Ann-Turi Ford is almost bubbling over with excitement as she takes us through the family history of the newly married shaman. The Norwegian-English journalist, writer and musician gives a picturesque portrayal of the previous generations in Durek Verrett’s family. Princess Märtha Louise and Durek Verrett tied the knot in Geiranger last Saturday. Photo: Christian Breidlid / Christian Breidlid / news Ford has written a book about the shaman’s family history and takes us back to the 19th century. – It started with a young girl from Drammen, Juliane Maria Samuelsdatter. She was a wanderer and was often on Nøtterøy in these bark bread times. So says Ford, who first told the story to Tønsbergs Blad. Great-great-great-grandfather from Nøtterøy In November 1813, the unmarried Juliane was expecting a child, and while she was on Nøtterøy the time came for her to give birth. Here we could almost continue with a slightly rewritten version of the Christmas Gospel. – Yes, she sought refuge on the first and best farm. Nordre Sande farm on Nøtterøy. Here, Juliane gives birth to a boy who is named Samuel Hellen, says Ford. Rus Olsen (tv) and several other of Durek Verrett’s relatives were gathered in Oslo after the wedding in Geiranger. Photo: Gunnar Bratthammer / news This Vestfolding will several generations later turn out to be Durek Verrett’s great-great-great-grandfather. But Ford does not stop here and quickly scrolls through the shaman’s annals. – This Samuel was a wanderer, just like his mother. He was interested in folk music and on his way he picked up songs. From prison to forge Among other things, he came across a song from Nesodden, where Ford lives. – That was actually the reason why I became interested in this family. Ford describes Samuel Hellen’s life as absolutely fantastic. It must at least be described as highly varied. – He started forging in Oslo when he got on the right side of the law after a stint in prison. Eventually he married Sofie Albertine Andreasdatter from Solum in Skien. The book Ford has written also deals with several songs that one of the shaman’s ancestors came across as a wanderer. Photo: Gunnar Bratthammer / news According to Ford, Sofie was of Swedish-Finnish Tater descent. In 1834, she and Samuel had a son, Andreas Martinus Hellen. – He apparently had a strong attraction to the ladies. Andreas married in 1872, but already in the same year he had two children out of wedlock with two different women. Gave book and songs to Durek The apple clearly does not fall far from the family tree, because Andreas’ daughter, Josefine Karense, also has a daughter out of wedlock. – Her name was Lilly Karense Gulovna Arnesen and eventually traveled to the United States where she became the mother of Edward Brinn Urquhart. In 1943, Edward became the father of Sheilah Urquhart, who today is called Sheilah G. Farmer and is Durek Verrett’s mother. – I have been in contact with Durek via text and voice messages. He has been given my book and access to some of the songs his great-great-great-grandfather picked up on his wanderings. Received greetings from Geiranger Ford also says that she has met several of the shaman’s relatives who were guests during the weekend’s wedding in Geiranger. One of them is Rus Olsen, who had made the trip from the USA. – All I know about the family history is what relatives and Ann-Turi have told me. My family is probably from Drammen and Sagene. By the way, I visited Sagene church last Sunday, smiles Olsen. Ann-Turi Ford together with Rus Olsen who is one of Durek Verrett’s relatives. Photo: Gunnar Bratthammer / news He says that the family emigrated to the USA at the beginning of the 20th century. – I appreciate that Ann-Turi has delved into the family history. I have no talent for this at all, Olsen laughs. Ford says that the relatives who attended the wedding celebration in Geiranger brought with them pleasant greetings from Durek. – What did he say? – That it was absolutely fantastic. In English it probably sounded “amazing”. Published 02.09.2024, at 19.42 Updated 02.09.2024, at 19.56
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Meet Durek’s relatives from Vestfold and Telemark – news Vestfold and Telemark – Local news, TV and radio
