Ekteparet Crist (Christian) Benson fra Solør og Marion (Maren) Knutsen fra Gran, Hadeland emigrert til Nord Dakota – finne igjen i norske kilder?

[Jackie K Marler]

Also Findagrave finds no Christian Bentsen in the same cemetery as Amalia.

 

1888-1889 City Directory has a Christian Benson living at the same address as for Amalia's burial record 919 29th Ave S.  His occupation is machine hand at Simonson Bros. Manufacturing Co.  He is still there in the 1891-1892 directory.

 

A Hjalmer Brastad is also in Minneapolis in the 1885-1886 directory working at the same place as Christian, working as blacksmith.

 

Interesting Hjalmer had a son named Einar Oluf Brastad who married a distant cousin of mine from Norderhov--Anna Olava Gulbrandsdatter.

 

And Hjalmer and his family are on line 1598 on the same page as Christian and Amalie passenger list.

 

Endret Februar 27 av Jackie K Marler

[Jackie K Marler]

Another tack:  Anne Bergitta b 19 Jan 1885 mother is pige Maren Knudsdatter:

Nordre Land prestekontor, AV/SAH-PREST-124/H/Ha/Haa/L0004: Ministerialbok nr. 4, 1882-1896, s. 16
Brukslenke for sidevisning: https://www.digitalarkivet.no/kb20060727080086

 

Ole Kristian #4 b. 6 Jan 1889 mother is pige Maren Knudsdatter:

Nordre Land prestekontor, AV/SAH-PREST-124/H/Ha/Haa/L0004: Ministerialbok nr. 4, 1882-1896, s. 37
Brukslenke for sidevisning: https://www.digitalarkivet.no/kb20060727080107

(the note on this one says it's her second, the other born 19 Jan 1885.)

Endret Februar 28 av Jackie K Marler
My apologies for duplication but I wonder if more follow up is in order?

[Jorunn Stenberg]

1 time siden, Jackie K Marler skrev:

Another tack:  Anne Bergitta b 19 Jan 1885 mother is pige Maren Knudsdatter:

Nordre Land prestekontor, AV/SAH-PREST-124/H/Ha/Haa/L0004: Ministerialbok nr. 4, 1882-1896, s. 16
Brukslenke for sidevisning: https://www.digitalarkivet.no/kb20060727080086

 

Ole Kristian #4 b. 6 Jan 1889 mother is pige Maren Knudsdatter:

Nordre Land prestekontor, AV/SAH-PREST-124/H/Ha/Haa/L0004: Ministerialbok nr. 4, 1882-1896, s. 37
Brukslenke for sidevisning: https://www.digitalarkivet.no/kb20060727080107

(the note on this one says it's her second, the other born 19 Jan 1885.)

 

Same as in suggestion from Sven Hjortland ?

 

" 

Forslag:

 

Maren https://www.digitalarkivet.no/view/255/pd00000031193419

Bessie https://media.digitalarkivet.no/view/5070/18 Anne Birgitte

Christ Hans https://media.digitalarkivet.no/view/5070/39  Ole Kristian "

Endret Onsdag 16:55 av Sven Hjortland

[Anton Hagelee]

On 2/27/2025 at 7:30 AM, Jorunn Stenberg said:

Axel Bernhard Jalmar (Hjalmar)

 

 

Same guy?

 

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/98802326/axel-bernard_hjalmer-brastad?_gl=1*1anywv8*_gcl_dc*R0NMLjE3MzY3MDA1MjQuZDRhOTMxYWVkZjEzMWRhNTY3ODA1MWEzODc3YmEyN2Q.*_gcl_au*MTgwNTE0MTkwOC4xNzM1NDA0NzMx*_ga*MTAyODk5NTQ5NS4xNzM1NDA0NzMy*_ga_4QT8FMEX30*Y2JkYTY2MmItZGU3Ni00ZTVmLWEzMjYtMmYxNTEwNjNiMWI3Ljk4LjEuMTc0MDc3NTE2OS4xOC4wLjA.*_ga_LMK6K2LSJH*Y2JkYTY2MmItZGU3Ni00ZTVmLWEzMjYtMmYxNTEwNjNiMWI3Ljk5LjEuMTc0MDc3NTE2OS4wLjAuMA..

