Rosseland family correspondence
Abstract
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Rosseland family correspondence
- Date
- 1894-1950 (inclusive)
- 1894-1912 (bulk)
- Creator
- Walker, Shirley
- Extent
- 0.18 Cubic Feet
- Subjects
- Railroads -- Design and construction
- Immigrants -- Kentucky
- Coal mines and mining -- Appalachian Region
- Company towns -- Kentucky -- McCreary County
- Arrangement
- Collection is arranged chronologically.
- Preferred Citation
- 2009ms250 : [identification of item], Rosseland family correspondence, 1894-1950, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
- Repository
- University of Kentucky
Collection Overview
- Biography / History
- Gustave and Olav Rosseland came to America from Norway in 1904, settling in Stearns, Kentucky. They worked at sawmills, lumberyards, and railroads in McCreary County, Kentucky from 1904-1907. Additionally, they worked on the concrete arch railroad bridge in McCreary County build by the Stearns Company. After recovering from work-induced heatstroke the brothers first moved on to Minnesota, then Alberta, and then British Columbia. In 1919, the brothers returned to Norway.
- Scope and Content
- The Rosseland family correspondence (dated 1894-1950, bulk 1894-1912; 0.18 cubic feet; 1 box) consists of printed transcriptions of original letters from Olav, Gustav, and Eilert Rosseland to their family in Norway during their time working in North America. The letters have been translated from Norwegian into English. The collection does not contain the originals. Much of the correspondence describes the brother's work in sawmills, lumberyards, and railroads in Kentucky as well as their travels throught Upper Midwest and Canada. Additionally, the collection contains a translated and transcribed article from a Norwegian newspaper entitled "Olav Rosseland's 70th Birthday".
Restrictions on Access and Use
- Conditions Governing Access
- The collection is open to researchers by appointment.
- Use Restrictions
- The physical rights to the materials in this collection are held by the University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Contents of the Collection
Correspondence, 1894-1903
Correspondence, 1904-1905
Correspondence, 1906-1907
Correspondence, 1908-1909
Correspondence, 1910-1912
Translation of Norwegian newspaper article, entitled "Olav Rosseland's 70th Birthday", 1950
Special Collections Research Center - Closed
The Breckinridge Research Room will be closed starting May 11, 2026, and anticipates re-opening Fall semester 2026 in an alternate location for the duration of the King Library renovation.
Reproduction requests will still be available during the closure.
Contact SCRC with questions.
Table of Contents
You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.
If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.
Special Collections Research Center - Closed
The Breckinridge Research Room will be closed starting May 11, 2026, and anticipates re-opening Fall semester 2026 in an alternate location for the duration of the King Library renovation.
Reproduction requests will still be available during the closure.
Contact SCRC with questions.
Requests
No items have been requested.
You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.
If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.
