I am trying to determine what unit my great-grandfather may have served in. I have a copy of a photo from my grandmother's scrapbook. The note next to it states: "Jack P. Purdy, Sr. Picture taken at Lake City, Minn. Belonged to Reserve and done the cooking when called on duty." He was John P. Purdy (known as Jack) born on 6/28/1843 in New York, NY. My great-grandmother was Eliza Oleson (parents were Martha and Andrew Oleson of Norway) Besckelshymer born in Minnieska, MN in 1854. Jack and Eliza were married in that general area near Minnieska, MN in 1876 after her first husband died leaving her with a small child. Jack and Eliza's first child was born in 1877 in Weaver, MN, and the second and third were born in Chippewa Falls, WI in 1879 and 1881 (they are in the Eagle Point, WI census of 1880). I had been assuming that he was in the MN reserves at Lake City approximately between 1875 and 1878, but perhaps he was in the reserves for WI which could be anytime between the time of the birth of the first child and the third. Soon after the third child was born in 1881 in WI, they headed north, first to Two Harbors and then to Tower, MN where they spent the rest of their lives. Does anyone have any information on what reserves may have been in that area at that time? Or any ideas on how I can find out? Roberta Stepan rstepan@bellsouth.net -----Original Message----- From: j.watne@comcast.net [mailto:j.watne@comcast.net] Sent: Sunday, April 17, 2005 9:01 PM To: NOR-VEST-AGDER-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [VAgder] The 15th Wisconsin Regiment For more on the 15th Wisconsin Regiment--in English--see Ager, Waldemar, Colonel Heg and His Boys: A Norwegian Regiment in the American Civil War, Northfield, Minn.: Norwegian-American Historical Association (2000). Originally published in Norwegian in 1916, this edition was translated by Della Kittleson Catuna and Clarence A. Clausen. It includes a 40-page roster of all the men in the regiment, by company, with some information about each of them. If you have any ancestors or other relatives who served in the 15th Wisconsin, this should be a useful source of information. Hope this helps someon a bit. Joel --------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 16 Apr 2005 20:38:37 -0700 From: Olaf <Kringhaug@shaw.ca> To: NOR-VEST-AGDER-L@rootsweb.com Message-id: <04e001c542fe$f176d370$e8704618@genealogist> Subject: Re: The 15th Wisconsin Regiment Content-type: text/plain; charset=Windows-1252 Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit Hi List! I should point out that much of this last translation was most likely originally in English and translated to Norwegian by Ulvestad (or someone else) for his book. I haven't had the courage to search for the original documents. Olaf The 15th Wisconsin Regiment* The names of those who were in this regiment we have found among the other soldiers in the previous list but here we will reproduce from some official writings** since they are indisputable proof of the esteem that Norwegians gained and the bravery they showed in the army: ==== NOR-VEST-AGDER Mailing List ==== Visit http://www.fellesraad.com/ Norwegian-American Bygdelagenes Fellesraad ============================== Search Family and Local Histories for stories about your family and the areas they lived. Over 85 million names added in the last 12 months. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13966/rd.ashx

Hi List! There were a lot of writings about the Norwegian unit. Here's a whole website dedicated to them: http://www.15thwisconsin.net/index.html#Latest The volunteers came from Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois,and Iowa. Olaf

Hi List! I should point out that much of this last translation was most likely originally in English and translated to Norwegian by Ulvestad (or someone else) for his book. I haven't had the courage to search for the original documents. Olaf The 15th Wisconsin Regiment* The names of those who were in this regiment we have found among the other soldiers in the previous list but here we will reproduce from some official writings** since they are indisputable proof of the esteem that Norwegians gained and the bravery they showed in the army:

Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907 The 15th Wisconsin Regiment* The names of those who were in this regiment we have found among the other soldiers in the previous list but here we will reproduce from some official writings** since they are indisputable proof of the esteem that Norwegians gained and the bravery they showed in the army: "Headquarters for the Army's 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, Right Wing, the 28th December 1862. To Colonel H. Heg, 15th Wisconsin Volunteers. The Commanding General wishes to express to the officers and men of the 21st Ill. Volunteers, 15th Wis. Volunteers, 101 Ohio Volunteers, 38th Ill. Volunteers and the 2nd Minn. Battery his admiration of their conduct in the conflict with the enemy near Nolensville the 26th inst. After a 10 mile tiring march in heavy rain and flooded roads you met the enemy and drove him back to Knob Gap where they, with 8 pieces of artillery and supported by a large force of cavalry, gave strong resistance. It was in the attack on the batttery that you demonstrated bravery that has never been exceeded and seldom equalled in the annals of the war. After having advanced without stopping or wavering for a mile under fierce fire right up to the cannon emplacement, you drove the enemy from his strong position, took a cannon and 6 prisoners and were still willing, despite the hard march, to continue the pursuit if you had received permission. Your conduct has brought the Army's admiration. W. P. Carlin Colonel, 38th Ill. Volunteers." In a later letter, dated the 27th January 1863, referring to the campaign of 26th Dec, '62 to 4th Jan. '63, Colonel Carlin writes: "The number of killed and wounded officers and soldiers in the 101 Ohio and 15th Wis. was greater than in any other regiment with respect to their size. But not a single regimental banner was lost; they were all brought to safety, flying proudly right above an overwhelming force of the enemy. Not a cannon, not a caisson was lost from your battery. You held your position until the troops on your right side had fallen back and your flank and rear were attacked while your left side was also wiped out. You later formed up at a fence near the position you had held so long and did not waver until you were almost completely surrounded. Then after running over two open fields, you formed another battle line at another fence on the east side of Goersom's house (our hospital) and held your position until you received orders to pull back - after you had sent a destructive salvo into the enemy. The 31st December, you fought until half of your officers and soldiers were killed or wounded or completely missing from their colours. On the 2nd January when it was feared there would be defeat on the left wing on the other side of Stone River, the immortal Rosencrans sent a message to your commander and gave him the following order: 'Take your section over to the left wing, form two lines and if our troops there are driven back let them pass through your lines and when the rebels come near, give a great cry and attack them.' Through the hard combat the brigade was reduced from 1900 to 700 men, nevertheless you went with steady steps to the battlefield where you found, however, that the enemy was already beaten. You can be proud of the undisputed honour you have gained in having attacked the enemy on the heights at Knob Gap where you drove them back with great losses. Even if the praise you deserve has not been proclaimed in the newspapers you have won a reputation that will never die. When the truth comes to light the 2nd Brigade will be honoured and as long as you live you can be proud of your conduct at Perryville, Knob Gap and Stone River." On the 29th April 1863 when the 15th Wis. was transferred from the 2nd Brigade, it received the following message from Headquarters: "The Brigade's commanding General hereby expresses his sorrow that in the interest of the service Major-General Rosencrans, who commands this army division, has transferred the 15th Wis. Volunteers, Colonel H. C. Heg from this Brigade. The commanding General hereby forwards, since he separates from this regiment, to both officers and men his sincere thanks for the honourable and soldierly manner which they have conducted themselves on all occasions. In camp they have been obedient and faithful in the fulfillment of their duties and on the battlefield they had no superiors in bravery."*** In the Battle of Chickamauga on the 19th and 20th of Sept. 1863 some (176) of the 15th Wis. also took part. But this group was reduced from 176 to 75 battle experienced men. They had suffered a loss of 101, 10 officers and 91 enlisted men.**** Colonel Hans C. Heg had at that time been promoted to Brigade Commander (3rd Brigade) and thus commanded the whole brigade. Lieutenant Ole C. Johnson commanded the 15th Wis. (the Norwegian) Regiment. It was in this battle, unfortunately, that Colonel Heg met his fate (the 19th Sept. 1863). In an instant when he saw his Brigade waver because of the enemy's superior force, he rode into the wildest tumult waving his hat calling on his men to follow him. This they did instantly and drove the rebels back a great distance. However, he was badly wounded - and died the next day. Lieutenant-Colonel Ole C. Johnson who also showed great courage was among those who were taken prisoner on the second day. *This Regiment was formed in the fall of 1861 on the initiative of Hans C. Heg and Senator John A. Johnson. The Senator's brother Ole C. Johnson (Skipnes) was its