 

 

[Anton Hagelee]

Amalie Mathilde Therese Brastad

in the U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Church Records, 1781-1969

NameAmalie Mathilde Therese Brastad

GenderFemale

Record TypeMarriage

Birth PlaceRurgenter

Marriage Date3 Jan 1883

Marriage PlaceMinneapolis, Minnesota, USA

SpouseChristian Berilla

Church NameTrinity Lutheran Church

Church LocationMinneapolis, Minnesota

 

https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60722/records/9581040?tid=4825489&pid=152261519509&queryId=11dfabc2-d4e4-4e6f-929d-886404dbf31d&_phsrc=TWb3&_phstart=successSource

 

The website that I use to post screenshots is down today, but the transcription could be wrong as his name looks to me as Christian Bend? age 27 place could be Valdres?

 

The witnesses are a Andreas Dahl and Oliva Dahl the wife is possibly related to Amalie. According to a Family Tree on Ancestry. Oliva Dahl is 

 

Olia Halgrimsdatter Brastad

1839–1914

BIRTH 2 SEP 1839 • Fleskrud, Buskerud, Norway

DEATH 11 SEP 1914 • Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota, USA

 

Husbad is 

 

Anders Emanuelsen Dahl

1836–

BIRTH 21 AUG 1836 • Sweden

DEATH Minnesota, USA

 

Her father is 

 

Halgrim Olsen Brastad

1803–1890

BIRTH 1803 • Sonbye, Norderhov, Buskerud, Norway

DEATH 3 APR 1890 • Norderhov, Buskerud, Norway

 

He has a son 

 

Ole Halgrimsen Brastad

1831–

BIRTH 17 JUN 1831 • Norway

DEATH Unknown

 

Whose daughter is 

 

Amalie Mathilde Theresse Olsdatter Brastad

1856–1890

BIRTH 1856 • Hønefoss, Buskerud, Norway

DEATH 16 OCT 1890

 

A long way of saying that the witnesses come from the brides family unfortunately.

 

Ole 

 

BIRTH 17 JUN 1831 • Norway

DEATH Unkn

 

 

 

 

 

Endret Februar 28 av Anton Hagelee

[Anton Hagelee]

Here is the transcription for Christian. 

 

Christian Berilla

in the U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Church Records, 1781-1969

NameChristian Berilla

GenderMale

Record TypeMarriage

Birth PlaceValdes

Marriage Date3 Jan 1883

Marriage PlaceMinneapolis, Minnesota, USA

SpouseAmalie Mathilde Therese Brastad

Church NameTrinity Lutheran Church

Church LocationMinneapolis, Minnesota

 

https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60722/records/3581040

 

 

[Anton Hagelee]

Site is up 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Endret Mars 1 av Anton Hagelee

[Jorunn Stenberg]

Thanks to both Anton and Jackie for finding sources to verify the family of Christian Benson and Amalia (Mathilde Theresse) Brastad. As established Amalia Brastad / Benson died in  1890, buried in Hennepin. There is a Christian Benson born in 1854 also buried in Hennepin. His wife is Anna (not Amalia) according to Findagrave. Christian Benson (1854-1938) - Find a Grave Memorial  Maybe same person as the one married to Amalia - and later married to Anna?

 

My first thougt was that maybe "my" Christ Benson who settled in Petersburg was already widowed when marrying Maren/Marion/Mary Knudsen. As stated by marriage license Christ and Maren were married in 1891. 

