Sunnmorslaget av Seattle records, 1925-1987

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Sunnmorslaget av Seattle
Title
Sunnmorslaget av Seattle records
Dates
1925-1987 (inclusive)
Quantity
1.28 cubic feet (2 boxes)
Collection Number
3745
Summary
Records of a Norwegian fraternal group organized in 1925 by immigrants from Sondmor in Norway
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

No restrictions on access.

Request at UW

Languages
English, Norwegian

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Sunnmorslaget av Seattle was founded by young immigrants from Sunnmor, Norway, who came to Seattle in 1923. Initially led by Enoch Ulvestad and Hans Carlsen, the first meeting was held on November 11, 1925 in which about 30 people attended. Ulvestad served as the first president and they met in Noway Hall on Boren Avenue. The group expanded quickly as more Norwegians immigrated to the Seattle area. Events put on by the organization included semi annual picnics, which included members from as far afield as Tacoma, Grays Harbor, and Everett. The fraternity also focused on community support, organizing benefit events for members and friends. The organization also sent money back to Norway, both as relief and to support cultural institutions. In the 1950s the organization founded Norse Home, a retirement home on the edge of Phinney Ridge in Seattle, which opened in 1957. The group continued to host community events, from the Fishermen's Festival to Christmas parties through the 1950s and 60s. Meetings were held in Norwegian until the 1950s, and the by-laws were finally translated to English in 1963. The organization continued to serve Seattle's Norwegian community until the 1980s.

Source: "History of Sunnmorslaget of Seattle" by Clara H Aurdal, 1975

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Organizational and historical background, records relating to Norse Home, a retirement community in Seattle, and other Norwegian cultural events, meeting minutes, correspondence, financial records, membership card file, and ephemera.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Creator's copyrights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

The collection is arranged into two accessions:

  • Accession no. 3745-001, Sunnmorslaget av Seattle records, 1925-1982
  • Accession no. 3745-002, Sunnmorslaget av Seattle membership card file, 1926-1987

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

 

Accession No. 3745-001: Sunnmorslaget av Seattle records, 1925-1982Return to Top

1.14 cubic feet (1 box)

Scope and Content: Organizational and historical background, records relating to Norse Home, a retirement community in Seattle, and other Norwegian cultural events, meeting minutes, correspondence, financial records, and ephemera.

Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.

Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Acquisition Info: Donated by Sunnmorslaget av Seattle, 11/14/1984.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder Accession
1/1 3745-001
Organizational/Historical Features
1929-1986
1/2 3745-001
Correspondence: Bygdelagenes Fellesraad
1967-1976
1/3 3745-001
Correspondence: Norse Home
1944-1978
1/4-5 3745-001
Correspondence: Norway Center
1951-1981
1/6 3745-001
Correspondence: Scandinavian Music Festival
1965-1970
1/7 3745-001
Correspondence: United Norwegian 17th of May Committee
1941-1975
1/8-9 3745-001
Correspondence: Miscellaneous
1940-1982, undated
1/10 3745-001
Outgoing letters: re: Publicity
1965-1975
1/11 3745-001
Outgoing letters: Announcements
1965-1973
1/12 3745-001
Minutes
1925-1982
1/13 3745-001
Subject: Annual Picnic
1952-1980
1/14 3745-001
Subject: Banquet
1966-1978
1/15 3745-001
Subject: Children's Christmas Party
1963-1980
1/16 3745-001
Subject: Cleng Peerson Memorial
approximately 1970s
1/16 3745-001
Subject: Cleng Peerson Memorial
approximately 1970s
1/17 3745-001
Subject: Fishermen's Festival
1965-1980
1/18 3745-001
Subject: Leif Erickson Day/ Festival (Leif Erickson League- major correspondent)
1940-1971
1/19 3745-001
Subject: Nordic Festival
1967-1976
1/20 3745-001
Songs
1950, undated
1/21 3745-001
Membership Lists
1925-1969, undated
1/22 3745-001
Commitee Lists
1965-1976
1/23-24 3745-001
Financial records and ledgers
1936-1976
1/25 3745-001
Questionnaires
1970-1981
1/26 3745-001
Legal Documents
1947-1973
1/27-28 3745-001
Ephemera, including Norway Center
1945-1982
1/29 3745-001
Miscellany
1939, undated
1/30 3745-001
Clippings
approximately 1960s-1970s

Accession No. 3745-002: Sunnmorslaget av Seattle membership card file, 1926-1987Return to Top

.14 cubic foot (1 box)

Scope and Content: Membership card file.

Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.

Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Acquisition Info: Donated by Aslang Jorgensen, 8/31/1987.

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)

Corporate Names

  • Sunnmorslaget av Seattle--Archives

Other Creators

  • Personal Names
    • Auradal, Clara H (creator)
    • Bygdelagnes Fellesraad (creator)
    Corporate Names
    • Leif Erikson League of the Seattle Area (creator)
    • Norwegian 17th of May Committee (Seattle, Wash.) (creator)
    • University of Washington. Libraries. Scandinavian Archives (creator)