Psalm Book - Olaus Ostrom (1850-1924)

Ed's Day Wednesday

Dear FOLKS,

It is good to be back "in the saddle" again... or back to the old routine of telling about family history stories each week. This is a project I started early last year shortly after my research buddy and "cousin" Edwin Ostrom (1944-2015) passed away. Ed had wanted to tell the stories he had collected but didn't get a chance to do that on his own. He left his collection with me and that lead me to where we are today.

I am pleased to start off this new year by sharing with you a real Ostrom treasure. This is referred to as Olaus' Bible. It is a small book, about the size of an index card [3x5 inches]. It's title reads "The Legal Church Psalmbook," published in Stavanger, Norway in 1852. It is a copy of the Psalm book accepted by the King of Denmark and Norway in 1699 and was in use until 1870. It is printed in Gothic script also known as blackletter; the Gothic script was official font in use until 1875. This again complicates online translating tools to translate this successfully.

It is said that Olaus O. Ostrom (1850-1924) brought this book with him when he came to America. This story goes that Olaus brought with him some clothes, a little money and this book. Olaus was confirmed at the Lund parish church, in the village of Moi, Lund municipality, Rogaland county, Norway when he was 14 years old. The date of this event was 2 October 1864. Perhaps this book was a reward or a gift for being confirmed. Olaus was cousin Ed's great-grandfather and my 2x-great-grandfather.

This volume was important to Olaus as he kept this book all of his life. He jotted important events maybe to help him remember their date. As you'll notice, mentioned events stop at the birth of his first child, Ole Andreas in 1874. This is too bad for us, but so common. After Olaus' death in 1924, this book was handed down to his son Oscar Ostrom (1884-1973); and then about 1950, Oscar gave it to his son Clinton and that is where it is today.

IMAGE: Title page of "The Legal Church Psalmbook."
See below for fuller translation. Portions of the
image are unclear, difficult to read.

IMAGE: Right two pages contain handwritten notes by Olaus
O. Ostrom. The left page is an early transcription of the
handwritten notes added by an unknown person. The translation
incorrectly tells us the final date written is April 1841 and mentions
that it must be a note about a different person. This date actually
reads April 1871 and is when Olaus left Norway for America.

IMAGE: Right two pages contain handwritten notes by Olaus
O. Ostrom. The left page is an early translation of the
handwritten notes added by an unknown person.

-------- Title Page translation begins here --------

The legal Church Psalmbook - for use at Church Mass at Sunday, holy days, praying days, and for other christian use in the church and house devotions, of old spiritual songs

also

[two lines are of poor quality that cannot be translated]

By. Th [Thomas Hansen] Kingo [born 15 Dec 1634-died 14 Oct 1703]
    [a bishop, poet and hymn-writer born in Odense, Denmark.]

Stavanger.
Get bought by Bookseller Stamann.
Printed by Arnt Moe.
1852.

 -------- translation ends --------

I needed help telling about this psalm book and family members came to my rescue. Their help was wonderful and appreciated.  My thanks for their contributions in publishing this post:
    -- Clinton for permission to post Olaus' book.
    -- Arley for the digital images he provided of this book.
    -- Ståle for translating the title page enabling us to understand what it says.
[last names withheld for PRIVATE USE]

Although the events mentioned in this book are few, it is good to have an example of Olaus' handwriting to survive time. I know too that Olaus is pleased that many are having a chance to see his book and you'll agree on how lucky we are that it has survived all these years.

Let me say that I hope you are having a good week, and thank you for stopping by today. Please join me here next week, when on Ed's Day Wednesday, when I'll introduce the next person on our Names List.

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Copyright (c) 2017, Darlene M. Steffens