Help!!! I'm over my head
kristaI'm going to Norway in a months time and just decided it might be nice to find some of my relatives to visit - but I haven't the slightest on where to start with my search. I've asked my Grandpa about his mother, who was born in America, and what her parents' names were - he doesn't know anything! Basically, all I know is his mothers name, Anna Vik, and her parents were possibly from Bergen. She was born in Minnesota; does anyone know how to get ahold of a US birth certificate? Cheers!!
jwiborgHi Krista! To get hold of a birth certificate, I believe you need to know the birth date at least, and her maiden name. Is her maiden name Vik, or did she marry someone named Vik? When did she live? What county? City? Maybe it's easier to start with her death, and then go backwards... ? [:)] Death certificate, Marriage record etc.. might give you some information of great value... The [url="http://people.mnhs.org/dci/Search.cfm"]Minnesota Death Certificates Index[/url] have records of two "Anna Vik":
  • Anna Vik, Date of Death: 04/09/1927, County of Death: MAHNOMEN
  • Anna Randina Vik, Date of Birth: 05/08/1887, Place of Birth: MINNESOTA, Mother Maiden Name: TRAAEN, Date of Death: 02/23/1968, County of Death: HOUSTON
Jan Peter [:)]
HopkinsInformation about finding US birth certificates (or other records of such an event) - http://www.cyndislist.com/usvital.htm Links about Minnesota genealogy topics as collected as Cyndi's List - http://www.cyndislist.com/mn.htm Minnesota has limited years of birth index listed online - http://people.mnhs.org/bci/
Jo Anne SadlerIt would help to read the Posting Guidelines before your first post. Here are some Posting Guidelines for this forum: Make your topic title descriptive. Do not use titles like "HELP PLEASE!!!!", "PASSENGER LIST", "NAMES", "SHIP" because people who might be able to help you may overlook the topic if it doesn't look like it’s in their area of expertise. Also others will overlook it because there might be more than one topic with the same subject If you are expecting people to help you with your research, add the necessary information, (like what you already know, such as names, dates, and other details that might help, where you have looked, and what exactly you are looking for) If your question or problem is related to a finding passenger lists, General Genealogy, Ships, or what ever, please post in the respective forums. Please do not double post - Do not make multiple postings about the same topic in different forums. If you think that your subject is connected to more than one forum, please just post in the one best fitting you subject Please try to stay true to these guidelines best as you can. Thank you.
kristaThank you for all your help! I found out that Anna Vik died in Pasadena/Monrovia, California - however, I have been unsuccessful in find a quality death certificate website. Would you have any suggestions? Anna Vik was born in Minnesota - somehow married another Norweigen named Peterson, and they brought up their children in Bresford, S. Dakota. She later died around 1979-81 in Los Angeles county, California. I need to find her birth certificate to locate the names of her parents and their birth town. I have a friends in Stavanger and Bergen that are willing to help me on their ends to find these people and essentially, my relatives. They had said church records were the easiest route in find out who they were - is this what you have found? Many thanks for all your help and suggestions.
HopkinsPeterson was her married name? therefore probably the name on her death record? What was her husband's given name? When were the children born in South Dakota? What names for some of them?
carrajIn the several responses below, you'll find Anna Vik Peterson and PARENTS from the time she was age 1 in 1900 in South Dakota, through marriage and children in 1930 Census, (the son may be your grandfather or he may have been born later, you have never given his age or name) through death in Los Angeles, California. U.S. Census 1930, Beresford, Union County, South Dakota **Marvin Peterson, age 30, age at 1st marriage 21, born S. Dakota, father & mother born Norway, occupation laborer, industry implement. **Anna C Peterson, Wife, age 29, age at 1st marriage 20, born S. Dakota, father born Norway, mother born Minnesota. **Anitra (?), Daughter, age 8 **John M, Son, age 3 yrs,3mos Also listed in household: Eugene J (I?) Vik, Brother-in-Law (to head of household), age 22, b. South Dakota, Laborer in Lumberyard. California Death Index, 1940-1997 Name: VIK, EUGENE I Sex: MALE Birth Date: 10 Dec 1906 Birthplace: SOUTH DAKOTA Death Date: 12 Mar 1965 Death Place: LOS ANGELES Mother's Maiden Name: JOHNSON (Record also contains SS #, issued in South Dakota.) Possibly Anna went to be near/with her brother Eugene in California at some point, or vice versa?
