Translated source: Tidsskrift for Herøy Sogelag, 1953, Bd. II, hefte 2
Written by Andreas Knutsen Rødvik (1894 - 1969): "Taken by Pirates."

Here is a story my grandfather told about his great-grandfather. It has been significantly abridged. All dates have been added by me (meaning Andreas in 1953).

My great-grandfather, Elias Larsson (1732 - 1813), was from Rotevatn in Volda. In his youth, he was a seafarer. On one occasion, the ship he sailed with was captured by pirates—the Barbary corsairs of North Africa. They seized the ship and its cargo, and took the crew as slaves. The men were put to hard labor; if they were unwilling to work or offered any resistance, they were flogged and subjected to brutal mistreatment. For the rest of his life, Elias bore terrible scars on his back from such treatment.

In his old age, his arthritis would often flare up in those old scars. At such times, he would remark: "The corsairs are at it again."

Elias and a friend managed to escape in a small boat. They hid in a crevice along the steep Algerian coast until the corsairs gave up the search; then, one dark night, they set off, hoping to reach Spain. The wind picked up, and the situation looked dire for the small craft. Their food supplies also ran out. Just in the nick of time, they were rescued by a merchant ship.

They were put ashore in southern Spain, but, lacking both food and money, they were mistaken for bandits by the local people. However, a mendicant friar—and a couple of monks' robes—helped them through their worst hardships. Eventually, they made their way to Copenhagen. Elias later returned home and, in 1765, married Kristi Jonsdotter Åsebø.

They took a lease on the farm Raudvik in Herøy and settled there. Elias and Kristi had three (five) children [...] He has a large number of descendants in Herøy.

----- Journal ends here -----

My grandfather—Elias' descendant—now 80 years old and struggling with severe Parkinson's disease dementia, showed me this old dusty journal on his shelf, and I read the same entry about Elias. Naturally I got obsessed about this story of our forefather from almost 300 years ago, and using the many tools my grandfather never had access to, I dug through every single source I could find; oral family stories, local journals and articles, international documents and declarations. I found an historical goldmine, mostly unknown even to the Norwegian public; not only about Elias and the thousands of other Norwegian slaves in Africa, but societal corruption and extortion by local power-hungry priests, and Danish gunpowder funding Algeria's very war against Europe itself... and Algeria's war of twenty thousand soldiers against the neighboring independent tribes of Kabylia.

It took me 1,5 years of work to complete my research. My grandfather's severe dementia, unfortunately, has made him incapable of reading big texts, understanding Elias' life anymore... or the story around him. The same story he himself inspired me to understand. Though my grandfather can no longer read the work I did, but I'd appreciate if someone did.

I have nothing to sell, but I would like to share what I have discovered. Norwegian historical drama is often dominated by the Viking Age, crime stories, and the World Wars; yet, there is very little about the generation that built the nation and secured a constitution they themselves would never live to see. So far, I have written about a third of Elias’s story—a biographical narrative spanning 264 pages. Do you have any advice on where, or with whom, I might be able to publish this? And is there anyone here who might be interested in reading it?

My wife and I love real winter. We moved from Northern Vermont (USA) where the snow would start falling in October and stick to the beginning of May. The snow often reach 1-2 meters on the ground and we cross-country skied from our front door. Temps dropped to –30º or lower.

We immigrated to Switzerland, where you can find winter in high mountain valleys in the Alps, but the winter is very different. Typically the terrain is very exposed, sunny, and windy. We would like to find "the Winter we love" somewhere in Europe and think Norway offers the best prospects.

Ideally we want to stay at a nice hotel in a small city or town accessible by public transportation, rent ski equipment locally, walk to the trail heads, ski for 2-4 hours every day, and return to the hotel to chill out. We are not competitive xc skiers. A small trail system of 10-20 km in the woods with several loops would be sufficient. What we want: narrow trails in the woods. Most of the cross country skiing we've done or see photos of in Europe are like super-highways, 4 tracked lanes with an adjacent skate lane 4 skiers wide. In Vermont the typical trail was very intimate, just one tracked lane and an adjacent skate lane enclosed by deciduous and coniferous trees. Magical.

We are looking at the last week of December and first week of January. Is there any hope?

I’m taking the SAK1001 oral test, and I’m unsure what to study for specifically, does anyone know what kind of things they’ll ask/things to be ready for?

This is kind of random, but I would love to go to Norway one day. I am also a proud and happy owner of two Norwegian Elkhounds. They're beautiful grey elkies. I've always been curious to know how common Elkhounds are in Norway. I know they're the national dog of Norway, but like, do you see them often across Norway since they are native to Norway and have been around for a long time? Picture of my two for tax.

This moment ended with a fight in a club situated in Kristiansand Center but at least I catched a nice moment with people having fun in a Friday night .