 

But I have a hard time making this fit in with other information about Christ Benson: Immigration year about 1888/1889 (not 1885 as with Christian Benson in Hennepin, which is confirmed by passenger list). Birth year matches, both are said to be born in 1854. So far no certain date og birtplace for Christian B. in Hennepin. For Christ Benson in Petersburg is stated in several "secondary" sources his birth was March 5. 1854 in Solør. No exact match is found in the (extended) area of Solør so far. But also the information about his wife Maren Knudson, and two elder children have proved to be unprecise (though children's birth dates are precise), and this makes one question the validity of information about  the birth of Christ Benson as well. Sources also give the name Hans for Christian Benson's father.

 

I have found one person born March 5. 1854 in the same parish as Maren Knudsen's birth (and birth of children Anne Birgitte/Besse & Ole Kristian/Christ Hans), who would seem to match. But this man can be traced in adulthood as married locally. 

Kristian - Ministerialbok for Land prestegjeld, Torpa, Nordsinni, Østsinni sokn 1847-1859 (0536P) - Digitalarkivet

Detaljert personsøk - Digitalarkivet

 

The search goes on 🙂 Thanks for all your help!

Endret Mars 1 av Jorunn Stenberg

[Anton Hagelee]

8 hours ago, Jorunn Stenberg said:

Thanks to both Anton and Jackie for finding sources to verify the family of Christian Benson and Amalia (Mathilde Theresse) Brastad. As established Amalia Brastad / Benson died in  1890, buried in Hennepin. There is a Christian Benson born in 1854 also buried in Hennepin. His wife is Anna (not Amalia) according to Findagrave. Christian Benson (1854-1938) - Find a Grave Memorial  Maybe same person as the one married to Amalia - and later married to Anna?

 

Yes I am beginning to believe that the Christian Bensen who lived in Petersburg, Nelson, North Dakota is not the same one who lived in Minneapolis, Hennipin, Minnesota. 

 

It is still a bit fuzzy but the time line would go like this 

 

Christian Bensen born about 1854 in Norway

 

A Christian Bensen married Amalie M Brastad in July 1883. in Minneapolis, Hennepin County 

 

A Christian Bensen and his wife Amalie Brastad returned from Norway in 1885

 

The wife of Christian Bensen named Amalie died in 1890

 

A Christian Bensen born in 1854 married a widow Anna Wagner Jatho in 1899 in Hennepin County 

 

This Christian died in 1938 In Hennepin County and his wife Anna died in 1853 also in Hennepin County

 

They are both buried in Lewis Cemetery, Independence, Hennepin County.

 

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M9SN-6DC?lang=en

 

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/70363273/christian-benson?_gl=1*5tg9ub*_gcl_dc*R0NMLjE3MzY3MDA1MjQuZDRhOTMxYWVkZjEzMWRhNTY3ODA1MWEzODc3YmEyN2Q.*_gcl_au*MTgwNTE0MTkwOC4xNzM1NDA0NzMx*_ga*MTAyODk5NTQ5NS4xNzM1NDA0NzMy*_ga_4QT8FMEX30*MzcwMzMzZjUtMDczNS00NTgxLWIyYWUtODhhMzEwMTQ1NTgyLjEwMi4xLjE3NDA4NjQ4OTguNTkuMC4w*_ga_LMK6K2LSJH*MzcwMzMzZjUtMDczNS00NTgxLWIyYWUtODhhMzEwMTQ1NTgyLjEwMy4xLjE3NDA4NjQ4OTkuMC4wLjA.

 

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/70361660/anna-wagner-bensen?_gl=1*1hup7n1*_gcl_dc*R0NMLjE3MzY3MDA1MjQuZDRhOTMxYWVkZjEzMWRhNTY3ODA1MWEzODc3YmEyN2Q.*_gcl_au*MTgwNTE0MTkwOC4xNzM1NDA0NzMx*_ga*MTAyODk5NTQ5NS4xNzM1NDA0NzMy*_ga_4QT8FMEX30*MzcwMzMzZjUtMDczNS00NTgxLWIyYWUtODhhMzEwMTQ1NTgyLjEwMi4xLjE3NDA4NjM5MTkuNTEuMC4w*_ga_LMK6K2LSJH*MzcwMzMzZjUtMDczNS00NTgxLWIyYWUtODhhMzEwMTQ1NTgyLjEwMy4xLjE3NDA4NjM5MTkuMC4wLjA.

