Tuesday, November 25, 2008



Cathy Lykes

NEARBY NORWEGIAN




I am a true Northwest native. I was born in Olympia, lived all over the state, and then my parents settled in Bothell. I am Norwegian on my mother’s side. Her family came from Norway and settled in Minnesota. When my mother was a young child, her father packed up the family and drove to Seattle in 1927 seeking a better life. Our family always stayed close and there were frequent trips back to Minnesota for family reunions. I have many memories of Grandmother making lutefisk (who could forget that!) and showing me how to make krumkake and bread. Except on those occasions when she made lutefisk, her kitchen always generated wonderful aromas that filled the house.
I have a love of traveling with my partner/husband, both in Europe and the back roads of the Northwest in our VW camper van. We were lucky to have visited my ancestors’ farm in Norway, which was a very special moment. I also love researching and writing, especially my Norwegian-American roots, as well as those of the community. Along with those pursuits, I have a passion for photography. My work has been in several local galleries. I am lucky to have a husband who is willing to suddenly swerve off the road when I see something interesting to photograph! Along with that are the stops in small town second-hand stores to look for another vintage road map to add to my collection.

Education & Training
  • B.A. History, University of Washington
  • Certificate, University of Washington Family History and Genealogy Program
  • Nearby History Writing Seminars, Museum of History and Industry: 2007, 2008, 2009

Writing Projects

  • The Steen Saga: From Norway to Seattle
  • Postmarked Steen
  • Health, Medicine and the AYPE
  • Traveling Washington by Public Transportation
  • Slow Roads in Washington
  • Assorted articles in Pacific Northwest Historians Guild Newsletter
Presentations
  • "Health, Medicine and the AYPE" at Pacific Northwest Historians Guild annual conference, March 2009
  • Nearby History Presents, 2007, 2008 & 2009
Membership
  • Ringerike Drammen Bygdelog
  • Pacific Northwest Historians Guild
  • Nordic Heritage Museum
  • Museum of History and Industry
  • Washington State Historical Society
      Contact Cathy at cmlykes@hotmail.com