I have a dark complexion. I asked my Norwegian Grandmother why I wasn’t blonde and blue-eyed. She said the Vikings went South and captured Gypsy Princesses and brought them home to be their wives. My Dad looked at me and said the Vikings must have captured a few African Princesses, too. I went to a Sons Of Norway meeting and wore a name tag that said “Kunta Kinte Halvorson”. They elected me Treasurer.
:’D Well, hey, there aren’t that many Norwegians around, they have to be welcoming and inclusive, and not ask that many questions. ;’)
All my grandparents were born in Norway. My dad’s father had very dark features. Straight, jet-black hair, black eyes, olive skin. My dad figured the same - a pretty slave girl from the Mediterrainian.
Until he visited distant relatives way up north with the raindeer herds - Laplanders/Sammi.
He came back with photos of them - skinnier eskimos basically. “I think I found an easier heritage for my dad!”
But - I still like to think I’m the descendent of the Queen of Sheba!