 

 

Endret Mars 2 av Anton Hagelee

[Anton Hagelee]

On 2/28/2025 at 6:51 AM, Jackie K Marler said:

Ole Kristian #4 b. 6 Jan 1889 mother is pige Maren Knudsdatter:

 

Jackie, I have looked for the Benson family in the 1900 US Census without finding them, The first that they show up in the Census is the 1910, But there is evidence of then around 1900 in various places such as ELCA records, For example Oscar and Clarence  were born right around 1900 in Nelson County but no trace of them in the Census for 1900?

 

All U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Church Records, 1781-1969 results for kris* bens*

 

Search results

View Record	Name	Event Type	Event Date	Church Location	Relatives	View Images

Search results

View Record	Name	Event Type	Event Date	Church Location	Relatives	View Images
View Record	Clara Bensen	Baptism	12 May 1895	Petersburg, North Dakota	Kristian, Maren
View Record	Sina Bensen	Baptism	7 Feb 1892	Petersburg, North Dakota	Kristian, Maren
View Record	Elmer Bernhard Bensen	Baptism	1 Aug 1897	Petersburg, North Dakota	Kristian, Maren
View Record	Oscar Benson	Baptism	19 Nov 1899	Petersburg, North Dakota	Kristian, Maren
View Record	Clarence Benson	Baptism	27 Apr 1902	Petersburg, North Dakota	Kristian, Maren
View Record	Bernhard Benson	Baptism	11 Dec 1904	Petersburg, North Dakota	Kristian, Maren
View Record	Sina Bensen	Confirmation	1 Nov 1906	Petersburg, North Dakota	Kristian, Maren
View Record	Maria Berdine Benson	Confirmation	8 Sep 1907	Petersburg, North Dakota	Kristian, Mari
View Record	Clara Benson	Confirmation	19 Sep 1909	Petersburg, North Dakota	Kristian, Marit

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Anton Hagelee]

Here is a shot in he dark. In the DA record for the birth of Ole Hans posted by Sven, Maren has the farm name listed as Sjørli eie.

 

Christ Hans https://media.digitalarkivet.no/view/5070/39  Ole Kristian

https://www.digitalarkivet.no/kb20060727080107

 

Here is a Maren Sjörliein the Norway, Emigration Records, 1867-1960 leaving  in 1890 with a young daghter age 5. No sign of a new born but perhaps too small to count. 

 

https://www.digitalarkivet.no/en/view/9/og00000001025443

 

Oops, I see him four spots above his mother, listed as 11/12 age, about right. Look at the screen shot below. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Endret Mars 2 av Anton Hagelee

[Anton Hagelee]

Maren Sjörlie

in the Norway, Emigration Records, 1867-1960

NameMaren Sjörlie

GenderKvinnelig

Marital StatusGift (Married)

Emigration Age25

Birth Dateabt 1865

Last Known Residence PlaceSell

Emigration Date20. jun 1890 (20 Jun 1890)

Emigration PlaceOslo, Norge

Emigration DestinationQuébec

Emigration ShipRollo

Household Members (Name)AgeRelationship

Maren Sjörlie25

Anna Sjörlie5

 

https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61757/records/627571?tid=&pid=&queryId=16e939fc-3f79-4f49-bc2f-c3cad0d8e86d&_phsrc=llA20&_phstart=successSource

 

 

[Sven Hjortland]

https://www.newspapers.com/article/grand-forks-herald-christ-benson/167023650/

[Jackie K Marler]

There are a lot of discrepancies in details about the people in the family.  For instance in the 88th birthday story the daughter Sena is called "Mrs. William Hagen" but her first husband was Ole E(venson) Hagen whom she apparently divorced.  They had at least 4 children.  Her 2nd husband was William Jensen.  They did live in Fargo ND and died and are buried here.   Maybe her death certificate or death certificates of any of the children will give greater information of a birthplace for her /their father than "Norway?"