first recruiting officer. Both Heg and Ole Johnson went into the field with the regiment. See their biographies in the preceding section. **These writings are, with a few small changes, taken from a little book "15th Wis. Reg." that Senator John A. Johnson published. But in the book there is no list of names of non-commissioned officers or enlisted men. The names and information about those who were in this regiment I have obtained from various places as previously mentioned. ***General Howard, who had also heard about the 15th Wis. once said, "I could wish that we had a whole brigade of such men" Yes, Generals Stanley, Woods, Sherman, Willich and McCook had similarly spoken appreciatively about the Norwegian regiment It was known almost everywhere for they were moved from one place to another - always where the need was greatest, which says enough. ****Sergean Otto Stern who was in this regiment recounts that its total loss of killed and wounded (in the course of the war) was 481. It most often went under the name of the Scandinavian Regiment. It consisted mainly of Norwegians.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: GROSS Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/lcC.2ACI/341.1.1.1.1 Message Board Post: Thank you Roberta, I will call the nearest LDS FHL and ask if they have that capability there. It would sure be a conveneince if they could burn a CD for me. Be safe, Helen Mc

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/lcC.2ACI/341.1.1.1 Message Board Post: Is there a Mormon Church in your area? Quite a few of them have a center located at their church that is open for a limited amount of hours to the public to do research. They will request the records from Salt Lake City for you for a nominal fee (around $3 per fiche) and they will be available for you to go thru at that center for around a month. If you have found the record on the LDS website they will ask for certain source information like the batch number, etc. in order to request the records. Our County (actually parish) library has become an LDS center and can do the same for us here which is even better because they have the facilities to burn the records to a CD so that you can go thru them at home at your leisure.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: GROSS Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/lcC.2ACI/341.1.1 Message Board Post: Thank you PR for your advice. I have two problems with LDS films. 1. is a vision problem. The other is transportation to the nearest FHL. Here in the USA newspapers carried either/or death notices (no information other than death occured, date and sometimes cau);. Full obituaries were printed, generally for the upper class. I have been unable to learn of a newspaper in Kristiansand but I am sure they had at least one even 128 years ago. My how time flies!! Another possible source to learn his date of death would be the Sheriff's death list and or propate records. I just need to know where to send for those records. thank you for the information on cemetery. I did figure it would be a churchyard burial. He was quite well off so thought perhaps an indestructable head stone, tombstone or monument might have survived. Thank you again. If I can pin down a pair of eyes and driver, I may have to rely on the LDS microfilm or perhaps a empathetic LDS researcher in Salt Lake Ciry. Be safe, Helen Mc

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/lcC.2ACI/341.1 Message Board Post: The parish records for Kristiansand, Vest-Agder, Norway have been copied to LDS microfilm and can be ordered and viewed at any of the LDS Family History Centers. They have 21 reels of microfilm which cover the Kristiansand parish records for the Norwegian Lutheran Church from 1734-1933. In 1877 death certificates were not issued - the event would simply be recorded in the parish books. In that time period you would have expected a member of the congregation to have been buried in the church's graveyard, often adjacent or surrounding the church building itself. You probably won't find physical evidence of that burial today - 128 years have passed. Looking for any books about Kristiansand's history might help you determine if any newspapers existed during that time period. Did Norwegians have the published obituary habit during that time period? I've never heard of it - I thought that was only a very recent custom. http://www.familysearch.org (choose the option to search the Library catalog) - then search by place = Kristiansand

Hei List! Having been distracted by other matters, I have failed to point out the the saga of the Valkyrien is now complete: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~maggiebakke/ulvestad.html Now beginning the "Norwegians in American Wars" - essentially the Civil War. Olaf

