Magnild Berntsdatter's Ancestors

Click on a name to read more about the person or click for an Alphabetic List of all Names.

We wish to thank cousin Åse for sharing her research with us and Stig for all of his help.

Bernt Arntsen was born about 1654, probably on the Dyrendahl farm in Rissa, Sør-Trøndelag County, Norway, the fifth of six known children of Arnt Ottersen and Marit Bendtsdatter. He is listed with his brother and father on the Dyrendahl farm as 111/2 year-old Bent on the Fosen Deanery, 1666 Vicar's Census for Sør-Trøndelag county. He is again listed on that farm on the 1668 Fosen Fogderi, Landed Property Index.

Bernt married Sigrid Christophersdatter and they had four known children (see her bio for details) and apparently, he worked his entire life on the Dyrendahl farm. He was only 41 years old when he died, as his estate was settled on September 24, 1695. The probate document, which is three and a half pages long, lists his wife and four children, including his oldest son, Ole, who on the probate index cards, is listed as Died after the father. This probate record appoints their uncle, Jon Garmo, who was Bernt’s brother Jon Arntsen, to be the children’s guardian. (Mouse over and click on the image right of the two probate cards to enlarge in a new window/tab.)

Sigrid Christophersdatter was born between 1646-1650 on the Grenne Farm in Rissa, Sør-Trøndelag County, Norway, the only known child of Christopher Amundsen and Karen Andersdatter. Her father died while she was young and her mother remarried and had at least eight additional children. In a statement written on the bottom of her step-father's probate record it states, “Karen Andersdatter daughter of first marriage, Sigrid Kristoffersdatter, was paid out of the legacy of her father, Kristoffer Amundsen.” This not only confirms her parents, but tells us that she probably inherited all of her father’s estate.

Sigrid married Bernt Arntsen and they had at least four children, all born on the Dyrendahl farm — Ole, born about 1679, and died in his teens, shortly after his father’s death, but before his estate was settled on September 24, 1695; ancestor Magnild; daughter Karen was born about 1684, and married in 1707, Johan Olsen of the Langmo farm; and son Arnt, who was born about 1694, took over the Dyrendahl farm, and married twice-first to Karen Olsdatter and then to Ingeborg Ellingsdatter of the Bakøy farm.

Sometime, probably prior to the 1701 census, taken on September 28, Sigrid was married to Morten Olsen, who was at least 10 years younger than her. On this census Morten Olsen is managing one section of the Dyrendahl farm and listed with him is a seven year old son, whose name could be Arnt Berntsen. Twenty-two years later, Arent and Morten are clearly listed on the 1723 Landed Property Index. We know from Sigrid’s probate record that she and Morten did not have any children.

Sigrid died on the Dyrendahl farm and was buried on March 1, 1733. Her seven page probate document is difficult to read, but her Probate Index Card lists only her three children by her first husband, ancestor Bernt. Her two daughters are listed as married and shows the farm they live on. Her son was listed only as living on Dyrendahl. Her fortune was listed as 188-1-0; her debt was listed as 46-2-8; leaving her estate inventory worth 141-2-16. A note under these amounts states, what looks like, she had six silver spoons- four that had inscriptions of initials, three with dates as follows: B.P.S. C.A.D. 1660; B.H.S.B. A.H.D. 1660; P.N.S. T.O.D. 1657; and O.M.S. H.K.I.D.C., and two silver spoons without inscriptions. On the Slektsforum web site, several researchers discuss the possibilities of who these initials could belong to. This researcher has recently learned that in the 1600’s the s for sen and d for datter were used in initials. So the first set of initials, B.P.S. C.A.D., can stand for Bernt Arntsen’s grandparents Bernt Pedersen and Cissel Andersdatter. (Mouse over and click on her the image of her 2 probate cards on right to enlarge in a new window/tab.)

On October 11, 1733, seven months after Sigrid died, Morten married Maren Christophersdatter of the Fallum farm. It is not known if Maren was any relation to Sigrid. Morten died at 86 years old on the Dyrendahl farm, 15 years later and was buried in March of 1748.

Arnt Ottersen was born about 1595 on the Dyrendahl farm in Rissa, Sør-Trøndelag County, Norway, the eldest of six known children born to Ingeborg and Otter Arntsen. His birth date is estimated by his reported age on the 1665 census. Some researchers say he was born on the Østigarden in Dørndal, Rissa, possibly a section of the Dyrendahl farm. Arnt married, probably in his mid 40’s, Marit Bendtsdatter and they had at least six children (see Marit’s bio for details).

