Looking for Great-Grandfather Ole Stenfield's
Started by Rachel_Turner · 2016-12-02
Rachel_Turner · 2016-12-02#1
Greetings,
I was wondering if anyone on this site may have advice that will help me locate my Great-Grandfather Ole Johnsen Stenfield.
Background: At the turn of the 20th century, Ole emigrated from Norway to the US where he became a reindeer herder in Alaska. Although he reportedly worked closely with the Saami, who trained the Eskimo how to herd reindeer, my Great-Grandmother (his former wife, now deceased) was emphatic about the fact that he was not Lapplander or Saami, but Norwegian. Apparently Ole worked closely with and emigrated the same year as my Great-Great-Grandfather Albert Bernhardt from Germany.
Immigration Year: 1898
Likely City of Origin: Trondheim, Norway
Birth Year: Between 1874-1879
Death Year: Around 1938
Wife: Sara Rita Burnhardt Stenfield Reimer b.1909 d.1997 (1/2 Inupiaq, Eskimo 1/2 German)
Daughter: Rita Stenfield Turner Ferris b.1931 d.2008
Possible Residences: Unalakleet, Alaska; Teller, Alaska; St. Michael, Alaska; Nome, Alaska
I have researched the caravan that traveled from Bessekop, Norway to New York on the SS Manitobian's final route in 1898. My thoughts are that he may have traveled with that caravan. However, my father thinks he may have traveled through Canada. Any clues or information you can provide would be very much appreciated.
Thank you,
Rachel