Oops, I goofed again! Chisago! not Chicago :-)) http://www.co.chisago.mn.us/ Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907. Chicago County There are not many Norwegians - and just one congregation, belonging to The Lutheran Free Church. The congregation has recently built a church. It was the Swedes who occupied this area.

Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad 1907 Cass County In the vicinity of Pequot, where there is a small Norwegian settlement, the first was Kittel Halvorson, who came there in 1891. In the area of Graff, there are also some Norwegians. Hal. Rosendal from Trondhjem was the first here. He came in 1896. Lunde Congregation, that was established at Pequot in 1895 by Pastor D. J. Grove, belonging to The Norwegian Synod, is the county's oldest Norwegian congregation. It built a church in 1900. The Norwegian settlement in Cass County is, however, new. Several congregations were under organisation at thie time when this information was obtained. The first Norwegian to hold public office in this county was M. J. Quam from Inderøen, he was elected Registrar of Deeds in 1898. J. P. Bakken moved the Norwegian newspaper 'Arbeidsmanden' from Fertile, Polk County to this (Cass ) Co. in 1901 and continued the same here. Graff P.O. got its name from the Norwegian Flategraff there.

Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907. Chicago County There are not many Norwegians - and just one congregation, belonging to The Lutheran Free Church. The congregation has recently built a church. It was the Swedes who occupied this area.

Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907 Chippewa County One of the very first Norwegians in this county was Ole G. Heen from Vang, Valders. He writes from Maynard, where he has lived for 47 years, since he came there in 1857. Further west - in the vicinity of Montevideo and Watson, these were the first: Ole Jacobsen Haugland from Bøe, Telemarken, Hans Halvorsen from Hadeland, Knut Angrimsen from Sætersdalen, Ole F. Roe from Tønsberg, as well as Hans Gulden†, Ole Svennungsen† and Angrim Knutsen†, who settled there in 1867. They lived in dugouts until they were in a position to build proper houses, or as one of the oldtimers says in his travel account, "- - and then on the wild prairie, where we dug ourselves into a gravel pile." Wheat growing became the county's main source of income. Immanuel Congregation, that was established at Watson in 1870 by Pastor L. J. Markhus, belonging to The Norwegian Synod, was the first Norwegian congregation in the county. Its church was built in 1876. The same year, Zions church was built in Tunsberg Township, it was also Synod people who built it. Now there are 19 Norwegian churches and 20 congregations, 11 belong to The United Church, 5 to The Norwegian Synod, 2 to the Methodists, 1 to the Baptists and 1 to The Lutheran Free Church. The first Norwegian county officials were Ole Torgersen Rød and Oliver Helgesen, County Commissioners, Ole Overson†, Sheriff and Iver Knudsen†, Registrar of Deeds - they were elected in 1869. Ole O. Lien from Røldal was the first Norwegian to represent the Chippewa County in the State Legislature, in 1878. Townships with Norwegian names; Mandt, Kragerø and Tunsberg (Tønsberg). Post offices with Norwegian names; Seljord, Kragerø, Risør, Tunsberg, Kalmia, Hagan (Hagen) and Wegdahl. Only the last two exist now.

Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad 1907 Carver County A man by the name Axel Jørgensen from Fredrikshald, who was quite an adventurer, settled at a place where Carver City now lies, as early as 1852, but he moved away within a few years. In 1855, there was a small company of Norwegians who settled right by the aforementioned place, namely Paul Olsen Voldberg with wife and children (among them Ole Paulson, later a priest) and Ole Hendricksen from Grue, Solør as well as Østen Gunnøvsen with his son from Tinn, Telemarken It is also said that there were some from Lands parish. But they soon moved away and turned the area over to the Swedes. There is no Norwegian settlement in Carver County.

Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907. Carlton County Anton Dahl from Gudbrandsdalen was the first Norwegian in the vicinity of Wrenshall, where there is a small Norwegian settlement. He settled there in 1895. At Cloquet, there are also a number of Norwegians. Ole Brune from Volden, Søndmøre was one of the first here. One of the Norwegians - a logger, who travelled in the forests up there before there were any white settlers, tells that it was anything but pleasant to live up there among the ravenous wolves and wild Indians. And he adds, "Many of those who have disappeared in America without anyone knowing where, have probably closed their eyes in the primeval forest, they get no grave marker, no posthumous fame, no recognition and thus are that class that, more than any other, opened the way for civilisation." There are2 Norwegian churches and 5 congregations in Carlton County, 3 of them belong to The Norwegian Synod and 2 to The Lutheran Free Church. Norman P.O. has probably gotten its name from Norwegians.

Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907 Brown County The first norwegian here was Andrew Lundberg from Hurdalen. He settled at Linden in 1857. (Compare Brown with Blue Earth and Watonwan, the adjacent counties) Pastor A. S. Fredriksen was the first Norwegian who visited these areas, next V. J. Muus and it is to these priests, that Linden Congregation, the first in the county, owes its existence. The first settlers in Butternut Valley, Town of Madelia, Riverdale and Lake Hanska belonged to Linden Congregation, which embraced a large area. It was established in the 60s. Now there are 6 Norwegian congregations, each with its church, in Brown County, 5 of them belong to The United Church and 1 to the Unitarians. Pastor Kristofer Janson, now in Norway, was the founder of the last mentioned congregation, which has its church at Hanska. Nils C. Rukke from Næs, Hallingdal was the first Norwegian to hold public office in the county. He was elecetd County Treasurer in 1872. The first of our countrymen to represent Brown Co. in the State Legislature was knud helling, elected in 1875. The post offices Linden and Godahl have gotten their names from Norwegians in the area. Linden is also the name of a Township, as mentioned above

Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907. Blue Earth County Even Pedersen†, Knudt Strøm† and Anders Strøm from Øier parish, Gudbrandsdalen were the first settlers in Blue Earth County, for in 1857 they settled in Butternut Valley, right by Linden, that was the center for the first Norwegian settlers in Brown, Blue Earth and Watonwan Counties. Linden lies in the southeast corner of Brown, adjoining the other two counties here mentioned. The Indians raided badly here in those days and they had many (sometimes bloody) battles with them. The first Norwegian in the vicinity of Rapidan was John Roland† from Gudbrandsdalen The first in the area of Medo were Ole Johnson from the Kristiania area and Thron Hoverson from Flekkefjord. And the first (or one of the first) at Mankato was Ovald Røsler. He came to America on the sailship 'Marie' from Bergen in 1864. The ship suffered breakdown on the Atlantic Ocean, was 14 weeks underway and the passengers were three times in open boats on the wild sea. Blue Earth Congregation, that was established in 1863 by Pastor T. H. Dahl, belonging to The Norwegian Synod, is the county's oldest Norwegian congregation. Its church was built in 1872. Now there are 11 Norwegian churches and 14 congregations, 5 belonging to The Norwegian Synod, 3 to The United Church, 3 to Hauge's Synod, 2 to The Lutheran Free Church and 1 to Eielsen's Society. There has been an attempt to build a Norwegian Old Age Home in Mankato. Thron Hoverson Ovedal from Bakke, near Mandal, was the first Norwegian to hold public office in the county.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/lcC.2ACI/42.1 Message Board Post: Hello, I have some information on a Otto Hansen, whose father is Hans Hansen and Step Mother is Anna. Let me know if this helps email me.

Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907. Big Stone County C. K. Orton, from whom the City of Ortonville received its name, was the first white man that settled in Big Stone County. He came there from Fillmore County early in the 60s and began trading with the Indians. At his death he was a wealthy man. Ole Bolsta from Aamot, Østerdalen and david Johnson from Tromsø were the first Norwegian farmers in Big Stone County. They came from St. Peter, Minn. and settled at Artichoke Lake in 1869. They started growing wheat. To New Ulm, their nearest marketplace, it was 112 miles. They used oxen exclusively for driving and plowing. In the vicinity of Beardsley, Mathias and Lars† Olsen from Biri, Arnt Holmlie from the Trondhjem area and Lars Halvorsen Bøe from Nedre Telemarken, were the first settlers, they settled there in 1871. In Big Stone County, there are 7 Norwegian churches and 12 congregations, 3 belong to The Norwegian Synod, 3 to The United Church, 3 to The Lutheran free Church, 2 to the Baptists and 1 to the Adventists. There once existed a post office with the name Holmlie and one of the Norwegian area still goes under the name of Eidskog. (Norwegian place names - - on American land - - was an adornment for Norwegians. They had to plant them as often as possible and then fight to retain them)

Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907. Benton County Ole Ingebrigtsen Gaustad from Lom, Gudbrandsdalen was the first Norwegian in this county. He settled at Glendorado in 1867. Later in the year came Martin Eriksen from Elverum, Ole Solberg from Ørskaug at Kristiania, Even Thompson from Ringsaker and B. A. Frøiseth, Engebret and Sylvester Stenersen Sulem. The following excerpts are from a book the enterprising priests, P. Langseth, A. Larsgaard and R. J. Meland have published about the settlements (Benton, Mille Lacs and Sherburne Counties) where they work: "The first summer there was so little food in these areas, that the government in St. Pauls had to send a little maize and wheat flour. But the setllers themselves had to fetch it at Clear Lake. It was that summer that Even Thompson and Solberg had to carry the flour sacks on their backs the long way - with great danger to themselves and the sacks over an insecure log bridging across the St. Frances river. Almost all the young men who had guns went hunting, and one can still see these old, venerable weapons in their houses. The Indians still moved around in large groups at that time. At 'Indianerhaugen' where Per Stae now has erected his residence, the Indians had a fixed meeting place, where 50-60 could camp during the summer into the fall. From there they would roam about the new settlers and begged for tobacco, bread, meat and anything they could get hold of. Often, also, they would come at mealtimes. Mrs. Ole Engebretsen, who felt sorry for them, often made a fine meal, put a white tablecloth on the table and laid knives and forks. They behaved honourably and took an especial interest in her son, who often met them while hunting. When he had died, some of the Indians came and wept at his grave. Mrs. Perlinus tells that they had a surplus of meat in their camp, but they were not so inclined, that they gave any to the whites. Once, when the chieftain's children were sick,! he came and asked for eggs for his children. She also made vsits to 'Indianerhaugen' and was then kindly received. They took her into a tent and pointed to the animal hides she was to sit on. The squaws sang so strangely to their children, it sounded so drab and monotonous to her ears. On a little slope south of their camp are the remains of the weapon workshop - and many pieces of flint. Old Holland asserts that he was the best bear hunter in the whole area. When he first came up there, he could sit in his doorway and shoot bears and deer. Nils Gilbertsen says that when he came, the deer up there came in small herds and that there were for many years, more of them than to see than cattle. In the fall od 1881, Olav Andersen shot 16 or 17 and Jørgen Simonsen, 13. It meant watching at dusk, when they came out to feed. A good hunter had to know its traits and be positioned properly, next have a steady hand, not have buck fever and finally, sight and shoot at the right moment." But the amusing is mixed with the sad. There is also recounted this from the pioneer era, "Lars Hegland was pulling a block of ice out of a frozen pond, formed by the river in flood times. Then he fell into the water and when his daughter heard her father's cries, she raced to him and stretched her hand to him. But with that she was pulled into the water and perished along with her father." Santiago Evangelical Lutheran Congregation, that was established in 1873 by Pastor H. G. Stub, belonging to The Norwegian Synod, was the first and until now, the only Norwegian Lutheran congregation in the county. Its church was built in 1879. Besides there is a 'free-free' congregation cinsisting of Norwegians, Swedes and Danes - anabaptists. There is a post office with the name Ronneby (Rønneby) in this county.

