Hans Kristian Harjo · 1940–1941

Letters home

Four letters to Alfhild and the children, kept with the envelopes that carried news across a world at war.

“Foca”

8 January 1940

Hans writes to Alfhild and the children about applying to stay through the southern winter. The winter list has not yet been announced. He misses his family and takes comfort in his faith.

The heading names Foca, not a town. This is a plan to overwinter, not proof that he did so. His August letter explains that illness prevented it. A South Georgia envelope postmarked January 1940, probably the 12th, is a possible but unproven match. See envelope.

English translation

Manuscript page 1

“Foca”, 8 January 1940.

My dearly beloved wife and children! God’s peace!

Now I must write you a few words again, as there is an opportunity to send mail. It may be a long time before the next mail goes. There is not very much one can write now, but at least you will hear from me. I hope you are all well and getting along as well as circumstances allow. I am well too, and otherwise getting along fine, but the whaling is still going badly. Let us hope it improves soon, otherwise it will not amount to much.

Well, I must tell you that I have put my name down to stay through the winter. Knut and Ole [persuaded?] me to do it. But I hear that so many have put their names down now that it is still uncertain. I think it is the best thing now, financially and otherwise, so in that respect I shall be glad if I can stay. It is dreadful to be away from you for so long, but I think it is the best way forward, and we must leave it in God’s hands. He will surely help

Manuscript page 2

us through this too. It is good to have Jesus to turn to at a time like this. I wonder what things are like at home when you read this; it looks as though things can change quickly now.

So, my dear, you must stay close to Jesus whatever happens. Then we know that we may meet with Him when He comes. Try to keep your spirits up, my darling; we shall get through it all. I must tell you that I love you as dearly as before and long for you and the children. If only I had you down here, I would be happy. I shall send a telegram when the winter list is posted. It probably will not be long now. If I stay here this winter, I hope Ole and Knut stay too, but there will be more of the brethren, so at least I shall not be alone.

I must finish for this time. I find it so difficult to write when others are going to read it before you, but there is nothing to be done about that.

Take good care of yourself, my own beloved friend. I hope I shall hear from you soon. Give my love to Solveig and Hans-Fredrik. Warmest greetings and a thousand kisses from your own Kristian.

Revelation 1:18.

Read the Norwegian transcription

Manuscript page 1

“Foca” 8/1-40.

Min inderlig elskede hustru og barn! Guds fred!

Nu må jeg skrive noen ord til dig igjen da det er anledning til å sende post, nu blir det kanske lenge til neste gang det går, det er jo ikke så meget en kan få skrevet nu, men det er da såpas at du får høre fra mig. Håper at dere er friske alle og har det så godt som det efter forholdene går an. Jeg er også frisk og har det bare godt ellers også, men det går dårlig med fangsten ennu, får håpe at det retter sig snart ellers blir det ikke rart.

Ja så får jeg nok fortelle dig at jeg har meldt mig til overvintring, dem fikk [overtalt?] mig til det, Knut og Ole, men det [er] vist så mange som har meldt sig nu hører jeg så det er da usikkert, men det tror jeg er det beste nu både økonomisk og ellers, så på den måten vil jeg være glad hviss jeg får bli igjen, det er jo fælt å være så lenge borte fra dere men jeg tenker det er den beste utvei, så får det da stå i Guds hånd. Han vil nok hjelpe

Manuscript page 2

oss gjennom dette også, det er godt å ha Jesus å ty til i en tid som denne. Jeg undres på hvordan tilstanden er hjemme når du leser dette, det ser ut som det kan forandre sig fort nu.

Så må du vennen min holde dig nær til Jesus hvordan det enn går, så vet vi at vi kan få møtes hos Ham når han kommer, så må du prøve å være ved godt mot da elsklingen min, det skal nok gå gjennom alt. Ja så må jeg jo fortelle dig at jeg elsker dig like inderlig som før og lengter efter dig og barna, hadde jeg bare hatt dere her nede så skulde jeg være glad. Jeg skal sende telegram når vinterlisten kommer op, det blir vel ikke så lenge til nu, blir jeg her i vinter så ønsker jeg at Ole også blir og Knut, men det blir da fler av brødrene så jeg blir ikke alene i hvertfall.

