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Barbo and the Farm – A Historical Portrait
Book Review

Elisabeth Hauge Nilsen has written an engaging historical account about Barbo Engebretsdotter Skrinde (1810–1900). The book portrays a woman's life in a mountain village in the 19th century, showing Barbo’s experiences through both joy and hardship. She gave birth to 13 children across two marriages and spent most of her life on a farm that is now the Hallingheimen residence of Elisabeth and Jørn Nilsen at Myset.

The book provides insight into Barbo’s life and the national and local context of her time. It details her early years as a young girl, her role as a farmer’s wife, and her experiences in a politically and culturally transformative era. The story also connects her personal life to broader trends, including religious reorientation, national awakening, and significant political changes of the 19th century.

A key resource for this story is a handwritten book by her second husband, Knut from Settungsgard in Vats, who was a renowned figure in Hallingdal. Knut, an important figure in local governance and Norwegian rosemaling traditions, is also featured in the book. The richly illustrated work includes both well-known and previously unpublished pieces by Adolph Tidemand and others, offering a visual glimpse into the time period.

Through meticulous research and a rich collection of sources, the author has created a compelling narrative that weaves historical facts with side stories, making the book both informative and enjoyable. It serves as a concise and accessible depiction of 19th-century life and culture in Votndalen, with enough detail to intrigue genealogists and history enthusiasts alike.

Hun het Barbo is a beautifully illustrated and well-crafted book, blending the personal with the historical, and is a delightful read.

Eldgrim H. Springgard

Author Biography

​Elisabeth Hauge Nilsen (b. 1946) is a trained educator with a specialization in Norwegian and further education in special education. She has taught at all levels of primary school and at a special school for students with neurologically based difficulties and multiple disabilities. After many years as a postcard collector, especially cards with women's history, she contributed to "Vennlig hilsen – Postkortets historie i Norge," edited by Ivar Ulvestad. The purchase of an old farmstead in Hallingdal led to an all-consuming interest.