Dylan's birthday

Yesterday, Amy and I traveled to Cumberland, WI to 

celebrate Dylan's 1st birthday.

Dylan was peeking though the porch rails,

getting reacquainted with Grandma!

The swings were a hit with the kids.

It was a great place for the kids - secluded,

no traffic - they were outside most of the time.

Dylan with his cousin Max

Drew was being silly, trying to avoid getting his picture taken,

but when I said, "don't smile" - of course he did.

Helping shuck the corn for the birthday dinner.

While Mommy & Grandma Shirley were preparing

dinner, Drew took us for a ride on the pontoon.

Dylan opening one of his presents...

He got a lot of fun things!

The birthday boy.

Dylan enjoyed his birthday cake!
His lips are blue from the frosting - it was not cold out! 

Melby Ancestors!

Finally!   I have pictures of each of my

Grandfather's siblings - Thanks to Stina!

This is Bernt Johannesen Melby - the oldest of the children.

He was born in 1850 and died in 1932.

He took over the farm of my great-grandparents

Johannes & Magnhil at Verdal, Norway.

This is Gunerius Johannesen Melby

My grandfather.

He was born in 1854 and died in 1929.

He immigrated to the U.S. in 1880.

He was a carpenter and a farmer.

Sefanias Johannesen Melby.

Born in 1857, died in 1906 of typhoid fever.

He was a tailor in Crookston, MN.

Mette and Inger Marie.

Don't they look happy! 

Mette (left) was born in 1863 and died in  1936

She married Oliver Olson, a very prominent citizen of Fergus Falls

who was a widower with 6 children.

Inger Marie was born in 1860, and she died in 1933.

She was married to Hans Olson.  Hans was a bricklayer.  He worked on the

Federal Building (Post Office) in Fergus Falls.  His last job was as a

bricklayer on the City Hall in Fergus Falls.

Martin Johannesen Melby - the "baby" of the family!

He was born in 1866, and he died in 1944.

Martin was a Master Carpenter in Norway.

Of the 6 children, only 2 (Bernt & Martin) remained in Norway.

Family

My great grandmother is celebrating her 75th birthday in this picture.

She is surrounded by some of her grandchildren.

This photo is from 1928.

My Mom is in the second row, second from the right.

I notice her siblings on the photo, but some of these children

I do not know.

Five years later, on August 20, 1933 the family had an 80th birthday party 

for Great-Grandma.  On this photo, Great-grandma is seated in the middle, 

behind the children sitting on the ground.  Her son John (my grandpa) is sitting next to her.    

My mom is on the end on the right, hanging on to Ernie, who was about a year old.

My Dad, just to the left, is keeping a watchful eye on things! {I think Evie

is sitting in the front row, the 7th one from the left}

 All of the adults shown in this photo are no longer living.

It is great to have these old photos!  Many of these people died long before

I was born, but  it is amazing to see the resemblances

between my ancestors and some of their descendants.

My great grandparents had  10 children,

My grandparents had 7 children,

My parents had 9 children.

Gotta love those big families!!

"B" Street

This is a very early picture of "B" Street.

This is in Dalton and all four of the houses you see

are still standing.

I have found information that this street was called

"B" Street as early as 1911.

I don't know if any other streets began with a letter of the alphabet...

but I did hear that this was called "B" Street 

because all of those who lived there had

last names that begin with B.

Makes sense, I guess!?

Two of the B families that were living there were: 

Bergerson

Brandvold

I wonder who else lived on this street? 

Was it the Brand family,  the Bothun family,

 the Brendals, or the Bergs?

Maybe the Berger family lived here,

Or was it the Berlie's?

Then there was the Bye family and the Brandt's,

the Bjorge's, the Bakke's, the Boe's and the Bergby's,

and even a Bridgewater!

All these "B" families in the small town of Dalton in 1911!

The things you learn when you read the old Dalton news!!

For those of you who may be wondering who lives in these houses now:

from left to right:    Robert Sander, vacant (Mary Potts used to live there), 

Johansen family, and the Reger family.