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: GROSS Classification: Death Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/lcC.2ACI/341 Message Board Post: I am needing the death/funeral records in the Kristiansand Parish records of 1877. Might be in the prison Parish which my gr. grandfather manaaged in that period. Although he may have retired in 1875. He might have died in 1877. I would like to obtain his death ceritificate if I can narrow his death down to more than just the year 1877. (or an obituary in a Kristiansand newspaper) I would also like to know where my ancestor is buried. Hjelp!!! Plese can you hellp?? My brain is spinning, Thank you, Helen Gross McNamara

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Pedersdatter, Hansen, Olsdatter, Log, Gullestad, Larsen Classification: Biography Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/lcC.2ACI/340 Message Board Post: Olene Andrea Pedersdatter (1819-1912) Housewife (b. November 10, 1819, Herad, Farsund, Vest-Agder, Norway - d. 1912, Dalen, Kvinesdal, Vest-Agder, Norway) Birth: She was the daughter of Peder Andreas Hansen (1790-1849) aka Peter Andrew Hansen of Log; and Maren Sophia Olsdatter (1791-1868) aka Maren Sophia Olsdatter of Gullestad. Baptism: Olene was baptised on November 21, 1819 at Herad, Farsund, Vest-Agder, Norway. Siblings: She had the following siblings: Pernille Helene Pedersdatter (1812) who died as an infant; Hans Pedersen (1814-1896) aka Hans Pedersen Log, who married Anne Marie Berntsdatter (1827-1884); Anna Pedersdatter (1816-1831); Ole Mathias Pedersen (1822-1914) who married Thea Johanne Torstensdatter (1825-1865); Helene Elisabeth Pedersdatter (1825-?); Peder Pedersen (1829-c1830) who died as an infant; Peder Andreas Pedersen (1831-?) who married Serine Larsdatter (1840-?) aka Severina Larsdatter; and Hans Elias Pedersen (1837-?). Marriage: Olene married Willum Larsen (1816-1896) aka Villum Larsen, around 1844. Children: Together they had the following children: Gine M. Villumsdatter (1845-1903); Lars Peder Villumsen (1849-1914) aka Peder Villumsen; Jakob E. Willumsen (1853-1928) who married Anna Elisabeth Olesdatter (1855-1909) and emigrated to the US and after her death he returned to Norway and married Freddrikke Abrahamsdatter (1894-1985) aka Freddrikke Abrahamsdatter of Haugeland; Kristiane M. Villumsdatter (1860-1883); and Villumine A. Villumsdatter (1863-after1900). Kvinesdal, Norway: Olene and Villum appear in the 1865 Norway Census living in Dalen, Kvinesdal, Vest-Agder, Norway under the name "Villum Larsen". Death: She died in 1912. Burial: She was buried in Norway.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Christiansen/Kristiansen/Christianson Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/lcC.2ACI/337.1.1.1.1 Message Board Post: I did find Anna and her brother Ola/Ole/Ole listed as Christianson in Boston passenger lists for 1895 and in census records for Ola/Ole with his family. It looks like he may have traveled back to visit Norway in later years also. His wife was Clara and children were Guy and Willard, all 3 born in the USA. Again thank you Harold for the great information.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/lcC.2ACI/338.1.1.1 Message Board Post: Helen, Agder University College Kristiansand is producung a series of pictures of old Kristiansand, with English captions. If you go into: http://www.agderkultur.no/Bildeserier.htm and then "Havn" (Harbour), on page 1 you will find pictures of the "Tugt og manefakturhuset"., which was managed by Gross. The building was later used as a college of education.If you have problems I can always send the picture as an e-mail atachment. Derek

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: GROSS Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/lcC.2ACI/338.1.1 Message Board Post: Derek, Thank you so very much. I would appreciate having a photo of the factory. Do you have a month or day of his death or any information on his Parish church or where he might be buried? OR where I might obtain the above information from the Norwegian Government and from which level of said govt. City, County or Oslo? Thank you very much, Be safe, Helen

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/lcC.2ACI/337.1.1.1 Message Board Post: Ola Kristian was the brother of Anna Gurine. They emigrated both in 1895, together with Sina Gøthesen and Anne Nilsen. From Familysearch: GURINE MARIE JENSINE Christening: 25 MAY 1868 Mandal, Vest-Agder, Father: CARL JOHAN GØHTESEN Mother: INGEBORG TORJESDR ANNA Christening: 01 JAN 1876 Mandal, Vest-Agder, Father: TOBIAS NILSEN Mother: OTILDE BENTSEN

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/lcC.2ACI/337.1.1 Message Board Post: Harold, again thank you so much for the look-ups. It is very very much appreciated. I will now try to see if I can find any records for Anna Gurine Christensen's sister Ola in the US. You have given me much information to continue my research...

