The "m" is a myth. My oldest brother and the only surviving sister of my fathers clan might be able to answer this.
quote:Originally posted by JaneC
In 1865 census at Mosby, Oddernes, Vest-Agder is Ouen Osmundsen age 48 Gurine Olsdatter 44 with daughter Marie age 5
Is that the family on the trees? In US records wife of Ole J Ritland is called by Marie...
So far Kermit, I haven't found any additional mentions of middle initial M. Can you trace where you have heard it or read it? The Dodgeville newspaper article 1930 is an iffy source - and Jackie has shown John's parents did not give him a middle name.
I am totally new to this forum. I like how people care about others. Do not trust newspapers. I have been to Norway 5 times and I wish I could live there but it is the most expensive country in the world.
Thanks Kermit - that's very interesting, that it is only that one newspaper article that gives rise to the "M" middle initial idea. You have definitely cleared up the mystery.
At the time of that 1930 newspaper article, pastor Ritland was living far away and not in Dodgeville. Probably somebody from the church or from the newspaper did not double check the name but wrote it as it was dimly remembered.
Additional references to him that I've turned up just are never showing an "M."
I agree with you - and based on Jackie's finding - that we can conclude pastor John Ritland had no middle name.
Pastor Ritland
Posted - 11/10/2014 : 08:53:36