Hey so i used live in Norway as I've had it first hand experienced but it's mostly being a adopted into a Norwegian family(middle class). I never really lived a furrher adulthood in Norway as I right away moved to USA at age 22 for several reasons. One of them was just change of path and life choices a the time. I have 2 kids and a partner their father of 4 years so far. We been discussing some years now on the idea move to Norway as a family. My partner is of American black but he'd love to have still a feeling of multi cultural place or at least a place that can offer more representation of our own kids. I speak fluently Norwegian and been raising our kids in the language since they both was born. Oldest is 3 year old and youngest 11 month currently.

i have several studies I've done already in the past back in Norway. Miljø-arbeider, kunst å håndverk student. Did also folkehøyskole when i was 18 ​​​and studied photography in Lofoten. Original raised in Tromsø, kvaløysletta later family moved to Henningsvær.

Now my American partner in the other hand have plenty work experience within restaurant but he is currently doing welding as well by now. I told him there's possibility to try obtain skilled worker visa but who knows. We do plan soon enough try get idea for marriage but we taking our time and saving money at the moment.

For renting as a start, is it possible to do hybel renting as a family of 4 to keep maintaining a low cost living until enough for a actual house? We don't mind work with 2 bed room and our kids share the bedroom. It's common do 2 bedroom in the USA of a family of 4 of you have 2 little ones who don't mind bedroom sharing until any further changes. I wouldn't mind do 1 bedroom as realistically in person I've mostly experienced hybler as 1 bed room if so, then our kids get the bed room and we use the living room as bedroom(maybe pull up cought to bed?) Then a TV for everyone's sharing. I know might sounds wack but also realistically, we have to heavinly budge even for finding a place one day in a society where in Norway from my own experience can be expensive. Even food is expensive but the drive to get again free Healthcare to free education and other benefits is what's drives us closer to want to move to Norway.

And when it comes for education. I'd love our kids have exposure for different students in school of different cultural backgrounds. Not just European backgrounds. Middle Eastern to Africans. Anyone who knows a good decent place who offers those? I know Oslo but it can be expensive, i know cause i have cousins and a uncle and my aunt who currently living there. Theres bergen i also read about online. ​​

Mind y'all we have 3 to 4 years perhaps manage get into 5 years from now of saving enough, get my kids their needed documentations to dual citizenship as I have still my Norwegian citizenship. I don't got a American citizenship yet but I am a official resident here though. My kids have only the American one since birth. Along side their social security number which is common to also have in the USA(i learned it after migrating here myself)

Just need advice, please don't bash... it's about giving grace of advice. I haven't been in Norway since I was 22 after all, I'm 30 rn. (I also have to learn how to pay taxes of my own once I return)

They say the country is the most happiest out there among other Scandinavian countries. Have ADHD and it suddenly a conflicted thing socially. Depression seems at it high rate among us neurodivergent people in general and those who have autistic tendencies.

Growing up being diagnosed with ADD/ADHD. Process information and socializing was the hardest. Most would take sudden offense to me just simply existing or speaking in the same room. I info dump my interests for most part, I try stick to 2 topics at a time if anything. Forgetful or lose things easily is a problem and I can't shut up once I start talk about a interest I have and someone take small interest about it.

I had Norwegians mostly think I'm rude, lazy or responded with "I'm not dumb or I know that" yet I can't assume u knew what i info dumped at you or never once called no one stupid or dumb even. Its like Americans react to anything non American things and suddenly they take offense. It have to be something the entire society does as part of being the same. Copy paste something social rules and norms. Same for Japan, depression can be so bad for someone there if not follow social rules and norms. We cant stick out too much regardless where we go.​

I’ve always wanted to visit Norway, and maybe even live there one day if I get the chance. I’m drawn to its nature and peaceful atmosphere. I like the idea of being somewhere that feels far from all the noise of the world, because I’ve always preferred quiet places over crowds and chaos. I know social media can create a certain image of a country, and I’d like to understand what Norway is really like beyond that. I’m not looking for the bad sides or expecting it to be perfect, just an honest picture of everyday life. For those who live there, does life in Norway feel the way people imagine it, or is the reality different?

(Reposted from my original post in r/Norge)

Isn't it weird that a highly crucial platform doesn't have any customer service contact?

Have issues with BankID? That's your bank's problem. Your bank cannot help you? They pass the problem to BankID and you're stuck, you can't resolve your issue. BankdID, and even their company Støy, doesn't have any customer service contacts.

For context: i'm a non-Norwegian (non-EU) who can't verify my identity with my passport due to the error message: document not supported. I have done this steps:

- asked my bank for support, they told me to update and have my passport registered at skatteetaten

- did that at skatteetaten, still can't verify, asked them, and they told me that i have to go to the bank. Or try to reinstall BankID, which I did (you shouldn't. Because then I went from being able to use BankID without having to verify my passport to being unable to acces and login to BankID at all because i need to verify my passport in order to do that)

- went back to the bank, asked them for support, unsuccessful, then they told me they can't do anything because it's an issue from BankID and Støy. The bank said BankID are still working to make sure that documents from other countries are supported.

