Ken Berg answers “I am confused about all the characters. ...”

Diane asked this question about Wintering (Eide Family, #2):

I am confused about all the characters. Wish I could look at a simple family tree. can anyone help me? Harry's parents and each of their parents? I might have to start form the beginning again and write it all down. It doesn't help that I was listening to it for many chapters. Now I'm listening and following along with the written word which I should have done from the beginning. It's beautiful writing.

Ken Berg Yes, my wife and I found it challenging to keep track of.
Some of what I say comes from Lighthouse road which I have browsed and will read. Don't hold …moreYes, my wife and I found it challenging to keep track of.
Some of what I say comes from Lighthouse road which I have browsed and will read. Don't hold me to being exactly right with dates.

Odd: Born to Thea in 1896. Thea came from Norway a year or two earlier. She dies shortly after Odd is born. Hosea Grimm is the doctor, well sort of a doctor, at the birth of Odd and he is assisted by Rebekah.

Rebekah: Born in 1880, she knows nothing of her parents, lived in a Chicago orphanage until 12 or so and then ran away (she had been abused) and worked in a Chicago brothel for a year. in 1893 Hosea is planning to move to Gunflint and makes a deal with the owner of the brothel for various schemes. Part of the deal is that Hoseah will take 13 year old Rebekah with him, she will pretend to be his daughter and pretend to be older. Hosea asks Rebekah if she agrees to this, she does.
So 16 year old Rebekah is living with Hosea when she assists with Odd's birth. In 1920, Odd is 24, Rebekah is 40, they become lovers. Odd is going out on Lake Superior to bring in smuggled whiskey to Hosea.

Harry is born to Odd and Rebekah in, I think, 1921. At that time they are living in Duluth. Shortly after, Rebekah leaves and returns to Hosea. I hope to learn more details when I read Lighthouse Road but I am guessing Hosea might have reminded Rebekah that he had bought her back in 1893 and she must return.

Odd dies in about 1936.

Harry and Berit meet in 1937. She sees him as the only one she will ever love. She waits a very long time for him.

Harry marries Lisbet sometime in the early 40s. I don't know how they met. Gus is born in 1945.

Later, Gus marries Sarah, a normal family as near as I could tell. They have a couple of kids. (less)

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