The Helland family from Bø in Telemark is a Norwegian dynasty of Hardanger fiddle makers who made the most significant and important contribution to the development of the Norwegian Hardanger fiddle tradition. The celebrated Norwegian fiddler Ole Bull played on Helland fiddles.
During nearly 200 years and 4 generations the family counted 14 fiddle makers. Many of them among the most important in the fiddle maker tradition in Norway. It may well be the largest fiddle maker family in history.
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Olav Gunnarson Helland settled in Notodden, Telemark, Norway in 1896 and established a Hardanger fiddle workshop. His fiddles are considered among the finest within the tradition.
Knut Gunnarsson Helland and Gunnar Gunnarsson Helland emigrated to US in 1901 and settled in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin where they became well known ski jumpers. The opened a fiddle workshop, “Helland Brothers” together. Knut died in 1920 and his brother Gunnar continued the business until 1927.
John Gunnarson Helland settled in Skien, Telemark, Norway and ran a workshop and a music shop until his death in 1977.
The other fiddle makers continued their work in Bø until the last, Knut Knutsson Steintjønndalen died in 1969.
Note on Norwegian names: The second link reads Jons son (i.e. The son of Jon), or Eriks daughter. The third link is a family name, derived from the farm where they lived, or originated from.
Jon Eilevsson learned his trade from his father, Eilev Jonsson Steintjønndalen, and became a fine violin maker. But he gave it up at an early age when he left the area. There are still a number of good Hardanger fiddles left by him.
The great Hardanger fiddle player Halvor Jøren from Bø brought one, named "The Troll", with him to the US, where it disappeared.