On 2/28/2025 at 9:09 PM, Anton Hagelee said:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This fellows birthplace info is Valdres.

Endret Mars 2 av Jackie K Marler

[Jackie K Marler]

11 hours ago, Anton Hagelee said:

 

Jackie, I have looked for the Benson family in the 1900 US Census without finding them, The first that they show up in the Census is the 1910, But there is evidence of then around 1900 in various places such as ELCA records, For example Oscar and Clarence  were born right around 1900 in Nelson County but no trace of them in the Census for 1900?

 

All U.S., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Church Records, 1781-1969 results for kris* bens*

 

Search results

View Record	Name	Event Type	Event Date	Church Location	Relatives	View Images

Search results

View Record	Name	Event Type	Event Date	Church Location	Relatives	View Images
View Record	Clara Bensen	Baptism	12 May 1895	Petersburg, North Dakota	Kristian, Maren
View Record	Sina Bensen	Baptism	7 Feb 1892	Petersburg, North Dakota	Kristian, Maren
View Record	Elmer Bernhard Bensen	Baptism	1 Aug 1897	Petersburg, North Dakota	Kristian, Maren
View Record	Oscar Benson	Baptism	19 Nov 1899	Petersburg, North Dakota	Kristian, Maren
View Record	Clarence Benson	Baptism	27 Apr 1902	Petersburg, North Dakota	Kristian, Maren
View Record	Bernhard Benson	Baptism	11 Dec 1904	Petersburg, North Dakota	Kristian, Maren
View Record	Sina Bensen	Confirmation	1 Nov 1906	Petersburg, North Dakota	Kristian, Maren
View Record	Maria Berdine Benson	Confirmation	8 Sep 1907	Petersburg, North Dakota	Kristian, Mari
View Record	Clara Benson	Confirmation	19 Sep 1909	Petersburg, North Dakota	Kristian, Marit

 

 

 

 

 

 

Are there any interesting names amongst the faddere?

[Anton Hagelee]

4 hours ago, Jackie K Marler said:

Are there any interesting names amongst the faddere?

 

Have a look, In order  begins with Clara

 

Sina

 

Elmer 

 

 

Oscar

 

 

Clarence

 

Endret Mars 2 av Anton Hagelee

[Anton Hagelee]

And the rest 

 

Bernhard

 

[Sven Hjortland]

37 minutter siden, Anton Hagelee skrev:

Oscar

https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bismarck-tribune/167042431/

[Anton Hagelee]

Three names that appear in the ELCA data are Vigdahl and Alvestad  and Mork

 

Jens P Wigdal

1851–1926

BIRTH 1851 • Luster, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway

DEATH 2 AUG 1926 • Petersburg, Nelson, North Dakota, USA

 

Anton Peter Alvestad

1884–1953

BIRTH 28 MAR 1884 • Tysvær, Bokn, Alvestad, Rogaland, Norway

DEATH 7 NOV 1953 • Shelby, Toole, Montana

 

Elling Nilsson Mørk

1859–1939

BIRTH 13 JUL 1859 • Hol, Buskerud, Norway

DEATH 18 DEC 1939

 

 

 

 

Endret Mars 2 av Anton Hagelee

[Jackie K Marler]

Most likely target Christ's actual naturalization paper, however 2nd papers don't usually have much information in the way of biography.  The 1st papers, the declaration of intention usually has approx age, and possibly date and port of entry.  So where are his 1st papers? :

 

And this one who might be the stepson, also no 1st papers:

Endret Mars 3 av Jackie K Marler

[Jackie K Marler]

Names are an issue here.  Christ Benson's death certificate names his father as Hans C. Benson.  Mostly in Norway, during that era mid- to late 1800's and in a relatively less urban area such as Solor, a Christ  or Christian with a father named Hans is probably going to be known as a Christ or Christian Hansen.  The C in Hans C. Benson might stand for Christian (it seems to be the most common of the combinations), but I've also seen Hans Casper and Hans Carl.