Magnild Olsdatter's Ancestors

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We wish to thank cousin Åse for sharing her research with us.

Ole Christophersen was one of three known children of parents, Christopher Olsen and Magnild Berntsdatter. Researchers claim Ole was born prior to his baptism on December 26, 1723, in Rissa, Sør-Trøndelag County, Norway on the Fallum farm, which today is called Fallin. There is a baptism record for his name on that date, but another record exists for the same name, parents and farm for a baptism on January 13, 1727. This researcher has not found a death record for the Ole baptized in 1723, but these records are difficult to read. Which baptism date is for our Ole is clearly uncertain. Besides his full siblings, Ole had three much older half-siblings, and two step-siblings. In all, there were three children named Ole Christophersen, and another Ole with a different surname (see his father and mother’s bios for more on this).

Ole met and began a relationship with Lucie Erichsdatter who lived on the Berg farm, which is southwest of Fallum, closer to the shore of Lake Botn. They married on January 23, 1755, and just ten days later, their first child was baptized. They had at least six children, all recorded as living on the Berg farm-see Lucie’s bio for details.

Lucie died in 1795 and Ole, who was now about 73 years-old, married 51 year-old Kari Joensdatter from the Berget farm, on July 21, 1796, who was a widow with six children. They weren’t married long, as Ole died just 4 months later on December 4, 1796. His death record lists his age as 70, and his residence as Berg. An unconfirmed family history says that he was buried next to his first wife Lucie, on the Berg farm. This could be why a burial date is not recorded on his death record. (Mouse over and click on image right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) It is interesting to note that on the 1801 census, Kari Joensdatter is living on the Berg farm with her daughter from her first marriage and they are listed right under her step-daughter, ancestor Magnild’s family.

Lucie Erichsdatter was baptized on December 2, 1725, one of five children born to Kari Christophersdatter and Erich Christophersen on the Berg farm in Rissa, Sør-Trøndelag County, Norway.

Lucie became intimately involved with Ole Christophersen and they were married on January 23, 1755, just a short time prior to their first child’s baptism. (Mouse over and click on image left to enlarge in a new window/tab. )Together they had at least six children, all born on the Berg farm and baptized on the dates shown — ancestor Magnild; Eric on January 6, 1757; Christopher on August 12, 1759, who may have died young; Kirsten on August 15, 1762, was confirmed in 1779, and married Carl Haagensen of Fallum on July 20, 1788; another Christopher on December 16, 1764; and Ole on October 30, 1768. It is interesting to note that the only confirmation records found were for the two daughters. It is likely none of the boys survived to adulthood, thus the Berg farm handed over to their oldest daughter ancestor Magnild’s husband.

Lucie Erichsdatter died on the Berg farm on January 11, 1795. Her age was recorded as 79 years-old, which may indicate that she was born many years prior to her baptism or they recorded her age incorrectly. A burial date was not recorded, which goes along with the family story that she was buried on the Berg farm.

Erich Christophersen  was born about 1691, probably on the Berg farm in Rissa, Sør-Trøndelag County, Norway, one of at least five children born to parents Marit Erichsdatter and Christopher Jonsen. Erich is listed as being 10 years old on the 1701 all male Fosen fogderi census. His father died in 1704 and in February of 1705, Erich, who was about 14 years old at the time, and the second son, received an inheritance from his estate, that was equal to his older brother’s share.

In about 1720, Erich married Kari Christophersdatter, whose ancestry is unknown, but is believed to have been born about 1688. Erich and Kari had at least five children, all born on the Berg farm and baptized in the Rissa parish church on the dates given — Maritte on August 23, 1722; ancestor Lucie; Christopher on May 23, 1728; Kari, often called Karen, on June 18, 1730, who married Benjamin Olsen, lived on the Schei farm, had at least eight children; and Kirsti on March 1, 1733. Because ancestor Lucie’s husband ran the Berg farm, after Erich’s death, it is believed that the only children who survived to adulthood were daughters Lucie and Kari. No other records can be found for Marritte, Christopher, or Kirsti. Another possible child was an Ole Erichsen who died at eight days old on February 9, 1721, but a farm or parents names are not listed on this record. It should be noted that on the same page, there is a record of an Intro for an Erich Berg on February 23, 1721.

On the 1723 Landed Property Index Farm Book, Erich is running the Berg farm with a man named Eskild. Unfortunately, their relationship, if any, is not stated. This record gives details about the farm, but it is difficult to read and translate.

Researchers say that both Erich and his wife Kari died in 1763 on the Berg farm, but only Kari’s death record has been found in that year. Karen Christophers Datter Berg died at 75 years old, and was buried on October 28, 1763. It is not known if Erich died before or after her.  (Mouse over and click on image left to enlarge in a new window/tab.)