carrajFrom California Death Records: ANNA VIK PETERSON Born: 05/09/1899, SOUTH DAKOTA Father's Last Name: VIK Mother's Maiden Name: JOHNSON Died: 07/19/1985 LOS ANGELES 86 yrs Last Residence: Monrovia 91016, Los Angeles (Also lists SS #, issued in South Dakota)
carraj1900 U.S. Census: Spink, Union County, South Dakota **Gunder Vik, age 38, b. Jan 1862 in Norway, both parents born in Norway, married 8 years, immigration 1882, years in U.S. 18, naturalized, occupation "Clegerman" (misspelling of "Clergyman", see 1910 Census.) **Bertha Vik, Wife, age 33, b. Jan 1867 in Minnesota, both parents born in Norway, married 8 years, 4 children born, 4 children living, **Harold, age 6, b. Aug 1893 **Halvor G, age 4, b. Aug 1895 **Chester T, age 2, b. Oct 1897 **Annie C, age 1, b. May 1899 There is also a "boarder" in the household, Anna Solasness, age 20, born Apr 1880 in Norway, immigration 1889 1910 U.S. Census: Emmet, Union County, South Dakota **Gunder (Gander) Vik, age 48, b. Norway, both parents born in Norway, married 17 years, immigration 1883, naturalized, occupation Minister, Clergyman. **Bertha Vik, Wife, age 43, b. Minnesota, both parents born in Norway, married 17 years, 7 children born, 7 children living, **Harold, age 16 **Halvor G, age 14 **Chester T, age 12 **Annie C, age 10 **Victor B, age 8 **Helen A C, age 6 **Eugene I, age 3 1920 U.S. Census: Redwing, Goodhue County, Minnesota **Bertha Vik, Head, age 53, Widow, b. Minnesota, both parents born in Norway, **Victor B, age 18 **Helen A C, age 16 **Eugene I, age 13 **Rueben, age 9
carrajSouth Dakota Birth Records: ANNA CHRISTENA VIK (State File Number: 607206) Sex: Female Birth Date: 05/09/1899 City/County: UNION Mother's Name: BERTHA JOHNSON Father's Name: GUNDER OLAUS VIK South Dakota Births, 1856-1903 Name: Chester Theophlus Vik Birth Date: October 02, 1897 Gender: Male County: Union Mother's Name: Bertha Johnson Father's Name: Gunder O Vik South Dakota Births, 1856-1903 Name: HELEN VIK State File Number: 620612 Gender: F County: UNION Mother's Name: BERTHA JOHNSON Father's Name: GUNDER VIK Birth Date: 1903-09-21 File Date: 19421205
kristaOoh my God Carra you are amazing - you've found my family!! So the next step is to find which boat Gundar Vik came over on in 1882 - does this website do that? Or can you recommend another site? Again, you are awesome!!!
carrajI have been looking for that very thing for the past few hours, without luck. I also couldn't find him in the 1865 Norway Census, or on a farm in Norway. However, there are folks on this site that are MUCH better on the "other side of the pond" stuff, so hopefully there will be something here that may help them out. The best thing would be if you could get his death certificate, as you can see, he died sometime between 1911-1920, as Bertha is listed as a widow in 1920. Since you have so little time before your visit, you may not be able to do that before you leave. However, you need to use the links above which Hopkins has provided for you and send for some of the different certificates, as you have an excellent start on your family history now and are certain to be able to carry it further, even if not in time for this trip. Best of Luck!!
carrajGave Gunder's death certificate one more shot, but no luck. Did find these, which will help add to your history ... Good Luck! Minnesota Death Certificates: VIK, CHESTER T. Date of Birth: 10/02/1897 Place of Birth: OUT OF STATE Mother Maiden Name: JOHNSON certid# 1959-MN-005756 Date of Death: 09/21/1959 County of Death: HENNEPIN VIK, HALVOR GOTTIEB Date of Birth: 08/20/1895 Place of Birth: OUT OF STATE Mother Maiden Name: JOHNSON certid# 1962-MN-010157 Date of Death: 02/20/1962 County of Death: LYON
HopkinsLeaving from Bergen in 1883 is a strong possibility - http://digitalarkivet.uib.no/cgi-win/webcens.exe?slag=visbase&filnamn=EMIBERG&gardpostnr=14988&sokefelt=skjul The same young man as found in the 1865 Norwegian census - http://digitalarkivet.uib.no/cgi-win/webcens.exe?slag=visbase&filnamn=f61238&gardpostnr=260&sokefelt=skjul
kristaOK Carra - I don't mean to have you do my search for me but I really don't know where to start with this stuff and in enough time. Or just tell me where to find birth certificates Mervin Peterson, my grandpa's dad, could you locate his birth certificate and then I can possibly find the Petersons, as that is my last name?
