information and help needed :-))

Hi, I am hoping that i can continue tracing my linage back to before the 30th may 1872, when my ancestors left Kristiania bound for Napier NZ, onboard the Hvoding. They were, Niels Anderson (37yrs), b.1834 Rygee, Norway, wife, Arna Hanser, b. 1836 Metskog, Sweden???, children, Axel Hanser(5yrs), Harald Hanser(3yrs), Walborg Hanser(7/12mths). thanks to the information passed from other 'family relatives' i have found all the documentation leading up to them leaving Norway and arriving in NZ. As the story goes, Neils and Arna met at Akershus Castle where Neils was in the Kings own Body Guards and Arna worked in the Kitchens, they were married in the castles chapel... I have Neils Parents details (I think he was adopted), Father, Annih Chiel, b. Rygee, Norway, Farmer. Mother, Knudsen, Rygee, Norway and for Arna, Mother Hans, b. Metskog, Norway, Carpenter. Mother, Ingborg Halsted, Metskog, Norway... As I cannot speak or read Norwegian I am pretty stuck, but still very interested in following any leads. I am funnily enough working off Norway at present and hope to be returning to Kristainsand, Norway somewhere on the 12th Dec before returning home to my family in England. I am hoping to travel to Oslo before returning home on the 16/17th Dec and have a quick look around and I will be returning in the summer time. If anyone can help I would be very grateful... I would also be interested in meeting relatives no matter how distant... There is a book written by Rachael Johnson ‘From Norway with Love’ where I believe most of this information comes from, I am continuing with my own searches based on information given to me by my cousin. My Grand Mother was an Anderson and my Gt. Gt. Grandfather was Niels Anderson. Thanks for your time and wishing you all a very safe, happy time at Christmas with your families… [:)]