Here is an old article written about Walter F. Mondale, when he was a presidential candidate in 1983. His ancestors come from the same part of Norway as the Vangsness Family. I have been told that he and I are distantly related and I hope to document this in the future.
I thought it would be interesting for everyone to read this interesting story. It tells of his Norwegian family background in Vangsnes in Sogn. Gjertrud married Hans Person Mundal. It was Gjertrud who got the deed to the Mundal farm, which seems to be King Bele's farm. Their daughter, Brita, took over the farm, but later left for America in 1857 with her husband, Fredrik Person Vangsness when her parents died.....
Here is the whole article:
Walter F. Mondale - a descendant of the old Viking Kings
by Herman Raunehaug
"The article is written by an energetic young man who is interested in genealogy and in helping anyone who may need help from Norway in tracing their background. He is presently president of the Board of Directors of the Cleng Peerson Memorial Institute, headquartered in Stavanger, Norway. "
You may write to him at:
Herman Raunehaug
Telemarkvingen #7
4030 Stavanger, Norway
This note was added at the bottom of the copy I received, so I am not sure if it is still accurate.
I will write about Cleng Peerson later....