Hector McQuarrie's and Agnes Gray's lives are documented pretty well on FamilySearch. (Hector's profile here, Agnes' profile here.) Be sure to click on the "Memories" tab for each of them, and scroll down to "Stories." They each have several stories from their lives attached.
I do want to explain one thing that isn't completely clear in the records: Elizabeth McKillop McMurtrie's relationship to Hector McQuarrie. It is explained in one of the "Stories," but I missed it for a long time. If you've missed it, too, here it is in brief--Elizabeth McKillop McMurtrie was Agnes Gray's niece (daughter of Janet Gray). After Janet died, her husband, John McMurtrie, moved to Utah with his children and lived with Hector and Agnes for awhile. Hector and Elizabeth, who went by the nickname "Tibby," were sealed in 1885, but the government was cracking down on polygamy at the time, so she lived with her siblings instead. When Agnes became ill near the end of her life, Elizabeth moved in with Hector and Agnes to care for them. After Agnes' death, Elizabeth lived with Hector as his wife.
Sunday, July 19, 2015
Sunday, January 18, 2015
John Washington Christian and Lucy Anne Moore
I tell you what, this Georgia research is difficult. At least I have some headstones this time.
John Washington Christian was born on March 13, 1841 (according to his headstone) to Benjamin Franklin Christian and Francis A. Moon. John appears in the 1850 census and the 1860 census in Elbert County, Georgia, with his parents and siblings.
Lucy Anne Moore was born on August 27, 1846 (according to her headstone) to Calvin Jonathan Moore and Nancy/Mary Elizabeth Colvard. She appears in the 1850 census with her parents and siblings in Elbert County, Georgia. She appears in the 1860 census with her mother, who has remarried, and her siblings in Elbert County, Georgia.
You'll see on John's headstone that he was a military man. I was lucky enough to find this excellent website that has details about the men in the 38th Georgia Volunteer Infantry, including John and two of his brothers. That website led me to Roster of the Confederate Soldiers of Georgia, by Lillian Henderson, which is available for free. According to the Roster and his pension records discussed below, John enlisted in the army on October 15, 1861. He was wounded at Antietam on September 17, 1862, and one of his fingers was amputated. The Roster states that on November 6, 1864, he was absent with leave, presumably due to his injury.
John and Lucy were married on April 14, 1863, in Elbert County, Georgia, according to this marriage record. This would have been when John was on leave from the army.
According to the Roster, John was captured and paroled on May 19, 1865. I assume this is because he never returned from leave, but I don't know a lot about how that kind of thing worked during the Civil War.
John, Lucy, and their children Calvin, Sarepta, and John are in the 1870 census in Elbert County, Georgia, in the household of a Mary Porham. I haven't been able to figure out who this Mary is.
The family (John, Lucy, Benjamin/Calvin, Sarepta, John, Charles, Sarah, and Tinsley) appears in the 1880 census in Goshen, Elbert, Georgia.
At this point, my information said that John had died. Someone must have assumed this because Lucy is listed as widowed in the censuses after 1880. However, I found Civil War pension records for John (for his wounded hand) from 1889-1893. His headstone gives his date of death as February 5, 1909. But I haven't been able to find him in the 1900 census, and I don't have a divorce record for John and Lucy. So I don't know for sure what happened to John between the 1880 census and his death in 1909, aside from his filing massive amounts of paperwork for his pension.
Lucy appears in the 1900 census with her daughters, Nancy and Dexter, and two grandchildren, Lillie and Snowy, in Goshen, Elbert, Georgia. They are living next door to another of Lucy's daughters, Sarepta, and her family.
John Washington Christian died on February 5, 1909, according to his headstone. He is buried at Mill Shoal Baptist Church in Madison County, Georgia. You can view the application for his military headstone on Ancestry.
Lucy appears in the 1910 census living with her daughter, Dexter Human, and her family in Harrison, Madison, Georgia.
Lucy Anne Moore Christian died on September 5, 1910, according to her headstone. She is buried at Mill Shoal Baptist Church in Madison County, Georgia.
John and Lucy are also named in the death certificates of their daughter, Sarepta, and their son, Tinsley.
John Washington Christian was born on March 13, 1841 (according to his headstone) to Benjamin Franklin Christian and Francis A. Moon. John appears in the 1850 census and the 1860 census in Elbert County, Georgia, with his parents and siblings.
Lucy Anne Moore was born on August 27, 1846 (according to her headstone) to Calvin Jonathan Moore and Nancy/Mary Elizabeth Colvard. She appears in the 1850 census with her parents and siblings in Elbert County, Georgia. She appears in the 1860 census with her mother, who has remarried, and her siblings in Elbert County, Georgia.
