Introduction

Researching the Williams family history began in earnest as Vince and I were planning a vacation trip to Norway in 1975. We had a few family traditions to go by: (1) The Williams' (then called Webjørnsen) came to America from Eina in Toten (Toten is north of Oslo about 50 miles); (2) The surname could have been Vål or Sagness as well. (Walter, and other of his siblings, were confirmed as Sagness.) Walter had related to us a story he heard his father tell. It seems Sigvart had to skate across the fjord to get to church for his confirmation study, and he was warned never to skate on "rubber ice." However, he did one time. When he made it to the church, he was given such a "bawling out" from the pastor that he immediately turned around and skated back home.

Sangnes farms across the "fjord" from the Eina church. Image courtesy of Norgeskart.no.

So on our trip to Norway we included the area of Eina on our itinerary. We wandered the streets, and drove the country roads. We stopped at the Eina church and walked in the cemetery. But we found no stones that applied to the Williams family. We also drove past a farm with the name Sangness on its mailbox. That was close to Sagness, so we stopped to ask some people close by who were working on their car. They didn't know any answers to the questions we were asking, but did treat us with eats and beverages as if they had known us for a long time. And they took us to an elderly lady who was quite a historian. She thought she remembered hearing some of the names we were talking about, but we gained no definite information. We did take pictures of the Sangness farm, and of the Eina church.

Some time later we were given an old hymnbook which had been given to Walter. And inside the front cover was written by Webjørn Webjørnsen Waal (Vål) his birthdate, his wife's and their children's. They were born in Kråkstad. The late Oivind Hovde, Luther College, translated the writing for us. The research began to reap results. With the help of the Kråkstad bygdebok (farm histories) and the Vesterheim Genealogical Center, Madison, WI, we found that Webjørn Waal moved to the Brekke farm where Webjørn Webjørnsen Brekke/Karlsmyr was born. He in turn moved to the Karlsmyr farm where Sigvart Anton was born December 1849. In 1854 the family moved to the Eina area where they lived first on the Jonsrud farm. This farm was on the east side of Einafjord, where the church we visited was later built. In 1857 they moved to the Sangness farm, and from there they left Norway in 1864 to come to America. Copies of the hymnbook family record, and a letter verifying the move to the Eina area and from the Toten area to America are enclosed in this history.

Kråkstad is south of Oslo on the east side of the Oslofjord. When we lived in Norway from Jan - May 1986, we visited the area several times, worshipped in the Kråkstad church, saw the Skotbu, Vål, Brekke, and Karlsmyr farms. Our guide and host was Oddvar Bjerke and his family. He is interested in family history too, and had figured out he was a 7th or 8th cousin of Vince's.

Map of Norway

Map of Norway including fylker and kommuner. Image courtesy of Norwegian Automobile Federation.

Map showing Eina in relation to Oslo

Map showing Eina in relation to Oslo. Image courtesy of Verla Williams. Eina is highlighted.

Map of Kråkstad area

Map of Kråkstad area. Image courtesy of Verla Williams. The Skotbu, Vål, Karlsmyr, and Brekke farms are highlighted.

The Kråkstad church

Kråkstad kirke (1880). Image courtesy of Ski lokalhistoriske arkiv. Used with permission.


Kråkstad kirke (2007). Photo: © 2007, Thore Bakk, courtesy of Picasa Web Albums. Used with permission.

The Kråkstad church was built in stone (walls - three feet thick) in the year 1160. The entryway with spire is much younger. The church was restored in 1801. Originally, the spire was in the middle of the roof, and the windows were smaller. This was the church in which Anton Sigvardt Vebjörnsen Carlsmyr [Sigvart Anton Williams] was baptized on 20 January 1850.


Interior of Kråkstad church. Photo: KA/Atle Evensen, courtesy of Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage Research (NIKU). Used with permission.

UPDATE: (1 Jun 2016) Came across a beautiful video of the Kråkstad church shot by a drone.

"Skotbu," Kråkstad: En Bygdebok

M. Østlid, "Skotbu," Kråkstad: En Bygdebok, Bind II (1931), 126-127. Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

Skotbu.

Utt. skø'rbu. E. f.: Skothbuð 1325, Skotbud 1329. Skotbudh 1400. Skodboe 1578. Schodboe 1723. Opprinnelig: Skotbuð. Der kan tenkes 2 forklaringer på navnet. 1: første ledd skotbetyr utbygning, tilbygning, og skulde da ta sikte på husets utseende, (at siste ledd betyr bod eller bu er ikke tvilsomt); altså bety: ei bu, et hus som var vygget til et større hus så det så ut som et utskot, eller et hus med et utskot. 2: Den annen forklaring som kunde tenkes, er at første ledd betyr skudd (med bue), og skotbud skulde være ei bu brukt som skytehus ved målskytning.

