Ness Family Line
Updated: 11/04/2003
Surnames Listed: Christensen, Næsset, Ness, Olsen/Olson, Sødbakken/ Setbacken, Syversen
Preface
Many thanks to those who have assisted in the research of the Ness family line – as reflected in this narrative. While this only contains a portion of the overall Ness line, it provides the linkages from generation to generation from which come the Ness ancestral line. As I’ve set out to find where the Ness surname came from I’ve learned much, but most importantly, that it’s not so much the name that counts, but the heritage that the name represents – which is a good thing, because I originally thought I was Scottish, but have found that our surname is in fact Norwegian and that it may not have been Ness at all to begin with!
Through this research I have a much better appreciation for those who have left country, home, and family in search of a better life – often finding hardship. I can’t imagine how hard it was for Ole and Jørgine to leave Norway with a 1 year old baby (Emil), on a ship for almost 1½ months, only to see Emil die and then to have another one born around the same time (Olaf) – possibly on the ship itself!
The research continues… Please check for updates and let me know if you think you’re related or have information to share. Obviously, I’ve limited this research to only the father’s descendents, but soon will begin to branch out into each of the mother’s lines as well.
Enjoy,
Lonny Ness
Most of all the events in Norway center around the Gran and Jevnaker regions of Oppland. Since all records indicate that Ole and his ancestors were born in Grans, it was believed that they possibly lived on a farm having the name Ness – or a form of that name (i.e., Næse, Nes, etc.) However, it appears that the Hval farm is where the primary descendents originated and that at some point one of the children – possibly Ole Olsen left. The story picks-up with Ole and Jørgine’s wedding in 1865 where it appears Ole has left the Hval farm and is now living on a rented farm in Jevnaker with Jørgine and their firstborn son, Emil. From there they set out to America on April 22, 1866 on the Olaf from the Norwegian port, Christiana. They arrive in Quebec on June 9, 1865 where it appears that they may have had their second son, Olaf, and where it may be possible that Emil also died during the trip.
From Quebec, they made their way to Iowa. We do not yet know how they got there, nor what records may exist indicating their entry into the United Stated (if you have any general information about this route, please contact me). Ole and Jørgine moved from Iowa to Minnesota and then to South Dakota. They also went to West Virginia for some time due to Ole’s health. This is where Ole apparently died and was buried (yet to obtain death certificate). After Ole died, Jørgine made her way back to South Dakota where she lived until her death on 3/29/1939.
It’s interesting to note that the name Ness didn’t appear until the 1880 census in Minnesota. Prior to that time, Ole used the name Olson, as did Steffen Olsen who participated in their marriage and sailed to America with his family along with Ole and Jørgine. So, how and why did the Ness name originate? As I later learned, son Ole Olsen (Ness) got his certificate for moving to Enebak, Norway on 6 Feb 1858, but he gave the certificate to the minister in Jevnaker (not Enebak) in 1858 (in-migrant no. 13 1858), so this "Enebak" may be a writing error. Ole was then living at Moeseie, which was probably Næsset. So he may have lived there for 7 years. Therefore, it would appear likely that he took his name from that place (aka ‘Ness’). The certificate was returned to him on 24 March 1865 (before he married) so he already then may have planned to emigrate. This is verified through church records reviewed from Fillmore for the baptism of Edvard Magnus in 1876 and another (surviving) Edvard (Edward) Magnus in 1879. Ole’s surname is listed as being Næsset on those records (verified by Jørgine Jensd[atter] listed as well). They must have “Americanized” their names by the time of the 1980 census. MYSTERY SOLVED!
Of course there’s the rest of the family – both in Norway and in America. For instance, Jørgine’s family came to America at the same time. But these make-up other chapters in this story of life and will evolve over time. For now, the primary actors in this play are Ole and Jørgine who braved the world for reasons only they know (and it’s too late to ask) and came to America. My thanks to them and to their children and the children after them who played such a significant role in the life that is and is yet to come.
The following identifies those involved in the Ness patriarchal line only. Other branches will be added later. As much as possible, all records have been verified for accuracy and alignment. Where a question exists, it has been noted.
Birthdate: Est. 1757 Birthplace: Unknown
Death: Unknown Place of Death: Unknown
Marriage Date: Unknown Spouse: Birthe Torstensdatter
Children: Syver Christensen
Notes: Unconfirmed. Based on census record showing multiple farms owners apparently within same family lines. Appears generations lived and married on the Hval (Hvahl) farm in Gran. It is believed that other family members (including mother) may also be listed in the census record for this farm.
Sources/Links:
§ 1801 Census Record for Syver Christensen (Same farm as Syver - below)
Birthdate: Est. 1778 Birthplace: Hvahl (Hval), Grans, Oppland, Norway
Death: Unknown Place of Death: Unknown
Marriage Date: Unknown Spouse: Anne-Maria Erichsdatter
Children: Ole Syversen
Notes: Linkage from Ole Syversen’s 1802 baptism record. While Ole does not show-up on the 1801 census record, it’s pretty clear that this is his father from the 1801 census record (same farm and same name variant). It is believed that the ‘X’ in Xstensen is an abbreviation for Christ, thereby making them one in the same person.
