FAMILY MATTERS Matt Hemmingsen (1876-1967) and his dear wife, Maggie, concluded 1911 by moving down the Strait of Georgia through the Salish Sea, from the Comox Valley to the town of Chemainus. Lovely Gulf Islands would continue to bejewel their view. For now, Chemainus would be home while he logged at Cowichan Lake. This year, … Continue reading Matt Hemmingsen: Chemainus; Fathering, Logging, Prospecting -1912
Author: doublegenealogytheadoptionwitness
Grandad Hemmingsen’s Maiden Aunts and The Skovdrivers of Hattfjelldal Parish.
A sigh wafted between two maiden sisters long ago that echoes still: Elen and Anne Marie Hemmingsdatter of Groli Farm; Great-granddad Ole Hemmingsen's sisters.1 They had shared a partner, albeit several years apart.2 To each, came a child. He was a skovdriver, their Gustav Henriksen. Skovdrivers came out of nowhere, and soon, they were gone. … Continue reading Grandad Hemmingsen’s Maiden Aunts and The Skovdrivers of Hattfjelldal Parish.
Granddad’s Cousin: Hemming Gustavsen 1877-1966; A Larger Life Than Lean.
It is best that the adult life of Hemming Gustavsen be told first. After all, circumstances surrounding his uegte birth, or of unwed parents, were so complicated that its telling in the same breath, risks overshadowing his own story.1 Likewise, it is best that his last census be up first; that of 1950 taken in … Continue reading Granddad’s Cousin: Hemming Gustavsen 1877-1966; A Larger Life Than Lean.
Our Dahlby Family: First Others in Cumberland WI
Gunder Olsen Dahlby and our own Elen Oline Olsdatter were storied pioneers in the annals of Wisconsin immigration. Their Norwegian heritage was equally exciting and largely unknown in those tales, so we will meld their old and new world experiences. If the Church Books be true, then Gunder arrived in Elen's neighborhood in 1871.1 They … Continue reading Our Dahlby Family: First Others in Cumberland WI
Those Fiplingkrogen Tales Of Mali Hemmingsdatter (1809-1888)
Dad consigned Mali Hemmingsdatter (1809-1888) to mere mention in our Family History. Ah, but some intriguing stories will go untold if her ancestral girl power is allowed to go unappreciated. She was little sister in the group of four adults in Generation 2: Hemmingsen, of Nord-Trondelag County, Norway. Now, it is so that her brothers … Continue reading Those Fiplingkrogen Tales Of Mali Hemmingsdatter (1809-1888)
Matt Hemmingsen 1867-1976: Uncle’s photo – but for a decade?
Updated 16 Feb 2025 for clarity. No new data. For sure, Benjamin Mikael Arntsberg, the son of Mathias Bentsen and Marith Johnsdtr was born on 16 Sept 1848 - so published in the Church Book of Vefsn Parish, Norway! 1 He was great grandma Beret-Has’ brother. Poor her, gone so early, just one year into her … Continue reading Matt Hemmingsen 1867-1976: Uncle’s photo – but for a decade?
Matt Hemmingsen 1876-1967: In The Beginning Again.
We can never get to the beginning, but for a solid Generation One, we will settle on Hemming Sivertsen and his wife, Guro Olsdatter. They were born about 1762 and 1771 respectively, of heritage long established around the Stjordal/Meraker area of Trondelag County, Norway.1 Matt Hemmingsen was their descendant and our Granddad, born a little … Continue reading Matt Hemmingsen 1876-1967: In The Beginning Again.
The Adoption Witness: What Did Sandra Merry Really Say About Granddad?
Reader pick: on old Scottish friends of Lanarkshire; James Dickson (1882-1969) and James Merry (1882-1970) - or - on an emigrant's farewell at the docks of Glasgow - or - who was Sandra Merry. Sandra Merry was the daughter of Granddad’s old Scottish friend, James Merry. When touring Scotland with Granddad in the 1960s, we … Continue reading The Adoption Witness: What Did Sandra Merry Really Say About Granddad?
Not My Ancestor, Maybe Yours? William Cairns of Lanarkshire, Kentucky and Illinois
Awareness of William Cairns (1815-1898, or so) started with John Kelly. William was Scotland-born and had emigrated to the US. The much younger Mr. Kelly, on the other hand, was born in the US around 1859, but left some few of his own particulars on a Lanarkshire census sheet in 1881. It counted him a … Continue reading Not My Ancestor, Maybe Yours? William Cairns of Lanarkshire, Kentucky and Illinois
Memoirs of Matt Hemmingsen (1876-1967): The Old Man’s Needlepoint
DEAR SISTER, MARIE OLSDATTER HEMMINGSEN (1880-1899) Sometimes a story is held back because it seems factually unfinished, say, a resting place is still unknown. Perhaps it seems too lean; the person demised young, had no children and no career. All along, a rich tale was already told, to be absorbed and told anew. Our dear … Continue reading Memoirs of Matt Hemmingsen (1876-1967): The Old Man’s Needlepoint
