The Family of Lorents and Elisabeth Isaccson
While visiting cousins in Nesna in Septmber, 2006, I obtained a copy of a document created by the American descendants of Lorentz and Elisabeth Isaacson (apparently sometime in the 1980's). This document has a great deal of information about the family and the farms that I felt would be of interest to others, so I have re-typed the information and present it below in a document formatted for the web.
Re-creatng some of the of family tree information has been a challenge but I have attempted to present the information as nearly like the original as possible. I have added an index to make navigation a little easier, and I have made a few annotations to the document: These comments are contained in [brackets]. Finally, most of the people referenced in this document are also indexed at wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=SHOW&db=aehanson
I will supply copies of my orignal (copy) to anybody who requests it.
Tony Hanson
07 April 2007
Index
ForwardThe Generations of Elisabeth Erlandson
Tord Benkestok
The Generations of Lorentz Isaacson
Peter Dundas and Maren Falch
The Gaard Handa
America
Herseth
Our Norway Cousins
Hinderagen (Hindera – Hinderaa)
The Olson's
Forward
At Christmas time 1978, Thomas Lorentzen, who resides in Oakland, California, suggested that it would be fun to get the cousins together for a “reunion” and “get-acquainted” event. The “cousins” are the grandchildren of Lorentz and Elisabeth Isaacson now living in America,
This, then, is part of the sequel to Cousin Tom’s suggestion.
The “cousins” are the sons and daughters of the children of Lorentz and Elisabeth Isaacson who were in point of birth as follows:
| 1. | Ivar Lorentzsen | 5 children | – America | |
| 2. | Lena Lorentzsen Storseth | 4 children | – America | |
| 3. | Ingeborg Lorentzdatter | 0 children | – Norway | |
| 4. | Otto Lorentzen | 2 children | – America | |
| 5. | Hilmer Hanna | 5 children | – America | |
| 6. | Kaspara Lorentzsen Pederson: | 1 child | – America | |
| 7. | Wilhelm Lorentzsøn - died in infancy -- | – Norway | ||
| 8. | Olga Lorentzdatter Laurentzen | 6 children | – Norway | |
| 9. | Andrea Lorentzdatter | 0 children | – Norway | |
Of the 17 cousins born in America, there are now 14 living; Cousins Edwin Lorentzen, Kenneth Pederson and Walter Storseth having passed on.
Our heritage and the story of our ancestors held fascination ever since a Charles Ellingsen of Oslo, Norway, began researching our families’ past in 1963. Somehow, Charles either became disenchanted, found the job overwhelming, or simply gave up. He neither responded to correspondence nor could he be reached or located while in Oslo in 1972.
While in Nesna in 1972, Cousin Oddmar Larritzen gave us a book titled “Meløy” by Arnold J. Hazeland. This book was published in 1965. Meløy is an island in the district of Helgoland. Nesna, the village closest to Hansa, the birth place of our parents, is also in Helgoland.
The book “Meløy” is the story of the Benkestok relationship starting about 1400 A.D. Our grandmother, Elisabeth Erlandsdatter, is the fourteenth generation from one of Tord Benkestok (born about 1400 A.D.).
Time has not permitted research of the documentation that most likely is available in Norway. Perhaps some of the data is not entirely factual, but it is as close to fact as data available indicates. In some instances, birth data and other material has been left blank and can be completed by “Cousins”.
Handa – the farm on which our parents were born – is an interesting place; the fields and meadows running up the mountain side. Presently, the home farm is owned by the husband of one of the daughters of Anna Isaacson (youngest sister of Grandfather Lorentz).