He is listed as what looks like Arenn Dórandall on the 1645 Koppskatt (tax) for Fosen under the subhead of Fuldegaardtzmend, which roughly translates from the Old Dutch as Men that own/rent the whole farm (see image in his wife's bio). Under his name is listed his wife’s given name, eldest son Joen and a female with only a surname that is difficult to read, but may refer to his mother-in-law. On the neatly copied 1647 Skattematrikkelen (tax register), he is listed as Arenn Dørenndall. On the all male 1665 census for the Fosen Deanery, he is listed as 70 year-old Arnn on the Dÿrendal farm, with a 14 year-old son Joen (this must be the elder Joen, who should be 24). (Mouse over and click on the 1665 census image for Dyrendahl on right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) The next year on the 1666 census he is listed as Aren Ottersen, on the Dÿrendall farm, with two sons, 111/2 year-old Bent and 8 year-old Jon (the youngest son). Also listed on this farm, right under Arnt is a Jon Larsen, who has an 11 year-old son named Oluff. (Mouse over and click on the 1666 census image for Dyrendahl on left to enlarge in a new window/tab.)

Researchers say Arnt Ottersen died in 1674 in Utigarn Gnr, part of the Dyrendahl farm, which today is called the Dørndal farm. This death year probably comes from Terje T. Bratberg’s Farm Book, volume II, Farm and Family History for Rissa which states he farmed Dyrendahl from about 1640 to about 1674. Unfortunately, there is no way of knowing if, in 1674 he handed the farm over to his son, or he died that year. This researcher has not found any other documentation to support this 1674 death date.

Marit Bendtsdatter was born about 1615 on the Hassel Øvre farm in Hasselvika, Rissa, Sør-Trøndelag County, Norway, the only known child of Bendt Pedersen and Cissel Andersdatter. Marit married Arnt Ottersen and they had at least six children together, all born on the Dyrendahl farm in Rissa — Joen, born about 1641, had a son named Peder; Ingeborg, born about 1648, married twice, first to Rasmus Andersen Sund and then to Rasmus Aagesen; Marit born about 1650, married Oluf Andersen Sollie; Karen born about 1652, married Jon Olsen Skaanøy; ancestor Bernt; and Jon, born about 1658, married three times-his first wife’s name is unknown; his second wife was Ragnhild Andersdatter, who died shortly after the marriage, and the third woman he married on July 19, 1705, was Ingeborg Larsdatter Flyta, the daughter of ancestors Lars Carlsen and Marit Larsdatter.

Her given name is written under her husband’s name on the Dórandall farm on the 1645 Koppskatt (tax) for Fosen. On the last line the surname written after the female designation looks like Andersdatter. This most likely is another female, possibly Marit’s mother. (Mouse over and click on her the image on right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) Unfortunately, nothing else is known about Marit, as no other documents have her name on them.

Christopher Amundsen was born about 1625, probably on the Grenne farm in Rissa, Sør-Trøndelag County, Norway, to parents Amund Bengtsen and his wife, who some say was named Eli, surname unknown. Christopher married Karen Andersdatter about 1645, and they had one daughter, ancestor Sigrid.

There are no documents placing Christopher on the Grenne farm, but his full name is listed on the 1643/4 Stattholderembetet Leidang (vicar’s office tax to fund the fleet to protect the costal communities) book in the Ridtzen Thinglaügh. Unfortunately on this list his farm name isn’t given. (Mouse over and click on the tax record image left to enlarge in a new window/tab.)  His father is listed on the Grinnj farm in the 1647 Skattematrikkelen (tax) book, but Christopher isn’t. So there is no documentation to prove that Christopher and Karen lived and worked on the Grenne farm.

It is believed Christopher died sometime prior to his 30^th birthday, leaving his wife Karen a widow with a young daughter. This is based on three facts: Karen remarried and named her first child, Christopher, who is listed as being 111/2 years old on the census dated April 11, 1666; Karen’s second husband refers to Christopher’s legacy in his own will (see Joen's probate card image below); and being that the Probate Index begins in 1655, and Christopher is not listed in it, means he died before that year. From these facts, his death can be estimated to be about 1653/4.

Karen Andersdatter was born about 1630, probably on the Alseth farm in Rissa, Sør-Trøndelag County, Norway, the first of at least five children born to Anders Rasmussen and his wife, Marit Pedersdatter. Karen married Christopher Amundsen about 1645, and they had one daughter, ancestor Sigrid. Karen’s husband died leaving her a widow with a young daughter. She then married Joen Estensen, of the Overskaug farm, also in Rissa, who was a widower with a young daughter named Mali. Joen and Karen had at least six children, as listed on Joen’s probate record — Christopher is believed to be born about 1655/6, as he’s listed as 111/2 on the 1666 census, was named after Karen’s first husband as is the custom, and he later married Ingeborg Olsdatter; Anders was born about 1671; Giertrud was named after Joen’s first wife, again following the custom of naming the first child after the deceased spouse; Marrite was probably born about 1659, and married Knud Haftorsen Fallin; Ingeborg is said to have married Ole Olesen Ytteraas; and lastly a daughter named Dordi. Some researchers say there were two more sons, Nils and Elling, but they are not listed on Joen’s probate record. If they were their sons, they died before their father.

