| The Story Of Helfred Matson & Mary Garson |
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| So, what parish record evidence do I have? First, a Peder Frodalen, was one of two best men at the wedding of Ole Hansen and Ragnild Juulsdatter on August 31, 1832 in Hoff Church in Ostre Toten. The other best man was Engebrit Nordalen of Hurdal. A Hurdal connection? On April 5, 1833, a Peder and Siri Frodalen witnessed the Hoff Parish, Ostre Toten, baptism of Marthe, daughter, and probably first born of Ole Hansen and Ragnild Juulsdatter. Our ancestor on Mary Garson?s side, Peder Hansen Frodal, was born in 1794 and married Siri Jensdatter Dyren on April 24, 1817. Both worked and lived on the Dyren farm. Could these be the same people as appear in the birth record of Marthe? Another parish record of a Frodalen family at a Hansen religious event is that a Pedeer Frodalen, now also with wife, is a witness at the baptism of Johanne, child of Ole Hansen and Ragnild Juulsdatter. This event was on June 26, 1836, again in Hoff Church (Parish), Ostre Toten. Finally, on August 11, 1839, a Jens and Marta Frodalen, witnessed the baptism of Karine, also a daughter of Ole Hansen and Ragnild Juulsdatter. This event also took place in Hoff Parish, Ostre Toten. Among the many valuable pieces of knowledge I have learned from far more serious and effective researchers in family genealogy is that those people who are witnesses at family religious events are very likely either very good friends or relatives. Could the Frodalen family representatives that are witnesses in these religious events for Ole Hansen and Ragnhild Juulsdatter actually be ancestors of our Matson-Garson family? If nothing else, Ole Hansen & Ragnild Juulsdatter had a special connection with the Frodalen farm. So far, we have no evidence that Syver?s parents knew either the Frodalens or the Garsons in Norway. These people lived, and Syver was born, in Vestre Toten, Kobu Parish. In time, we may find that Syver?s parents and ancestors were also linked with the Frodahls and Garsons. Remember, Vestre Toten (Kobu Parish), Ostre Toten (Hoff Parish), and Hurdal (Hurdal Parish) were curiously joined at about the area where all of these families lived, worked, and played. |