You'll see on John's headstone that he was a military man. I was lucky enough to find this excellent website that has details about the men in the 38th Georgia Volunteer Infantry, including John and two of his brothers. That website led me to Roster of the Confederate Soldiers of Georgia, by Lillian Henderson, which is available for free. According to the Roster and his pension records discussed below, John enlisted in the army on October 15, 1861. He was wounded at Antietam on September 17, 1862, and one of his fingers was amputated. The Roster states that on November 6, 1864, he was absent with leave, presumably due to his injury.
John and Lucy were married on April 14, 1863, in Elbert County, Georgia, according to this marriage record. This would have been when John was on leave from the army.
According to the Roster, John was captured and paroled on May 19, 1865. I assume this is because he never returned from leave, but I don't know a lot about how that kind of thing worked during the Civil War.
John, Lucy, and their children Calvin, Sarepta, and John are in the 1870 census in Elbert County, Georgia, in the household of a Mary Porham. I haven't been able to figure out who this Mary is.
The family (John, Lucy, Benjamin/Calvin, Sarepta, John, Charles, Sarah, and Tinsley) appears in the 1880 census in Goshen, Elbert, Georgia.
At this point, my information said that John had died. Someone must have assumed this because Lucy is listed as widowed in the censuses after 1880. However, I found Civil War pension records for John (for his wounded hand) from 1889-1893. His headstone gives his date of death as February 5, 1909. But I haven't been able to find him in the 1900 census, and I don't have a divorce record for John and Lucy. So I don't know for sure what happened to John between the 1880 census and his death in 1909, aside from his filing massive amounts of paperwork for his pension.
Lucy appears in the 1900 census with her daughters, Nancy and Dexter, and two grandchildren, Lillie and Snowy, in Goshen, Elbert, Georgia. They are living next door to another of Lucy's daughters, Sarepta, and her family.
John Washington Christian died on February 5, 1909, according to his headstone. He is buried at Mill Shoal Baptist Church in Madison County, Georgia. You can view the application for his military headstone on Ancestry.
Lucy appears in the 1910 census living with her daughter, Dexter Human, and her family in Harrison, Madison, Georgia.
Lucy Anne Moore Christian died on September 5, 1910, according to her headstone. She is buried at Mill Shoal Baptist Church in Madison County, Georgia.
John and Lucy are also named in the death certificates of their daughter, Sarepta, and their son, Tinsley.
Thursday, October 16, 2014
Russell J. Bragg and Christine Thompson
The records for this family are a little sketchy. Right now, the main records that are available online for Elbert County and Madison County, Georgia, are marriage records and census records. So that's what I'll be posting today. If anyone else has other records for Russell and Christine, please leave a comment or email me.
Russell J. Bragg was born June 1, 1828 in Madison or Elbert County, Georgia. I don't have a source for this exact date, but that's what's listed on Family Search's Family Tree. Census records do support the year of his birth. His parents were George Bragg and Martha/Mollie Berryman.
Christine (Chrissy/Chrissie/Chrissa/Crissy/Creasey--I'll be using the individual spellings with the records that they appear on) Thompson was born April 3, 1831 in Madison County, Georgia. Again, I don't have a source for that besides Family Tree, but census records do support the year. Her parents were Joel Thompson and Elisabeth Smith.
Russell Bragg and Crissee Thompson were married on September 8, 1850. You can see a transcription of the marriage record for free on Family Search, or an image of the original record on Ancestry.
Russell J. Bragg and Christine Thompson were the parents of four children: Andrew Jackson Bragg, a stillborn son, Cynthia Melissa Bragg (sometimes on records as Melicia or Malucy), and George Washington Bragg.
Russell, Chrissa, and their oldest son, Andrew, appear on the 1850 U.S. census in Madison County, Georgia.
Russell J. Bragg also appears next to his father, George Bragg, on the Slave Schedule of the 1850 U.S. census. He apparently owned one 8-year-old boy. Russell's name is transcribed as "Rupel," which is understandable. The old-fashioned way of writing a double-s looks similar to a cursive letter p.
Russell Bragg passed away in either 1856 or 1857, according to Family Tree. I don't have any kind of death record for him--no death certificate, obituary, or headstone.
Creasey Bragg (creative spelling, huh?) appears as a widow in the 1860 U.S. census, with her daughter, Cynthia, and younger son, George Washington Bragg. There is some confusion about whether George Washington Bragg was Russell's son or not.*
Chrissy married Luke White on July 13, 1867. You can see a transcription of that record for free on Family Search, or an image of the original record on Ancestry.
Crissie appears in the 1870 U.S. census with her second husband, Luke White, as well as her children Cynthia (Syntha) and George W.
Chrissie and Luke White appear in the 1880 U.S. census with a servant, Ras White. You can see the free transcription on Family Search or the original record on Ancestry.
Crissie appears on the 1900 U.S. census with her grandson, Thomas (George W.'s son), and next door to George W. Bragg.
