I found this photograph in my grandmother's apartment. Her mother is from Halden, Ostfold, Norway. No one recognizes anyone in this picture, but my grandmother believes it was taken in Norway. Is there anyway to tell where this was taken based on the features of the house or the style of clothing? I know this is a long shot.

I believe the notation at the bottom is the signature of the person who took the picture and the date 1951, but I am not positive if I am reading the date correctly.

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Jill

Hallo Jill
I noticed the rugs. It`s a typical kind of rug for Norway called "filleryer", made from old clothes torne in strips and woven . Maybe it`s commen other places too, but every home had these kind of rugs. Do you have any contact whit your family in Halden. I live here and I think I know of a family called Waleur.

Really? No, I have no contact with any family in Norway because I have yet to find any. It would be great if you could look into that family you know, just in case.

Are these rugs typical now? Or were they from a certain time period?

The rugs are an old norwegian and swedish traditional way of making rugs and has been so for a long time. It has become quite popular again especially in old houses.
I showed the picture to my uncle to see if he could recognize anyone. He knew a man called Reidar Waleur, he would bee somewhere between 90-95 years old. He is now dead. He worked has a driving licence teacher here in Halden. He has a daughter, Anita, born in 1940 in Strømstad, Sweden. Maybe that`s why it is so hard to track the family down. Strømstad is only 30-40 km from Halden. I`m going to check out some info. tomorrow ( it`s over midnight and I should go to bed even if I have holiday).

Wow. Thank you so much for your help. I am looking forward to what you find out, whether it turns out to be of any relevance to me or not. I hope you're enjoying your holiday.

Jill

GUESS WHAT!!!! You have a lot of family in Halden. I have found Arthur Marinius Valeur!!
MARRIGE 4.March 1916
Arthur Marinius Valeur born 31.Decembre 1893 in Fredrikshald, factoryworker living in Busterud.Metodist.
married to
Jenny Mathilde Hansen born 18.September 1894 in Fredrikshald, living in Damhaugen
His father: Karl Valeur
Her father: Jens Marinius Hansen

BORN CHILD:
Reidar Marinius Valeur 15.August 1917 in Fredrikshald Parents: Arthur Marenius Valeur and Jenny Mathilde born Hansen

Reidar died in 1995 but he has 3 children
Anita born 1940
Inger Lise born 1945
Terje Roar born 1955

I know who the girls are, they live in Halden. The son of Anita is a quite famous television and radio personality in Norway. He is about my age (40-45 years old).

OH MY GOSH!!! I feeling like crying right now. You found Arthur!!!!! And I still have living relatives!! I don't even know what to say! THANK YOU SO MUCH! My grandmother is going to cry when I tel her. I can't believe you found Arthur; I could only find records of him until 1900. AHHHH!!

I cannot believe this at all! Reidar's children are my second cousins, once removed. You have made my day--my life! I don't know. I'm just can't believe it right now.

Do you have anymore information on who Reidar married? Or, especially, how I can contact Anita, Inger, or Terje? I wonder if they know they have relatives here.

Thank you for giving me some of the most exciting news of my life! :)

Jill

Hi Jill,
This is fantastic news.

Here is the link to Arthur’s marriage record:

Østfold fylke, Halden, Klokkerbok nr. 11 (1906-1934), Ekteviede 1916, side 49.
http://www.arkivverket.no/URN:kb_read?idx_kildeid=387&id...

Reidar’s baptism record:
Østfold fylke, Halden, Klokkerbok nr. 10 (1900-1923), Fødte og døpte 1917, side 191. http://www.arkivverket.no/URN:kb_read?idx_kildeid=4899&i...
Born 15th of August 1917, baptized 16th of September 1917
Reidar Marinius
Parents: Arthur Marinius Valeur, born 1893 and wife Jenny Mathilde maiden name: Hansen, born 1894
Address: Øvre Bankegd.
Godparents: Plan mill worker Karl Valeur, unmarried girl Valborg Hansen, the parents

Østfold fylke, Halden, Klokkerbok nr. 10 (1900-1923), Fødte og døpte 1920, side 217. http://www.arkivverket.no/URN:kb_read?idx_kildeid=4899&i...
Born 4th of January 1920, baptized 22nd of February 1920
Kaare Emanuel
Paretns: Arthur Marinius Wallør, born 1893 and wife Jenny Mathilde, maiden name Hansen, born 1894
Address: Ø. Bankegd. 5
Goodparents: widow Mathilde Hansen, Miss Valborg Hansen, Anders Hansen, the father

Østfold fylke, Halden, Klokkerbok nr. Ga 0012 (1923-1946), Fødte og døpte 1923, side 6. http://www.arkivverket.no/URN:kb_read?idx_kildeid=7360&i...
Born 23rd of June 1923, baptized 15th of July 1923
Gudrun Helene
Parents: Arthur Marenius Valeur, born 1893 and wife Jenny Mathilde, maiden name Hansen, born 1894
Address: Ø. Bankegd. 6
Goodparents: widow Mathilde Hansen, Mrs Valborg Karlsen, the childs father, Marinius Karlsen

I’ve looked through 1928 without finding any other children.

