This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.scan-balt.norway.counties.oppland/3177.2.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Leah, Thanks for the clarification. For starters, I find Peder Christiansen (51) and his family in the 1865 census, living on the Gjestrumbakken farm in Vestre Toten, Aas. Present are wife Berthe Maria Johannesdatter (51), Emil Pedersen (16), Peder Anthon Pedersen (13). There is a Mathea present, BUT her patronymic is MARTINSDATTER (11) (Lægdslem - welfare recipient). Johanna and Christian are not present. "http://digitalarkivet.uib.no/cgi-win/webcens.exe?slag=visbase&sidenr=26&filnamn=emikra1&gardpostnr=96773&sokefelt=skjul" As Johanna may have been born out of wedlock OR from a previous marriage, Mathea may be Bertha's daughter from a previous marriage or born out of wedlock... A POSSIBILITY... NOT proven FACT. Here is the marriage of Peder (30) and Berthe (29), married on 23 January 1846. Peder is living on Koukkersrudstuen and Berthe on Myrstuen. Peder's father is Christian Pedersen. Berthe's father is Johannes Olssen. "http://www.slektshistorielaget.no/Kilder/vtoten/databaser2/ViedeVToten1844/index.html" Tracking Johanna's birth & confirmation is difficult because data is missing from 1838 thru 1843 and 1856 thru 1861. Emil, born 25 April 1850, confirmed on 01 Oct 1865, living at Gjestrumbakken. "http://www.slektshistorielaget.no/Kilder/vtoten/databaser2/KonfVToten1862/index.html" Peder Anton, born 12 February 1853, confirmed on 06 October 1867, living at Gjestrumbakken. "http://www.slektshistorielaget.no/Kilder/vtoten/databaser2/KonfVToten1862/index.html" Here is a Christian Pedersen Skartstuen, born to Peder Christiansen and Berthe Johannesdatter Skarten on 09 May & baptized on 07 June 1846. (note the witnesses from Myrstuen...) "http://www.slektshistorielaget.no/Kilder/vtoten/databaser2/DaapVToten1844/index.html" That should keep you busy for a while! Have a nice day! Clark in Japan