Christine Thompson Bragg White died in January 1903, according to Family Tree. Again, I have no death records of any kind for her.
*Now, about George Washington Bragg's parentage. I don't have any firm evidence of this either way, and if you do, I'd like to know about it. As I've researched this family, the name Wilson Penn Berryman kept popping up in connection with Chrissy Bragg, and sometimes as a father for George W., but I couldn't figure out why...they were never married, and if they had a relationship outside of marriage, I thought that there was no way I could find a record to confirm that. I did unexpectedly find one, though. Wilson Penn Berryman and his wife, Susan, divorced in 1860, and part of that record reads: "...on various other days before and after that time the said Wilson P did commit adultery with one Crecy Bragg and at various times since the marriage has been guilty of the same offence with other women." According to my records, George W. was born on March 23, 1857, and Russell Bragg died in either 1856 or 1857. So there is a possibility that George W.'s father was actually Wilson Penn Berryman, although George's surname is always listed as Bragg. Again, if anyone knows anything else about this, I would really love to hear from you.
Russell J. Bragg was born June 1, 1828 in Madison or Elbert County, Georgia. I don't have a source for this exact date, but that's what's listed on Family Search's Family Tree. Census records do support the year of his birth. His parents were George Bragg and Martha/Mollie Berryman.
Christine (Chrissy/Chrissie/Chrissa/Crissy/Creasey--I'll be using the individual spellings with the records that they appear on) Thompson was born April 3, 1831 in Madison County, Georgia. Again, I don't have a source for that besides Family Tree, but census records do support the year. Her parents were Joel Thompson and Elisabeth Smith.
Russell Bragg and Crissee Thompson were married on September 8, 1850. You can see a transcription of the marriage record for free on Family Search, or an image of the original record on Ancestry.
Russell J. Bragg and Christine Thompson were the parents of four children: Andrew Jackson Bragg, a stillborn son, Cynthia Melissa Bragg (sometimes on records as Melicia or Malucy), and George Washington Bragg.
Russell, Chrissa, and their oldest son, Andrew, appear on the 1850 U.S. census in Madison County, Georgia.
Russell J. Bragg also appears next to his father, George Bragg, on the Slave Schedule of the 1850 U.S. census. He apparently owned one 8-year-old boy. Russell's name is transcribed as "Rupel," which is understandable. The old-fashioned way of writing a double-s looks similar to a cursive letter p.
Russell Bragg passed away in either 1856 or 1857, according to Family Tree. I don't have any kind of death record for him--no death certificate, obituary, or headstone.
Creasey Bragg (creative spelling, huh?) appears as a widow in the 1860 U.S. census, with her daughter, Cynthia, and younger son, George Washington Bragg. There is some confusion about whether George Washington Bragg was Russell's son or not.*
Chrissy married Luke White on July 13, 1867. You can see a transcription of that record for free on Family Search, or an image of the original record on Ancestry.
Crissie appears in the 1870 U.S. census with her second husband, Luke White, as well as her children Cynthia (Syntha) and George W.
Chrissie and Luke White appear in the 1880 U.S. census with a servant, Ras White. You can see the free transcription on Family Search or the original record on Ancestry.
Crissie appears on the 1900 U.S. census with her grandson, Thomas (George W.'s son), and next door to George W. Bragg.
Christine Thompson Bragg White died in January 1903, according to Family Tree. Again, I have no death records of any kind for her.
*Now, about George Washington Bragg's parentage. I don't have any firm evidence of this either way, and if you do, I'd like to know about it. As I've researched this family, the name Wilson Penn Berryman kept popping up in connection with Chrissy Bragg, and sometimes as a father for George W., but I couldn't figure out why...they were never married, and if they had a relationship outside of marriage, I thought that there was no way I could find a record to confirm that. I did unexpectedly find one, though. Wilson Penn Berryman and his wife, Susan, divorced in 1860, and part of that record reads: "...on various other days before and after that time the said Wilson P did commit adultery with one Crecy Bragg and at various times since the marriage has been guilty of the same offence with other women." According to my records, George W. was born on March 23, 1857, and Russell Bragg died in either 1856 or 1857. So there is a possibility that George W.'s father was actually Wilson Penn Berryman, although George's surname is always listed as Bragg. Again, if anyone knows anything else about this, I would really love to hear from you.
Sunday, October 5, 2014
Hans Christian Nielsen Frogner and Britta/Bertha Mattson
Goodness, this is a difficult family to research. I've found some records that I'll link to here, but I'm sure there are others out there that I just haven't been able to find. I apologize for the length of this post...these records take a bit of explaining.
I think the main problem is the names. Since Hans was born in Norway and Britta was born in Sweden, any records from there will use their patronymic surnames--so Hans would be Hans Christian Nielsen, and Britta would be Britta Mattesdotter.
