Keith Wheeler and his wife Peggie were inspired to create a bautastein in honor of their great-great-grandparents, Jacob and Serena Anderson, who travelled as far west as Northern California before settling.
After travels to the original farm of Jacob and Serena in the Tysvær-Rogaland area and many discussions, they were set upon bringing a stone back to the United States. With the help of many, including NRK-TV, a bautastein was shipped from Norway to the United States. The stone will be dedicated, with an inscription about the couple and the Sloopers, near the Anderson’s settlement.
The Norwegian Consulate in San Francisco has extended a helping hand in the Slooper project. In addition to getting the information about the project out to the Norwegian community, the Consulate also contributed funds so that former Bobbysocks singer, Hanne Krogh, may travel from Norway to participate in the dedication and perform a small concert.
Cecilie Klaumann of the Consulate General, feels the project is ”very worthwhile” and that it may be ”fun to be able to ad yet another ’Norwegian angle’ to the history of the greater Bay Area.” Keith felt similarly, saying the monument helped bring about more information and interest in the history of Northern California.
The goal of the monument is to honor Jacob and Serena for their travels across the Atlantic and the United States. They would like to see the stone extend to all of the immgrants’ stories who were part of the Retauration’s voyage. Keith feels the monument and its story also represent the American story ”of the larger picture of [the] diverse country which is a great mosaic of peoples from all parts of the world.”
They have found that both Americans and Norwegians embrace the touching story of the first great immigration to the United States, and its impact on both nations.