Christopher Jonsen was born about 1648, probably on the Krognes farm in Rissa, Sør-Trøndelag County, Norway, the only known child of Karen Eskildsdatter and Jon Andersen. Not much is known about him as records for the 1600’s are not available for research. Christopher married Marit Erichsdatter, probably in the mid 1680’s and they may have settled first on the Krognes farm and then on the Berg farm. Christopher and Marit had at least five children, all named in Christopher’s probate documents in the following order— Jon, also spelled Joen, is listed first; ancestor Erich; then the daughters, Karen, Mali, and another daughter whose name looks like Doret.These daughters may be older than the males, but being female, they get listed after them.

The all-male 1701 census, has the family living on the Berg farm, listing Christopher as 53 years-old, 12 year-old Joen, and 10 year-old Erich. A few years later, we find a death/burial record for 54 year old Christopher Berg dated June 11, 1704. His probate record is dated February 18, 1705. The probate index card clearly reads Ingen gjeld oppgitt, which translates to No debt stated. (Mouse over and click on image right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) This seems to indicate that the family lived within their means and didn’t amass debt. These probate documents list Marit as his widow and names each child as stated above. His two sons received twice as much as his daughters.

Marit Erichsdatter is probably one of two known children born to Eric Olsen and his first wife whose name is unknown. Marit is said to have been born about 1647 on the Solem farm in Rissa, Sør-Trøndelag, Norway. After her mother died, her father remarried and had at least three more children. It is believed that she married Christopher Jonsen after her farther died, and she inherited part of his estate. Christopher and Marit had at least five children together, all probably born on the Krognes or Berg farms (see his bio for details). Marit’s husband died in 1704 and, unfortunately, it is not known what became of her after his death.

Jon Andersen was born a twin, on the Krognes farm in Rissa, Sør-Trøndelag County, Norway, in about 1609, one of at least eight children born to Anders Sevaldsen and his second wife, Marit Eriksdatter. Not much is known about Jon or his wife Karen/Kari Eskildsdatter, who is said to have been born about 1609, on the Krognes farm to Eskil Krognes, and his first wife Beret. Researchers agree that Jon and Karen had only one child, born when they were about 39 years-old, ancestor Christopher. This suggests they married after the age of 35.

The only documentation found for Jon is the 1665 Vicar's Census, where he is listed as 56 years-old, managing the Krognes farm with his twin brother Erich, and another ancestor, 34 year-old Ole Christophersen, who was married to Maren Eskilsdatter, who probably was Karen’s half-sister. Jon is not on the 1666 Krognes farm census and no other documentation exists for him. (Mouse over and click on image left to enlarge in a new window/tab.) Even so, many researchers say Jon died after 1675, on the Krognes farm but give no supporting documentation. It is not known when his wife Karen died.  

Erich Olsen and his first wife, whose name is unknown, were most likely the parents of ancestor Marit Erichsdatter. Nothing is known of his early life and his wife, except that they lived in Rissa, Sør-Trøndelag County, Norway, and they had other children—a son named Kristen, who was born about 1656; and a son named Jon who was born about 1658, who probably died young, before his father’s death. They probably lived and worked on the Solem farm for years. Erich’s wife died sometime prior to 1670, when it is believed that Erich married Doret Nilsdatters, who was at least 35 years younger than him, and probably was the daughter of the Solem farm’s manager. They had three sons together — Ole was born about 1674 and died as a child, before his 11^th birthday; Jon, born about 1676, married Dordi Nilsdatter in 1723, had 5 children and died in 1732; and Nils, who was born about 1678, and died as a child, before his 7^th birthday. This possible summary of his life comes from information gathered from the existing documents found for him.

According to the Fosen Deanery Vicar's Census of 1665, Erich was born about 1611, as he is listed as being 54 years-old. He was managing the Solem farm with 76 year-old Nils, who is probably his second wife’s father. In the last column is listed two other males, 43 year-old Isarel and 30 year-old Christopher. Other researchers agree that Doret did have a brother named Christopher. The handwriting on this census is hard to read and does not include young boys names. The next census, 1666, we learn more about Erich. On it, Nil’s surname is listed as Ollsen, but Erich’s surname is abbreviated and difficult to make out. Under the Sons column, is listed 10 year-old Christen and 8 year-old Jon Erichsen, and an 11 1/2 year-old Peder Nilsen (another brother to Erich’s second wife). The next column again lists Isarel and Christopher Nilsen, each a year older, followed by both of their two sons in the last column. A few years later on the 1668 Landed Property Index, Erich is listed on the Solem farm, without Nils.