I don't know where the Frogner name comes from; I think it's probably the name of a place the family lived--and there is an area of Oslo that's called Frogner (Wikipedia says the place name probably comes from the word for 'manure,' or 'fertilized fields.' Nice, right?)--but I haven't found any specific connection between the place and the family yet. Records from the U.S. sometimes have Hans' last name as Frogner, and sometimes Nielsen.
Add to that the problem of Britta's name--on various records, I've seen it written Britta, Bretta, Breta, Bertha, Brittia, Beatris, and Bressa. I'm sure there are other variations.
And then there's the History of Hans Christian Nielsen Frogner that I published earlier on this blog. It seems to be in the hands of several of his descendants. I'm grateful that we have it, but the records don't support everything that's in it. So some of the facts are a little fuzzy...is the personal history right, or are the records right?
Anyway, on to what I do know. Let's look at some records!
Hans Christian Nielsen (Frogner) was born sometime in 1837 or 1838 in Bjolsen, Aker, Oslo, Norway. His life story and his headstone say February 29, 1838; the 1900 census says November 1837; the actual Norwegian church record (which was a pain to find--thank goodness for Google Translate) says March 7, 1838, but maybe that's a baptism date. I'm partial to the Norwegian church record, since that would have been recorded at a time near his actual birth. His parents were Niels Hansen Frogner and Gunild Christine Jensen (or, more likely, Jensdotter). The church record also lists his parents' names.
I have no record for Britta's birth. According to FamilySearch, she was born on December 1, 1839, in Spettungen, Varmland, Sweden. Her parents were Mattes Jansson and Bertha Madsen. The 1880 census lists Britta's birth year as 1842; the 1900 census says December 1847. I've looked for a church record based on this information, but I haven't found anything.
Hans Christian Nielsen and his first wife, Agnethe Christiansdr (short for Christiansdotter; if she were a boy, her surname would be Christiansen), were married at Gamle Aker Menighet (that's the church--it has a website!) in Oslo, Norway, on June 28, 1863. You can see the indexed record here.
According to Hans' life story, he joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1864, but his wife did not. She took their son, Charles (I've also seen him called Carl or Call), and left. Hans decided to join the Saints in Utah, and somehow managed to bring Charles with him. I can only imagine that this situation was devastating for everyone involved.
Exactly when Hans and Britta came to the United States is unclear. Hans' history says that Hans, Carl, and Britta were on the same ship and traveled west to Utah in the same company. However, the 1900 census says that Hans immigrated in 1867. I think I've found Hans' record on Mormon Migration, but Britta and Carl aren't listed on that voyage. I haven't found Britta or Carl listed on any voyage yet. So...I just don't know.
I don't have a marriage record for Hans and Britta, but according to their FamilySearch records, they both received their LDS endowments on November 15, 1869 at the Endowment House in Salt Lake City. In researching other branches of my family tree, I've often seen couples receive their endowments and be sealed in the Endowment House on the same day. So November 15, 1869 may also be their wedding date. FamilySearch gives their sealing date as sometime in 1950, but I'd guess that that's a duplicate sealing.
Here's a naturalization record for a Hans N. Frogner in Salt Lake City from 1869. There aren't any other identifying details on the certificate, so I can't know for sure that it's him, but it fits the timeline. And I haven't come across any other Hans N. Frogners in the same area at the same time.
I haven't found Hans or Britta in the 1870 census. I've looked all through the Hyrum, Utah section, but they don't appear there.
In the 1880 census, the family was living in Hyrum, Utah. Hans and Britta (Breta) both appear with children Bena M., Hans C. (often referred to in records as Cris), Olof, Carl (Hans' son from Norway), an unnamed baby Frogner (would have been Gunild), Emma S., and Anna C.
In the 1900 census, the family was living in Bingham County, Idaho. Hans and Britta (Bertha) appear with sons Cris and James.
In the 1910 census, Britta was living with Cris. The census was taken on May 10, 1910, and Hans didn't die until later that year. I don't know where Hans was living--maybe he was missed on the census?
Hans Christian Nielsen Frogner died on December 25, 1910, in Blackfoot, Idaho. He's buried in Riverside Thomas Cemetery in Blackfoot. You can see his headstone, as well as a map of the cemetery and the stone's location within the cemetery, on Billion Graves.
Britta Mattson Frogner died on July 18, 1915, in Camas, Idaho. Britta's obituary is indexed here. It lists her parents as Britt Mattson and Mat Joensen. Her death certificate is here, with parents given as Olef Madison and Bressa Madison. (Chris was the informant on the death certificate, and apparently didn't know a lot about his grandparents.) She was buried in Riverside Thomas Cemetery in Blackfoot, Idaho, next to her husband. You can see her headstone on Billion Graves.