The Generations of Elisabeth Erlandson
1. Tord Benkestok – born about 1400 A.D.
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Jon Tordssøn Benkestok
2. Trond Tordssøn Benkestok – Married Ingeborg (last name missing)
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Anders Trondssøn Benkestok
3. Tord Trondssøn Benkestok – Married Sigrid Urup or
| Anne Fleming Bosdatter
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4. Trond Tordssøn Benkestok – Born 1490 – Died 2-14-1558. Married
Anders Tordssøn Benkestok | Anna Jonsdatter – Died 11-27-1569
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5. Jon Trondsøn Benkestok – Married Birgitte Nielsdatter
Berete Trondsdatter Benkestok |
Adelus Trondsdatter Benkestok |
Kirsting Trondsdatter Benkestok |
Brynhilda Trondsdatter Benkestok |
Tord Trondsøn Benkestok |
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Torlof Jonsøn Benkestok
Anders Jonsøn Benkestok
Trond Jonsøn Benkestok
Johan Jonsøn Benkestok
Tord Jonsøn Benkestok
Niels Jonsøn Benkestok
Anna Jonsøn Benkestok
6. Margrethe Jonsdatter Benkestok – Born about 1580. Married
Christen Aalborg
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7. Berethe Christensdatter Aalborg 1620 – 1625
Married Jon Olsen 1609 – 1680
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8. Karen Jonsdatter 1652 – 1734 married twice
Kirsten Jonsdatter
Margrethe Jonsdatter
Anne Jonsdatter
1672
First Marriage – Christofer Olsen 1645 – 1680 ------
1682 |
Second Marriage – Hans Pederson Berg 1653 – 1718 |
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Dorethe Christofersdatter 1674 }
9.- Elling Christoferson 1676 – 1730 } First marriage
| Berethe Christoferson 1678 }
| Christopher Hansøn 1683 }
| Jon Hansøn 1684 }
| Peder Hansøn 1687 }
| Hans Hansøn 1690 } Second Marriage
| Berethe Hansøn 1692 }
| Benjamin Hansøn 1694 }
| Willum Hansøn 1698 }
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--> 1708 married Karen Jensdatter
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Christen Ellingsøn 1710
Lars Ellingsøn 1712
10. Karen Ellingsdatter 1716 – 1780
Christopher Ellingson 1719
Jens Ellingson 1722
Hans Ellingson 1726
Karen Married 1746 to Christen Christensen Mecklenborg 1710-1756
Karen Married Second Time 1757 to Povel Munch Glad 1722-1782
11. Christen Christensen 1748-1820 )
| Karen Christensdatter 1750 ) First Marriage
| Elling Christenson 1752 )
| Munch Povelssøn 1758 – Second Marriage
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--> Married 1773 to Lucia Magdalena Wallum 1751-1789
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Barbro Christensdatter 1774 )
12. Andreas Christensøn 1777 ) Surname
Karen Christensdatter 1779 ) is
Hans Christensøn 1781 ) Mikkleborg
Adelus Christensdatter 1787 )
Lucinius Christensøn 1789 )
Andreas Christenson Mikkleborg – Married Anne Margrethe
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13. Ingeborg Anna Dass Mikkleborg - Married Erland Paulson Handa
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14. Elisabeth Erlandsdatter Mat 28, 1848 – Sept. 1914
Andrea Erlandsdatter
Nikolene Erlandsdatter ) died in infancy
Jonetta Erlandsdatter )
Anne Erlandsdatter
Christian Erlandsøn
Elisabeth Erlandsdatter -- Married Lorentz Andreas Isaacson
May 28, 1848 – Sept. 1914 1/23/1848 – 2/2/1922
15. Iver Lorentzsøn Handa 7/2/1877 – 1/9/1957
| Lena Lorentzdatter Handa 9/14/1880 – 3/25/1967
| Ingeborg Lorentzdatter Handa 3/23/1883 – 4/4/1968
| Otto Lorentzsøn Handa 1/8/1885 - 1950
| Hilmer Lorentzsøn Handa 9/14/1886 – 12/13/1960
| Kaspara Lorentzdatter Handa 4/15/1888 – 12/11/1920
| Wilhelm Lorentzsøn Handa 6/25/1890 – 1/28/1893
| Olga Lorentzdatter Handa 3/15/1892 – still living
v Andrea Lorentzsøn Handa 7/18/1893 – 11/28/1972
Tord Benkestok
The known history of Tord Benkestok is limited.