Var fullgård; gammelt matr.nr. 22, gml. skyld 1 skippund 2½ lispd. som 1723 foreslås satt op med 4½ lispd. Da anføres: "Måtelig god jord; skog til lastebruk; en kvern til husfornødenhet. Sår ½ t. blandkorn 9 t. havre; avler 24 lass høi; 3 hester 9 kyr 6 sauer. 1 husmann med jord". Fikk 1839 nytt nr. 55, ny skyld 12 daler 3 ort 22 skilling; revidert skyld 1886: 21,48 mark.

Var kirkegods, hørte til Mariakirken i Oslo, og hørte senere med til kanslerens len. 1643 byttet kansleren Jens Bjelke gården til kronen, mot Kjølberg i Asker. Skotbu blev da i regnskapene slått sammen med Nonneklosterets gods, og var krongods til 1699, da fikk Vebjørn Gundersen kongelig skjøte på gården; hadde brukt den siden 1688; † 1732. Barn Tor (til Vål), Ole, Svend, Johannes, Randi, Gundhild, Barbara. [Uthevelse tilføyd.]

Sønnen Svend Vevjørnsen overtok gården i 1748. Gift med Ragnhild Svendsdtr. Sørum. 1 datter Ingeborg. Da Svend Vebjørnsen døde 1752, blev enken Ragnhild Svendsdtr. gift med Syver Rolfsen Vest-Midtsem, og efter hans død 1775, 3je gang med Jens Nilsen Frogner på Hjell.

Broren Johannes Vebhjørnsen overtar Skotbu 1753; g. m. Karen Toresdtr. Fusker, † 1762, så hanhadde begge disse gårdene, bodde på Fusker. Barn: Vebjørn, Svend, Thorer, Ingeborg (g. m. Iver Kjeldsen Tømt i Vestby).

1780 får nesteldste sønnen Svend Johannessen skjøte på gården for 1400 rdl.; g. m. Anne Pederdtr. 1 datter Kari Svendsdtr. (f. 1782; gift 1) 1798 med Jørgen Fredriksen Vegger. (1 datter Agar). Gift 2, g. med Thomas Hansen Vegger. (3 barn: Hans Christian, Inger Helene, g. 1835 med Jørgen Mathiasen Eljesrud, Anne Marie)).

Svend Johannessen døde 1821; svigersønnen Thomas Hansen Vegger overtok gården; arvet 1/2, og forpaktet resten mot livøre til enken.

Thomas Hansen døde i 1831. Skiftet efter ham viser at han eide 1) Folkestad i Våler. 2) halve Skotbu. 3) Krogen i Tomter. Et stort og verdifullt bo, bl. a. meget meget vedrifullt sølv og dyrt innbo.


Skotbu.
Enken Kari Svendsdtr. beholdt gården til 1845, da hennes svigersønn Johannes Paulsen Brekke i Tomter overtok den for 4000 spd.; gift med Agar Jørgensdtr. av Kari Svendsdtr.s første ekteskap med Jørgen Fredriksen Vegger. (Agar Jørgensdtr. hadde forresten vært gift 1. g. med Svend Thorsen Brekke.)

1872 overtar sønnen Jens Johannessen gården, g. m. Anna Riiser, Hobøl.

Han solgte den 1892 til trelasthandler Nils M. Laumb. Gården kom derved ut av den ætt den hadde fulgt i 200 år. Gården hadde da ualmindelig pen skog, som blev meget hårdt hugget da der ennu ikke var vedtatt skogvedtekter for bygda. Efter å ha drevet ut skogen solgte han gården til Edvard Nygård som hadde den til 1904, da Iver Rustad kjøpte den.

1923 skjøte fra dennes enke Anette Rustad til sønnen Lars Rustad.

Der er frasolgt gården en rekke parseller, særlig efter at der blev jernbanestasjon på gårdens eiendom. Første parsell, bruksnr. 2, Kråkås og Ødegården, blev utskilt ved skylddelingsforr.
1877.

English translation:

Skotbu.

There can possibly be 2 explanations of the name. 1: First part - skot - means outbuilding, addition, and should then take a look at the house's appearance, (that last part means shack or shanty is not doubtful); also means a house which was built onto a large house or a house with an extension. 2: the second explanation you could think is that first part - skot - means shoot (shot) with a bow, and skotbud is supposed to be a dwelling used as a shooting house for target shooting.