Hans Christian Nielsen (Frogner) was born sometime in 1837 or 1838 in Bjolsen, Aker, Oslo, Norway. His life story and his headstone say February 29, 1838; the 1900 census says November 1837; the actual Norwegian church record (which was a pain to find--thank goodness for Google Translate) says March 7, 1838, but maybe that's a baptism date. I'm partial to the Norwegian church record, since that would have been recorded at a time near his actual birth. His parents were Niels Hansen Frogner and Gunild Christine Jensen (or, more likely, Jensdotter). The church record also lists his parents' names.
I have no record for Britta's birth. According to FamilySearch, she was born on December 1, 1839, in Spettungen, Varmland, Sweden. Her parents were Mattes Jansson and Bertha Madsen. The 1880 census lists Britta's birth year as 1842; the 1900 census says December 1847. I've looked for a church record based on this information, but I haven't found anything.
Hans Christian Nielsen and his first wife, Agnethe Christiansdr (short for Christiansdotter; if she were a boy, her surname would be Christiansen), were married at Gamle Aker Menighet (that's the church--it has a website!) in Oslo, Norway, on June 28, 1863. You can see the indexed record here.
According to Hans' life story, he joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1864, but his wife did not. She took their son, Charles (I've also seen him called Carl or Call), and left. Hans decided to join the Saints in Utah, and somehow managed to bring Charles with him. I can only imagine that this situation was devastating for everyone involved.
Exactly when Hans and Britta came to the United States is unclear. Hans' history says that Hans, Carl, and Britta were on the same ship and traveled west to Utah in the same company. However, the 1900 census says that Hans immigrated in 1867. I think I've found Hans' record on Mormon Migration, but Britta and Carl aren't listed on that voyage. I haven't found Britta or Carl listed on any voyage yet. So...I just don't know.
I don't have a marriage record for Hans and Britta, but according to their FamilySearch records, they both received their LDS endowments on November 15, 1869 at the Endowment House in Salt Lake City. In researching other branches of my family tree, I've often seen couples receive their endowments and be sealed in the Endowment House on the same day. So November 15, 1869 may also be their wedding date. FamilySearch gives their sealing date as sometime in 1950, but I'd guess that that's a duplicate sealing.
Here's a naturalization record for a Hans N. Frogner in Salt Lake City from 1869. There aren't any other identifying details on the certificate, so I can't know for sure that it's him, but it fits the timeline. And I haven't come across any other Hans N. Frogners in the same area at the same time.
I haven't found Hans or Britta in the 1870 census. I've looked all through the Hyrum, Utah section, but they don't appear there.
In the 1880 census, the family was living in Hyrum, Utah. Hans and Britta (Breta) both appear with children Bena M., Hans C. (often referred to in records as Cris), Olof, Carl (Hans' son from Norway), an unnamed baby Frogner (would have been Gunild), Emma S., and Anna C.
In the 1900 census, the family was living in Bingham County, Idaho. Hans and Britta (Bertha) appear with sons Cris and James.
In the 1910 census, Britta was living with Cris. The census was taken on May 10, 1910, and Hans didn't die until later that year. I don't know where Hans was living--maybe he was missed on the census?
Hans Christian Nielsen Frogner died on December 25, 1910, in Blackfoot, Idaho. He's buried in Riverside Thomas Cemetery in Blackfoot. You can see his headstone, as well as a map of the cemetery and the stone's location within the cemetery, on Billion Graves.
Britta Mattson Frogner died on July 18, 1915, in Camas, Idaho. Britta's obituary is indexed here. It lists her parents as Britt Mattson and Mat Joensen. Her death certificate is here, with parents given as Olef Madison and Bressa Madison. (Chris was the informant on the death certificate, and apparently didn't know a lot about his grandparents.) She was buried in Riverside Thomas Cemetery in Blackfoot, Idaho, next to her husband. You can see her headstone on Billion Graves.
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Niels Christian Christensen and Karen Marie Sorensen
Researching this line isn't easy--it turns out that "Niels Christensen" and "Karen Sorensen" are very common Danish names. And then there are the patronymic surnames (see below).Luckily, our Niels and Karen are pretty well documented. I'm indebted to the researchers who came before me and put some of this information together.
I don't have a personal history for Niels Christian Christensen, even though I have one for his son and for his father. A little information on Niels Christian can be gleaned from those. A good history of Niels Christian Christensen can be found at The Christensen Chronicles; there's also one for Karen that has information in it that was new to me. I don't want to repeat the information in these posts; I'll mainly be linking up the primary sources for the Niels Christian Christensen family.
