The first time I strapped on a pair of skis I was so young, I don’t even remember the experience. In middle and high school, skiing was the winter activity of choice for me and my friends. One of my favorite Christmas gifts was the year I got my own set of ski equipment – …
Europe
You’ve seen the soaring fjords of western Norway and the glassy ice of the Arctic north, but what about the eastern side; the heartland of Norway? Toten is one of Norway’s many districts in Oppland county; Gjøvik is one of the largest nearby cities. Bordering this region is Lake Mjøsa, Norway’s biggest lake. But, if …
Tucked in the upstairs of my mom’s house is a brown, aging trunk. Opening the lid the smell of that age wafts out. Inside the lining is in tact; the shelf divider remains and written in the top lid “Ole Jakob Peterson” is still visible in a rough squiggle. On the other side of the …
Researching my family tree unveiled that nearly all of my relatives left small, and in some cases very small communities in Europe. It was my 2nd great grandfather on my dad’s side of the family that called this place home. The nearby village of Gaulsheim is where they lived but this community was absorbed by …
The German city of Mainz sits on the Rhine River and is a popular stop for Rhine river cruises. But, it’s also a really good city to visit with kids! M and I spent a day here in June as a part of my heritage hunter adventure. I have German heritage (and quite a lot …
Have you ever heard of Darmstadt, Germany? If you’re like me a few months ago, chances are you haven’t. As I was doing family tree research this city name came up a few times. My initial research told me that it was a city, not too far from Frankfurt. I assumed it was a smaller …