December 5, 2005

Greetings Knaphus Family,

          There are five things that the Knaphus Family Organization (KFO) leadership would like to share with you.

1. The Fall 2005 edition of the Knaphus Family Newsletter will not be produced.   The KFO leadership encouraged Brooke Bowen, the editor of the KFO Newsletter, to forego this fall edition due to a lot of things going on in her life.  On November 17th she had a baby girl, Kyra Ryann.  Mom and family are doing fine.  This is Brooke and Justin’s second girl.  Sister Shayla, age 6, is excited.  Congratulations!

Earlier this season, they had to evacuate their home since they live just outside of Houston – right in the path of hurricane Rita.   Fortunately, their home was not damaged and they are alright, but what an experience!

To those of you have sent family news items to her for the newsletter – thank you.  She’ll print those in the Spring 2006 Knaphus Family Newsletter.

2. Some of you might not have heard that Jack Knaphus is in the hospital following a stroke a couple of weeks ago.  His speech and humor are doing just fine. However, his left side is somewhat impaired.  Best wishes to Joyce and him as he recovers. 

Also, within the last couple of months, Dar Knaphus (Tim’s wife) has gone into a care center in San Diego.  We wish her and all of her family well through these difficult times. 

We’re sure there are many other Knaphus family members who are going through your own struggles and trials.  Best wishes and love goes to you from your extended Knaphus family members.

3. The 2006 Knaphus Family Reunion will be held on Saturday, June 17th in Salt Lake City in the park/pavilion area immediately south of the Edgehill Ward (where Torleif’s family attended).  Dick Knaphus’ daughter Sherri (and Mark) Goaslind are the Reunion Chairs with several family members on the committee.  More information will be sent by mail and email.  Please mark your calendars now for this event.

4. A New Family History Document is now online.  It has been exactly 100 years since Torleif emigrated from Norway to America.  From his journals and other writings, we’ve been able to compile a detailed time line history from 1902-1906 – the time he left Vats for Oslo until he arrived in SLC.  This newly-created compilation and research is found on the Knaphus family’s web site at www.knaphusfamily.org.

This history also includes a photo of Torleif just after he left home, a painting he did of his father in 1904, pictures and links describing the ships he traveled on, and even the passenger ship’s manifest where you can see his name listed on the voyage from Liverpool to Boston.  You’ll also read of the age and immigration status of Torleif’s immediate family (parents and siblings) in 1905 – one hundred years ago.  Within a five-year period, his parents became “empty nesters”.

If you have family members who might not have access to the Internet or we don’t have their email addresses, you are encouraged to print the history and give it to them since we will not be mailing this out unless you have a paid subscription to a hard-copy of the Knaphus Family Newsletter.  Please reply to this email and let us know if any of your family members have a new email or mailing address since the first of this year.  Thanks.

5. FYI – The Family History Library in SLC is presenting a free one-hour class on “Christmas in Norway” by Liv Andersen, a native Norwegian genealogist.  It will be held on Thursday, December 8th at 11:00 am in classroom B1.  Reservations are not needed.

Best wishes for a great holiday season and a good new year.

Allen Gerritsen

KFO Family History Specialist