One more note before we get into this--Danish surnames are traditionally patronymic, i.e., each surname is derived from the father's first name. Niels' father's name was Niels, so when he lived in Denmark, he went by Niels Christian Nielsen. Karen's father's name was Hans, so when she lived in Denmark, she went by Karen Marie Hansen or Hansdatter. Both of them changed their surnames to match their fathers' when they got to America, so Niels became Niels Christian Christensen, and Karen became Karen Marie Sorensen. Also, Niels sometimes went by Christian, and Karen sometimes went by Caroline.
Got it? Okay, let's move on.
Karen Marie Sorensen was born in Bromme, Soro, Denmark to Hans Sorensen and Karen Marie Sorensen/Sorensdatter (see record). Niels Christian Christensen was born in Stabrand, Nodager, Randers, Denmark (that's town, parish, county, country) to Niels Christensen and Kirstine Marie Nielsdatter (see record).
See Niels' and Karen's histories (links above) to read about their lives in Denmark. You can see Niels' immigration record here. It was a booger to find--first, because his last name is Nielson on this record; and second, because his place of origin is listed as Jutland, Denmark. I found out that Jutland is the mainland part of Denmark and includes several counties, including Randers. I'm sure that this is the right record because he's listed with his siblings Christen, Niels, and Ane Marie, all with the correct ages. Niels' page on Pioneer Overland Travel gives more sources for his journey from Denmark to Utah.
A transcription of Karen's immigration record can be found on this page on Mormon Migration (Bromme is mistranscribed as "Bronno"; however, I can't find her on the passenger list there--several of the passenger list images seem to be missing. Karen's immigration information also appears in Pioneer Immigrants to Utah Territory.
Niels and Karen met in Hyrum, Utah and were married in Salt Lake City on December 21, 1868. I don't have a marriage certificate for them, but this date matches Karen's death certificate and their entries in Pioneer Immigrants to Utah Territory. I'd love to know more about the story of how they met and married so quickly.
Eleven children were born to Niels and Karen: Christian and a stillborn twin, Caroline, Anne, Emma, Peter, Henry, Nephi, Willard, James, and John. You can see the family in the 1870 census, the 1880 census, and the 1900 census. Karen (as Caroline) can be found in the 1910 census.
You can see photos of the family on FamilySearch--here's Niels Christian Christensen's profile, and Karen Marie Sorensen's profile.
Niels Christian Christensen died on April 1, 1905 in Hyrum, Utah and was buried in Hyrum City Cemetery. Here is his death certificate and a photo of his gravestone. Karen Marie Sorensen joined him on October 1, 1919. Here is her death certificate and a photo of her gravestone.
I don't have a personal history for Niels Christian Christensen, even though I have one for his son and for his father. A little information on Niels Christian can be gleaned from those. A good history of Niels Christian Christensen can be found at The Christensen Chronicles; there's also one for Karen that has information in it that was new to me. I don't want to repeat the information in these posts; I'll mainly be linking up the primary sources for the Niels Christian Christensen family.
One more note before we get into this--Danish surnames are traditionally patronymic, i.e., each surname is derived from the father's first name. Niels' father's name was Niels, so when he lived in Denmark, he went by Niels Christian Nielsen. Karen's father's name was Hans, so when she lived in Denmark, she went by Karen Marie Hansen or Hansdatter. Both of them changed their surnames to match their fathers' when they got to America, so Niels became Niels Christian Christensen, and Karen became Karen Marie Sorensen. Also, Niels sometimes went by Christian, and Karen sometimes went by Caroline.
Got it? Okay, let's move on.
Karen Marie Sorensen was born in Bromme, Soro, Denmark to Hans Sorensen and Karen Marie Sorensen/Sorensdatter (see record). Niels Christian Christensen was born in Stabrand, Nodager, Randers, Denmark (that's town, parish, county, country) to Niels Christensen and Kirstine Marie Nielsdatter (see record).
See Niels' and Karen's histories (links above) to read about their lives in Denmark. You can see Niels' immigration record here. It was a booger to find--first, because his last name is Nielson on this record; and second, because his place of origin is listed as Jutland, Denmark. I found out that Jutland is the mainland part of Denmark and includes several counties, including Randers. I'm sure that this is the right record because he's listed with his siblings Christen, Niels, and Ane Marie, all with the correct ages. Niels' page on Pioneer Overland Travel gives more sources for his journey from Denmark to Utah.
A transcription of Karen's immigration record can be found on this page on Mormon Migration (Bromme is mistranscribed as "Bronno"; however, I can't find her on the passenger list there--several of the passenger list images seem to be missing. Karen's immigration information also appears in Pioneer Immigrants to Utah Territory.
Niels and Karen met in Hyrum, Utah and were married in Salt Lake City on December 21, 1868. I don't have a marriage certificate for them, but this date matches Karen's death certificate and their entries in Pioneer Immigrants to Utah Territory. I'd love to know more about the story of how they met and married so quickly.
