Historical Page

As a genealogist, I have a great love for history. I have had the opportunity of researching the ancestors of some people who were born in Troms, and later made a name for themselves in history. I find their stories and ancestry very interesting, and thought that others using this site would feel the same way! I am starting with the following 6 people, but I would love to have the list grow. Accuracy is also very important too me, so please feel free to send me suggestions, and information and corrections.
Richard Bernhard With was born September 18, 1846, in Tromsø. He was the founder of Vesteraalens Dampskibsselskap, and the first captain of the Hurtigruten. Click here for his story and ancestory
Just Knut Qvigstad was born 4 Apr 1853, in Lyngseidet, Lyngen, Troms. Internationally known language researcher - chairman, headmaster, cabinetmember, and Spokesperson for the Sami People. Click here for his story and ancestory
Elling Karlsen was born September 18, 1819 in Tromsø. He became a hunter and explorer in the Arctic. he made new discoveries and circumnavigated the entire Svalbard archipelago. And he came upon the remains of Willem Barents' winter camp, from 1596, on the northernmost tip of Novaya Zemlya. Click here for his story and ancestory
Leonhard Isaksen Seppala was born: 14 Sep 1877, Skibotn, Lyngen, Troms. The year 2000 marked the 100 year anniversary of his emmigration from Skjervøy in the north of Troms county to the USA. He went all the way to Nome in Alaska to mine for gold. He did not find his fortune as a gold miner, but he did find fame as a dogsled musher. And he is particularly well known for his courageous role in the Diphtheria Serum relay of 1925. Click here for his story and ancestory
Gunnar Øyvind Kaasen was born in 1882 in Kvænangen, Troms, Norway. He went to Alaska during the gold rush in 1903. And he is particularly well known as the last Musher in the Diphtheria Serum relay of 1925. Click here for his story and ancestory
Jorgen Christian Dreyer, Once recognized by the Kansas City Star as the city’s leading sculptor, Jorgen Dreyer’s works are seen daily by thousands of Kansas Citians. Click here for his story and ancestory