gjesdal2

Title: As we leave the Madland farm and head west toward the Gjesdal farm and parish church, we pass this very rock field. We are impressed that even this area is fenced and is apparently being used for farm purposes.

Title: Here Rolf and Peg pose in front of the Gjesdal parish church. We were invited in and showed around by a very gracious church member. Keith found out later that she was probably a cousin, but we failed to record her name.

Title: Beside the Gjesdal Church stands this monument.        1814 (Norway gets constitution)
Norigs menn baud faren tråss (Norwegian men did defy the danger)
1905 (union with Sweden dissolved & Norway declared independent)
Brytinger som skum i foss         (Breaks like foam in a waterfall)
1914 (World War I begins)
Minneår med krav til oss                     (A year of memory demanding something of us)

[A poetic historical statement with translation help by Slogviks.]

Title: Rolf and Keith look over the grave markers in the cemetery behind the Gjesdal Church.

Title: We noticed many grave stones with the Madland name, but we did not spend the time here to check for sure if any of these folks were related to Keith.

Title: After the Gjesdal Church we next go to the Limagarden Bygdatun on the edge of Ålgård. This old farm has been turned into an historical center & museum. Here in the living room of the main farm house we meet with members of the local historical society.

Title: Shown here at the Lima farm are Keith, Rolf Hetland, Gunleif Seldal and two members of the local history group. With papers, charts and maps out Keith is able to share a little of his genealogy knowledge, but gets much more in return.

Title: Other rooms in this large farm house, as well as other outbuildings, serve as a museum, holding fascinating artifacts. Here an ornate bed and traditional bed clothes are displayed.

Title: This sturdy and very old cradle is believed to have come from some of the Madland families.

Title: "Udderly Intriguing!" Here a history lag member shows us a cow's udder sieve (or strainer). Leather from a cow's udder was punched with holes and stretched around a wooden rim with teats pointing up.

Title: We were never sure exactly how this worked but this wooden implement is a "Potetkvern" or potato mill.

Title: Peg was very impressed with the design and subject matter of these tapestries that portrayed early everyday farm life.

Title: Leaving the Lima farm we drive northeast where Gunleif shows us the center of the Seldal farm. This farm, where Keith's 3rd great Grandmother, Siri Ivarsdtr. Seldal, was born is in the adjacent Sandnes kommune. The edge of Seldal Lake shows on the right.

Title: Another view of the Seldal farm area looking up toward some of the higher, more rugged grazing land. This farm, like the Madland farm, is located on a lake with a nearby stream, however the old buildings from the 1700's do not appear to still be standing.

Title: Another view of the Seldal farm showing the fertile farm land near Seldalsvatnet (lake). The prominent rock mountain on the left is called Vassfjellet. The Madland farm is about only about 5 statute miles southeast of here, but across rugged terrain.

Title: As the day grows late, Gunleif next takes us to visit the church at Høle.

Title: At the cemetery adjacent to the Høle Church Keith and Gunleif take time to look over some of the grave stones.

Title: Keith and Gunleif pose next to an ancient stone marker in Høle Church yard.

Title: Near the water front we take one last picture in Høle before leaving Sandnes kommune.

Title: Late in the evening, on the ferry from Lauvvika back to our borrowed car at Oanes, we are able to photograph a sunset over Høgsfjorden.

Visit to Gjesdal and Sandnes Areas Part II - Gjesdal Church & Cemetery, Meeting with Gjesdal History Group at Lima Farm Historical Center (Limagarden Bygdatun), Visit Seldal Farm and Høle.