We do not know the name of Tord’s wife, nor the year of marriage. Tord had two sons, Jon and Trond. We are descendants of Trond. Jon was old enough in 1435 to be witness to a peaceful agreement between the Archbishop Aslak Bolt and one Halvard Halvardssøn.
Trond was named in 1444 as an investigator in foreign trade affairs in Bergen. In 1472 he acted as administrator in settlement of an estate.
Trond married Ingeborg (last name unknown) and they had two sons, Anders and Tord. Anders was a student in 1480 at Rostok University and later a Cannon in Trondheim. Tord Benkestok married Sigrid Urup or Anne Fleming Borsdatter, year not known. They had two sons, Trond and Anders. Trond Benkerstok was born about 1490. In 1523 and through 1558 he served with several ship owners in the trade. Trond married Anna Jonsdatter. They had six children – Jon, Berete, Adelus, Kirstine, Brynhilda and Tord. Trond died on February 14, 1558, and his wife Anna died November 27, 1569.
Jon Trondsøn Benkestok married Birgitte Nielsdatter, who survived Jon’s death in 1599. They had nine children, the youngest of which was Margrethe. Margrethe Benkestok, born about 1580, married Christen Aalborg, a Dane who lived on Øra. Margrethe and Christen Aalborg had one daughter, Berethe, born in 1620 and died in 1675. Berethe married Jon Olson, born 1609 and died 1680. Jon was a merchant and land owner.
Berethe and Jon had four children – Karen, Kirsten, Margrethe, and Anne.
Karen Jonsdatter was born about 1652 and died in 1734. She was married twice; first to Christofer Olsen in 1672. Christofer died in 1680, leaving three children. Karen marred the second time in 1682 to Hans Pederson Berg (born 1653 – died 1718). Karen and Hans had seven children. To the first marriage, Dorethe 1674, Elling 1676, Berethe 1678; with the second marriage children starting in 1683 and the last one born in 1698.
Elling Christopherson was a skipper and merchant. He married Karen Jensdatter in 1708, having taken care of his mother for several years before marriage. They had six children: (1) Christen 1710, (2) Lars 1712, (3) Karen 1716, (4) Christopher 1719, (5) Jens 1722, (6) Hans 1726.
Karen Ellingson died in 1780. She was married twice, first time about 1746 to Christen Mecklenborg, born about 1710. Christen was a skipper and merchant; he died in 1756.
Karen marred a second time in 1757 to Povel Munch Glad, who was born in Nesna. Povel was also a skipper and a merchantman. Povel was the son of the minister in Nesna (Peder Christopher Glad, who was born in 1683 and died in 1754 – Povel’s mother was Maren Krabbe Munch, born in 1696 and died in 1769. Her father was the local magistrate).
Karen had three children in the first marriage with Christen Mecklenborg: (1) Christen, born 1748, (2) Karen, born 1750, (3) Elling, born 1752; and one child with Povel Munch Glad named Peder Munch, born in 1758.
Christen Christensen Mecklenborg, born in 1748, was a skipper and merchant in Myklebostad in Nesna. He was married in 1773 to Lucia Magdalena Wallu, who was born in 1751 and died at Myklebostad in 1789. She was buried in Nesna.
Christen and Lucia had six children: (1) Barbro Maria, born 1774, (2) Andreas, born 1777, (3) Karen Margrethe, born 1779, (4) Hans Christian, born 1781, (5) Adelus, born 1787, and (6) Lucinius, born 1789.
Andreas Mikkleborg, born in 1777 at Nippleberg Nesna, married Anna Margerthe Greisdatter in _____.
One of their children was Ingeborg Anna Dass Mikkleborg, born in _____[13 Aug 1821]. Anna married Erland Paulson, who lived on Handa, Nesna.
Erland Pauslon and Anna had six children: (1) Elisabeth, (2) Andrea, (3) Nikolene, (4) Jonetta, (5) Anne, (6) Christian. Jonetta and Anne died in infancy. Erland Paulson was 75 years old when he died.