kristaHopkins, I didn't see the last name Vik - would they have left this off? The name that I kept on seeing was Hansen Gunner Olaus. Olaus does appear on the orginal census that Carra found - is their a relationship? The dates do match......
kristaOK you guys...... I spoke to my friend in Stavanger and his mother is acutally from Vikor - which is actaully Gunners home town. His orginal last name was Hansson and his fathers last name is Hans (interesting) - we have decided to take a trip up to Vik when I go to Stavanger and go through the church records. Lars (my friend) says that only around 400 people live in this town so someone should be able to remember my G,Great - Grandpa leaving or where his family might have lived, etc. I just want to thank everyone for their help - you all have been marvellous and has made this rather difficult task easier than you can imagine. If I find anyone when I go, I'll take pictures and post them on here so you can see the history and future of the Viks, Hanssons, and God knows what else meeting in July!!!
HopkinsVik was listed - but listed as only part of the location name in the emigration record.. His father's FIRST name was Hans - see that entry in the 1865 census. You should do some study and reading before your trip so that you are more knowledgeable about Norwegian naming patterns, farm names, the published histories of the area, etc. http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~norway/articles.html
jwiborgHi, as Hopkins showed you in one of her postings, the 1865 census shows your Gunnar Olaus Hansson living on the farm Viksjøen in Vigør parish, Hordaland. He later changed his name to Gunder Vik. The 1900-census shows one "[url="http://digitalarkivet.uib.no/cgi-win/webcens.exe?slag=visbase&filnamn=f01238&gardpostnr=322&sokefelt=skjul"]Marta Olsdatter Tveit[/url]" born 1866 living on the same premises. A young girl (age 34), living alone and working as a village shopkeeper, indicates that this property is not a farm anymore, rather a small house/general shop near the fjord. The name Viksjøen can be translated into Bay Ocean, so it has to be close to the fjord. Viksjøen is now (census 1900) also called "Vik nedre", or rather a small household under the main Vik Nedre farm. The parish Vigør/Vikør changed name to Kvam in 1911, and is located east of Bergen, Hordaland, on the north side of the Hardanger fjord. Vik means "bay", and on the map below, your Vik is just below the "V" in Kvam, it's the bay in the middle of the 3 bays, and has a yellow dot. [img]http://www.campingguiden.no/hordaland/images/stortkarthordaland.gif[/img] [img]http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/cia03/norway_sm03.gif[/img] The main "Vik nedre" farm was in 1950 run by one "Fridtjov Lofthus". It had Land number 43, Title number 1. Todays owner is Arnvid Spilde. Census 1900 shows that the farm you are looking for, "Viksjøen", has Land number 43, Title number 12. Land number 43, Title number 12 was in 1950 owned by one "Ola Stue", and called Vik. This must be the premises you'r looking for! The address for your farm is 5610 Øystese, Norway. Find some "old people" in the area, and ask if they know where this "Ola Stue" lived in the 1950's... [8D] Also, take notes of the LandNumber 43, Titlenumber 12 (Gnr 43, Bnr 12). The local goverment in Kvam can point on a map and tell you where that is... Note: I don't believe there is a farm on the actual premises now, it might be a residential or town centre area. Jan Peter [:)]
kristaThank you all so much! This has been such a miracle - and I really, really appreciate all the help and effort that everyone has done. I noticed that this site was asking for donations and I will definitely give as much as I can - you all have been so wonderful. Everyone in my office is so surprised they asked what site I found all this information on - I just said one! They are extremely jealous not to be Norwegian - hehe! I'll post the pics if I can when I return from Norway!