Karen’s second husband died sometime before August 9, 1682, the date of his probate record, leaving her a widow again. It is from Karen's second husband, Joen’s Probate Index cards that we get much of what we know about Karen and Christopher. (Mouse over and click on the image of Joen's 2 probate cards on right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) It is not known when Karen Andersdatter died, but some researchers say she died at 108 years old in 1738, but do not give any sources. This researcher has not found a death or burial record for her in the church records for that year. Karen may have remarried after Joen’s death, but she was 52 years-old when he died, so she probably died a widow.

Otter Arntsen was born about 1570, where is unknown. All that is known about his parentage is that his father’s given name was Arnt. The Stadbygd Genealogy website states he married Ingeborg, settled on the Dyrendahl farm and they had at least six children there — ancestor Arnt; Jon, who was born about 1605, settled on the Sund farm and had several children; son Gullef was born about 1607; Laurits was born about 1614; Anne was born about 1616; and Ole, who was born about 1619, married ancestor Marit Jonsdatter as her second husband, and died prior to his probate in 1689 on the Nøst farm. Their youngest son Ole’s probate record, found in the Fosen Sorenskriveri, says that he left his estate to his widow, the children of his three brothers and his three sisters. He mentions his siblings by their full names, surname Ottersen for his brothers Arn, Joen, and Lars, followed by the word barn, meaning children, and then names his three sisters — Karen, Ellen, and Gūrrū, with the surname Ottersdatter. (Mouse over and click on her the image of Ole's 2 probate cards on left to enlarge in a new window/tab.) To reconcile these two sources it seems: the three brothers Arn, Joen, and Lars are the same as Arnt, Jon and Laurits; Gullef was probably Gūrrū, a female; Anne was probably Karen; and there was another daughter Ellen. There is other interesting information found in his probate records; read Marit Jonsdatter’s bio for the details.

Terje T. Bratberg’s Farm Book, volume II, Farm and Family History for Rissa states that Otter was working the Østigarn (on the Dyrendal farm) from about 1630 to about 1645. Being that Otter is not listed on the 1645 Koppskatt for Fosen, he probably was dead by the time it was taken. Church records for this time period are not available.

Unfortunately, nothing is known about Otter’s father Arnt, not even which farm he worked on. The Stadsbygd Genealogy website estimates his birth at about 1545.

Bendt Pedersen was born to a father, whose given name was Peder, sometime between 1570 to 1580. The Stadsbygd Genealogy website lists his birth year as 1570, but other researchers say 1580. Astrid Marit Bjørkvik in her book Gårds- og slekthistorie fro Hasselvika. Gnr. 1-12, also known as the Rissa Bygdebok I, tells us he was born at the Hassel Øvre farm (Over Hassel), which is a part of the much larger Hassel farm, in Hasselvika, Rissa, Sør-Trøndelag Counry, Norway. The Hassel Øvre farm is located on the western edge of Rissa, very near the waters edge of Trondheimsfjorden. (Mouse over the image of an early 1900's family working on the Hassel Øvre farm on right to view another image and other info.)

Bendt married Cissel Andersdatter, and they had only one known child, ancestor Marit Bendtsdatter. Cissel was probably born about the same time as her husband to a father whose given name was Anders. On the 1645 Koppskatt (tax) for Fosen, what looks like her surname is listed on the bottom of the entry for her son-in-law Arnt Ottersen on the Dyrendahl Farm. (View the image in Marit Bendtsdatter's bio above.) Because of this, it is assumed she died sometime after 1645.

Bendt’s name hasn’t been found on either the 1645 or 1647 tax registers, and if his wife is living on the Dyrendahl farm with her daughter in 1645, it is assumed he died prior to 1645. What is interesting is that on these two registers, Hassel Øvre is not listed at all. On the 1647 register, there is a Nederhasell farm (Under Hassell) listed with a Peder and an Oelle living there. Also listed is the Haselenn farm, with a Johan living there. If any of them are related to Bendt and Cissel, is unknown. Unfortunately, nothing else is known about Bendt, his father Peder, his wife Cissel, or her father Anders. 

