Halvor Nielsen was born in January 24, 1836 in Norway and was christened on February 28, 1836. He married Johanne Borresdatter, daughter of Borre Pederson on December 2, 1859 in Ness, Hedmark, Norway. Johanne was born in February 1830. According to the US census reports, she was deaf.
I am not sure why Holland was chosen as a last name by Halvor when he came to America. I have found no records from Norway that indicate it was a farm or region name. I am still researching to find out how or why it was chosen.
Halvor and Johanne had six children. I found all of their christening records. The children were all born in Ness, Hedmark, Norway. Niels was born july 12, 1860; Amalia was born January 13, 1862; Bernt was born March 18, 1865; Oline was born November 5, 1867; Peder was born December 3, 1869; and Andreas was born and died on December 24, 1874. Amalia died at the age of nine on September 1871 in Ness.
Halvor and Johanne imigrated ot the United States in 1882 with Oline and Peder. Niels and Bernt also immigrated to America but may have come before their parents. Halvor became a citizen of the United States in 1902 and his citizenship papers have been scanned for this site. The citizenship papers were ordered through the Iron Range Research Center.
Halvor died before 1910 and Johanned died before 1930. I have not yet found records of their deaths and burials.