Ja så får jeg nok slutte for denne gang det er så vanskelig å skrive synes jeg når andre skal lese det før dig men det er det jo ikke noe å gjøre ved.

Så må du ha det så godt du min egen elskede venn, håper at jeg snart får høre fra dig. Hils Solveig og Hans-Fredrik fra mig da. Hjerteligste hilsen og tusen kyss fra din egen Kristian.

Åpenbaring 1. 18 v.

Reading notes. The verb describing Knut and Ole’s encouragement is uncertain. “Brødrene” probably means fellow believers here. The handwritten reference at the end is Revelation 1:18.

Back to letter list ↑

Writing place unstated

2 August 1940

A letter from home brings relief. Hans explains that illness prevented him from overwintering, says he has recovered, and faces another journey to the whaling grounds. He hopes payments to Alfhild can resume.

The heading says Friday, 2 August 1940; it does not name his location. Grytvika via Buenos Aires is the address he gives for replies. The Brooklyn envelope of 17 August is a possible, weak association, not a confirmed enclosure. See envelope.

English translation

Manuscript page 1

Friday, 2 August 1940.

My dearly beloved Alfhild.

Thank you so much for the letter I received from you today. It was good to hear from you, and to hear that you are all well and getting along well. I realize that you have not received the telegram saying I was to come home, because I became ill and could not stay through the winter. You need not worry, for I am completely well again.

Otherwise I am getting along well under the circumstances, but you know how terribly I long for you all, so it was a great comfort to hear from you. I believe that by God’s great grace we shall see each other again before too long. You know that if I could have, I would have come long ago, but I am glad that you are well at home. I shall try to get the company to send [unclear word] home to you, if that can be arranged. Surely everything will become more orderly in time. We are going south

Manuscript page 2

to the whaling grounds again. I think it is dreadful if I have to leave without seeing you, but by God’s grace we shall manage. At least I hope they start paying the allotment again so you can receive some money. It was good to hear that you are keeping your spirits up, darling. So am I, for the Lord will help us through it, and we shall see each other again if the Lord delays His coming. And we have an even better hope when He comes.

Now I hope this letter reaches you soon. I have written before too, but the letters probably spend so long on the way. You can simply address your letters to Grytvika via Buenos Aires, the same address you wrote to this time. My own dear little friend, take as good care of yourself as you can. You know that I am with you in my thoughts, that I love you as dearly as before, and that I am thinking of you all.

May God’s grace and peace be with you all. Give my greetings to our friends, and to those at [Skub.?] and the Markusen family. Give my love to Solveig and our little boy from Daddy; tell them [Daddy?] loves them. Warmest greetings and a thousand kisses from your ever-faithful Kristian.

Read the Norwegian transcription

Manuscript page 1

Fredag den 2/8-40.

Min inderlig elskede Alfhild.

Hjertelig takk for brevet som jeg fikk fra dig i dag, ja du det var godt å få høre fra dig, og at dere er friske og har det godt alle sammen, jeg skjønner at du ikke har fått telegrammet om at jeg skulde komme hjem, for jeg blev syk og kunde ikke overvintre, ja du behøver ikke å være red for jeg er helt frisk igjen.

Og ellers har jeg det efter forholdene bare godt, men du vet jeg lengter så ille efter dere alle, så det var en stor trøst for mig at jeg fikk høre fra dig. Ja jeg tror at vi ved Guds store nåde skal få se hverandre igjen om ikke så lenge, du vet hadde jeg kunnat så hadde jeg kommet for lenge siden men jeg er jo glad for at dere har det godt hjemme. Jeg vil prøve å få selskapet til å sende [uklart ord] hjem til dig hviss det lar sig ordne slik, det må vel bli mere orden på alt efter hvert. Vi skal jo nedover

Manuscript page 2

på fangstfeltet igjen, jeg synes jo det er fælt hviss jeg må reise uten å få se dere, men det skal nok ved Guds nåde gå, håper ihvertfall at dem begynner å betale trekken igjen så dere kan få no penger. Det var godt å høre at du er ved godt mot elskling, det er jeg også for Herren vil hjelpe oss igjennem det, og vi skal nok se hverandre igjen om Herren drøier og så har vi jo et ennu bedre håp når han kommer.

