John Luther Hansen Blomshield
Scott Thomas	Looking for John Luther Hanson, Dec 20, 1856, born on a farm near Lillehammer, in the province of Hamar. Attended the Military Academy of Norway, Frederickshald, graduated 1878, Civil Engineer. Emigrated to America, Bay City, Michigan in the early 1880s, via Germany. Used the name John H. Blomshield in America. Earliest spelling in Norwegian is BLOMSKJOLD. What does Blomskjold mean? Might this be a "farm name"? Why would he have added this to his Norwegian name? Does this Military Academy still exist? Any help greatly appreciated. Any pointers to help me?
Brining	Here is Johannes Hans. Blomskjold on the Digitalarkivet emigrants from Kristiana. His residence at that time was Kristiana (Oslo) [url="http://digitalarkivet.uib.no/cgi-win/webcens.exe?slag=visbase&filnamn=emikra1&variabel=0&postnr=26825&fulle=true&spraak=e"]Click Here[/url] I haven't been able to find him in the 1865 or 1875 census. There are no Blomskjold farms but lots starting with blom. There are lots of Johannes Hansens so pretty hard to narrow it down. I don't know what blom means but skjold means shield In regards to his Norwegian name click on the link below to "Those Norwegian names. It explains a lot. Carla
Scott Thomas	You got the right guy. John (Johannes) Hansen Blomskjold would have been 23 years old when he left Norway. I have an international money order that he sent after arriving in America to Ole Ivenson in Christiana (English spelling). Skjold is shield, blomst is flower. Guess he just shortened the blomst part of the name. Story has it that the name came from a coat of arms, or the farm name. Will take a bit more research to put the pieces together on that issue. Thank you very much for the help. I will now be able to refine my search area in Norway for Johannes' father and mother, brothers and sisters. I have been looking for John Luther Hansen, near Lillehammer in Hamar Province. Have found a potential match in Norde Fron in the 1865 census. My Norwwegian is not very good and I am having a hard time with the searches. But I believe I have several near matches for John at age 9. Can you tell me what is a Kontorist? I can't tell you enough how much I thank you for this help. It really is wonderful information. And to get it right the first time, WOW!
katiloo83	hi i'm pretty sure i am related to John Blomshield. the story you tell in your message is VERY similar to the story handed down in my family for years about my great (however long ago it was) grandfather. The Norwiegen name, as far as I know, was an name given to him in honor for graduated top in his class, and it meas "wreath of flowers". The name Hansen was his first last name, and when he emigrated to America, he decided to use his new name, to give himself a bit of individuality i suppose. I've always been very interested in finding out more about him, and i am very proud of my Norwiegen heritage! -k. blomshield
Tint	Hi Scott, you ask what kontorist is.. office employee