The most informative document is Erich’s probate papers, dated April 7, 1685. He died on the Solem farm, probably in early 1685 and his Probate Index Card clearly states his widow’s full name, and his children’s names, separated by his two marriages. (Mouse over and click on the Probate Index card image right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) The two children from his first marriage, Kristen and Marit are listed as both the full legal age, and in the detailed probate administration papers, they are mentioned several times. The children listed from his second marriage were noted as all under age. In the detailed probate administration papers, they are not listed separately, just mentioned with their mother.

Erich’s second wife, Doret married Knut Jonsen and had four more children with him. Doret and Knut died within 14 days of each other and their estate was probated together on August 4, 1725. It is on this probate record where we find out that only one of Erich and Doret’s sons, Jon, survived to adulthood.

Anders Sevaldsen is believed to be the only known child born to Sevald Andersen and his unnamed wife, possibly on the Flyten farm, but certainly in Rissa, Sør-Trøndelag County, Norway. His birth has been estimated between 1560 and 1575. Because surnames were not used often in those days, and church records are not available, it is not certain that Anders’ surname was Sevaldson! Reseachers say that in “Rissa (Lensvik is not included) there were four adult men named Anders in 1610. (Land tax).” What makes researchers believe he is the son of Sevald Andersen is that Anders was the next manager of the Flyten farm after Sevald and Anders named a son Sevald.

Anders married Karen Nilsdatter, who may have been the daughter of the Krognes farm manager, as Anders left the Flyten farm and moved to the Krognes farm, after he married her. Anders and Karen had a son named Nils born about 1602. Most researchers agree that Karen died shortly after Nils was born, but some claim she lived longer, and gave birth to more of Anders’ children. In either case, after Karen’s death, Anders married Marit Eriksdatter, whose birth has been estimated at 1570. Because records are unavailable for research, it is not certain which woman was the mother of ancestor Jon Andersen. This researcher agrees with the Stadsbygd Genealogy website that says Marit is the mother of Ander’s eight additional children. These children were probably born on the Krognes farm — daughter Elsebe was born about 1603, married Nils Christophersen, then Elling Børresen, and died in 1664, on the Hasselvika farm; Jacob was born about 1604, married Marit Nilsdatter, and died in 1657, on the Hasselvika farm; son Sevald married a widow named Gertrude and settled on the Rogset farm; daughter Guri was born about 1607; ancestor Jon’s twin brother Erich married Guri Rolfsdatter, died on the Krognes farm and his estate was probated on June 13, 1683; Anders was born about 1611, married Elen Larsdatter, and settled on the Lille Kråkmo farm in Leksvik; and lastly, son Bent who was born about 1615, and died before 1674. Anders’ first son, whom he had with wife Karen, Nils, married Lucie Jensdatter and settled on the Enebakk farm and died there in 1683.

Norwegian researchers claim that Anders worked the Krognes farm from 1610 to 1644, then his unnamed widow took over in 1645. The Koppskatten of 1645 (tax), is found in the Account Books for Feudal Overlords, After 1570, Trondheim len no. 85: 1644-1646 collection. (Mouse over and click on the 1645 Koppskatten image left to enlarge in a new window/tab.) In it we find the unnamed widow of Krognes listed with her five children who are named - Erich, Anders, Joen, Elsebet and Guri. These researchers go on to say that in 1648, Anders’ son Erik took over the farm until his death in 1683, which suggests that in, or just prior to, 1648, Marit died.

Along with the Koppskatten of 1645, this researcher has found four farm books in the Jordebøker 1633-1658 collection that shows Anders, given name only, as the manager of Krognes - one in 1624 and three consecutive books dated from 1643 to 1647. (Mouse over and click on the 1624 farm book image right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) It should be noted that in the 1643/4 book his name is proceeded by a mark that looks like an H:, and on both the 1645/6 and 1646/7 books, his name is proceeded by a mark that looks like Jz. There are only a handful of these marks in the books, so it may be an indicator that Anders is deceased. Anders may very well have died prior to 1643, followed by the death of Marit in 1648, but we have no solid documentation to prove it. We know that he was deceased by 1645, and his wife was still alive. We also know from the 1665 census that Anders and Marit’s’ sons Erik and Jon (with ancestor Ole Christophersen) worked the Krognes farm, so there is no reason to doubt these other researchers.

