Fattigmann

A few weeks ago we had our last Norwegian Language class (eight weeks, non-credit). It was a small class and most of the students were there to learn enough of the language for their trip to Norge. Some year soon I hope to venture to Norge, the land of our Rasmussen, Wesnes, Sunde, Gjerding, -sen, -datter relatives, also. And I will know how to say hello (hei), how are you? (hvordan er du det?), please (vaer så snil), thank you (takk), you're welcome(vel bekomme) and, the all-important, I don't understand (jeg forstår ikke).

For the last class our assignment was to bring traditional Norwegian foods. I had several recipes from Grandma-the-Great in my collection, one of which was a cookie called "Fattigmand".  I had never tried it because it involved deep frying and I figured it was heavy on the calories.  Here was my excuse to try them and have someone else eat them. So I followed the recipe (G-the-G was very explicit in her instructions), but had no clue as to what "make a slit in the center of each (diamond shape) and pull one corner through" was meant to look like. I pulled the top point through the slit.  All in all it went well. 

Had I looked on the internet under "fattigmann" (spelled a little differently from my recipe, but the "d" is silent so it sounds the same...fattigmann[d] means "poorman"), I would have seen what the cookies, traditionally made at Christmas, should have looked like.  You can even buy a fattigmann cutter that makes the diamond shapes.  Who knew?  They look sort of like a bow tie, but mine looked like hearts. I think I like hearts better anyway.

Fattigmand Cookie Recipe

Gabriel Rasmussen's Dumpling Recipe

IN THEIR OWN WORDS: HANS GABRIEL RASMUSSEN

In 1921, Hans Gabriel Rasmussen, went back to Norway for the first time since emigrating to America in 1884. He visited his sisters, Olava and Serine and his nieces, Anna and Elina. These were his remaining immediate family. We can guess he saw many other extended family members and hope he saw the many places familiar to him.  He spent the whole summer there, returning September 20th on the "Stavangerfjord".

(For this trip, he applied for a passport which gives his date of birth, date of emigration, and date of naturalizaton. His occupation is "painter", his purpose is to go to "Norway and return" to "visit relatives". It includes a physical description and a photo. H(Harley) W(illiam) Oldenburg (his son-in-law) was there to identify him as a person he has known "for 10 years". Hans swore an oath of allegiance to the United States at the time he applied for the document. It also says he intends "to leave from the port of New York sailing on board the "Stavangerfjord" on May 27, 1921".)

"Hans Gabriel Rasmussen 7 A. M. 1921
Just ready to leave for Norway
Taken by Mildred Rasmussen
at Mazomanie Wis"

City College, New York City

"May 26 - 21

Dear Mildred and Jennie

Ta day I have been (catt?)ing about N.Y. and took the Ferry Boat over to Brooklyn and seen the Stavangerfjord That is some Boat Them Ships I used to sail in was Playthings against this Will write the Ballance (?) hven I ga abord tomorr?

May 27- am leaving Hotel for Boat had a god Nights Sleep and fel fine with love

Dad"

Haugesund Strandgaten (Strand Street)

"June 9 - 21
Dear Children
I have been in Haugesund for 2 days and have a fine time Lava (Olava) and Elina are fine  had Telephone from Kristiania (now Oslo, where Serene and Anna were living) and am going there next week  with love from all.  Dad"

Elina and Hans Gabriel

"Aunt Serina, Hans Gabriel Rasmussen's sister in Norway. Taken when he was visiting Norway 1921"

Olava December 14, 1923, and Serine December 3, 1931.  Anna died November 1949. Elina and Mildred exchanged letters for several years after WWII.