Was a regular farm; old tax-roll number 22; old tax 1 skippund (160 kilo or 350 lbs.) 2½ lispd (weight - 18 lbs.) as 1723 suggested sat up with 4½ lispd. Then citing: "mediocre good land; woods for own use, a mill for home use; Sows ½ barrel grain mixture 9 ton oats; raises 24 loads of hay; 3 horses, 9 cows, 6 sheep 1 tenant farmer with land. In 1839 received new number 55, new taxes 12 daler, 3 ort (coin=1/5 sp.daler) 22 skilling (coin=1/120 of a daler); Revised tax 1886:21.48 mark.

Was church property, belonged to Maria Church in Oslo and belonged later to the chancellor's fiefdom. 1643 the chancellor Jens Bjerke traded the farm to the crown; for Kjølberg in Aker. Skotbu became then in the record books together with convent's property and was crown lands until 1699; then Vebjørn Gundersen got royal deed to the farm, had farmed it since 1688; died 1732. Children: Tor (to Vål), Ole, Svend, Johannes, Randi, Gunhild, Barbara. [Emphasis added.]

His son, Svend Vebjørnsen took over the farm in 1748. Married to Ragnhild Svendsdtr Sørum. 1 daughter Ingeborg. When Svend Vebjørnsen died in 1752, the widow Ragnhild was married to Syver Rolfson Vest-Midsem, and after he died 1775, married the third time to Jens Nilsen Frogner on Hjell.

His brother Johannes Vebjørnsen took over Skotbu 1753; married to Karen Toresdtr Fusker, died 1762, so he had both these farms, lived on Fusker. Children: Vebjørn, Svend, Thorer, Ingeborg (married to Ivar Kjeldsen Tømt in Vestby).

1780 the next oldest son Svend Johannessen got the deed to the farm for 1400 riksdaler; married to Anne Pederstdr 1 daughter Kari Svendsdtr born 1782; married 1) 1798 to Jørgen Fredriksen Vegger. (1 daughter Agar Jørgensdtr). Married 2nd to Thomas Hansen Vegger. (3 children: Hans Christian, Inger Helene, married 1835 to Jørgen Mathiassen Eljesrud, Anna Marie.

Svend Johannessen died 1821; his son-in-law Thomas Hansen Vegger took over the farm, inherited ½ and rented the rest towards the pension of the widow.

Thomas Hansen died 1831. The settlement of his estate shows that he owned 1) Fokkestad in Valer, 2) half Skotbu, 3) Krogen in Tomter. A large and valuable home, among other things very valuable silver and expensive furniture.

The widow Kari Svendsdtr retained the farm until 1845 when her son-in-law Johannes Paulsen Brekke in Tomter took it over for 1000 spd.; married to Agar Jørgensdtr of Kari Svendsdtr's first marriage to Jørgen Fredriksen Vegger. (Agar Jørgensdtr had moreover been married first to Svend Thorsen Brekke) .

1872 her son, Jens Johannessen took over the farm: married to Anna Riiser Hobøl.

He sold it 1892 to lumber dealer Nils M. Laumb. The farm was thereby out of the lineage it had followed for 200 years. The farm had then exceptional fine woods, which was very heavily cut because there were not yet adopted woods regulation for the district. After he had used up the woods he sold the farm to Edvard Nygard, who had it till 1904 when Iver Rustad bought it.

1923 this widow Anette Rustad deeded it to her son Lars Rustad.

There is sold from the farm a number of parcels, especially after there was a railroad station put on the farm property. First parcel farm # 2 Kråkås and Ødegarden became separated by tax divisions 1877.

Skotbu farm, Kråkstad, Akershus, Norway (1986). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

While visiting this farm in 1986, and being served coffee and pastries by Mrs. Lars Rustad, she discovered that we [Vince and Verla Williams] were distantly related to her. And she also discovered she was living on a farm previously owned by her ancestors.

"Vål," Kråkstad: En Bygdebok

M. Østlid, "Vål," Kråkstad: En Bygdebok, Bind II (1931), 46-48. Images courtesy of Verla Williams.

Vål.

I de eldste tider har folk ryddet jorden ved å brenne trærne, da de ikke hadde redskaper til å felle trærne på annen måte. Et slikt stykke land som var avsvidd, der stubbene stod igjen, kalte de en ”váll”. Navnet er meget utbredt på Østlandet, men brukes helst i flertall: f. eks. Våler, Våle. I entallsformen kjennes det bare i et tilfelle utenom dette.

