In Norway, a patronymic pattern of naming was used. The usual pattern has caused confusion for many as they tried to research Norwegian ancestors. A child was give a first name chosen by the parents.
The child’s second name was determined by their father’s first name and their gender. For example, Ole’s given name was after his grandfather. His second name Mikkelson indicated that he was Mikkel’s son. A daughter’s second name would have been Mikkelsdatter. In 1884, the Norwegian ruling body determined that all children would use the extension “son” so names within a family were more consistent.
If a family had a third name, it usually indicated a geographic region or farm name where they lived or originated. So in the marriage record of Mikkel and Sidsel, he is listed as Mikkel Olson Skaalerud meaning Mikkel who is Ole’s son from Skaalerud. She is listed as Sidsel Mikelsdatter meaning Sidsel who is Mikel’s daughter. This name was usually only attributed to the head of the household and could change if a family moved. On the passenger manifest when Mikkel’s family immigrated from Norway to Canada, he is listed as Mikkel Olson Dalsengen.
What a fun read – Ole & Sidsel were my great-grandparents.
So who are your grandparents and parents? We are always excited to meet more cousins!
My grandmother was Marie (Skolrud) Brorby – married to Jorgen Anderson Brorby. She unfortunately passed away 2 years before I was born. My mother was the youngest girl of 9 children – Lily Florence (Brorby) Jividen. My father was Charles Jividen.
So nice to meet you via email. The Skolrud/Holland Branches are my husband’s father’s family. I have added bits of pieces and hope to get much more online soon as I continue to work on this project. (Since I work full-time, it won’t be a real fast process.)
I started this website as a class project to learn how to do web design and start to get all of my family research out where others could see, enjoy, and add to it. I’m thankful that it also is introducing me to new cousins like you!
I did some research this evening and found Maria M Skaalrud in the 1885 Census for Otter Tail, Minnesota. Her name was transcribed incorrectly – hence the difficulty in finding her. She was living with John Jacobsen (age 62), Kari Jacobsen (age 62), John Annet (age 14) – I’m guessing at the last name – it’s difficult to read, & Hansler Hanse (age 50). All were born in Norway, except Maria – born in Minnesota. I’m certain that this is my grandmother. I’ll try to spend some time in the next few days and figure out who John & Kari Jacobsen were and if they were relations.