Sorry about the first post, the Internet froze up on me and the message flew out before I could edit it. Here is the parent's marriage entry: International Genealogical Index Norway PEDER ANDREAS PEDERSSEN Male Parents: Father: PEDER ANDREAS HANSSEN Marriages: Spouse: SERINE LARSDR Marriage: 26 JUL 1862 Herad, Vest-Agder, Norway Husband Age at Marriage: 31 Wife Age at Marriage: 22 Source Information: Batch No.: Dates: Source M425154 1853 - 1886 1282627 Film http://www.familysearch.org Here are the siblings I could find: International Genealogical Index Norway -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LARS PEDERSEN Male Christening: 01 OCT 1865 Farsund, Vest-Agder, Norway Death: 09 OCT 1865 Parents: Father: PEDER PEDERSEN Mother: SERINE LARSDR Source Information: Batch No.: Dates: Source C425213 1863 - 1875 ** LARS EMANUEL PEDERSEN Male Christening: 18 JUL 1869 Farsund, Vest-Agder, Norway Parents: Father: PEDER ANDREAS PEDERSEN Mother: SERINE LARSDR ** MATHILDE SOPHIE AMALIA PEDERSEN Female Christening: 24 DEC 1872 Farsund, Vest-Agder, Norway Parents: Father: PEDER ANDREAS PEDERSEN Mother: SERINE LARSDR ** PEDER SEVERIN PEDERSEN Male Christening: 05 MAR 1876 Farsund, Vest-Agder, Norway Parents: Father: PEDER ANDREAS PEDERSEN Mother: SERINE LARSDR ** ANTON MARTIN TEODOR PEDERSEN Male Christening: 23 NOV 1879 Farsund, Vest-Agder, Norway Parents: Father: PEDER ANDREAS PEDERSEN Mother: SERINE LARSDR I could not find Inga's birth or christening record online. Are you sure these are her parents? I ws hoping for a farm name, but none was shown. I'll try more later... Ellen (whose Mother was born in Farsund)... Birth: >> Inga was born in 1883 or 1885 to Peder Andreas Pedersen (1830-?) and >> Serine Larsdatter (1840-?) aka Severina Larsdatter.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Pedersen, Pedersdatter, Schneider, Larsdatter Classification: Biography Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/lcC.2ACI/339 Message Board Post: Inga Pedersen (1883-1928) aka Inga Pedersdatter; Immigrant from Farsund, Norway to USA around 1903 (b. October 20, 1883, Farsund, Vest-Agder, Norway - d. December 26, 1927, 10:20 pm, Christ Hospital, Jersey City, Hudson County, New Jersey, USA) Birth: Inga was born in 1883 or 1885 to Peder Andreas Pedersen (1830-?) and Serine Larsdatter (1840-?) aka Severina Larsdatter. Norway: Our Inga may be the "Inga Pedersen" in the 1900 Norway Census working as a "barnepige" at 8 Gyldenløvsgade in Kristiansand, Vest-Agder, Norway. The Census lists her birth year as "1883" and her birth place as "Farsund". Emigration: She emigrated to the US on June 27, 1903, entering in New York City under the name "Inga Pedersen". Trip Abroad: She returned from a trip to Norway on September 12, 1906 and listed her residence as "Jersey City". Marriage: She married Emil Schneider (1884-1955) in New York City on February 13, 1908. Emil worked as a banker. Children: They had two children: Eddie August Schneider (1911-1940), the aviator, who married Gretchen Hahnen; and Alice Schneider (1913-?) who married a Harms. Trip Abroad: Inga returned from a trip to Germany, via Southampton, Southamptonshire, England, on July 16, 1908 aboard the ship "Deutschland". She listed her homeland as Farsund, Norway and both her and her husband's height as 5' and 8" and their eyes were blue. Manhattan, New York: Their address was 108 4th Avenue in New York City and she said that she previously entered the US in the year 1900. Trip Abroad: She returned from Hamburg, Germany on August 18, 1911 aboard the ship "Pennsylvania". The family returned from Hamburg, Germany to their home in New York City on August 05, 1914, aboard the ship "President Lincoln". They were living at 80 6th Avenue at the time. Sopie Marie Olsdatter (1852-aft1910) wrote a postcard between 1910 and 1914 to her sister, Salmine Sophia Severine Pedersen (1862-1914) and it reads as follows: "A little parcel to you from sister, stay well. Our most beloved dear Salmine and family, now when Sofie shall travel on Saturday, she will be kind and go to you and bring regards from your dear father and sister, I have no address, as I get the letters in return, got a letter from Lina 8 days ago, she is good and sound and has visited you, sister, and she said you were in good mood and happy, yes God helps you and your people, so that you still may come to see your old father he is pretty well and was glad he heard that Lina think about a trip home, together with you if everything goes well, with the help of God, we live well, have no suffer. Marie Klungeland is a candidate for confirmation October 6th. You John get regards from Malla Bekkevig Liva mm (with more). Dear, be