Journal entry by Al Negstad — 28 minutes ago
Several of us have long wondered about an "h" that appears at the end of our grandfather's, et. al., name. There are many Bergs of various nationalities but how did our Norwegian fore-bearers have the name Bergh? Tonight I was treated to a possible answer. As a guest at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs, Public Leadership Awards banquet this evening my cousin alerted me to the presence of Kjell Bergh. Kjell is distinguished and often mention in newspaper articles but we had never met. Cousin, and I, introduced ourselves to Kjell and determined that we are likely related because, he too, traces his family to Eidsvold, Norway.
Kjell told a story about the addition of "h" to the name. He comes from a long line of seafarers. A long time ago a relative applied for a shipboard position but was told that he couldn't be accepted because it was bad luck to take on a sailor who had a feminine names like his (something mountain, i.e, something berg) so he dropped the name of mountain and added "h" to Berg, i.e., Bergh.
It's the best explanation I've had, well actually, the only one I've ever had for, our little family mystery. The Joanne connection? Well, she was friends with this cousin long before Joanne and I met and Joanne was always interested in anything Norwegian so she would have loved this episode.
Blessings,
Al
So why didn't I take a picture of Kjell Bergh?
Kjell told a story about the addition of "h" to the name. He comes from a long line of seafarers. A long time ago a relative applied for a shipboard position but was told that he couldn't be accepted because it was bad luck to take on a sailor who had a feminine names like his (something mountain, i.e, something berg) so he dropped the name of mountain and added "h" to Berg, i.e., Bergh.
It's the best explanation I've had, well actually, the only one I've ever had for, our little family mystery. The Joanne connection? Well, she was friends with this cousin long before Joanne and I met and Joanne was always interested in anything Norwegian so she would have loved this episode.
Blessings,
Al
So why didn't I take a picture of Kjell Bergh?
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