For years I’ve been searching for my sister’s birth mother.
We were both adopted, but from different parents. However, the name of her mother, a
famous artist from Norway, has eluded me. I scanned websites of Norwegian
artists, I even went there with a photo and asked around.
She can’t
search herself, because she died in her teens, in a car crash. But I recall
seeing a photo of her birth mom decades ago, and being stunned at the
resemblance.
So I thought I’d sign onto a
Norwegian genealogical site because family history buffs are sleuths already,
and maybe they could help. No sooner had I done this, than a gigantic debate
ensued about her brown hair and eye color.
Some claimed
true Norwegians have blue eyes and blond hair. Others slammed them for leaning
on this old stereotype. “Have you even visited the country?” asked one stunned
member.
One guy
posted a close-up photo of his brown eye, with the caption, “Born and raised in
Norway.”
Then another
launched into a discussion of genetics and dominant vs. recessive genes. Still another posted one of Mendel’s charts
about DNA and inherited features. Meanwhile, I
am all but waving my arms and saying, “Hey! Over here! We were talking about an
artist!”
And then
people began inquiring about musical artists and posting old news clippings of
famous singers who toured the U.S. at that time. Then I had to explain,
multiple times, that we’re talking about a painter, not a recording artist.
I wanted to
post, “Good Gravy!” but then I could only imagine the dozens of recipes they
would post, quarreling about which ones were authentically Norwegian.
Still, I do love the country and its
people. I just don’t think this mystery
will get solved anytime soon. But while you wait, you can curl up with my books!