jwiborgHi again, Gunder Vik's parents (Hans Gundersen Vik & Ingeborg Vik) are living on the farm [url="http://digitalarkivet.uib.no/cgi-win/webcens.exe?slag=visbase&filnamn=f01238.wc2&gardpostnr=297&sokefelt=skjul"]Vik[/url] in Kvam in census 1900. Occupation for Hans: Carpenter. Gunders brothers Olai (b.1885) and Torger (b.1864) are also living on the same farm, unmarried. Widower Torbjørn Gundersen Vik must be Hans' brother. And Gunder Vik listed below him is Torbjørn's son. So your Gunder Vik had a cousin in Norway by the same name! This Vik farm have Land number 43, Title number 13, and must be located next to the place where this "Marta Olsdatter Tveit" lived. In 1950 Gnr 43 Bnr 13 was called "Løken", and owned by Harald N. Vik and "more". This "more" could indicate that the premises was a testamentary inheritance, and that the property sale has not been settled... You should contact the local historical research team called Kvam Sogelag. Maybe they can help you find possible descendants after Gunder's brothers Olai (b.1885) and Torger (b.1864)...? If you contact them now, maybe they could do some research before you arrive... Their address is: Kvam sogelag Sjusetevegen 27 N-5610 Øystese Norway [url="http://kvam-sogelag.com"]http://kvam-sogelag.com[/url] [url="post@kvam-sogelag.com"]post@kvam-sogelag.com[/url] The [url="http://www.kvam-reiselivskontor.no/frames_eng.htm"]Kvam Tourist office[/url] is located in the same building! [:)] [img]http://www.tourist-magazine.no/web/images/vest/vest_2004/hardanger1.jpg[/img][img]http://www.tourist-magazine.no/web/images/vest/vest_2004/hardanger_baattur.jpg[/img] You should spend a day on the famous Hardanger fjord! [:)] And more about Anna... Anna Vik Peterson was born: 05/09/1899 in South Dakota Father: Gunder Olaus Vik, born Jan 1862 Mother: Bertha Johnson, born Jan 1867 I believe this must be Anna's mother Bertha living in Minneapolis, MN in census 1880, but it should be "investigated" further... [:)] [url="http://digitalarkivet.uib.no/cgi-win/webcens.exe?slag=visbase&filnamn=MINN1880&gardpostnr=104678&sokefelt=skjul"]click here[/url] Parents: Peter J Johnson (50) and Emma Johnson (48). Siblings John (21) and Emma (5). John is born in Minnesota, so they must have emigrated before 1860. You should try to get hold of Gunder Vik and Bertha Johnson's marriage certificate. Maybe they got married in Union County, South Dakota in 1891-1893? Jan Peter [:)]
jwiborgA parent search at [url="http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/frameset_search.asp"]Familysearch.org[/url] shows the following children to Hans Gundersen Vik & Ingeborg Torgersdatter :
  • Ragnilde Hansine, Birth: 20 Apr 1860, Christening: 22 Apr 1860, Øystese, Hordaland, Norway
  • Gunder Olaus, Birth: 26 Jan 1862, Christening: 09 Feb 1862, Øystese, Hordaland, Norway
  • Torger, Christening: 04 Sep 1864, Øystese, Hordaland, Norway
  • Ingebrigt, Christening: 24 Mar 1867, Øystese, Hordaland, Norway
  • Anna, Christening: 22 May 1870, Øystese, Hordaland, Norway
  • Nils, Christening: 23 Mar 1873, Øystese, Hordaland, Norway
  • Lars, Christening: 14 May 1876, Øystese, Hordaland, Norway
  • Hans, Christening: 31 Aug 1879, Øystese, Hordaland, Norway
  • Olai, Born ca 1885 according to census-1900
Note: Ragnilde Hansine is listed as "Magnhild Hansine" in census 1865. This must be Gunder's brother [url="http://digitalarkivet.uib.no/cgi-win/webcens.exe?slag=visbase&filnamn=EMIBERG&gardpostnr=38843&merk=38843#ovre"]Hans Hansen Vik[/url] emigrating from Bergen on May 5th, 1898. Hans Hansen Vik, male, unmarried, son of a carpenter, sailor, born 1879, 19yrs, Residence Vikør. [url="http://digitalarkivet.uib.no/cgi-win/webcens.exe?slag=visbase&filnamn=EMIBERG&gardpostnr=44589&merk=44589#ovre"]Here[/url] he is listed again, in 1901. Residence now says "State of South Dakota". [:)] Maybe he brought a girlfriend over this time...? Together with him is listed one "Ragnhild Monsdtr Botnen", also from