Ja nu håper jeg at dette brevet må rekke dig snart, jeg har skrevet før også men dem tar vel så lang tid på veien. Du kan bare adressere brevene til Grytvika via Buenos-Aires, den samme adressen som du skrev til nu. Ja min egen kjære lille venn nu får du ha det så godt som det går an, og så vet du at jeg er hos dig i tankene, og at jeg elsker dig like inderlig som før, og tenker på dere alle.

Så må Guds nåde og fred være med dere alle. Hils vennene fra mig, og dem på [Skub.?] og Markusens. Ja så må du hilse Solveig og lillegutt fra pappa si at [pa?] er glad i dem. Hjerteligste hilsen og tusen kyss fra din for alltid tro Kristian.

Reading notes. The object of “sende” near the end of page 1 is unclear. One name or abbreviated place in the closing greetings is also uncertain, shown as [Skub.?]. “Trekken” refers to the payments or allotments he hopes will reach Alfhild.

Back to letter list ↑

Writing place unstated

8 September 1940

Hans expects to be well on his way south by the time this letter arrives. He hopes to arrange payments from Norway, asks for replies via Buenos Aires, and wonders how much the children will remember of him.

8 September 1940 · manuscript page 2 of 2

The heading says Sunday, 8 September 1940, with no writing place. His southbound journey is still a plan in this letter. A Brooklyn postmark of 28 September is a possible, weak association; no envelope has been securely matched. See envelope.

English translation

Manuscript page 1

Sunday, 8 September 1940.

God’s peace.

My dearly beloved Alfhild!

I must write you a few words this evening, as there is an opportunity to send mail. I hope you are still all well and getting along as well as circumstances allow. I am well too, and by God’s great grace I am otherwise getting along fine, but it is so sad that I have to be away from you for so long. We shall not lose heart, for God will bring us together again; I am certain of that in my heart. So try to keep your spirits up, my dear. It has been such a comfort to receive that postcard from you, and I hope you have received some of the letters I have sent you.

When you read this I shall probably be well on my way south; perhaps we shall have arrived, if all goes well. I shall try to send you a telegram when we get down there, if it is possible. They will try to arrange an allotment from those at home if they can, and that should be possible, for Argentina is a neutral country. Now we must probably come to terms with not seeing each other until the spring. But with God’s help we shall manage; when we stay close to Him, He will

Manuscript page 2

stay close to us. It will be good to see you all again one day. [Revised word unclear.] Solveig will probably not recognize her daddy, and Hans-Fredrik has no idea what Daddy looks like. Well, you do have pictures of me.

I must finish for this time. I have so much to write to you about, dearest, but we must think of the censor, so that he does not grow tired and throw the letter into the wastepaper basket.

May God bless you, my beloved wife and children. Give my love to Solveig and our little boy. When you write, address it here via Buenos Aires. You know that I love you as dearly as before. Warmest greetings and kisses from your ever-faithful Kristian.

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes, for ever.

Read the Norwegian transcription

Manuscript page 1

Søndag den 8/9-40.

Guds fred.

Min inderlig elskede Alfhild!

Må skrive noen ord til dig i kveld da det er anledning til å sende post. Jeg håper at dere fremdeles er friske og har det så godt som det efter omstendighetene går an. Jeg er også frisk og har det ved Guds store nåde bare godt ellers, men det er jo så trist at jeg må være borte fra dig så lenge. Men vi vil ikke tape motet for Gud skal føre oss sammen igjen det har jeg visshet i mit hjerte om, så du må prøve å være ved godt mot vennen min. Det har været slik trøst for mig at jeg fikk det brevkortet fra dig, og jeg håper at du har fått noen av de brevene som jeg har sendt dig.