Elisabeth Erlandsdatter married Lorentz Isaacson about 1876 and lived on Handa. It was here our parents were born.
The Generations of Lorentz Isaacson
Lars Lindseth - (shell bearer War of 1812 – 30 Year War)
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Isaac Larsøn (62) – Married Maren Anderson – lived to age 99
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Anton Isaacsøn (father of Issac and Carl Antonson)
Lorentz Isaacsøn Jan 23, 1848 – Feb. 2, 1922
Christine Isaacsdatter (mother of Eva Mehus & Martha Larson)
Hans Isaacsøn
Elizabeth Isaacsdatter (died in infancy)
Jacob Isaacsøn
Elias Isaacsøn
Benjamin Isaacsøn June 27, 1860 – April 10, 1946
Anna Isaacsdater (mother of Inga Pederson, Astrid Handa,
Ingeborg Thompson)
The Generations of Peter Dundas
Peter Dundas - Married Maren Falch
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Petter Dass 1647 – 1707
Two generations missing
Christen Mikkleborg (Jr)
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Andreas Mikkleborg
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Ingeborg Anna Dass Mikkleborg – Erland Paulson
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Elisabeth Erlandsdatter – Lorentz Isaacson
Peter Dundas and Maren Falch
Peter was from Scotland, and became a merchant who operated out of Bergen. He left Scotland because of difficulties with Charles the First. In 1646 he married Maren Falch, daughter of the District Magestrate in Helgoland.
In 1647 a son, Petter Dass, was born. Petter’s father died when the boy was 7 years old. In 1660, young Petter, 13 years old, went to Bergen to live with father’s relatives. In 1666 he went to the University of Copenhagen, returning to Helgoland in 1670.
In 1673 he married Margaret Andersdatter and began the difficult task of studying for the ministry. He was assistant pastor at Nesna in 1681, becoming pastor at Alstahaug in 1689. He died in 1707.
Peter Dundas was a poet, the equal of Holberg, Wergelan, Bjornson and Ibsen. He wrote “Magnum Opus” and Nordlands Trompet along with many other works.
The Gaard Handa
The first known history of Handaa dates back to 1567.
The first owner was Paul Vagaskalm. The farm was held by several people after Paul. In 1675 the owner became P. Christen Tønder. The descendants of Tønder kept the farm, including one granddaughter who married a Captain Isach Jørgen Coldevin.
The farm was divided between four children of the grandson of Isach Coldevin in 1885. It is not clear what year Erland Paulson came to Handa. We do know that he was living on Handa when he was married.
Handa, at the time our parents were born, had three homesteads on it. They were known as Øver Handa, Mellom Handa, and Ner Handa. Our parents were born on Øvre Handa.
There is a loft (a building used for hay and machine storage) on Øvre Handa. Half of this building was built in 1604 and the second half in 1955. The latter portion has windows, whereas no windows in the 1604 section.
The home in which our parents were born was a rather small house. Upstairs as but one room. This house was torn down in 1955. The stone used as a doorstep for generations is now in a prominent place in the flower garden.
The land on this farm had its good share of rocks. There is today a rock wall as a boundary marker. Our grand uncle Hans Isaacson reportedly spend long days working on clearing rocks and building this wall.
There is a beautiful mountain stream running through the farm descending to the fjord Sjona. Bird hunting, fishing and struggling to eke out a living occupied all the time of our grandparents.
America
It was in 1889 that Benjamin Isaacson, the eigth of nine children from the marriage of Issac Larson and Maren Anderson, came from Norway to the United States, settling near the Bear Creek District, LaMoure County, North Dakota.
Benjamin was the youngest brother of our grandfather, Lorentz. Ben, like our grandfather, was born on the farm Herseth, which lies on the fjord Sjona. Across the road is the farm Handa, where our parents were born. These two farms are about 5 1/2 - 6 miles north from Nesna, enroute to the city of Mo i Rana.
