| Progress Report: 30 January 2002 |
| 30 January 2002: Ragnild Juulsdatter: I have a few things in progress in the search of the birth and parents of Ragnild Juulsdatter, who is the wife of Ole Hansen, both being the parents of Hellene Hansen Bjerkebakken (Hellene Olsdtr). I earlier found no girls at birth named Ragnild from Ostre Toten, Hof Parish microfilm searches, and concluded that she came from outside the area. She did. Probably from Ourdal north and west of Toten. A research of the name Ragnild in that sector and possible father’s named Jul or Jull hit the jackpot, I think. I tested my findings on NorwayList researchers and provided even more clues. I a couple weeks I will be reviewing microfilm for Aural Parish, Oppland County. Also, I have sent an inquiry to the Hamar, Norway archives to further verify. The Frodahl Family Connection is growing and its impact on the Matson-Garson family history is changing. It is almost like my great aunt Ellen and all my Garson aunts are at work from up above to make certain that I don’t lose the significance of the Frodahl family on my family. Family members will understand this possibility. ha. When I first set up this section on my WEB site, I did so with the intent of providing some place to put Garson related data that I might come across. I intentionally started my work on Grandpa Helfred Matson’s side of the family and not Mary Garson’s. From my Father’s information, and the knowledge of what others had done, I believed that my Grandmother’s side would be the least difficult of the two sides. That was a correct observation. Having some dates, I began by researching Helfred’s birth in Norway in the Morman Family History Center files and microfilm. I had fairly quick success. Leroy Madson, no relation yet that he and I know of , who I met on the Internet through NorwayList and who is a member of Totenlag of America, joined my journey. NorwayListers from all over the world have helped in ways I never before imagined. Pete Christianson and other Totenlag members have been great too. I joined the Totenlag some months ago. With all of their help I have learned how to research family history. Still very new at this, but I am learning. Grandpa Helfred Matson’s birth record led to birth records for his siblings and his parents, Syver Madsen and Hellene Olsdtr (Hellene Hansen Bjerkebakken). We next found Syver’s parents (Mads Larsen & Oline Christoffersdatter) and Hellene’s parents (Ole Hansen & Ragnild Juulsdatter). And lots of siblings on both sides. Since Syver’s family had come to Ostre Toten from Vestre Toten, the pursuit of Hellene’s side moved more quickly. I had more Ostre Toten than Vestre Toten microfilm on reserve and I think Hellene’s side had a special intrigue, that Bjerkebakken name. As I pursued this side, I began seeing various witnesses with farm name Frodalen. And more and more. Even best men at the wedding of Ole Hansen and Ragnild Juulsdatter. I had learned from other researchers that witnesses were often or usually friends or relatives, someone close. As of today, I can place a Peder Frodalen at this wedding as a best man, and a Peder & Siri Frodalen as witnesses on 5 April 1833 at the baptism of Marthe, daughter of Ole Hansen and Ragnild Juulsdatter. And then are more Frodalen names in documents. Granted, Frodalen is a farm name and farm names in Norway were for many a part of an address, the end name would change with movement from farm to farm. But in our family history, a Peder Hansen Frodalen & Siri Jensdatter Dyren once owned Frodalen. Is it possible that Peder Hansen Frodalen and Ole Hansen are the son of the same Hans? Fred Matson 30 January 2002 |