| Larson's from Norway |
| dsonntag | My fathers name was Arthur Carl Larson, b.oct.17,1920, in Muskegon Mi., d Apr.9, 1996. He and his brother, Lawrence Henry and sister Martha were abandoned in Muskegon, Mi. when they were small children. His fathers name was Carl C. Larson b. Jan. 20,1881, in Norway, d. Dec. 11,1953in Muskegon, Mi. . His mothers name was Elsie Christiansen (Swedish, I think) Larson of Muskegon, Mi. Carl came to the U.S. with his parents John and Martha (Christoplsen?, Christoferson?Christiansen? Christ??????? not to sure) Larson when he was about 4 yrs. old. John and Martha's children were Minnie, Martha?, Matilda, Carl, John, jr. and Martin. I'm not really sure but for some reason I think they were from Oslo. John and Martha came from Norway to Washington State, Idaho, Ohio and finally to Muskegon, Mi. Could any one please help me find any information concerning these Larsons?
Thank you,
Diana Larson Sonntag |
| Jo Anne Sadler | Found this in the 1920 Federal census:
1-12-1920, Muskegon, MI, ED 142
Carl Larson, 43, Immigrated 1880, born Norway, parents born Norway, tire manager @ tire factory
Elsie Larson, 28, born Michigan, parents born Denmark
Martha, 4/12 months, born Michigan
1-29-1920, Norton Township, Muskegon, MI, ED 155
John Larsen, 74, Immigrated 1880(?), Naturalized 1900, born Norway, no occupation listed
Martha, 74
----non, grandson, 13, born Michigan
this all was very hard to read.
1930 census:
Muskegon Childrens Home, April 7, 1939, ED 5
Larence 10, born Michigan
Arthur 9, born Michigan
Muskegon City, Muskegon, MI
Elsie Larsen, 38, born Michigan, parents born Denmark, divorced, working as a housekeeper
No record of John and Martha in 1930, most likely passed away by then.
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| dsonntag | OH MY! You have done sooo much, in such a short time! I have been searching for my daddy's family for quite a few yrs. now and you have found more in just a few hrs. than I have in yrs.!! I have been looking for Muskegon Children's home census, do you by any chance have a link to that? I have copies of both John and Martha's death certificates, John died in 1928 and Martha died in 1923. On Martha's death cert. it says her parents name was Christophelson....but I'm not too sure if the spelling right. I have copies of Carl and Elsie's death certificates also and her maiden name was Christiansen. Carl's middle name was listed as C......maybe ChristopheIson, Christian, Christ????? I cannot find any thing on their lineage in Norway. These Larson / Larsens are hard to track....LOL! Martin was said to have killed a man in Idaho and went to Canada and and joined the Canadian Army. Matilda is said to have been in a mental institution for many yrs. and finally died, but I do not know where to even start that search. She is listed as Mrs. Arthur Anderson in Traverse City, MI. in her parents obits. I do thank you so very much for all the info you have helped me with. If you run across any thing else please drop me a line @: dsonntag2003@msn.com
Many Blessings,
Diana |
| askeroi | How can he immigrate in 1880 when he's supposed to be born in 1881?
Am I misunderstanding here or is there something wrong?
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| dsonntag | There is a ? next to 1880, Most likely the exact date couldn't be read. A lot of those old records are very difficult to read. Did you find some info on the Larson family?
Diana |
| Hopkins | That Muskegon Michigan 1920 census page (National Archives microfilm Series: T625 Roll: 788 Page: 245) for John and Martha Larson appears on the scanned image I can see through another source. The emigration years could be 1880 but the last digit is a bit smeared. John is listed as having been naturalized in 1900 - so his naturalization papers would be good info for you to look for - most likely in Michigan. They might give clues as where in Norway he was from - or perhaps which port he sailed from. The grandson's given name is Vernon and he is 13 yrs old born in Michigan.
The 1910 census finds John and Martha living in Norwich township, Newaygo County Michigan. (National Archives microfilm Series: T624 Roll: 666 Page: 222). John is a farm and the emigration year is still hard to read - but for Martha is still looks fairly clear as 1880. They've been married for 37 yrs and living in the household are daughter Matilda Larson, daughter Minnie Psistner?, grandson Vernon Larson, and Lorine? M. Psister - 3 months old.
The 1900 census John and Martha are in Newaygo County Michigan. (National Archives microfilm Series: T623 Roll: 735 Page: 159) John born Sept 1843 Norway is listed as having emigrated in 1879 - Martha as having emigrated in 1881. Living with them are a son Martin? born 1887; Minnie born 1889; and Tillie born 1893. John hasn't completed the naturalization process (but has started the papers).
I'd think it would be a good idea for you to also look for other records in Newaygo County - those naturalization papers and others such as church records where they may have been members. A Lutheran minister often made note of the original parish of a new member's baptism and/or confirmation. Where there any state or local censuses during those years... |
| Jo Anne Sadler | The US State and Federal censuses have many, many errors and inconsistencies in them. They were meant for statistical purposes only, not genealogical research. They are merely a guide to securing the actual records, not as the definite source. It is all these bits and pieces that one collects to arrive at the correct information.
The census taker had to deal with many different languages and accents. Swedes, Danes and Norwegians were often listed as one or another. The Norwegian censuses are very accurate but they were generally done by a teacher or other educated person and for the great majority, only dealt with fellow Norwegians.[:)] |
| dsonntag | Thank you all so very much!!! This is wonderful information.
Blessings,
Diana |