Ben married Ellerine Ingebrightsdatter on September 4, 1887. When he left Norway in 1889, he left his wife and two small daughters, Anna and Karen, behind. His fare to America was paid by a Mr. Iver Iverson who lived near LaMoure, North Dakota. Ben worked for this man, repaying him, and in 1891, he sent for his wife and two daughters.
On September 9, 1900, Iver Lorentzson, the oldest of the nine children of Lorentz Isaacson and Elizabeth, married Antonette Marie Olson of Nesna. Shortly thereafter, they left Nesna for the United States, going to the Benjamine Isaacson farm near LaMoure. With them from Norway came Carl Antonsen, a 10 year old boy. Carl was the son on Anton, the oldest brother of our grandfather, Lorentz.
For the first year and a half, Iver and Antonette stayed with Ben, with Iver having miscellaneous odd jobs as a farmhand, working in the Minesota woods, etc. In 1902 Iver began working as a section laborer for the Northern Pacific Railway. They built a small home in Verona, North Dakota, about 1903.
It was to this home in Verona that sister Lena and brothers Otto, and Hilmar, came to stay till they found jobs in various locations. Hilmar and Otto worked on the railroad as section hands and in the Minnesota woods. Lena had miscellaneous jobs, including working at the "Normal School" in Moorehead, Minnesota.
In 1910, Iver and Antonette moved to Horace, North Dakota, where he was the Section Foreman. Another sister, Kaspara, came to the United States to Horace, where she met and eventually married Conrad Peterson, a farmer. They had one son, Kenneth, born June 5, 1919. Kaspara died from tuberculosis on December 11, 1902. Kenneth dies from encephalitis August 17, 1941.
Herseth
Across the road, East and slightly north of Handa, lies Herseth. The land on Herseth is rocky and slowly drops to the fjord Shona. Our grandfather Lorentz and all of his brothers and sisters were born on Herseth.
As mentioned earlier, Ben Isaccson, the eighth child of Isaac Larson, left Norway in 1889 to come to the United States. It was Ben that started the migration of most of the Isaacson clan to the United States. Iver and Antonette came next, in 1900, bringing Carl Antonson (10 years old).
But quickly following Ben and Ellerine and Ivar and Nette, and Carl Antonson, came grand uncles Hans, ____, Jacob, and Elias Isaacson. On Mother's side came two brothers, Martin and Jorgen, to stay. On father's side came brothers Otto and Hilmar and sisters Lena and Kaspara. Children of the Isaacson grand uncles and aunts came with parents their parents, on their own, as in the case of Inga Pederson and Ingeborg Thompson.
Later on, Ben Isaacson brought his sister and her husband Peder and Christine Larson. They were the parents of Eva Mehus and Martha Larson. Also, in 1919, after World War I and after grandmother Elisabeth had died (from a stroke), Iver brought his father to this country. Grandfather stayed in Horace: later, with Otto in Astoria, Oregon, and finally and for most of his life here, with Lena Storseth in Marysville, Washington. He died on February 2, 1922 and was buried in the cemetery at Everett, Washington.
Our Norway Cousins
Aunt Olda married Moler Lauritzen. The family lived in the Nesna area.
To this union six children were born, as follows:
- Olav – married Aase – 4 children.
- Oddmar – married Marie – 3 children, including one named Lorentz.
- Ingeborg – married Arthur Antonson – 3 children
- Herbjorg – married Ole Steiro – 3 children
- Larritz – married Ester – 5 children
- Undlaug – married Andreas Ullrickson – 2 children, including one Elisabeth.
Olav lives in Mo and works at the steel plant there. Ingeborg lives on the farm Herseth where our grandfather was born. Oddmar owns and operates a greenhouse and two floral shops. One is in Nesna and one is in Sanesjøen. Herbjohg’s husband in an electrical contractor. North Norway is getting electricity into all of the islands and Ole’s people are wiring these homes and farms. Undlaug’s husband is a pharmacist. Lauritz works in Nesna area.
