Advice needed/searching for Norwegian ancestors
heatherc32I have searched for years on a segment of my family that comes from Norway. I have very, very limited information. I have a Peter Ellison who was born in 1810 in Norway, at some point he came to the US, ended up in Kansas and married an Otilla/Tilla/Matiilda Thomson/Thompson also from Norway. I believe I've found Matilda's parents in the 1850 census, Gunda and Jacobin Thompson. I have tried searching the main Norway database but get nowhere or get thousands and thousands of hits. I've not been able to find passenger records for the Ellison's or Thompsons. If Jacobin and Guna are Matilda's parents I know they arrived here between 1845-1850. Does anyone have any tips on now to search that may help? Thanks in advance.
heatherc32Oh, also, I found some old things written down by family that showed Matilda's last name as Tromso, though her marriage and census records show her last name as Thompson. I believe Tromso may be a town in Norway, that could be a hint.
jwiborgHi, here is the [url="http://digitalarkivet.uib.no/cgi-win/webcens.exe?slag=visbase&filnamn=US1850&variabel=0&postnr=10838&fulle=true&spraak=e"]1850 census[/url] for Buchanan Co. Missouri. [url="http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~mackley/Mo1850Jpegs/Buchanan50/BuchananP160.jpg"]Original census image[/url] Mathilde is listed as Mortalia Thompson, 5 years old. Why do you believe this is the correct family? Do you have any clue? [:)] The "notes" field says that "Gunda Thompson"'s real name (?) is Gunder Guttormsen. His wife (Jacobin Thompson)'s name is Jacobine Reichelt. They emigrated with their 8 children in 1850. Here is the birth of their children [url="http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/IGI/individual_record.asp?recid=100206291464&lds=1®ion=12®ionfriendly=Norway&frompage=99"]Carlos[/url] [Johan Paulus], [url="http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/igi/individual_record.asp?recid=100071549017&lds=1®ion=12®ionfriendly=Norway&juris1=&juris2=&juris3=&juris4=®ionfriendly=&juris1friendly=&juris2friendly=&juris3friendly=&juris4friendly="]Beatta[/url] [Birthe Marie] and [url="http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/igi/individual_record.asp?recid=100206291496&lds=1®ion=12®ionfriendly=Norway&juris1=&juris2=&juris3=&juris4=®ionfriendly=&juris1friendly=&juris2friendly=&juris3friendly=&juris4friendly="]Michael[/url] [Mikael Christian]. It shows that they are from Øyestad in Aust-Agder county, Norway. Far away from the city Tromsø! [:)] But very close to the island "Tromøy" though....maybe? [:)] This is the only [url="http://digitalarkivet.uib.no/cgi-win/webcens.exe?slag=visbase&filnamn=f60920.wc2&variabel=0&postnr=1326&fulle=true&spraak=e"]Reichelt[/url] in the norwegian 1865-census. He is born ca. 1795. Jacobin(e) is born ca. 1807, so he could be a brother, maybe....? [url="http://digitalarkivet.uib.no/cgi-win/webcens.exe?slag=visbase&filnamn=f10816.wc2&variabel=0&postnr=2442&fulle=true&spraak=e"]This[/url] is prob. Simon in 1801. Jan
jwiborgHere is the christening record of Jacobin Thompson, aka Jacobine Reichelt.... [:)] [url="http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/igi/individual_record.asp?recid=100069313128&lds=1®ion=12®ionfriendly=Norway&juris1=&juris2=&juris3=&juris4=®ionfriendly=&juris1friendly=&juris2friendly=&juris3friendly=&juris4friendly="]click here[/url] It shows that she is Simon's sister! And here is the christening record of Gunda Thompson, aka Gunder Guttormsen: [url="http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/igi/individual_record.asp?recid=100203466428&lds=1®ion=12®ionfriendly=Norway&juris1=&juris2=&juris3=&juris4=®ionfriendly=&juris1friendly=&juris2friendly=&juris3friendly=&juris4friendly="]click here[/url] Jan
jwiborgHi again, have you found "Peter Ellison" and "Mathilde Thompson" in the 1880 census? There is noone called Peter born 1808-1812 from Norway living in Kansas in 1880. He might ofcourse be dead... You say Peter is born 1810, while this Mathilde is born ca 1845, so he's like 35 years older than her. Does that fit with your other information? Jan