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/331.1 Message Board Post: Hello Again Tom: I have sent you what I have on Anne Guri's ancestors direct e-mail as it woul take too much space to post on this board. You will get a large download which should take quite a while as it is about 4 mebabytes, and includes 860 + people with sources. If you have any problems getting the attachments let me know and we will try something else. Richard

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Olsdatter, Hansen Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/lcC.2ACI/331 Message Board Post: I am seeking information on Anne Guri Olsdatter, born 1807 in Kleppe, married Nils Hansen, born 1811 in Hidra, Kjoyda, Kjoydevaag, on Sept 22, 1836 in Hidra. I have her descendants but not her ancestors. Thank you.

Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907 Beltrami County John Stenerson from Østerdalen as well as H. Samuelsen, H. Kjelsrud and Mr. Storgaard were the first Norwegian and white settlers in the vicinity of Oakwood, they settled there in 1890. The first in the area of Bemidji was Hans Rosby, who settled there in 1894. Aksel Knudsen, Lars T. Otterstad and the brothers Andrew and Mons Ericksen were certainly there (hunting and fishing) a little earlier than Rosby, but they did not claim land before 1896. The first at Olberg was Sam Svalesen from Stavanger, he settled there in 1896. The first in the vicinity of Spaulding was a Hans Knudstad, who became mentally ill because of the lonely, sad life he led. (There are, unfortunately, several of our pioneers in America who have succumber to the same illness) The first settlers in Beltrami County were also tormented by the Indians. They were often on the warpath and scared the settlers from their homes. The Indian chieftain, Bemidji, who was an honourable man, went around and warned the whites and instructed then in hunting and tracking. There are many who owe him a debt of gratitude, not only for his guidance and guard service, but also for his hospitality they received in his home. Now they are free of the redskins, since, as soon as they found out that trees and bushes did not give them sufficient protection against Krag-Jørgensen bullets, they disappeared. (N.B. The mentioned rifle has won official recognition and was much used in America also, which speaks well for Norwegian industry and ingenuity. The rifle is still used in Norway) The first Norwegain to hold public office in Beltrami County was Jacob Nygaard, Sheriff. Landstads Congregation, that was established at Bagley in 1900 by Pastor H. Thoresen of The United Church, was the first norwegian congregation in the county. Its church was built in 1903. Pastor A. K. Lockrem (then of The Lutheran Free Church) was, though, the first priest working in this area. Now there are 6 Norwegian churches and 21 congregations, 11 belong to The United Church, 7 to The Lutheran Free Church and 3 to The Norwegian Synod. Places with Norwegian names; Holst, Aure, Rosby, Jette, Langor (Langaard) and Myran. A Norwegian newspaper, 'Vort Nye Hjem' was begun in Bemidji in 1905, now its name is 'Normannaheimen'

Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad 1907 Becker County Hans Hansen from Hallingdal was the first Norwegian in the vicinity of Detroit. He settled there in 1870 with Indians as neighbours, at least they lived nearby. The first Norwegian settler in the area of Lake Park was Martin Olsen. The year he came here is unknown. The first to settled in Lake Park itself was Ole Johnson Berg from Tolgen and in his immediate neighbourhood was Peder Ebeltoft from Tromsø. They settled here in 1872. The first Norwegian to settle among the Indians in the vicinity of where Dahl P.O. is now located, was Ole A. Dahl from Bjørnør, N. Thjms. Amt. About the Indian unrest in Becker County, one of my correspondents has the following account, "There came rumours that the Indians were on the warpath and that they had killed farmers up in Richwood Town. Everyone fled hastily to what is now Lake Park, where they built a fortification of boards, timbers and anything else that was useful. A warehouse served as bedroom, dining room and storage for provisions. All sorts of weaponry was also gathered here. The farmers (and their families) from ner and far kept within the fort and a watch was instituted, both night and day. The men were in great suspense and the women and children wept in fear of the wild Indians, who were expected at every moment. However, in a few days, word came that the whole thing was a false alarm, and the farmers went back to their respective homes. There is, however, one Norwegian who bears a bad scar from the Indians, namely T. K. Torgersen from Hallingdal, but that was in Nicollet County, where he wa! s in conflict with them. Torgersen's father was one of those who took part in a hard battle against the Indians at new Ulm in 1862. Hay Creek Congregation, that was established at Lake Park in 1871 by Pastor T. Vetlesen of The Norwegian Synod, and that built a church in 1884, is the oldest Norwegian congregation in the county. Now there are 13 Norwegian churches and 17 congregations, 6 belong to The Lutheran free Church, 5 to The Norwegian Synod, 4 to The United Church, 1 to Hauge's synod and 1 to the Evangelical Free Church. In 1871, when Becker County was being organized, the Governor appointed some Norwegians to look after it. For information, both about them and their Norwegian successors, see the section, 'Norwegians in public positions in America' Pastor J. H. Myhre began a newspaper 'Fredsbudet' in Cormorant in 1890. And for a time he published one with the name 'Brød og Sværd' Lake Park Children's Home was started in 1896. (See the section, 'Norwegian-American Charitable Institutions) Post offices with Norwegian names; Voss, Dahl, Senjen, Brager and Sorkness.