Vikør. [url="http://digitalarkivet.uib.no/cgi-win/webcens.exe?slag=visbase&filnamn=EMIBERG&gardpostnr=14887&merk=14887#ovre"]Ragnhild Hansdatr Vik[/url] is listed as emigrated on May 18th 1883. [url="http://digitalarkivet.uib.no/cgi-win/webcens.exe?slag=visbase&filnamn=EMIBERG&gardpostnr=26551&merk=26551#ovre"]Lars Hansen Vik[/url] is listed on Sep. 12th. 1889, only 12 years old. He left on a prepaid ticket, so probably Gunder or Ragnhild sent some money home... [url="http://digitalarkivet.uib.no/cgi-win/webcens.exe?slag=visbase&filnamn=EMIBERG&gardpostnr=55930&merk=55930#ovre"]Jacob Olaj Hansen Vik[/url] is emigrating to his brother in Beresford? South Dakota on Oct. 12th, 1905. Profession: journeyman baker. "Olai Jacob Vik Hansen" is listed on Ellis Island as arrived on October 25, 1905, coming from Liverpool. Destination reads "Brother G.O. Vik in Beresford, South Dakota". There is also one [url="http://digitalarkivet.uib.no/cgi-win/webcens.exe?slag=visbase&filnamn=EMIBERG&gardpostnr=40701&merk=40701#ovre"]Albert Hansen Vik[/url] listed. Profession: journeyman baker, and he is a son of a carpenter. Born 1882 in Vikør, residence Ulvik. He left on Oct .26th, 1899. Could be a possible brother. Ellis Island has "Albert Vik" listed as immigrated on November 09, 1899, coming from Liverpool. Destination says "his uncle in Paine(?) South Dakota"... Could not find Nils or Torger among the emigrants! [:)] Sorted by time of emigration: 1883 May 18 Ragnhild Hansdatter Vik, 23 yrs 1883 May 24 Gunnar O Hansen Nedre Vik, 22 yrs 1889 Sep 12 Lars Hansen Vik, 12 yrs 1898 May 5 Hans Hansen Vik, 19 yrs 1899 Oct 26 Albert Hansen Vik, 17 yrs 1901 Nov 4 Hans Hansen Vik, 22 yrs 1905 Oct 12 Jacob Olaj Hansen Vik, 20 yrs Jan Peter Note Sep 23rd: Ingebrigt and Anna added to Hans Gundersen Vik & Ingeborg Torgersdatter's children.
kristaJan Peter - I have sent an email to the Kvam historical society that mentioned but haven't heard from them. I have tried to find their telephone number but my friend Lars says they are not listed. Do you happen to know their phone number? Cheers!
jwiborgHi, you should try to contact somebody in the board of Kvam historical society directly. [url="http://kvam-sogelag.com/styret.htm"]Click here[/url] The phonenumber to the chairman of the board is listed on that page. You can find the numbers to the other members of the board by searching the [url="http://www.gulesider.no/gsi/whiteSearchFront.do?mode=A"]Norwegian white pages[/url]... [:)] Jan Peter
ninakarlsThe book "Ættarbok for Kvam.Bind IV. Øystese sokn. - Øystese : Kvam herad, 1973", contains family info. Gunnars brother was the famous sculptor Ingebrigt Vik: http://www.olavsrosa.no/en/objektinfo.aspx?id=27793
ninakarlsKrista! You e-mail address doesn't work ... I can help you find names of living relatives ...
kristamy email address is: kristaa_usa@yahoo.com .....if that doesn't work then email me on : krista.peterson@polarisworld.com This is so awesome!!!
jwiborgHi Krista! How did your trip to Vik go? [;)] Jan Peter
kristaHi Everyone!! Sorry it's been ages since I've been on here to let you know how the trip went - it was awesome! Norway is so beautiful (and expensive); I went hiking and sailing - we drove from Stavanger to Haugesand and then took a boat trip to Bergen. My family come from Oystese which is in Kvam - so beautiful!! I was able to meet three cousins - two of which are my age and an older cousin who actually studies genealogy as a hobby so he knew loads about our family. I found out my uncle is a famous sculptor and my great grandparents actually knew each other before they got met in the States - their farms were near to each other on the Hardanger fjord. I actually went onto Bertha Johnsons (my g.great grandmother) families farm - so pretty. I tried to post photos on here but it doesn't work for some reason, but if any of you who helped would like to see them, let me know... Thank you so much for all of your help - it wouldn't have been possible without you all!