After Moler Laureitzen died, Olga lived for many years in her home in Nesna with Aunt Andrea. Andrea passed away in 1972. Olga is now living in the retirement home in Nesna.
Hinderagen (Hindera – Hinderaa)
The history of our mother’s ancestors is limited.
Mother was the oldest of five children born on Hinderagen. Her father made their living fishing, having some cows and sheep. The farm Hinderagen was not big; probably 50 to 60 acres. From the sea, Rana, it rose rather sharply up to the summit of a small mountain, probably 3500 feet in height. A clear, fast running stream angled its way through the property, with dozens of waterfalls carved out of its rock and stone bed. Beautiful scenery, secluded, tree covered near the mountain peak, but difficult to traverse and harder to farm.
The land and sea met on a solid rock face. The depth of water at shore line was 16 fathoms and more. One could moor a boat, using boat hooks to reach rock cracks, jump ashore and, when the sea was quiet, secure the boat to the rock shore.
Aside from mother’s one sister, who married and lived in Norway, and her three brothers, all of whom came to America, her relatives as known are very limited. Mother’s brother, Tøger, after being in the United States probably a year or more, returned to Norway, marrying and staying there. Her brother Jørgen, the youngest, was foreman of the telephone line crew laying cable across Pend Oreille Lake in Idaho. During a storm, the boat they were using swamped and Jørgen drowned. He was but 24 years and 3 days old, unmarried. Her brother Marrin lived in Snohomish, Washington. He operated a tourist auto service for several years, eventually having a garage and car sales agency. Martin married late in life, having four chidren.
The known history of Hindera (Hinderagen) dates back to 1537, at which time it was called Hinderaa.
Hindera lies to the north side of Ranafjorden. It is two miles east to the nearest neighbor. There are no roads that reach Hindera, access being by foot or via boat on Ranafjord.
In 1537 the gaard was the property of the church. During the Reformation, it became property of the King in 1610. From 1610 and on, the ownership can be followed. King Fredrik III sold the property in 1666 to Jochum Irgens to pay depts. For military goods received. Mr. Irgens also had some debts and, when he died in 1712, a man, Lorents Angell, of Trondheim, got some property of Mr. Irgens, including Indera. Lorents had a daughter, Rebecca, and she married Anders Dass Alstahaug. Anders was the son of Peter Dass, and he was the owner of Hindera till his death in 1738. The gaard then went to his son, Petter Dass Tjøtta.
Petter Dass Tjøtta became a large landowner. He died in 1761 leaving no heirs. Hindera was sold at auction to Captain Coldevin Dønnes. Captain Dønnes also was a big landowner and his debts became so big that he was forced to sell off part of his holdings, which included Hindera.
Following the sale by Captain Dønnes and until 1777, there were several owners of Hindera. In 1777 Anders Dass Mehus became the owner. This man was not related to Petter Dass. His father was Peder Jenssen Handnes who, at one time, was (jekstyrman) to Anders Dass Alstahaug; and, when Anders Dass died in 1738, Peder Jenssen Handnes named his first son after Anders Dass Alstahaug. His mother was of the Kleboe family from Saura.
Anders Dass Mehus became a businessman and trader of means. He died at a very old age. His widow, Ingeborg Anna Dass, became the owner of Hindera. When she died in 1829, the gaard passed to her daughter, Anna Fredikke Winther Dass. This lady retained the gaard Hindera till it was sold on May 5, 1875 to one Ole Johan Thomassen, our grandfather, for 135 crown. Ole, prior to buying Hindera, rented this property.
In 1891, Ole was 51 years and his wife Maren 52 years, with five children, ages 8 – 20 years. On April 7, while in their boat on Ranafjord, the boat swamped and both parents were drowned. It is said that the children watched this event from the shore, but could not do anything to try to save them. Our mother said this drowning occurred in 1888 when she was 17 years old. It appears she may have erred on this.