Amund Bengtsen and his wife, said to be named Eli, of the Grenne farm are believed to be the parents of ancestor Christopher Amundsen. On the 1665 census for the Fosen Deanery, he is listed as 74 years old, Asmund, living on the Grinni farm, which means he was born about 1591. (Mouse over and click on the 1665 census image for Grenne on right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) He was the son of Bendt Grenne, and is said to have had a sister. The only other record this researcher has found for him is on the Skattematrikkelen 1647 tax register, where he is listed as Asmund Grinnj who was taxed til R(eins) c(loster) 1 spd. 3 dr.

Because he is not listed on the Greene farm on the 1666 census for the Fosen Deanery, it is believed he died after January 8, 1665, but before the date of the 1666 census, April 11, 1666. Unfortunately, nothing is known about Amund’s wife.

Anders Rasmussen’s birth has been estimated anywhere from 1584 to 1605. He probably was born on the Alseth farm in Rissa, Sør-Trøndelag, Norway, the son of Rasmus Alseth. Researchers say Anders married Marit Pedersdatter, also of the Alseth farm, and they had at least five children —ancestor Karen; son Peder, born about 1631, married and had a daughter named Gunild; Anders, born any time from 1639 to 1641; son Esten born about 1645; and a daughter named Sidsel.

There are three Anders listed as living in the Ridtzen area under the subheading of Halffuegaardtzmend, which roughly translates from the Old Dutch as Men that own/rent half of the farm, on the 1645 Koppskatt (tax register) for Fosen. Farm #13 clearly has a female named Marit living there also, so that entry is probably our Anders, but the farm name is difficult to read. On the neatly typed copy of the 1647 Skattematrikkelen (tax register) for the Sør-Trøndelag Foessen Lehnn, Rissa tinglag, there is an Annders Aldset, who was taxed til Reinns closter 2 øre. 2dr. On the January 8, 1665, male only Census for the Fosen Deanery, in the Rissa Sogn, there is an Anders age 81, living on the Altsat farm, with his sons, 26 year-old Anders and 20 year-old Esten. (Mouse over and click on the 1665 census image for the Alseth farm on left to enlarge in a new window/tab.) The next year on the April 11, 1666, census, he is listed as Anders Rasmussen living on the Allseett farm, with two boys, 111/2 year-old Oluff and a 10 year-old, what looks like Paul, listed under the sons column, and their surname is not Andersen, but what looks like Larsen. Under these names is says fostersønns (foster sons-could Marit have died and Anders was married to a widow with 2 Larsen sons?) Anders 37 year-old son Peder is listed in the next column, and Peder’s 21/2 year-old son Rasmus is listed in the last column. (Mouse over and click on the 1666 census image for the Alseth farm on right to enlarge in a new window/tab.)

Anders’ father is said to be Rasmus Alseth on the Stadsbygd Genealogy website, where it says he was born about 1580. This researcher has not found any supporting documents for him. Unfortunately, nothing else is known about Anders, his wife Marit, and his father Rasmus.

Bendt Grenne was probably the name of the father of ancestor Amund Bengtsen. The Stadsbygd Genealogy website says he was born about 1565, and had at least two children — Anne, born about 1590, who married Ingebrigt Olsen of the Skaug farm; and ancestor Amund. Because Bendt is listed with the surname Grenne on this website, implies that the author of the website, Dennis L. Haarsager, may have some proof that Bendt worked on the Grenne farm. Being that Bendt is not listed in the 1647 tax register, it is assumed he was dead by the time that this tax was recorded. Unfortunately, this researcher has not found any documents for him, so nothing more is known.

Ancestral Farms of the Rissa Parish

In about 1900, Oluf Rygh compiled a list of 127 farm nams in the Rissen Parish in his Norwegian Farm Names books. Many of them had different names down through the years. The name variations on our ancestors farms in the northern part of Rissa that Rygh lists, are as follows:

Alseth: Alset, Oszeleszetther, Alsetther, Allesett, Alsæt.

Dyrendahl: Dørndal, Dærendall, Dørendal, Dørendall, Dyrndall, Dørendall, Dyrendal, Døerendall, and Dyrendall.

Grenne: Grynnyøie, Grynne, Grinnj, and Grine

Hårberg: Haruberghe, Horbergh, Horberiigh, Haarberig, and Haarberg.

Hassel: Herzlu Fornm, Hærðsluuijkum, Herdzlawikom, Herdzlawik, Hasleuick, Haszeluigen, Hasslem, Øffuer Hasle, Hertlenn, Hattlenn, Offuerhasßell, Haßelluig, Offuer Hassell, and Over Hassel.

Overskaug: Øverskau, Øffreskoye, Øffuerschuo, Offuerschoff, and Overschow.