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/0gB.2ACI/284.1 Message Board Post: The Grave Records of Minnehaha Co., by Sioux Valley Genealogical Society has, E. Nidaros Cem., Garretson, Sverdrup Twp., Section 15: Lars ERICKSON (1868 - 1950). Could they have dropped Kirkvold? The only KIRKWOOD on the FamilySearch database of the 1880 Census was in Twp. 112, Brookings Co., Dakota: KIRKVOLD, John, 36; wf. Inbgorg O. {sic}, 30; son Dorte, 3, all from Norway; Caroline, 6 mos., b. Dakota. There were two Lars ERIKSONs of the right age on the 1880 Census, in Franklin, Vernon Co., WI: Lars, 11, b. Norway s/o John & Gernelda. In Monona, IA: Lars, 11, b. Norway, nephew of Ole & Nettie STRAUD. You might find information in the application and proof papers at the National Archives for the land patent of John H. KIRKVOLD, Je. 1888, Brookings Co., Twp. 112 - 47, in Sec. 34. Was the family from Kirkvold Gard, Selbo Prestegjeld, Tydal, S. Trondelag, Norway? I have a bit of trouble using Digitalarkivet http://digitalarkivet.uib.no/cgi-win/WebCens.exe?slag=hentglobal&register=gardsnavn If I understand, Kirkvold, 1865 : Ingebrigt Ols., 50; Bereht Johnsd., 54; ch. John, 18; Peder, 14; Kari, 22; Serianna, 7; Kari Olsd., 86--and John was pretty close in age to the one in Brookings County, 1880, b. ca. 1844-47. Unfortunately, it looks as if John might have had a wife Anne in 1875, but the names weren't very consistent, and he could have had a different one by 1880. There was another Kirkvold in 1875. Do you have any further clues?