Arthur Olsen Ihlen f. 7.8.1885
Hanne-Helene	Looking for grandfather Olav Arthur Valdemar Ihlen born in Drammen, he used the name Arthur Olsen and was working as painter in about 30 states, from around 1905-1907 and 14 years. Mostly in Wisconsin i think. We dont know anything about his life in America. Dont know the boat and aparture dates. Is this a lost case??
Hopkins	What year was he born? An index to most of the US censuses shows too many Arthur Olsen/Olsen listings to check each image for profession. I'd like to try narrowing it down by age group - so what year was he born? It might not be a 'lost case' - just a bit more difficult. Did check for surname Ihlen - didn't spot him in those few.
Hopkins	Oh oh - just noticed the birthyear you included in posting title. (blush....embarassed) I'll look in the indexes.
Hopkins	1910 US census shows 1. a 26 yr old Arthur Olsen in Chicago, Cook Co. Illinois (unmarried) working as piano finisher. Listed as coming to US in 1904?. 2. a 26 yr old Arthur Olsen in Milwaukee Wisconsin (unmarried) - but he works as a machinist. 3. a 25 yr old Arthur Olson in Boone Co. Illinois (unmarried) - but works as farm laborer. 1920 US census shows 1. a 35 yr old Arthur Olsen in Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois (unmarried) working as (a word I can't read) for a house company. emigration year looks like 1900. 2. a 36 yr old Arthur Olson in Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois (unmarried) working as an electrician. emigration year looks like 1890 (but is badly smeared). 3. a 36 yr old Arthur Olson in Rock Co., Wisconsin (unmarried - mother Ruth lives in house) working as farmer. emigration year appears to be 1885. 4. a 36 yr old Arther Oleson in Omaha, Douglas Co., Nebraska (unmarried) working as cement worker. emigration year 1915. I've tried Arthur Olsen, Olson, Olssen, Olsson, Oleson, Olesen. Also tried with given name spelled as Art. There were several other Arthur possibilities - but I concentrated on those with age within one year of what would be expected for birthdate given. Also noticed one name so badly spelled to look like Arther Olcen (farmer in WI)... but he was 40 yrs old in 1920. Checked on indexes through HeritageQuest. If I get chance later this week - will check other US census indexes by another source, Ancestry.com
Hanne-Helene	Hello and thank you Hopkins. I will check out name and information you gave me. We know very litle about grandfather Arthur, when he come home in 1929-1930 he talk next to nothing about his trip to America. Unfortently he become very "in love" with the botell (alkohol) and was not å very kind man then. His time on earth was 1885-1954 and he was born in Drammen, Buskerud, he had two siblings, a brother Gerhard Oskar Edvin b.1884 and a sister Milla Lovise b.1875. They parent name: father Adolph Olsen Ihlen b1848 and mother Thrine Augusta Larsdatter, both born in Drammen. Arthur worked on a farm in Ullensaker from the age of 14 and two years. Then he sign on a boat before he set the compass for Ney York! He told "us" that he was in America throuh 1.world war, were I dont know. He worked his way throuh 30 states! He was a "free train traveler" - in Norway they are "tog-boms", never pay anything just hopp on!! I hope you understand my bad "school-english". If I can be of any help, just tell me. Have a nice day [:)]
Jo Anne Sadler	Have you found him in the 1900 census in Norway? That might give clues to the name(s) he used in America. Traveling around so much, not having a permanent home, he might have missed getting enumerated in the census but he should be in some departure list and NY arrival list. He returned to Norway at the beginning of the Great Depression in the US. In America, we call his lifestyle - riding the rails. It was not an easy life and the train guards (bulls) at that time were very vicious if they caught someone. They would live in hobo camps situated around the railroad tracks. Here are a couple of websites with some history: www.folkartisans.com/sup/hoboart.html www.members.tripod.com/hobojeepers/hobo.htm [:p]
Hanne-Helene	This was very interesting to read, a lifestyle!! And a hard one too. I can't find him in any list here in Norway, and not in any of the americans either. At least not where I has looked. Arthur is a pussel!! I am very greatful for people who give me hints and take there time to answere me. Thank you (I hope your understand my grama!) Bye.
Hanne-Helene	I forgot - in 1900 censur in Norway he is register as a farmerhelp in Ullensaker - he is 14 years old, he is with his two year older brother Edvin. I am told that he (grandfather) was 16 years when he sign on a boat here in Oslo. Wich boat or company we dont know. It seems like he dont exist before 1930 again!! But he had to been somewhere.
Hopkins	What you call "tog-boms" I'd call a hobo. We also have a word 'bum' which refers to a tramp or hobo. It would be unlikely that I could find him in a US census and he may be a 'lost case' to find in the limited indexed materials we have at this time. These persons were usually hiding from any type of authority and living by their wits in hidden camps along the railroads. There is a small town in northern Iowa (town of Britt in Hancock Co. Iowa) which each year holds a summer 'festival' which they call the National Hobo Convention. There is a parade, hobo stew is served and even an election among the hobos for their 'king of the hobos' for that year. It can be quite amusing (yes, I have been to Britt several times for the parade and festivities when I was a youngster). I don't know what year Britt started this celebration - but Olav Arthur Valdemar Ihlen might have attended if it began early enough. Just for fun, I'll try to check the newspaper for Britt and find out what year they started this 'festival'.
Hanne-Helene	It is so interesting and a litle amousing. this realy is a "lifestyle" that become "housewarm" A parade!! Is it a contest to see who can "ride the train longest - whitout been caught". Its amazing! I have learn a lot from you "Hopkin" and "Anne". Thank you.