Eskil Krognes and his wife Beret are believed to be the parents of two female ancestors, Karen and Maren Eskilsdatter, who fall in two different generations, along the same line. It is estimated that Eskil was born about 1580 and Beret about 1585. Dennis Haarsager’s Stadsbygd Genealogy website tells us that Eskil, Beret and their five children’s names appear in the Rissaboka Bind VI, under the Kråknes nordre (northern) farm. Their children were all born in Rissa, Sør-Trøndelag, Norway, probably on the Krognes farm — eldest son Arnfind was born about 1605; Kari in 1609, who is believed to be ancestor Karen; son Ole; daughter Brønnild; and lastly ancestor Maren, who was born many years later. Unfortunately no other information is known about these children, and Haarsager does not have Karen’s marriage listed under daughter Kari. Haarsager estimates Eskil’s birth in 1580 and Beret’s in 1585, based on their children’s ages. He also suggest’s that Maren was the daughter of Eskil’s second wife, “Rissaboka bind VI presents Maren as born ca. 1636 and an older brother, Arnfind as born ca. 1605. The age for Arnfind's mother (estimated birth 1585) is based on Arnfind's age, which would make her a young 21 at the time of his birth. However, that would also make her 51 at the time of Maren's birth, so while that is not impossible, it seems more likely that Maren was the child of a second mother.” Haarsager’s second wife theory makes perfect sense, but unfortunately, no documents have been found to support it.

On the Slektsforum website, an unnamed contributor states, “Audun Dybdahl has published the article ‘The Farmer Sheriffs in Trondheim County in the 16^th Century: Number, Status, Function and Remuneration’ in Heimen 04, 2013.” In Appendix 2 of this article it states that “Eskil Kråknes, lensman in 1636.”Lensman apparently means farmer sheriff, so Eskil had that job just about the time that Maren was born. In an English summary of this book found on the Universitetsforlaget website it states: “The position as lensmann goes back to the Middle Ages, when the lensmann’s main task was to collect taxes on behalf of the sysselmann (the leading crown-officer in the county). . . .In respect of Trøndelag, the source material from around the time of the Reformation is thin. A recently published witnessed document from 1547 that names 13 lensmenn is therefore an important addition. . . .The investigation shows that the number of lensmenn increased sharply around 1600, . . . Generally, the lensmenn of the 1500s were relatively wealthy and lived on good farms. Their remuneration was primarily negative in that the lensmenn were exempted from paying tax and probably also tithes. The exemption from tax became of greater economic significance as heavier taxes were levied over the course of the 1600s. In the 1500s, it was not usual for the office to be passed down from father to son.”

The name Eschield Krognes is listed on the 1647 Skattematrikkelen tax register. He would have been 67 years-old, so this may or may not be him. (Mouse over and click on image right to enlarge in a new window/tab.) Unfortunately nothing else is known about Eskil and Beret.

Sevald Andersen is believed to be the father of ancestor Anders Sevaldsen, although no hard proof has been found to support this. Researchers state that Sevald was born between 1521 and 1530, either on the Flyta or Dyrendahl farms in Rissa, Sør-Trøndelag County, Norway, and could be the son of Anders pa Ffrøtte. The only sources found are a handful of tax records.The earliest is for 1557-59, where his name is listed as Siuald paa Fløythe in the Skipsskatten av Trondheims len 1557-1559, which translates to the Ship Tax of Trondheim County. (Mouse over and click on the Skipsskatten image left to enlarge in a new window/tab.) One researcher states that in the Land Tax for Fosen Martini 1610 books, he is not listed, but his unnamed widow is, thus concluding he is deceased. In a search of these records, I could not find a widow listed on Flyta, but there is one for Krognes. I also found a name listed, that looks like Sevald Anders, without a farm name, that could be our Sevald. This same name was again listed in the 1611, Landskatt Mikkelsmesse, which translates to Land Tax for St. Michael's Day, which is celebrated on September 29. (This is when when the cows and goats are herded down from the mountain pastures to the valley farms, and the eldest daughters of the farms make butter, goat's cheese, and other dairy products for sale or for use on the farms throughout the winter. When the girls return to their family homes in late September with their tubs of butter and well-fed animals wearing garlands of flowers, it is an occasion for dancing, singing, and feasting.)

Anders Ffrøtte is believed to be the most likely candidate to be Sevald Andersen’s father. Anders is mentioned in Johan Hermstad’s Rissa Bygdebok: Farm and Family History for Rissa. Volume 5, under Farms 66-84, as “Anders Flyten b. 1488. Farmer at Dyrendal and Flyten.” Hermstad calls Sevald his son, but with much uncertainty and goes on to say that “Anders was the first user of Flyta to know the name of.” It is believed that Anders was the first manager of Flyta, because his name, listed as Anders pa Ffrøtte, was recorded under the year 1520-21, in the Writings Published for the Kjeldeskriftfondet. 2: Norwegian Accounts and Earthbooks from the 16th Century (1516-1521), published in 1896. Researchers have called him Anders Flyten, Anders pa Ffrøtte, Anders pa Frøtte, Anders Dyrendal, and Anders Flyta. They say he was born about 1488-1490, in Rissa, was married, and died after 1557, but do not show any sources for these dates. It is likely we will never know for certain his ancestry or if he was Sevald’s father.