Hi List! As you may have noticed, Iowa is now complete. I hope the Lister waiting for Wright County was rewarded for the patience. So now, Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin and North Dakota are complete. If any county is missing, it is because they weren't included in the book. Perhaps Ulvestad didn't get a response to his questionnaire. I'm going to take a short break to catch up on some postponed off-list translations and lubricate the neurons - perhaps akevitt? Then, it will be Minnesota. From this vantage point, it looks like 'The Land of 10,000 Counties'! Olaf

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/329.1.1 Message Board Post: Thank you for your reply! I believe that I may have the data that you describe. I received it from Signe Zijdemans Asne of Flekkefjord. A year following I made a trip to Hidra and actually got to meet this wonderful woman! I was just hoping that someone had earlier info on Anders' direct line. Again, thanks for your interest. Do you live in Norway?

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Olsen, Nilsen Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/lcC.2ACI/330 Message Board Post: I am looking for the descendants of Otto and Katrina Olsen who lived in Brooklyn, N.Y. in 1930 with their daughter Mabel(17) and sons Edward(14) and Olaf(12). Katrina was born Sophie Katrine Nilsen, twin sister of Nils Nilsen, in Hidra, Norway in 1885, She was the daughter of Martin Nilssen and Ingeborg Elisabeth Svensdatter.

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/329.1 Message Board Post: I have Anders and Lisabeth in my file, as well as Anders 2nd wife Ragnhild Torsdatter Kleppe. In fact I have a few generations of Lisebeth Nilsdatter Urstad's ancestors. However, Anders is the end of the line of the information I have of his direct family, and this is near the end of the records that were preserved. If you are interested in Lisebeth (3 generations) or Ranghild's family (1 generation) or any descendent information I would be happy to send you what I have.

Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad, 1907, Wright County The following settled here at the same time; Hans Hansen Faraasen, C. B. Johnson, Fredrik Simonsen Molstad and C. M. Johnson. The last mentioned was a bachelor, the others family men and had their families with them the long way from La Cross, Wis. to here. Each man had a Prairie Schooner, hitched to a pair of oxen. Five miles northwest of Belmont, the made camp, bought land, built log cabins and began to clear the land. Hans Faraasen and his wife are now dead. The rest still live here with most of their children. It was in 1869 that the aforementioned company settled here and were therefore the county's first Norwegian settlers. They were from Ringsaker. Ringsaker Congregation, that was established at Belmont in 1872 by Pastor N. Amlund, then of The Norwegian Synod, was the first Norwegian congregation in the county. The church was built in 1888. Now there are 7 Norwegian churches and 9 congregations, 5 of them belonging to The United Church, 2 to Hauge's Synod and 2 to The Norwegian Synod. Places with Norwegian names; Norway (Township) and Olaf (P.O.)