Når du leser dette så er jeg nok langt på vei nedover ja kanske vi er fremme hviss alt går vel. Jeg skal jo prøve å sende telegram til dig når vi kommer nedover, hviss det lar sig gjøre. Dem skal prøve å få i stand trekk fra dem hjemme hviss det går an, og det skulde jo gå for Argentina er jo nøitralt land. Ja nu må vi nok gjøre oss fortrolig med at vi ikke sees før enn til våren, men det skal nok ved Guds hjelp gå når vi holder oss nær til ham så vil

Manuscript page 2

han holde sig nær til oss. Ja du det skal bli godt en gang å få se dere igjen alle sammen [rettet ord uklart] kjenner nok ikke Solveig pappa sin igjen og Hans-Fredrik har jo ikke greie på hvordan pappa ser ut, ja dere har jo bilder av mig.

Ja nu får jeg nok slutte for denne gang, jeg har meget å skrive om til dig kjæreste, men vi får tenke på sensuren at han ikke skal bli trett og kaste brevet i papirkurven.

Ja så må Gud velsigne dig min elskede hustru og barn, hils Solveig og lillegutt fra mig, og når du skriver så adresser hit via Buenos-Aires. Så vet du at jeg elsker dig like inderlig som før. Hjerteligste hilsen og kyss fra din for alltid tro Kristian.

Jesus Kristus er i går og i dag den samme ja til evig tid.

Reading notes. A revised word before “kjenner” on page 2 is not recoverable with confidence. The religious sentence below the signature is included. Buenos Aires is a mail route, not proof that Hans was there.

Back to letter list ↑

Boston

25 November 1941

Writing from Boston, Hans longs for news from home and hopes to travel onward soon. He promises to telegraph if his address changes and says that he writes two letters each week.

Boston is explicitly named in the letter heading. The surviving Boston envelope was postmarked in September 1941, so it cannot have carried this November letter. See envelope.

English translation

Manuscript page 1

Boston, 25 November 1941.

My own beloved Alfhild and the children. God’s peace.

I must write you a few words again this evening; I must talk with you a little. I did not receive a letter last week, so tomorrow I expect to get one, perhaps two. It seems such a long time since I heard from you now. The mail has been good during the time we have been here. Just think, I have now been here for nearly [5?] months. That is how time goes. If only I could have been at home during that time, how happy we would have been together. But God must have a purpose in this too, although we cannot understand it. He will open a way when His time comes, so that we may see each other in good health and preserved in our faith in Jesus. It is good to belong to Him through everything. How thankful and happy I must be for His goodness to us both. He will continue to keep us, and it is so good that we can pray for each other. I pray that He may guide me when I go onward, for when we are under His guidance we can feel safe through everything.

I am still well and getting along fine, except that I often long for you so terribly. You know you are always in my thoughts, my darling, and by God’s grace we shall hold out until we see each other again. Let us hope it will not be so long; you know I shall come as soon as I can. It may be that I shall soon leave here, but I shall send you a telegram when my address changes. You know I shall keep writing as often as possible. I write two letters every week and hope you receive them all.

Try to keep your spirits up, dearest. It cannot always be easy to be alone at home with the children, but it must be good to have them there all the same, so that you do not feel so lonely. Give the children lots of love from me. May God bless all three of you. Take good care of yourself, my dearly beloved wife. Warm greetings and kisses from your faithful Kristian.

[Pencil annotation at the bottom: illegible.]

Read the Norwegian transcription

Manuscript page 1

Boston den 25/11-41.

Min egen elskede Alfhild og barna. Guds fred.

Jeg må skrive noen ord til dig i kveld igjen må snakke litt med dig, jeg fikk ikke brev forrige uken så i morgen venter jeg å få, kan hende to, jeg synes rent det er lenge siden jeg har hørt fra dig nu. Ja det har været fint den tiden vi har været her hvad post angår, tenk nu har jeg snart været her i [5?] måneder, ja slik går tiden. Tenk om jeg hadde fått være hjemme den tiden så godt vi skulde hatt det sammen du, men Gud har vel en mening med det også, skjønt vi ikke kan forstå det, så han åpner nok en vei når hans tid kommer, så vi skal få se hverandre friske og bevart i troen på Jesus, ja det er godt å få være hans gjennom alt, å hvor jeg må være takknemlig og glad for hans godhet mot oss begge og han vil bevare oss fremdeles, og det er så godt at vi kan be for hverandre, og jeg ber at han må lede mig når jeg skal videre, for når vi er i hans ledelse kan vi være trygge gjennom alt.

