Torkel and Family

In 1902 my grandfather, Torkel Kallestad (b.1885), was 17 years old when he sailed for America aboard the ship Umbria. He was sponsored by a Norwegian farmer in Iowa, and he later moved to Minneapolis. Torkel became a carpenter by trade. He had three brothers: William, who also moved to America, Haktor, who died at age 12, and Johannes, who stayed behind in Norway. Johannes was the oldest, and was to inherit the family farm. They had one sister, Kristiana, who never married.

This picture was taken in 1902 when Haktor (my great-grandfather) and his children followed Torkel to Bergen to say good-bye when Torkel left for America. Torkel is front right.

Torkel was an immigrant that left his beautiful home in Norway for better work opportunities. He was was fortunate to be able to return to his home country to visit. His first trip back to Norway was in 1910 when he met his future wife, my grandmother Elizabeth. She followed him to America in 1912, and they married in 1913. 

Torkel and Elizabeth, 1913.

Elizabeth traveled back to Norway in 1925 with three of their four children (fourth one not born yet), and Torkel followed later for a short stay. Elizabeth went back to Norway in 1948 with her daughter Agnes, and again, for the last time, she and Torkel returned to Norway for a visit in 1958. She died in 1962. Torkel died in 1970.

Herbert, my father, as a young man.

One of their children was Herbert (b.1918), my father. During a health recuperation in the 60’s my father became interested in the family history and started doing research. In 1969 he and my mother took a trip to Norway to find out more information, and thus began a wonderful re-connection between our relatives in Norway and those of us here in Minnesota. 

My father died in 1974, at the young age 55…little did he know what he started. We are all truly grateful for his initiation.

My father gathered the information and created this family tree. My Uncle Bob printed the posters in his print shop. Above is a poster for my grandfather’s side of the family.
This poster is for my grandmother’s side of the family.
The Norwegian and American flags flying at my cousin’s home in Norway, to welcome us.

My second cousin in Norway, Sigrun, has done, and continues to do, extensive research on the family genealogy. My Uncle Bob also helped Sigrun with research. He died in December 2021.

Sigrun, my second cousin, has done extensive research over the years.
Gary and I are in Sigrun’s dining room looking at ancestry findings.
Three second cousins (our three fathers were first cousins) together, discussing our family tree.

It’s difficult to explain how special our time was with our Norwegian relatives. It was very precious, fun and exciting!

7 thoughts on “Torkel and Family”

  1. I really enjoyed reading this and hearing about your dad! How lucky you are that he was curious and made those family connections in Norway. Such rich experiences you get to have there now!

    1. Thank you Amber!
      My dad would have loved to know you…and Aria and Luca…and Michael, and Tim and family, and Gary. O my.
      I’m grateful he pursued his love of the family heritage, and thankful we have such a close connection with all of the relatives in Norway.

  2. I love the care and effort that so many in your family have made to preserve all the info about your family lineage. History is so intriguing and important. What a beautiful legacy you share with your relatives — it’s clear they love and value their connection with you as well!

    1. History becomes so much more interesting when you are know about/are familiar with the people involved…

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