This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: janealogy50 Surnames: VETLESON, FRANSON, TORGERSON Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.wisconsin.counties.walworth/2417/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Hello, My Norwegian ancestors, VETLE TORJUSSEN (TORGERSON in America) and KAREN KRISTINE FRANTSDATTER, immigrated in 1843. They had five children before Karen died, around 1848. By the 1850 U.S. Census, Vetle lived with his second wife, Marthe Halvorsdatter, in LaGrange township, Walworth. His name was spelled "Wattely Thurstin" by the enumerator. LaGrange was home to the Norwegian settlement called Skoponong, as well as Heart Prairie and Round Prairie. I know that some of Karen's siblings lived at the Skoponong settlement. By 1853, most (including Vetle and Karen and children) moved west to Winneshiek County, Iowa, just south of Decorah. My question is this: Does anybody know where the Lutheran records are kept for ANY nearby (Walworth/Jefferson counties) Norwegian settlement during the 1843-1850 time period? Lutheran church records for Skoponong only begin in 1850 (before Karen died). Koshkonong records (according to the LDS Family Search site) exist from 1844 onward. But where are these kept? Would the Koshkonong records include the Skoponong records? Whom do I write/e-mail/call? It makes sense that my ancestors would live around Karen's siblings in LaGrange or Whitewater in Walworth. I don't believe they lived at Koshkonong settlement in Jefferson county...although I can't completely rule it out. So my focus is on LaGrange and Whitewater townships. By the way, I purchased Fred Kraege's "LaGrange Township Cemeteries," and my ancestors' names are not included...I know that their grave markers are likely lost, so they would not be mentioned in the three cemeteries of LaGrange. But I need to know if there are Lutheran church records for the time period I mentioned above. Many thanks to anybody who might be able to steer me in the right direction. Sincerely, Jan Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.