Growing
up in the Coulee Region around La Crosse, Wisconsin, and traveling to
Norway,
Helen easily identified with the similarities of the two locations and
understood why her ancestors settled in that Wisconsin area. She is
descended
from a Luxembourg father and a “100 % Norwegian” mother.
Helen’s early life somewhat
paralleled
her Norwegian ancestors’, such as while living on Pettibone Island,
Wisconsin,
her parents kept a small goat herd that was moved by boat to summer
pastures
on neighboring islands. Hanging a white cloth out a window signaled
workers
to return home; just as was done in Norway.
In 1983 she became seriously interested
in family history. Helen attended conferences and schools throughout
the
country to stay abreast of research developments, and she completed the
requirements to become a Certified Genealogist in 1999 through the
Board for Certification of Genealogists. Her passion for chronicling
the past found an
outlet
when she became coordinator for a 400-page book titled, Schools
of
Yesteryear in Jackson County, Wisconsin. She has also written
three
family histories about her Luxembourg relatives.
After beginning Lars and Martha
Larson
from Valdres Valley, Norway, to Vernon County, Wisconsin,
Helen’s
genealogical work was interrupted for a number of years when she was
stricken
with post-polio syndrome. This ailment caused extreme fatigue and pain,
which forced her to learn to rely upon a wheelchair and electric
scooter
for much of her mobility. Although new medications have now provided
some
comfort from the pain, at that time the effects of post polio halted
final
research on this book.
Three
recent research trips to Norway
and
knowledge gained from the certification process enhance the quality of
the Larson family story. Meticulously searching out primary sources,
and
walking in the footsteps of her ancestors, Helen has succeeded in
bringing
the history of the Larson family to life.
Email Helen
change the -at- to @
Back to Lars and Martha Larson
Back
to Vernon
County Index
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To contribute information to this site, contact the
county coordinator, Annette Bame
Peebles:
All data is copyrighted by the submitter, unless
otherwise noted.
©
Annette Bame Peebles, 2008
Richard
Ross 1999-2001; Sarah Owens 2001-2004; Marceline Beem 2004-2007
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This
page was last updated onMonday, 17-Mar-2008 13:08:35 CDT
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