careful so that you once again can see old ! Norway. Lina wrote that she had a good time by Inga it was so nice, we have had a cold summer so we have had [the] fire in the stove all the time, you shall get letters when I get [back]. Love from father [and] sister." Inga was living at 171 Manhattan Avenue in Jersey City when she was hospitalized on December 19, 1927. Death: She died of "double bronchiopneumonia" with "cirrhosis of the liver" and was buried on December 29, 1927 in Fairview Cemetery. Her death certificate lists the her birthday as "October 20, 1885". All the references to her in Norway list her year of birth as "1883". Obituary: Inga's obituary was published in the Jersey Journal of Jersey City on December 28, 1927. Burial: She was buried in Fairview Cemetery in Fairview, New Jersey. Widow Remarried: After Inga's death, Emil remarried and had one more child: Eleanore Schneider. Eddie Schneider: Her son, Eddie, set the transcontinental air speed record in his age category in 1930.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/lcC.2ACI/337.1 Message Board Post: I guess her parentes are here (Familysearch): ANDERS TOBIAS CHRISTIANSEN Father: CHRISTIAN SØRENSEN (Nomedal, Holum) Spouse: TARGJER OLSDR Father: OLE GUNDERSEN (Høye, Øyslebø) Marriage: 05 NOV 1863 Holum, Vest-Agder, Norway Husband Age at Marriage: 27 Wife Age at Marriage: 27 1865 census Stoveland, Holum parish: http://digitalarkivet.uib.no/cgi-win/webcens.exe?slag=visbase&filnamn=f61020&gardpostnr=203&personpostnr=883&merk=883#ovre Holum bygdebok (farm history book) page 534 and 566: Anders Tobias Kristiansen, b, 1838 on Nomedal in Holum, m.t. Targjerd Olsdatter from Høye in Øyslebø parish. They moved to Stoveland in Holum, and in 1866 to Mandal, where he worked at a sawmill. Children: Anne 1864, Susanne 1868, Anne Gurine 1872. SUSANNA Christening: 31 MAY 1868 Mandal, Vest-Agder Father: ANDERS TOBIAS CHRISTIANSEN Mother: TARJER_ OLSDR ANNE GURINE Christening: 28 APR 1872 Mandal, Vest-Agder, Father: ANDERS TOBIAS KRISTIANSEN Mother: TORGJERD OLSDR OLE KRISTIAN Christening: 23 AUG 1874 Mandal, Vest-Agder, Father: ANDERS TOBIAS KRISTIANSEN Mother: TARJER_ OLSDR OLA KRISTIAN Christening: 19 MAR 1876 Mandal, Vest-Agder, Father: ANDERS TOBIAS KRISTIANSEN Mother: TARJER_ OLSDR Ola Kristian emigrated in 1895 to Boston: http://digitalarkivet.uib.no/cgi-win/webcens.exe?slag=visbase&filnamn=KRISTUT&gardpostnr=28603&merk=28603#ovre Nøding is a farm in Holum, neighbouring to Stoveland

Part Four Now we began our journey to America again after having lain 10 days in England for repairs. And as soon as we had gotten out from the City, prayers and songs were heard from several places on the ship. We began to traverse the Channel but with the wind from the south and a contrary current and tacking in that narrow belt we came close during the night to running aground (for the accident we had had was the first but not both the first and last) even though we had a pilot aboard. The Channel is a difficult place to pass through, banks and skerries everywhere. After 32 hours of our departure from the City we had not come further than ¾ miles from Dover and because of calm and a contrary current it was necessary to anchor outside Folkestone that is close to Dover. Monday afternoon at 6 o'clock a 20 month old boy, Søren S. from Bergen died, his parents' only child. And 12 o'clock the next day he was placed on a bier on the flag hatch for the burial. First we sang the first two verses of hymn 623, then the coffin was lowered over the side by 4 sailors and stopped for the Captain to conduct the graveside ceremony. Then it was sunk in the sea but the poor parents were not in condition to see it done, such a burial we were not used to and we were all deeply moved. After the burial we sang the last two verses of the same hymn. At 4 o'clock in the afternoon of May 15th we passed Ireland and set off on the Atlantic but the Bay of Biscay had already frightened many and several women were in bed because of seasickness. There was help for this, the best being getting them on deck so they could get fresh air. But that was not easily done, most resisted that treatment but that was of no use. The health conditions had to, first and foremost, be attended to and if a husband could not obey the order to bring his wife up on deck he could get two other men to bring her on deck by force and they walked with her arm in arm until they believed she had breathed enough of that curative medicine (for there was no doctor aboard) which could be obtained without payment, they let her go and then took another out of her bed, whether she hit or bit them - and that they did. They also had to hold concerts