heatherc32Thank you so much for the help. I do have that 1850 census. I do believe that Beotta listed in that census is Otilla, she went by so many names in so many different places I'm certain it is her and Beotta is the same age. Yes, Peter was many years older than Otilla. Otilla was born around 1831/1832 By process of elimination this Thompson family has to be mine, Otilla and Peter Ellison were married in Center, Buchanan County, Missouri in 1854. Peter was dead by 1878, I am unable to find their children or Matilda/Otilla after 1870 in the census. Their children do not appear again in any census until 1910. I have no idea where Peter and Otilla were buried. To tell the truth, I'm not sure what Matilda/Otilla's name was, I have no offcial confirmation, her marriage record calls her Otilla Thomson, my great-grandmother called her Tilla Tromson. In the 1870 Doniphan County, Kansas census, they are shown as Peter and Matilda Elison, (Doniphan and Buchanan County are next door to each other). She was also listed as Matilda in the 1860 Doniphan census, Peter was 25 years older than her. Thank you so much for the help, it means a lot. I'll sift through all this and see if I can't find a match.
heatherc32Hi, I am going to bump this back up again and hope that maybe I can get a confirmation on this. This time I'll try and be a little more specific. I have Peter Ellison b. 1810 in Norway, died 1878 in Kansas He married Matilda/Otilla Thomson/Thompson 1-14-1854 This all happened in Buchanan County, Missouri and Doniphan County, Kansas. These are sister counties and apparently people travelled back and forth between these places quite a bit. Now, in the 1850 census linked above and also here http://digitalarkivet.uib.no/cgi-win/webcens.exe?slag=visbase&filnamn=US1850&gardpostnr=10838&personpostnr=10838 I think this is Matilda and her family. I believe Beatta/Berte Marie in this census is Matilda/Otilla. The age is exactly right and it's the only Thompson's which match. Couple of questions, is the name Matilda/Otilla something that would translate to Beatta/Berte Marie? Also, why is the name listed in the census so different than the one listed in the Norway information? Thompson to Guttormsen, etc.... Also, adding that Peter was MUCH older than Matilda, that is not a typo or mistake. And finally, is the connection that I have made proveable? I can track down the smallest lead in the US, but am totally lost in this Norwegian thing. Thank you, Heather
BriningThis Thompson family is not yours[V] I found a family tree for Gunda/Gunder and Beatta/Berte was married to a Lars Nelson in 1853. [url="http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~pyle/Gene2/ps08/ps08_371.htm"]Click Here[/url]. Carla
heatherc32Wow, thanks Carla. That's what I get for going for the only possible answer. *lol* Okay, since that is out of the question here is the only absolute information I have on these two: Name: Peter Allison Spouse: Otilla Thomson Marriage Date: 14 Jan 1854 Both born in Norway and in the 1860 and 1870 Wayne, Doniphan County, Kansas census. They and all of their children disappeared from any census until 1900 when they were then found in Oklahoma. Their eldest son took care of the children and I assume Peter and Otilla died around the same time, he was, of course, much older than she was. Thank you so much, Carla, I will take all of that information out.
BriningHi A possibility in the 1880 census for Thomas and Elert. Thomas Ellertson [url="http://digitalarkivet.uib.no/cgi-win/webcens.exe?slag=visbase&filnamn=KANS1880&gardpostnr=887&merk=887#ovre"]Click Here[/url] and Elert Elertson (living with Tom G Thompson!!) [url="http://digitalarkivet.uib.no/cgi-win/webcens.exe?slag=visbase&filnamn=KANS1880&gardpostnr=919&merk=919#ovre"]Click Here[/url] They are the correct age and living in Doniphan county. Ellertson could be Ellison missprounounced. Also did not see any Elertsons in Kansas in the 1870 census and they were both born in Kansas. To get more info on the parents, you should try and track down any obituaries of the children. Might be some information there. Carla
HopkinsIn the 1870 census they are listed as "Elison" and in the 1860 parents are called 'Allison'. Mother called Matilda or Mathilde. That's a pretty fair sized group of Norwegian emigrants in that Kansas location. Was it mentioned in any published history of the county? did they have a Norwegian-Lutheran church? Kansas also has state censuses done in years which may be helpful - such as 1859, 1865 and 1875 (among others).