Mother, after realizing the fate of her parents, set out on foot, crossing over the rather rugged mountain, to get help for herself and the family. Even today, the story of her mission and trip is still well known. Mother got work on two farms (gaards), “Slasteran” and “Zahl”; the Zahls also owned the local “bytik” in Nesna. She worked in this store. Her brothers and sisters were kept by several families in the area.
Hindera was subsequently put on auction and sold to Hans Naesset for 1144 crowns. The gaard was rented to Johan Arnt Johansen. It is told that Johan, in 1923, left the house in the middle of the night, falling into the ocean (Rana) and drowning.
After he drowned, a widow, Iverta, bought Hindera for 2100 crowns. She later sold the gaard in 1924 to Harold Austrick for 3000 crowns.
After 1924 no one lived on Hindera. The house that our grandparents lived in is gone. There is now a small hytte (cabin) on the property and it is owned by Arild Austric.
On April 7, 1891, when Old and Maren Thomassen drowned, they had tended their herring nets and were returning to land. Ranafjorden was rough and the wind strong. The boat was tipped: however, Ole and Maren surfaced and hung onto the boat. The children on shore tried to launch another boat but the parents gave signs to not put the boat into the water.
The history of Hindera is a story of man’s struggle for existence on land and constant battle with Ranafjorden.
The fjord Rana has claimed many lives over the centuries. Our grandparents were but two people of dozens whose lives were abruptly terminated by the wind and waves and cold waters of Ranafjord. It is a fjord worthy of the respect required for survival.
Our grandparents were the first owner-farmers of Hindera. Prior to 1875 the farm was owned by an absentee landlord who rented the farm out.
From 1610 and on to about 1848, the struggle to pay rent and taxes was one of life and death. Famine was forever prevalent. In 1801, three households with 11 people lived on Hindera. Famine, and the weakened condition caused by it, resulted in a great many deaths, sometimes entire families dying. On the Sunday after Easter in 1809, seven people died and the following week, another child. Again in 1813, many deaths occurred (darlig og lite mat).
The gaard, while marginal, did produce fair crops after about 1819. These were barley, corn, oats and potatoes. Cows, sheep and pigs were raised and used to augment the food supply. Fishing was essential to survival.
Hinderage, much to our surprise, lies almost due east of Handa. The mountain separates the properties. I do not believe that either Dad or Mother ever mentioned this.
Mother’s relatives (cousins, etc.) known to us were the Langness family – Olaf, Conrad, and Hjette. Also, Aunt Anne, who was the mother of Nilsene Mohagen. The Mohagens lived at Grafton, North Dakota on a farm. They had four children – Anna, Ella, Roy and Alfred. The Langness’ lived in Fargo. Olaf was married to Helga Isaacson, daughter of Ben, and so she was a first cousin of Dad’s. They moved to Portland, Oregon, where they now reside. Conrad Langness lived in Fargo, North Dakota until his death.
Dad saw Mother for the first time when he noticed her in the balcony of the church at Nesna. He was a member of the choir. He thought she was a very pretty girl. Their subsequent courtship ended in marriage September 9, 1900.
As mentioned earlier, to the east of Hinderagen there lies Handa. Its most easterly boundary is the road between Nesna and Mo. A description of Handa is in another section of this narrative.
The Olson's
Thomas Jorgenson - Anne (unknown)
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Ellen Thomasdatter
-Ole Thomasøn 1838 – 4/7/1891
| Kristine Thomasdatter
| Jorgan Thomasøn Anders Paulson – Maren Anderson
| Trine Thomasdatter (78) ^ (78)
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-Ole Thomasøn - married Maren Anderson
1838 1841 – 4/7/1891
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-Antonette Marie Olson 9/2/1871 – 12/25/1952
| Tøger Olsøn 1874
| Nikolene Olsdatter Thomason 5/21/1877 – 8/31/1960
| Martin Olson
| Jørgen Olson 10/11/1883 – 10/13/1907
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- Married Ivar Anker Lorentzsen
Sept. 9, 1900