Jeg er frisk og har det bare godt fremdeles, med unntagelse av at jeg lengter så ille mange ganger, så du vet du er altid i mine tanker elsklingen min, og vi vil ved Guds nåde holde ut inntil vi får se hverandre igjen, vi får håpe at det ikke må bli så lenge, du vet jeg kommer så snart det lar sig gjøre. Det kan nok hende at jeg snart kommer til å reise herfra, men jeg sender dig telegram når jeg forandrer adresse, og så vet du jeg vil fortsette å skrive så ofte som det går an, jeg skriver to brev hver uke, håper at du må få dem alle.

Så må du prøve å være ved godt mot fremdeles da kjæreste, det er nok ikke så greit altid å være alene hjemme med barna, men dem er nok god å ha allikevel så du ikke føler dig så ensom. Hils barna fra mig så meget, må Gud velsigne dere alle tre. Ha det godt du min inderlig elskede hustru. Hjertelig hilsen og kyss fra din tro Kristian.

[Blyantnotat nederst: uleselig.]

Reading notes. The length of his stay appears to be “5” months, but the numeral remains uncertain. A small pencil annotation at the bottom is indistinct and is recorded separately from his letter.

Back to letter list ↑

The surviving covers

Envelopes & postal marks

Nine apparent front/back pairs, ordered by their known or provisional postmarks, with the undated cover last. They are addressed to Alfhild in Sandefjord. Plain backs are paired provisionally from scan order, paper and shape; distinctive tears, stains or labels give stronger evidence.

What the marks can tell us

A postmark follows the mail. It records where and when a cover was handled, not necessarily where Hans wrote the letter or whether he personally visited that place. A destination address concerns Alfhild; a requested route is not a record of travel.

Falkland Islands stamps on South Georgia mail. Four covers bear Falkland Islands stamps: three have readable South Georgia cancellations and the fourth has a weaker mark consistent with that group. South Georgia used Falkland Islands stamps in this period. They do not establish a visit to the Falklands. South Georgia Museum: postal history.

Two censorship systems. The South Georgia “Passed Censor” marks belong to local wartime mail censorship. The Brazilian and Boston covers have German military opening strips and seals, including eagle-and-swastika emblems. “Geöffnet” means “opened”; “Oberkommando der Wehrmacht” names the German Armed Forces High Command. The e office code identifies Frankfurt; it is clearer on the Boston back than on the Brazilian one. These marks record handling of the mail, not Hans’s presence in Germany. South Georgia censorship context; German censor office codes.

South Georgia · probably 1 November 1939

Provisional date: [NO] 1 / [39]

South Georgia · probably 1 November 1939 · back

Strong front/back pairing

The cancellation is partly obstructed and faint; 1 November 1939 is the preferred reading, not a secure date. The back names H. [K.?] Harjö and “Foca”; the ship prefix is unclear. This is the clearest sender endorsement in the group. A Falkland Islands 2½d sheep stamp and a diagonal “Passed Censor” mark appear on the front.

Letter association. No surviving letter has been matched. The probable date precedes all four letters.

South Georgia · probably December 1939

Provisional date: D[E …] / 3[9]

South Georgia · probably December 1939 · back

Probable front/back pairing

The day is obscured; December 1939 is provisional. The front bears a Falkland Islands 2½d sheep stamp and “Passed Censor”. The back has arithmetic: 475, 266 and 209–00, with another uncertain figure. Its author and purpose are unknown. The bright vertical stripe is a scan defect.

Letter association. No surviving letter has been matched.

South Georgia · January 1940

January 1940; probably the 12th

Probable front/back pairing

The cancellation reads SOUTH GEORGIA / A / [12?] JA / 40. January and the year are clear; the day is less certain. A Falkland Islands 2½d sheep stamp and “Passed Censor” mark are on the front. The back has no readable sender or postal date. The small cross in the cancellation is part of its design, not a Nazi symbol.