Jenny Mathilde’s baptism:
Østfold fylke, Halden, Ministerialbok nr. I 13 (1890-1906), Fødte og døpte 1894, side 74. http://www.arkivverket.no/URN:kb_read?idx_kildeid=4897&i...
Born 18th of September 1894, baptized 14th of October 1894
Jenny Matilde
Parents: Jens Marinius Hansen, born 1866 and wife Matilde, born 1861
Address: Høvleriet
Goodparents: Hans August Hansen, ? Augusta ?, Karl Einar Hansen, the childs mother
The parents have 3 children

So far unsuccesfull to locate Jenny in the census of 1900.

Regards,
Arna

Hallo Jill
I`m so happy that I was able to help you even though my english is not that good. I am going away for the weekend, but I will ( if you want to ) contact Anita or Inger Lise monday morning to let them know about their family in USA.
I do not know the name of Reidar`s wife at this moment.
I have printed out your picture of the family, maybe it would be possible to identify persons now.
Would it be easier if we communicate directly, by mail? If so my e-mail adress is: engrosjensen@halden.net

Best regads
Anne from Halden

Hi Jill,
I found another two daughters of Arthur, their marriages and Kaare Emanuels marriage. I haven’t found Reidar’s marriage in Halden… remember that it’s the bride that chooses the church.
It looks like you could have quite a few relatives in Norway…

Østfold fylke, Halden, Klokkerbok nr. Ga 0017 (1944-1949), Ekteviede 1944, side 5. http://www.arkivverket.no/URN:kb_read?idx_kildeid=7361&i...
Marriage 4th of March 1944
Reidar Johan Sverre Bye, born 29th of October 1913 in Sarpsborg, police
Astrid Margrete Valeur, born 12th of March 1915 in Hakden, bookbinder
Grooms father: Johan Iversen Bye
Brides father: Arthur Valeur

Østfold fylke, Halden, Klokkerbok nr. 10 (1900-1923), Fødte og døpte 1915, side 167. http://www.arkivverket.no/URN:kb_read?idx_kildeid=4899&i...
Born 12th of March 1915, baptized 2nd of May 1915, born out of wedlock
Astrid Margrete
Parents: bachelor Arthur Valeur, born 1893 and unmarried girl Jenny Matilde Hansen, born 1894
Goodparents: wife Mathilde Hansen, unmarried girl Thora Eng, driver Oscar Hansen, Rolf…?bretsen

Østfold fylke, Halden, Klokkerbok nr. Ga 0017 (1944-1949), Ekteviede 1945, side 11. http://www.arkivverket.no/URN:kb_read?idx_kildeid=4899&i...
Marriage 27th of January 1845
Karlo Åkermann, born 17th of July 1917, Halden, mechanic
Else Marie Valeur, born 2nd of June 1821, Halden, shoe worker
Grooms father: Edvin Åkermann
Brides father: Arthur Marinius Valeur

Østfold fylke, Halden, Klokkerbok nr. 10 (1900-1923), Fødte og døpte 1921, side 233. http://www.arkivverket.no/URN:kb_read?idx_kildeid=4899&i...
Born 2nd of June 1921, baptized 26th of June 1921
Else Marie
Parents: Arthur Marinius Wahllør, born 1897 and wife Jenny Mathilde, maiden name Hansen born 1894
Address: Ø. Bankegd. 5
Goodparents: the father, shoe worker Anders Hansen, widow Mathilde Hansen, unmarried girl Valborg Hansen

Østfold fylke, Halden, Klokkerbok nr. Ga 0017 (1944-1949), Ekteviede 1948, side 69. http://www.arkivverket.no/URN:kb_read?idx_kildeid=4899&i...
Marriage 19th of June 1948
Kaare Emanuel Valeur, born 4th of January 1920, Halden
Synnøve Strøm, born 24th of April 1920, Asak
Grooms father: Arthur Marinius Valeur
Brides father: Martin Strøm

Regards,
Arna