on deck to entice them up but the fact they were started exclusively to help the seasick was not known by most and those who had to be dragged up by force the day before now came up on their own. The comedies that were played in the middle of the Atlantic were "Kongen og Dronningen" played in French, "Manden med Buxen i Læ", "Henrik tilhest paa Drommedaren" and "Viseknut paa Ruffe med Silkhatten" that were a strong enough magnet to pull those up on deck long before the performance time was posted on the kitchen door. In Dover, a new lock was purchased for the provision compartment for which no one else had a key. And now that the quartermaster had received extra provisions worth several hundred dollars to distribute but who did not wish to tempt anyone to eat themselves sick from the good and unaccustomed delicacies, he had to distribute them in instalments. It became necessary to choose two fellow-passengers as assistants, A. S. from Sogn and J. F. from Hardanger since he was the judge in all matters it was duty to settle conflicts over "this and that" all day long and to weigh and measure the Captain's provisions and keep an accountiing of it. And with assigning the work crews for each day as to which of the 80 was to be sent to the deck each morning at 6 o'clock and keeping his own diary he was in the saddle from 5 in the morning to 10 in the evening, he scarcely had enough time left over to eat. But who saw him surly or angry? Even though he served without pay and just voluntarily. On the 4th after leaving Dover and after consultation with the Captain he began to distribute the gifts we received from our friends in Dover but we did not get very much that day. On the 10th day after departing Dover, about 10:30 at night we were surprised by a storm and while we were taking in 7 sails, suddenly a schooner came right for us and since our lanterns on the port side had been blown out by the wind we had to, contrary to rules, fall away to make the starboard lights visible and by falling off we avoided collision but the ships' sails almost touched as we passed each other. Again we were so close to an accident for the third time, nor was it the last; we awoke by the noise since everything on the deck began to shift during the heeling. Pat immediately sprang to the deck and remained there until 1 A.M. On Ascension Day we also had a severe storm and the boxes and chests broke loose from their fastenings in the tweendecks and danced back and forth on the floor so violently that we almost did not know how to get them fastened again without breaking the legs of those who were brave enough to go and fix them. We had to reef 9 sails immediately and the fore topgallant sail was torn in pieces. The 25th May, the 6th Sunday after Easter there was also a storm and the day after as well, and both days the waves came down into steerage and there was no thought of getting anything cooked those days. One man who dared to go up on deck had a narrow escape from a wave that came onto the deck while he was trying to reach a certain place and almost washed him overboard. The wave took him across the deck to the railing port on the other side but he landed at the side of the port. On Whit Sunday there was nothing but prayers and hymns all day and on Whit Monday we conversed, first by signal then by voice, with an American ship on the way to Philadelphia that departed Liverpool the day we arrived at Dover. The 4th June, 26 days after we left Dover, we came to the Newfoundland banks at 4 in the afternoon and when we took soundings the depth was 53 fathoms. We fished with 7 lines and caught 4 fish at 15 pounds each. The following day we saw 3 icebergs but they were far away. At 5 in the morning the 9th June, the 26th day after we left Dover, we saw land. On the 15th June, the 52nd day after we left Bergen, we were 40 miles from Quebec and had entered the mouth of the St. Lawrence River. At 5 in the evening we raised a flag for a pilot but no one came. At 10 we lit flares made of cotton dipped in alcohol and 15 minutes later an old greybeard came aboard, 30 miles from Quebec, to conduct us to our destination. The next day we could see 54 ships in the river. We raced the Hindostan more than any other ship. At 9:30 in the evening June 17th we came to the quarantine station (Grosse Ile) and at 7 in the morning the examining doctor came aboard and then when he first saw that we had been in Dover we were finished there. Because of the contrary current we had to anchor 2 miles from the island from 12 to 7 in the evening, now 4½ miles from Quebec and again 2 miles from Quebec. And on the 63rd day after leaving Bergen, Friday morning June 19th at 4:30 we raised