Letter association. Possible association with the 8 January Foca letter, based on timing and context only. Unproven. Read the letter.

Brooklyn · 25 July 1940

25 July 1940 · 9:30 a.m.

Strong front/back pairing

The Brooklyn, New York cancellation includes STA. T. A U.S. 30-cent transatlantic airmail stamp and a red airmail label accompany the address to Alfhild at Hystadveien 124, Sandefjord. The label wraps onto the back, supporting the pairing. There is no readable return address or arrival date.

Letter association. The postmark precedes the August and September letters. No matching letter is identified.

Brooklyn · 17 August 1940

17 August 1940 · 12:30 a.m.

Probable front/back pairing

The cancellation reads BROOKLYN N.Y. 17 and includes a New York World’s Fair 1940 slogan. That slogan does not show that Hans attended the fair. Hystadveien 124 is crossed out and a pencilled correction appears to read Gjekstad. Its author and date are unknown. Ink offsets on the back do not supply another readable postal event.

Letter association. Possible association with the 2 August letter, but timing alone is weak evidence. Unproven. Read the letter.

Brooklyn · 28 September 1940

28 September 1940 · 11:30 p.m.

Probable front/back pairing

The front bears a Brooklyn, New York cancellation, a U.S. 30-cent Theodore Roosevelt stamp, handwritten “Airmail” and a purple “TRANS-ATLANTIC AIR MAIL” marking. It is still addressed to Hystadveien 124, despite the correction on the August cover; the covers cannot date Alfhild’s move precisely. The back has no readable address or postal date.

Letter association. Possible association with the 8 September letter. The later postmark is compatible, but no enclosure relationship is proven. Read the letter.

Brazil · October 1940

Probably Rio de Janeiro · [10?] October 1940

Probable front/back pairing

Brazilian 2,000-réis and 400-réis stamps accompany a cancellation reading RIO[…] and [10?] X 40. October 1940 is clear; both the day and the expanded city name are provisional. “Via Portugal” is a handwritten routing request, not a confirmed Portuguese transit. The back has a German military opening strip and a violet eagle-and-swastika seal marked “Oberkommando der Wehrmacht”. The strip’s code appears to be e, probably Frankfurt. No censoring or arrival date is readable.

Letter association. No confirmed letter association. The September letter could have travelled before posting, but that remains speculative.

Boston · September 1941

September 1941 · day incomplete: SEP 2[…]

Strong apparent front/back pairing

The front reads BOSTON MASS, September 1941, 1:30 p.m. The day is incomplete and is not expanded to a specific date. It is addressed to Alfhild at Nye Gjekstad, Sandefjord. The back has a “Geöffnet” opening strip, German military eagle-and-swastika seals, red circular marks and examiner boxes. The clear e code supports Frankfurt censorship. These are mail-handling marks; no censor date is readable. Several impressions do not necessarily mean several openings.

Letter association. This September envelope cannot have carried the letter written in Boston on 25 November 1941. Read the letter.

Probably South Georgia · date unreadable

Undated; locality uncertain

Probably South Georgia · date unreadable · back

Strong front/back pairing

A Falkland Islands 2½d sheep stamp and a faint “Passed Censor” mark survive. The weak circular cancellation is consistent with the South Georgia group, but its locality is only probable and no date is assigned. The torn flap and dark patterned lining support the front/back pairing. The reverse has no readable sender or date.

Letter association. No letter association can be established.

No legible, dated arrival stamp has been identified on these backs. Some postmark readings and plain-back pairings remain provisional; the original covers may allow a closer examination.

About this collection

Letters and envelopes are preserved in the Harjo family archive. Hans signs these letters “Kristian”. All seven manuscript pages and eighteen envelope views are shown here; the scans have been oriented and resized for reading, with no reconstruction of missing text. The separate typed song sheet is not part of this correspondence edition.

The transcriptions and translations are working readings of the original handwriting. Corrections are welcome, especially where words or dates remain bracketed. Share a reading or correction.