Honoring our heritage
The rich history of Havnnes and the Giæver family
THEN & NOW
Havnnes 1905
Havnnes, 1907
Havnnes 2024
Havnnes. 2024
GIÆVER & HAVNNES HISTORY
During the early 1900s, remarkable Stone Age artifacts were uncovered at Havnnes dating back 5,000-6,000 years.
This included tools such as arrowheads, knives, needles, and axes, pointing to an ancient workshop.
The discoveries, many of which are now preserved at Tromsø Museum, have become a cherished part of Havnnes’ heritage.
3000-4000
B.C.
Photo: Tromsø Museum
1650
A.C.
The Giæver family, originally from the Hanseatic city of Jever in Germany, established, established themselves as traders in Nordland county.
Over time, they founded several trading posts in Troms, including Havnnes on Uløya island.
Ovidia Fredrikke Kildal (later known as Mor Lyng) became a widow after her husband Johan Hysing passed away at the age of only 34, leaving her in charge of the Skjervøygodset, of which Havnnes was a part.
Ovidia Fredrikke remarried in 1793 to Tomas A. Lyng, who was granted royal permission on August 22, 1795, to conduct trade. After Tomas' death, Ovidia Fredrikke appointed the former district court clerk Ole Hallen as her representative in the management of the estate.
His son, Jens Severin Hallen, grew up as a foster son on the estate. After Mother Lyng’s death in 1848, Jens took over as the owner of Havnnes. He passed in 1853, but his widow Anne Margrethe continued to run the estate. In 1870, their daughter Ovidia Fredrikke Lyng Hallen married her cousin Johannes Holmboe Giæver.
1787
1868
In 1868, Johannes Holmboe Giæver established a trading business at Havnnes under the name Johs. H. Giæver AS.
This company became the cornerstone of the family’s enterprises, led by Einar Giæver from 1979 and from year 2000 and still counting, managed by his son, Thorvald Giæver.
Ovidia Fredericha Lyng (1766-1848), known as "Mother Lyng", was a remarkable figure deeply tied to the history of Havnnes and Northern Norway.
She was the owner of the Skjervøy estate, which was a huge estate that included more than a quarter of Troms County. (from the Lyngen Alps to Finnmark). Known as the last feudal lady in Norway, she presided over a sprawling estate with a keen sense of leadership and care.
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Beyond her role as a landowner, Mor Lyng was renowned for her generosity. She gave birth to twelve children, none of whom survived. In the absence of her own children, she took in 32 foster children, all of whom were raised at Havnnes.
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Providing them with a home and education, she left a lasting legacy of compassion and stewardship. Her influence shaped the region, and her connection to Havnnes is a testament to its rich cultural and historical heritage.
One of her foster children, her brother's daughter's son, Jens Severin Hallen, inherited and took over Havnnes after her.
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Mor Lyng remains a mysterious woman as she did not leave any photographs or images of herself, nor any written texts.
Mother Lyng, shaping the history of Havnnes with her deep connection to the land, left a legacy that still resonates in every corner of this place.
Today, Havnnes is the most original trading post in northern Norway that is still in operation.
Once part of the vast Skjervøygodset estate, Havnnes has long been a hub for trade, culture, and community in the Lyngenfjord area. The legacy of the Lyng family and their successors, particularly the Giæver family, has left a lasting mark on the region.
Over the centuries, Havnnes has evolved from a bustling center for commerce to a cherished cultural and historical landmark, still reflecting the spirit of the past while embracing modern developments. The site continues to serve as a reminder of the resilience, hard work, and vision that shaped the communities of northern Norway.
