Day 8 – June 19, 2013 – Rochester to Minneapolis

On the road again and heading north to Minneapolis and the History Center. This was my first time actually using “actual documents” from books I searched through for information…I have been an Internet researcher prior to today. It seems it took forever to search through the State Hospital records and I had found nothing. I got back to 1892 and the last box of books…I am at the last book for the day and about to end the search for any records and…EUREKA…I FOUND IT!!!  What a feeling. Now, another new process to navigate -- requesting the photocopies. Thankfully, they were not too busy at this time of the day so I got the copies pretty quickly. Will be heading back tomorrow to search for records in the other State Hospital but at least what I found today, has given me the starting point for tomorrow’s search. Still need to go to the newspaper room and search for articles but the time spent today at the History Center was a success.

 It is now time to drive to the other part of town and find the new cousins. Traffic was pretty backed up but we made it within 15 minutes of the time we scheduled. WOW…what great people! Shirley actually lives in town but her brother, Curtis, drove down from Bemidji, just to meet me. We had a great time and Shirley gave me some pictures I did not have of my gg-grandparents, my g-grandfather and his first wife, and a grand uncle and his wife. Shirley’s daughter was also there (for awhile) and we talked about her upcoming book and the use of supplements as well as some health concerns that affect Norwegians.

Marcia, Curtis, Shirley

All in all a very productive and fun day!