Computers can be a source of frustration in our lives at times, but they can also be a wonderful tool. I realize how fortunate I am to live in a day and age where I can find out all kinds of information and connect with people that, in years gone by, I would never have had that opportunity.

The Quest Begins

Since Jason and I decided to travel to Norway next summer, I have been trying to find information about my family, the Lokkes and Klokstads, who came to Canada in 1929. I typed in the name of my grandpa and found nothing. Next was my grandma, and with a few more clicks, I stumbled upon a site that showed her name along with her siblings, and my excitement quickly grew. I could do this!!! I never knew my great-grandparents’ names, and there they were with their birth and death dates and below that, their children—my great aunts and uncles, many of whom I had met in my youth. I showed it to Jason, but he could not dig deeper from the site as to who put in the information – it was certainly not up to date. A dead end but certainly hopeful. Where to go next?

Facebook Magic

I had recently joined a Facebook group called “I Love My Norwegian Heritage.” I had a picture of the old homestead in Lesja, Norway, and put it on that site with a brief explanation of what I knew about the property. Within a day, a lady named Trine contacted me and gave me so much information on the farm along with pictures. Our texting lasted for about 2 hours until sleep overtook me. After all, it was after midnight my time and 9 AM hers.

Surprise Connections

Another man contacted me and gave me the idea to put the farmhouse picture on a site called “Gamble bilder far Lesja og Dovre,” which means “old pictures from Lesja to Dovre.” I did that right away. A lady named Jan contacted me and asked who my grandmother was and told me her grandmother was Hjordis Klokstad. HOLY COW!! Hjordis was my mom’s aunt – my grandmother’s sister. I wrote to her immediately, and there began another long conversation with an actual family member, my second cousin. She had so much information to share, and I was learning about the history of the farm and my family. She sent pictures of gravestones of not only my great-grandparents but also my great-great-grandparents. The best part was a picture of the farm as it is today – not unlike it was over 150 years ago.

Email Trail and Beyond

This wonderful lady with all the information said her father has, for years, followed the family history and would be happy to share with me, so she gave me his email address, and I will be in contact with him. I’ve since gathered everything I have of my family, such as birth and death certificates, along with pictures that I will take with me to share with anyone who is interested. One other person of interest that contacted me is the owner of a B&B only 800 meters from the Klokstad farm. As I write this, I am in contact with him to set up a place for us to stay while in Lesja.

Proof in Pictures

Another fellow wrote that his great-grandparents were the same as mine and to prove it, he sent a picture of his dad, himself, and his young son at the gravesite.

Isn’t technology wonderful?

Stay tuned for the next chapter of this incredible journey! 🚀✨