lived on the home
place too.
109, side 1
670:
Edward gave to place to Ole, his oldest brother 15 years ago.
109, side 2
SIDE II :
109, side 2
011: LEAVING NORWAY
Sailed from Oslo. Took a passenger boat from home to
Trondheim then took the train to Oslo. Passenger boat to New. It was called the
Olaf Den Helge. It cost over $200. It was a Danish boat.
109, side 2
019: BOAT TRIP
Nice, good food, entertainment, and no seasickness.
Edward was 20 years old.
109, side 2
028:
Took the train from New York to Seattle.
109, side 2
029: LANGUAGE
DIFFICULTIES
Could only say "yes" or
"no." Describes an experience on the train when transferring in Chicago. Got on
the wrong train. Met a Swede that explained to him the situation. Met a
waitress that understood the language but couldn't speak it.
109, side 2
135:
Didn't go through Ellis Island when he landed in New York.
Went through the American Consul in Oslo. All set to go.
109, side 2
139: TRAIN TRAVEL
Nice train, same as in Norway.
109, side 2
144:
Met brother in Seattle. Met many people on the train,
"wasn't bashful." A man on the train that understood Norwegian helped Edward
out. Norwegian loggers to talk to.
109, side 2
166: IMPRESSIONS OF THE
U.S.
Nice place, never was homesick.
Liked Seattle.
109, side 2
172: U.S. RELATIVES
Had an aunt in Poulsbo. Edward stayed with his
brother in Seattle on 20th Ave., which is a little way from the bus depot.
109, side 2
187:
Brother fished. Edward did fishing in Seattle the first year.
The second year he fished on a 10-11-man boat up in Alaska, a schooner.
109, side 2
198:
Bought own boat. Fished himself. Had 5,6,7 boats.
109, side 2
200:
Liked fishing better here. Had to cook on the boat here.
Mostly bread and butter in Norway. One main meal. Better money in the U.S. Made
$2000 a season which was from March-November.
109, side 2
220:
Brother took him out with him.
109, side 2
234: WINTER FISHING
Fished for halibut and black cod.
109, side 2
241: GEAR
"Gear rigged different here" on the boats, hook and line.
Brother helped him learn. Norway used mostly net fishing.
109, side 2
261: FISHING IN
ALASKA
On a boat called the "Nort." The
skipper was Nils Rorvig and his partner was Johnny Johnson who was the chief.
Edward fished 15 years on this boat.
109, side 2
270: PAY
Paid in shares by how much fish was caught. Skipper died and
Edward did the navigation. Ten men on the boat.
109, side 2
295:
Edward wanted to buy his own boat. Others learned to navigate
from YMCA navigation school in Seattle.
109, side 2
332:
Bought a bigger boat. Wound up with six boats when he quit
fishing.
109, side 2
340:
Lived on a farm in Stanwood, Washington when fishing. Lived
in Seattle for two and a half years until married. Met his wife in Seattle at
the Sons of Norway card party. Her name was Inga Haugen.
109, side 2
353: WIFE
Worked at Broadmoor, a place where rich people lived. She
was a cook for a family. Inga was from Stanwood. Her father, Pete Haugen was
from Norway.
109, side 2
371:
Married in Everett at the pastor's house. Pastor's name was
Norvernd. Inga's brother and wife were witnesses. Married in 1932. Moved to
Stanwood after married. Rented a house in East Stanwood.
109, side 2
388:
Bought a farm in Stanwood, Washington.
109, side 2
395:
Learned languages by listening to people talk.
109, side 2
398: AMERICAN
CITIZENSHIP
1942 went to night school in
Everett.
109, side 2
406: CHILDREN
Melvin is logging and has two boys and two girls. One
son is logging and the other drives feed truck. Melvin lives on a farm in
Stanwood, Washington.
109, side 2
420:
Magnar lives in Sedro Woolley, Washington and is married. He
fished with his father for 13 years. Bought a service station in Sedro Woolley,
sold that. He repairs cars now. Takes one fishing trip each year on his
father's first boat.
109, side 2
441:
Magnar had three boys. One works on cars and the other is a
player for the Seahawks, Brian Flones. David goes to school in Sedro Woolley.
109, side 2
462:
Richard works for the phone company as an engineer. Lives in
Kansas. Peter works for Ohio Oil Company. Lives in Walnut Creek, California. He
is an engineer. Describes in some detail what Peter does.
109, side 2
524: CHURCH
Active in the Lutheran church. The children were confirmed.
109, side 2
531: SONS OF NORWAY
Involved in this organization while in Seattle.
109, side 2
535: TRIPS TO
NORWAY
1961 and 1917. Took Inga. Changes
"night and day." Modernized, new houses, torn down old and built new. Family
house still standing.
109, side 2
576: NORWEGIAN
LANGUAGE
Keeps up the language. "Never
forget your mother language." Children didn't know Norwegian.
109, side 2
588: SPOKEN
NORWEGIAN
Edward speaks Norwegian.
Describes an incident while back in Norway.
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 :
Erikson, Ellen
Flones,
Edward--Interviews
(
creator)
Flones, Magnar
Flones, Markus
Flones, Melvin
Flones, Peter
Flones, Richard
Haugen, Inga
Haugen, Pete
Family Names :
Erikson
family
Flones
family
Haugen
family
Peterson family
Corporate Names :
Olaf
den Hellige (Steamship)
Sons
of Norway (U.S.) Leif Erikson Lodge No. 1 (Seattle,Wash.)
