Abesland og Evje

I am new to this forum, but not new to genealogy. I have just started my search again in Norway for my great-grandparents and their ancestors. This is a task that I have brought to a dead end many times over the past 15 years, but my recent efforts have been good. I have been able to identify my ancestors with the help of the Digitized Church records and Census' that are in the Norway Digital Archives. My search has now stopped at my great-great-grandfather Osmund Olsen Abesland b:1802 and his wife, Anne Jorgensdr. b: 18 Oct 1807 in Bjelland, Vest-Agder. They were married 13 Jun 1826 in Bjelland as well. I have searched the records for Evje, Evje/Evje, Evje og Hornnes, and Evje/Vegusdal digitized records for Osmund's birth, but have had no luck. As always I search 1 year prior and 1 year after just in case the records that i collect are incorrect. One of their sons, Nils Osmundson was born in Hodne Sogn, which I assume is Hodne sub-parish and not necessarily the Hodne farm, but I cannot pinpoint the location of Hodne other than the Hodne gard. Another son, my great-grandfather, was born 15 Sept 1850 and christened 13 Oct 1850 in Evje, Aust-Agder. So, based on naming conventions, it looked like the families originated from the southern part of Aust-Agder in the Hodne and Abusland areas of Evje og Hornnes, but I am having difficulty finding Osmund Olsen Abusland in the records. Am I incorrect in my placement of these families or is this just one of those that did not get entered. Or, am I missing the correct parish? Any thoughts or tips concerning this area in the early 1800's would be appreciated. Also, an info on the Abesland (Abusland) area would also be appreciated. Thanks in advance Dale Edman Prior Lake, Minnesota USA