Sources/Links:
§ 1801 Census Record for Syver Christensen (a.k.a. Xstensen – from Baptism record)
§ Ole Syversen’s 1802 Baptism Record (Gran, Norway)
Birthdate: Est. 1801 (late) Birthplace: Hval, Gran, Christians Amt (Oppland)
Death: Unknown Place of Death: Unknown
Marriage Date: Unknown Spouse: Berthe Olsdatter
Children: Ole Olsen (Ness)
Notes: Marriage record indicates surname of ‘Syvertsen’, while Ole Olsen’s baptism record indicates surname of ‘Syversen’. It would appear that the correct spelling may be that of ‘Syversen’ due to a baptism record found from 1802 (see link), however this has not been substantiated. It is yet unclear how or why Ole and Jørgine took to last name of Ness after coming to America – further research (see above) provides no evidence that they lived or originated from the Nes farm (possibly near Brandbu Parish). From Ole Olsen’s baptism record (below), it also appears that his father (Ole) and mother (Berthe) were not married, indicating that Ole Olsen was their firstborn. Brothers and/or sisters have not yet been identified.
Sources/Links:
§ 1802 Baptism Record (Gran, Norway)
§ Ole Olsen’s 1832 Baptism Record (Norway) – Father and Mother Indicated
§ Ole and Jørgine’s 1865 Marriage Record (Norway) – ‘Syvertsen’ should be ‘Syversen’ in record
Birthdate: 1832 Birthplace: Grans Parish, Oppland, Norway
Death: TBD Place of Death: West Virginia (Unconfirmed – per family records)
Marriage Date: 04/18/1865 Spouse: Jørgine Jensdatter (Sødbakken - farm unconfirmed)
(later named Jorgina Ness. Maiden name = Setbacken)
Children: Emil Olsen Born: 1865, Norway (we believe died in route to America)
Olaf Ness Born: 1867, Clayton County, Iowa, USA
John Ness Born: 1871, Whalan, Fillmore County, Minnesota, USA
Louis Bernard Ness Born: 12/08/1873, Whalan, Fillmore County, Minnesota, USA
Edward Ness Born: 1879, Holt Township, Fillmore County, Minnesota, USA
Oscar Emil Ness Born: 1/31/1885, Lake Preston, Kingsbury County, SD (Died 4/1978 in Montana)
Eddie Ness Born: 5/1887, Lake Preston, Kingsbury County, SD (Died 4/8/1976 in Los Angeles, CA)
Minnie Ness Born: 1889, Lake Preston, Kingsbury County, SD
Notes: Emigrated from Norway to America on 4/18/1866 on the ‘Olaf’. Traveled with either friend or relative Steffen Olsen (see marriage and ship records) and Jørgine’s family. Steffen’s father’s name was Ole Steffensen, so thus far we find no basis as a family relation.
Life in Norway:
§ Ole’s 1832 Baptism Record (Norway)
§ Ole and Jørgine’s 1865 Marriage Record (Norway)
§ Ole and Jørgine’s 1865 Census Record (Digital Archives Version)
§ Ole and Jørgine’s 1865 Census Record (NHDC Version)
The Journey West:
§ Ole and Jørgine’s 1866 Emigration Record (Jørgine and Steffen’s family also included)
§ Ship Log – ‘Olaf’ (somewhat cryptic). Note 1: Departed Christiana, April 22, 1866 and arrived in the port of Quebec on June 9, 1866 (source: NAC C-4521 list 42). Note 2: Steffen’s family is recorded on entries 81 – 84 (this confirms the right ship). Note 3: Ole Olsen’s record is not identifiable, but may be on lines140-143 (suggesting that Emil was still alive and Olaf was possibly born).
§ Ships Arriving at Quebec 1866 (See record #68). Note: The remarks from this record indicate – ‘An infant died of debility. Two births.’ This would substantiate the above note of the possibility that Emil may have died en-route and/or that Olaf may have also been born en-route to Quebec from Norway.
Life in America:
§ 1870 US Census Record (Minnesota) Note: Of interest is the fact that ‘Olsen’ is now ‘Olson’, but not yet ‘Ness’.
§ 1880 US Census Record – Norwegians Living in America (Ole and Jorgine - Minnesota). Note: Surname now ‘Ness’.
Other links (of interest):
§ Steffen Olsen’s 1865 Census Record
§ Nes Farm (attempting to trace back to – no luck yet. Hval seems to be the main farm.)
§ Jørgine’s Parents (Jens and Lise Hansen) 1865 Family Census Record (Norway)
Birthdate: 12/08/1873 * Birthplace: Whalan, Fillmore County, Minnesota, USA
* DOB as listed on SS Registration. Death certificate lists 12/28/1872 as DOB.
Death: 06/16/1952 Place of Death: Los Angeles, CA, USA
Marriage Date: TBD Spouse: Christine Julianna (Beckman)
Children: Jessie B. Ness Born: 03/11/1901, Minnesota, USA (died 05/07/1976)
Cyrus O. Ness Born: 09/04/1905 (died 06/11/1906)
Cora L. Ness Born: 12/20/1906 (died 12/25/1906)
Opal C. Ness Born: 12/28/1907 (died 09/19/1976)
Lawrence Benford Ness Born: 04/27/1909, Spokane, WA, USA (died 10/13/1978)
Clyde L. Ness Born: 06/18/1911 (died 11/25/1962)
Notes: TBD
Sources/Links:
§ TBD
Current Generation(s) Omitted…
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Contact:
If you are related, would like to contribute to this information listed on this site, find a broken link, or just want to discuss items of similar interest, please contact me at [email protected].
God bless,
Lonny Ness