anchor for the last time. We travelled as fast as a bird with a good wind and arrived in Quebec at 6 o'clock. And when the anchor hit bottom there were out doubt a mass of thanks to the Lord concluding with - Amen. And as soon as the anchor hit bottom the Captain ordered the quartermaster and the pilot down to the salon, where he pulled the cork out of a bottle of good wine for he had great joy that morning and without doubt greater than ours even though it was greatest day we had had in all our lives. He, who had never carried emigrants before, had brought this most priceless cargo to America and who four times altogether was threatened with failure but still brought still them to their destination. All of us who suffered with him and you who read Valkyrien's story will also understand, whether you have been in distress at sea or not. We had not lain in Quebec for long before two written messages came from the fort and immediately after there came a customs officer with a proper guard. At 10 o'clock the Captain went ashore with our documents and at 2 o'clock the agent came to receive our tickets from Bergen and issue us railway passes to go further. He had his interpreter with him but they were not the nicest of people, which Pat knew very well and who had to battle with them, altogether 7 times until we came to Milwaukee. And the other passengers knew quite well that there was among them a Nils L. from Lærdal who asked Pat to accompany him to the salon and speak on his behalf to the agent. Because of a lack of money he could not get a ticket in Bergen to the place he wished be but had a steamer ticket that a friend B. in America had sent him but could not use because his family was bigger than his friend knew. Now he wished to know from the agent whether if he could use to go from here to his destination. The agent could not permit this because it was not the same company and the agent certainly could not be faulted for that. Since N. could not go further than his ticket allowed, he gave the agent the ticket he received in Bergen. Then the agent discovered that he had no ticket blanks left so 20 passengers could not get their tickets that day but after saying that they would get them in the morning, he went ashore. When he came aboard the next day to hand out the tickets, Nils again went to ask Pat to accompany him to the agent because he trusted him. The agent asked for Nils' ticket and Pat said, "You got it yesterday." "That is a lie!" said the Englishman rather sharply. "No, it is not," said Pat. There was a continuing wrangling (*) and Pat finally found the ticket and things were straightened out for a very grateful Nils. Finally the day came that we could say farewell to the Valkyrien and our friends aboard it with whom, like a brotherhood, we had shared both sorrow and joy in the 9 weeks from Bergen to Quebec. Since both the officers and crew, who were all Norwegian and were as kind and amiable people as the Lord makes, it was not easy to leave them either. But 2:30 in the afternoon the 20th June we said farewell to the Valkyrien and its crew, who in our honour had raised 19 flags and saluted us with hurrahs without end. Just as we stepped aboard the steamship that took us ashore we gave the sailors 13 daler (there were 11 of them) in tips and besides we bequeathed them filth and abandoned articles below decks. As payment for his 64 days of work, Pat received a hearty thanks from the Captain for what he had done for him and we left the Valkyrien, half smiling and half weeping. With the Captain, who for reason of friendship wished to accompany us to Montreal, we boarded the train at 6 in the evening and arrived in Montreal at 6 in the morning, where we stopped for 15 minutes. The Captain went through all the cars and bade all farewell with a firm handshake and good wishes. Afterward, he asked Pat to come out on the platform and told him that one night on the Atlantic, they had been close to death that we knew nothing about and that he had strongly ordered the crew not to let us know about since we had been frightened enough. While in the dark of night the carpenter, the oldest sailor at about 60, was sleeping and had a dream that a steamer was approaching straight at us and would cut us amidships. He awoke from the dream not believing it was true but he could not rest before he went up on deck - and what did he see? Yes, just what he dreamt and there was just enough time to call to the helmsman to turn hard leeward. The steamship and the Valkyrien passed each other at no more than a stone's throw apart. (*wrangling is a very abbreviated term for a lengthy and convoluted account of little relevance and was omitted)