Eleven children were born to Niels and Karen: Christian and a stillborn twin, Caroline, Anne, Emma, Peter, Henry, Nephi, Willard, James, and John. You can see the family in the 1870 census, the 1880 census, and the 1900 census. Karen (as Caroline) can be found in the 1910 census.
You can see photos of the family on FamilySearch--here's Niels Christian Christensen's profile, and Karen Marie Sorensen's profile.
Niels Christian Christensen died on April 1, 1905 in Hyrum, Utah and was buried in Hyrum City Cemetery. Here is his death certificate and a photo of his gravestone. Karen Marie Sorensen joined him on October 1, 1919. Here is her death certificate and a photo of her gravestone.
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Charles Christian Jenson and Sarah Dorthea Peterson
UPDATE: I forgot to mention that I have the text of a diary of Sarah's. Contact me (see sidebar) if you'd like me to e-mail you a copy.
Charles Christian Jenson was born to Jens Iver Jensen and Inger Nielsen Sondergaard on December 21, 1870, in Ephraim, Utah. Yes, those spellings are right--Charles changed the spelling from "-en" to "-on." Charles first appears in the 1880 census in Elsinore, Sevier County, Utah.
Sarah Dorthea Peterson was born to Peter Cornelius Peterson and Johanne Thompson on February 28, 1871, in Ephraim, Utah. Sarah first appears in the 1880 census in Ephraim, Utah.
Charles and Sarah were married September 18, 1895 in Salt Lake City, Utah (see this marriage record index). They had three children: Charles Easton Jenson, Hannah Ethel (or Ethel Hannah, depending on where you look) Jenson, and Dorothy Sarah Jenson. Dorothy died young, at the age of 15.
Charles attended the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Baltimore (see the Directory of Deceased American Physicians) around 1896-1898. Charles Easton was born while the family was living in Maryland.
You can see the family in the 1900 census, the 1910 census, and the 1920 census (in the 1920 census, they also have a boarder named Earl V. Storm) in Ephraim, Utah.
The Jenson family was mentioned several times over the years in the local small-town newspaper, the Ephraim Enterprise. Here are a few of their appearances:
Charles Christian Jenson died of lobar pneumonia on May 11, 1924 in Ephraim, Utah, according to his death certificate. Sarah continued to live with her son, Easton; you can see them in the 1930 census and the 1940 census in Ephraim.
Sarah Dorthea Peterson Jenson died March 19, 1963 in Orem, Utah. Charles and Sarah are buried in Ephraim Park Cemetery; see photos of their gravestones.
FamilySearch has additional photos of Sarah Dorthea Peterson Jenson. They can be viewed here.
Charles Christian Jenson was born to Jens Iver Jensen and Inger Nielsen Sondergaard on December 21, 1870, in Ephraim, Utah. Yes, those spellings are right--Charles changed the spelling from "-en" to "-on." Charles first appears in the 1880 census in Elsinore, Sevier County, Utah.
Sarah Dorthea Peterson was born to Peter Cornelius Peterson and Johanne Thompson on February 28, 1871, in Ephraim, Utah. Sarah first appears in the 1880 census in Ephraim, Utah.
.jpg "Charles Christian Jenson") |
| Charles Christian Jenson |
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| Sarah Dorthea Peterson |
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| Clockwise from back: Charles Christian Jenson, Jens Iver Jensen (Charles' father), Charles Easton Jenson, and Thomas Christian Jensen (Charles' grandfather) |
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| From left: Canute Peterson (Sarah's grandfather), Charles Easton Jenson (Sarah's son), Sarah Dorthea Peterson Jenson, Peter Cornelius Peterson (Sarah's father) |
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| Clockwise from left: Charles Christian Jenson, Charles Easton Jenson, Sarah Dorthea Peterson Jenson, Hannah Ethel Jenson |
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| Charles Christian Jenson, graduation from medical school |
You can see the family in the 1900 census, the 1910 census, and the 1920 census (in the 1920 census, they also have a boarder named Earl V. Storm) in Ephraim, Utah.
The Jenson family was mentioned several times over the years in the local small-town newspaper, the Ephraim Enterprise. Here are a few of their appearances:
- Aug. 9, 1899: Ad for Dr. Jenson's practice (bottom left corner)
- March 15, 1900: Dr. Jenson advises smallpox patients to stay home
- June 6, 1901: Dr. Jenson helps diagnose insanity case (this one's a little scandalous)
- July 14, 1910: Dr. Jenson elected school trustee
- Aug. 25, 1910: Dr. Jenson is new treasurer on school board
- Aug. 24, 1911: Dr. & Mrs. Jenson travel (Eastern Utah Advocate; bottom of middle column)
- May 16, 1914: Ethel Jenson contributes to Local Notes as a 7th-grader (second from bottom)
- March 6, 1915: Surprise party for Sarah Jenson
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| Charles Christian Jenson with his parents and siblings |
Charles Christian Jenson died of lobar pneumonia on May 11, 1924 in Ephraim, Utah, according to his death certificate. Sarah continued to live with her son, Easton; you can see them in the 1930 census and the 1940 census in Ephraim.
