Min Oldemor ved 71° Nord

My Great Grandmother Elise's final place of rest is at the geographical coordinates of  71° 3' 0" N, 28° 14' 0" E, or as we say on everday terms; 71° North.

Here is me and my Great Grandmother together in 1973
(and tante Dunna to the left in the picture)

Tante Dunna og Oldemor Elise 

For my Doctoral thesis I chose to give back to all of us the true story about the courage and endurance of Elise Myreng. Her story in itself is an extraordinary accomplishment, but it has a very serious purpose. Of course her story entertain and inspire us, but more importantly, her story contributes to changing the understanding that determines how societies define the roles of women. The only way to open up the full scope of opportunities for women, is to reprogram the way people see gender roles. If we tell the stories of women to defy the stereotypes, we contribute to changing the social landscape of how the world works. Elise’s story is a great contribution to our understanding of women and a corrective to the standard histories. Celebrating this heroine - because that is what she was - reminds us that women do amazing things, and it will be a loss to everyone if we forget them. Elise was neither a mythological character nor a super-heroine from a comic book; she was a human being, an imperfect person with strengths and weaknesses.

  Elise’s start as a pro-active midwife, and through decades of pushing boundaries of gender, social change and social view of health in her midwifery career, has highlighted the slow, but steady change in the profession as it has occurred. Although times have changed, the story of Elise remain a constant; a story about the humble heroine.

She was a hardworking, travelling midwife under Northern lights.

We visited Gamvik and Oldemor Elise, and spent some time with her and other family members, plating some beautiful flowers and remembering our times together. Agnes brought her a beautiful rock from Tyfjord, our homeplace - can you see that I am holding it? We left it there for her...a little piece of the Tyfjord she loved so much.

Can you see the little white rock from Tyfjord under the
word 'for'?

Tante Dunna also got a piece of Tyfjord...

...and onkel Alf got a grey little rock from Tyfjord as well

Gamvik Church

My mum doing some beautiful planting for Oldemor

Here are some family members on the other side of the family, my Grandfather Fritz Johan's parents and siblings.

My other great grandparents, grandpa Fritz's parents.

 Gamvik is a beautiful little place by the ocean. It has approximately 250 inhabitants, the main  industry is fish export and the Coastal Steamer (Hurtigruta) departs daily. The area is well known for its nature, rich fishing rivers and waters. 

The dark time, or the long, dark Polar Night, lasts from November to February. There is only a twilight-dusk type of light (the blue light) for a few hours during the middle of the day. This does not mean that it becomes totally dark, however. The aurora borealis trails its multicoloured banner across the sky and the moon lights the scene just like the nightlight of Our Lord. The experience of the winter with the uniqueness of the light, the northern lights and snow is fantastic. Especially beautiful is the blue light southwards, just before it becomes dark.

In memory of fishermen passed
on the ocean