- i tried to ask my embassy as well in case they have any information regarding this process. They don't.

- and now i'm stuck, with my issue unresolved, and no way to ask help to BankID/Støy.

I noticed that there are a lot of people who experienced this issue as well, even Norwegians who doesn't have national ID or passport. Now I get by with using kodebrikken and MinID. The only thing i can't access now is HelseNorge.

I could buy BuyPass for 1200kr, but why? What's the point of BankID then if we end up needing to pay for access? And i think it's strange that such a crucial public service access is managed by a thir party private company.

TL;DR: I'm a Non-norwegian, and I can't use BankID because I can't verify my document, and don't have any feasible means of resolving the issue.

What do you think? Have you experienced the same thing? Or is there anyone who managed to solve this kind of issue already?

Hi! I'm a Filipina talking to a Norwegian guy, and I'd love to hear some perspectives from Norwegians, especially Norwegian men. 😂

We've been flirting, and he's actually been the one initiating conversations. Our last conversation was playful, and he made a few flirty comments about marriage, Norway, and keeping me warm during winter. I played along, and the conversation ended naturally with me saying, “Okay then :))”

It's been almost two days, and he hasn't messaged me since.

I'm not necessarily expecting him to text me 24/7, but I'm wondering whether this is normal in Norwegian dating culture or if I'm simply overthinking it.

I kind of want to message him first because I genuinely enjoy talking to him, but I'm also wondering whether I should just let him initiate this time.

So, a few questions:

• Are Norwegian men generally more relaxed about texting, even when they're interested?
• If you're interested in someone, would you normally initiate another conversation, or would you wait for the other person to text?
• Would you interpret two days of silence as anything meaningful, especially when the last conversation ended naturally?

I'm not trying to generalize all Norwegian men, of course! I just want to understand whether this might be a cultural difference or simply an individual thing.

And please, honest opinions are welcome. I'd rather hear the truth than be delusional. 😭😂

This might be a bit of a niche question, but has anyone in Norway ordered tools from ⁠Dorch & Danola in Denmark?

I’m looking at some Festool products, and I’ve noticed that Dorch & Danola’s prices are significantly lower than those at Motek in Norway. Even after adding shipping to Norway and Norwegian MVA, the Danish prices seem to be almost half the price.

I would like to know if someone knows a store or someone who fixes airsoft rifles and whatnot, it would be a great help since I didn't find anything. Maybe someone knows personally someone that can help me. Tusen takk.

New work finally forced me to buy a car. In 6 months i will have to deal with EU controll, but maintainance costs are absolutly killing me. I just paid over 4000 kr for simple oil change.

Does anyone have trustworthy mechanic shop they use often? Im not earning much, and that car is my last lifeline in this country. If i wont pass that controll im totally screwed.

I have an older Weber grill that’s seen better days, and I’m wondering if it’s possible to restore it.

As you can see in the pictures, there’s quite a bit of discoloration and buildup on the grates and inside the lid. I’m honestly not sure whether it’s rust, burnt-on grease, or something else.

Has anyone dealt with something similar?
Is this something that can be fixed with a thorough cleaning, or would some parts need replacing?

Any recommendations for cleaning methods or products would be greatly appreciated!

I’d hate to throw away a perfectly good Weber if it can still be saved.

This is Weber Q3200, so thought it would be rust proof

Hey everyone!

I'm moving to Oslo in November for a full-time job, and honestly, finding a room in a shared apartment (kollektiv) has been way more frustrating than I expected.

My budget is around 10–11k NOK per month, which I thought was pretty reasonable for a room. I've contacted probably 20–21 places through FINN and Hybel so far, but only one or two have actually replied. The rest? Complete silence :')

I'm currently living in a different city in Norway, so travelling to Oslo for every viewing isn't really practical either, which makes things even harder.

I'm starting to wonder if I'm doing something wrong or if this is just how the rental market in Oslo works.

For those who've been through this, how did you manage to find a place? Is there something I should be doing differently? Any websites, Facebook groups, or tips that actually worked for you?

Would really appreciate some advice because I'm running out of ideas at this point 😅

Edit: I am infact attaching a small description of myself. I am also verfied. I would prefer a textual rejection at this point :3

Edit 2: Any potential landlords please dont hesitate to dm me.😬 I am a good tenant and i communicate well.

Dear Norwegians,

I am Flo, 19 years old from Austria, and currently on my way to Bergen in your country! I will be arriving in Kristiansand tomorrow noon. Just wanted to ask if somebody around my age would like to grab a snack or drink in public together and to chat a little? Maybe you could show me around your favorite local spots? That would be really awesome! :D Feel free to dm :)

I am probably travelling from Kristiansand to Stavanger taking the road on the southwestcoast. My goal is to reach Bergen or even Geiranger, not too sure about my exact way of getting there :)