heatherc32Sorry it took me so long to get back to this. Brining, you are definitely right! That's them in those census records. I didn't try it will one L. Hopkins, I'll have to check through the hsitory books again. I didn't find anything the first time.
heatherc32Hi, All of the above didn't work out last time, I had the wrong people. I'm still looking for Matilda/Otilla Thomson/Thompson's family and I have another hit they may help. I have Peter Thompson in 1870 Wayne, Doniphan County, Kansas. He has several children including, Cathraine, Gotom, Gunnavius, Gunnell, and Maria. Gunnavius was born in the Atlantic Ocean in 1851/1852 so that's the year they immigrated. I've searched the lds site and here and cannot find any matches at all, can someone look at this and tell me where I may begin searching to tie these people to Matilda? This Peter was born 1807 in Norway, just like Matilda's husband Peter Ellison/Alison/Ellertson. Thank you so much in advance.
hguttormsen
quote:
Originally posted by heatherc32
Hi, I am going to bump this back up again and hope that maybe I can get a confirmation on this. This time I'll try and be a little more specific. I have Peter Ellison b. 1810 in Norway, died 1878 in Kansas He married Matilda/Otilla Thomson/Thompson 1-14-1854 This all happened in Buchanan County, Missouri and Doniphan County, Kansas. These are sister counties and apparently people travelled back and forth between these places quite a bit. Now, in the 1850 census linked above and also here http://digitalarkivet.uib.no/cgi-win/webcens.exe?slag=visbase&filnamn=US1850&gardpostnr=10838&personpostnr=10838 I think this is Matilda and her family. I believe Beatta/Berte Marie in this census is Matilda/Otilla. The age is exactly right and it's the only Thompson's which match. Couple of questions, is the name Matilda/Otilla something that would translate to Beatta/Berte Marie? Also, why is the name listed in the census so different than the one listed in the Norway information? Thompson to Guttormsen, etc.... Also, adding that Peter was MUCH older than Matilda, that is not a typo or mistake. And finally, is the connection that I have made proveable? I can track down the smallest lead in the US, but am totally lost in this Norwegian thing. Thank you, Heather
BriningHi Heather, Peter Thompson is also in the 1860 census but he is listed with a last name starting with G. Hetitage quest has it as GILTONFRO. A Batha Gunderson age 80 is living with him and his wife is listed as Caroline age 45 children Caroline 16 Berthe 18 Gothem 21 Bent 19 Gunnell 13 Gunneris 10 (born Atlantic Ocean) The 1900 census for Doniphan list G Thompson, born at sea Birth Aug 1950 but his brother Thos. who is living with him has 1851 for year immigrated?? Carla
HopkinsThe state of Kansas conducted about 8 STATE censuses between the years of 1855 and 1875. The LDS library catalog also indicates a citizens and business directory for Doniphan county was published for 1868-9. Have those been checked for any additional information?