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| Sarah Dorthea Peterson Jenson |
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| Sarah Dorthea Peterson Jenson |
FamilySearch has additional photos of Sarah Dorthea Peterson Jenson. They can be viewed here.
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Hyrum Bown and Isabella Braithwaite
Here are the records to go along with the history of Hyrum Bown (and Isabella Braithwaite) that I posted earlier.
Hyrum Bown was born on February 2, 1865, in St. George, Utah, to William Bown and Jane Ann Metcalf. His father, William Bown, had been called to St. George in 1862 to help build the community there. They stayed until sometime in 1865, then moved to Sanpete County (I found this information on Find a Grave). Hyrum appears in the 1870 census in Warm Creek, Sanpete County, Utah. In the 1880 census, the family is in Fayette, Sanpete, Utah.
Isabella Braithwaite was born on June 8, 1872, in Manti, Utah, to Robert Braithwaite and Harriet Amelia Bemus. She appears in the 1880 census with her family in Manti, Sanpete, Utah.
In 1888, Hyrum was called to serve a mission in the Eastern States Mission. He was set apart as an elder by Heber J. Grant. He served mostly in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. You can see a newspaper clipping that mentions him being at the Pennsylvania Conference here. and another one about his return from his mission here.
Hyrum and Isabella were married on July 20, 1892, in Manti, Utah--see the record transcription here. I like the story in Hyrum's history about 12-year-old Isabella seeing Hyrum for the first time and knowing that he would be her future husband.
Hyrum and Isabella had 10 children: Hyrum Braithwaite Bown, Royal Braithwaite Bown, Floyd Braithwaite Bown, Myrtle Braithwaite Bown, Alta Braithwaite Bown, Thelma Braithwaite Bown, Robert Braithwaite Bown, Elaine Braithwaite Bown, Lucien Braithwaite Bown, and Glen Braithwaite Bown.
You can see the family in Manti, Utah, in the 1900 census, the 1910 census, the 1920 census, and the 1930 census; you can see Isabella and three of her children in Provo, Utah, in the 1940 census. You can also see newspaper clippings about Hyrum Bown's involvement in the Manti Drug Company here and a funny newspaper story about him here.
Hyrum Bown died on November 27, 1936, in Manti, Utah. See his death certificate here. Isabella Braithwaite Bown died on December 14, 1944, in Manti, Utah. See her death certificate here and her obituary here. They are both buried in Manti.
Hyrum Bown was born on February 2, 1865, in St. George, Utah, to William Bown and Jane Ann Metcalf. His father, William Bown, had been called to St. George in 1862 to help build the community there. They stayed until sometime in 1865, then moved to Sanpete County (I found this information on Find a Grave). Hyrum appears in the 1870 census in Warm Creek, Sanpete County, Utah. In the 1880 census, the family is in Fayette, Sanpete, Utah.
Isabella Braithwaite was born on June 8, 1872, in Manti, Utah, to Robert Braithwaite and Harriet Amelia Bemus. She appears in the 1880 census with her family in Manti, Sanpete, Utah.
In 1888, Hyrum was called to serve a mission in the Eastern States Mission. He was set apart as an elder by Heber J. Grant. He served mostly in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. You can see a newspaper clipping that mentions him being at the Pennsylvania Conference here. and another one about his return from his mission here.
Hyrum and Isabella were married on July 20, 1892, in Manti, Utah--see the record transcription here. I like the story in Hyrum's history about 12-year-old Isabella seeing Hyrum for the first time and knowing that he would be her future husband.
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| From Hyrum and Isabella's wedding portrait. |
Hyrum and Isabella had 10 children: Hyrum Braithwaite Bown, Royal Braithwaite Bown, Floyd Braithwaite Bown, Myrtle Braithwaite Bown, Alta Braithwaite Bown, Thelma Braithwaite Bown, Robert Braithwaite Bown, Elaine Braithwaite Bown, Lucien Braithwaite Bown, and Glen Braithwaite Bown.
You can see the family in Manti, Utah, in the 1900 census, the 1910 census, the 1920 census, and the 1930 census; you can see Isabella and three of her children in Provo, Utah, in the 1940 census. You can also see newspaper clippings about Hyrum Bown's involvement in the Manti Drug Company here and a funny newspaper story about him here.
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| Hyrum Bown |
Hyrum Bown died on November 27, 1936, in Manti, Utah. See his death certificate here. Isabella Braithwaite Bown died on December 14, 1944, in Manti, Utah. See her death certificate here and her obituary here. They are both buried in Manti.
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