BriningHi Heather, Peter is a brother to Guna/Gunder that you originally thought was Otilla's father. I looked at the family tree that I found for him and his mother is listed as Berte Gundersdatter born 1785 which is pretty close to Batha Gunderson living with Peter in the 1860 census. The father is Guttorm Pedersen Gjennestad. There is a Peter born 1808 listed as one of there children. Under Peter's children there is not anyone that fits Otilla but depending on where they got the information she could be. The emigration information for Peter is Emigrated; On Nordpolen, Landed New York Harbor 20 Sep. 1850 Authority; Anna (Fullbright) Francis. 8-17-1994. Authority; 0yestad bygdebok, volume 1 by Kjell J. Brastad page 355. And Nora Nelson papers Carla
heatherc32Thank you ALL for your help, I do believe that Brining and the others are right, that Peter is Matilda's father and is just not listed anywhere at this time. Perhaps I'll find that in the future. There's really no one else it could be and I so appreciate all the help. Now I just have the Ellison/Allisons to work on. Thanks again! btw, I checked the Nordpolen passenger lists and found them. Here is a list of the whole family (I believe Inger may be my Matilda. I still don't get how Gulomsen/Guttormsen becomes Thompson!): Caren Gulomsen Sep 20, 1850 11 F Norway Norway Nordpolen Caren Gulomsen Sep 20, 1850 43 F Norway Norway Nordpolen Guneld Gulomsen Sep 20, 1850 4 F Norway Norway Nordpolen Guthen Gulomsen Sep 20, 1850 6 M Norway Norway Nordpolen Gutonia Gulomsen Sep 20, 1850 16 M Norway Norway Nordpolen Hans Gulomsen Sep 20, 1850 11 m M Norway Norway Nordpolen Inger Gulomsen Sep 20, 1850 20 F Norway Norway Nordpolen Karen Gulomsen Sep 20, 1850 52 F Norway Norway Nordpolen Nells Gulomsen Sep 20, 1850 28 M Norway Norway Nordpolen Nils Gulomsen Sep 20, 1850 26 M Norway Norway Nordpolen Peder Gulomsen Sep 20, 1850 42 M Norway Norway Nordpolen
hastoHave you found your Peter Ellison? Here is one candidate from the same area as Guttormsen/Thompson [url="http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/igi/individual_record.asp?recid=500218917218&lds=1®ion=12®ionfriendly=Norway&juris1=Norw9AAgd&juris2=AAgd&juris3=&juris4=®ionfriendly=&juris1friendly=Aust%2DAgder&juris2friendly=&juris3friendly=&juris4friendly="]Peder Eilertsen[/url] His parents [url="http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/igi/individual_record.asp?recid=500219188246&lds=1®ion=12®ionfriendly=Norway&juris1=&juris2=&juris3=&juris4=®ionfriendly=&juris1friendly=&juris2friendly=&juris3friendly=&juris4friendly="]wedding 1804[/url] His father, [url="http://digitalarkivet.uib.no/cgi-win/webcens.exe?slag=visbase&filnamn=f10918&gardpostnr=76&personpostnr=3066&merk=3066#ovre"]Ellert Tallaksen[/url] , (48) was in 1801 census living on Oddersland farm (near Fløystad) in Tromøy parish. He was then married to Magnil Eriksdatter. She probably died, he remarried and named a daughter [url="http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/igi/individual_record.asp?recid=500218950949&lds=1®ion=12®ionfriendly=Norway&juris1=&juris2=&juris3=&juris4=®ionfriendly=&juris1friendly=&juris2friendly=&juris3friendly=&juris4friendly="]Magnill[/url] to honour his first wife.
heatherc32Harald! Thank you! That could very well be my Peter Ellison, Peder Eilertsen was christened on May 27th, 1810 and my Peter was born May 10th, 1810. I will research it more. I thank all of you so much. I consider myself a pro at searching, but this Norwegian stuff really gets to me. I have a full subscription to ancestry.com if any of you need any look-ups please just let me know. I'd like to repay the favor.
hastoA comment to the Thompson surname. Thompson was not a Norwegian surname. In the 1865 census there was none in Norway using that spelling. Still there were more than 900 in the American 1860 census by surname Thompson that was born in Norway. Many of them probably had changed from the common Norwegian name Thomassen (son of Thomas). But a change from Guttormsen (son of Guttorm) might well happen. Norwegians had no standard spelling of names before 1900. They often changed spelling. (But the pronunsiation was consistant.) The first Norwegian emigrants 1840-1860 tended to choose a spellling of their names that was familiar to the Americans and made it sound nearly like the Norwegian origin if possible. Guttormsen in Norwegian is pronouced almost like 'Gu-tomsen. Perhaps the Americans would pronouce it more like 'Gut-'tomsen and that would be strange in Norwegian ears. So they changed to the familiar American surname Thompson, which sounded acceptable and gave them no problem.