Fullgård; gammel matr.nr. 25, gml. skyld 1 ¼ skippund; foreslås 1723 nedsatt til 1 skpd. Da anføres: ”måtelig god jord; skog til gjerde og brenne; sår 2 skjepper blandkorn, 8 t. havre; avler 20 lass høi; 2 hester, 10 kyr, 8 sauer”. Fikk 1839 nytt nr. 16, ny skyld 7 daler 2 ort 11 skilling; revidert skyld 1886: 18,02 mark.

Var kirkegods; hørte omkr. 1340 til Clemetskirken i Oslo, blev senere overfør til Halvardskirken, hvor det hørte til ”Ås Prebende”. Ved reformasjonen 1537 blev det tillagt sognepresten i Oslo. – I 1791 blev det ved kongl. resulosjon bestemt at alle kompanichefer i Norge skulde få chefsgårder av kronens eller beneficert gods. ”Hovedhensigten med de efter Rescriptet af 2den September 1791 til Compagnie Cheffs Boliger ved de norske Regimenter udnævnte Bøxelgårde gaaer ikke egentlig derhen, at Copagnie Chefferne skulde derved tilflyde Forøgelse i deres Indkomme, men fornemmeligen at de ved denne Indretning maatte blive betrygghet efterhaanden at faae sikker Boepæl i Compagnie Districterne – –”. Vål blev da omkr. 1820 utlagt til chefsgård. (disse chefsgårder er nu næsten alle solgt. De fleste blev solgt 1900).

1637 lensmannsgård: lensmann Peder Vål. – Omkr. 1720 var der 2 brukere på gården: a) Tor Vebjørnsen brukte ½, og b) Nils Gislesen den annen halvdel. Dette forhold med 2 brukere fortsetter til 1786.



Vål, efter tegn. av arkitekt Prestrud.
Brukere på b): Nils Gislesen til 1737. Sønnen Jacob Nilsen 1737-86.

Brukere på a): Tor Vebjørnsen Skotbu til 1737; sønnen Svend Toresen til 1760; dennes sønn Vebjørn Svendsen får bygselbrev 1760 på første halvdel og i 1786 også på annen halvde, så han dermed har hele gården; 1761 g. m. Gunhild Svendsdtr. Sørum. 6 barn:

1. Vebjørn, var skoleholder 1797-1807 (I. s. 329), kom til Brekka, kalles gjerne Vebjørn Brekka.
2. Margrete, g. m. Hans Jensen Molbech Asgjerrud.
3. Gunhild, g. m. Fredrik Svendsen Opsal.
4. Agar, gift til Bjerke i Frogn.
5. Anne Kirstine, g. m. Osmund Andersen Eldor, Ås.
6. Sophie, g. m. Andreas Rød, Kroer. [Uthevelse tilføyd.]

Da gården 1820 blev utlagt som chefsgård, for det follaugske kompani, flyttet den gamle bruker Vebjørn Svendsen til sin svigersønn på Rød i Kroer, der han døde 1824.

Kaptein Blickfeldt overtok gården 1820; var stortingsmann 1830.

Kaptein Blickfeldt overtok gården 1820; var stortingsmann 1830; [sic] var formann i matrikkelkomm. som utarbeidet matrikkelen 1839. Hans efterfølget på Vål var kapt. Munch, i 1860-70 årene. Efter ham blev gården brukt av forpaktere, til 1900, da den blev privat-eiendom; kaptein K. F. Kase fikk kongl. skjøte på den for 40 000 kr. 1903 dennes skjøte til Hans Naverstad.

English translation:

Vål.

In the oldest times people cleared the land by burning the trees, in that time they did not have equipment to fell the trees in another way. Such a piece of land which was burned off where the stumps remained, they called a “våll.” The name is very widespread in the east land, but is used preferably in the plural: for example, Våler, Våle. In the singular form, it is known in just one case outside this.

A regular farm; old tax number 25, old tax 1¼ skippund; propose 1723 reduced to 1 skpd. Then is cited: “mediocre good land; woods to fence and burn; sowed 2 half-bushel grain mixture, 8 barrels oats; raised 20 loads hay; 2 horses, 10 cows, 8 sheep." Received 1839 new number 16, new tax 7 daler 2 ort 11 skilling; revised tax 1886: 18.02 mark.

Was church property; belonged around 1340 to the Clemets church in Oslo, was later transferred to the Halvard's church, where it belonged to "Ås prebende." By the reformation 1537 it was attached to the district pastor in Oslo. - In 1791 it was decided by royal resolution that all company chiefs in Norway should get chiefs’ farms from the royal or clergy lands. “The main purpose with this resolution of 2nd September 1791 regarding the dwellings of the company-chiefs of the Norwegian regiments names Bøxelgårde it doesn't mean that the company chiefs should thereby be granted an increase in their income but especially that by that arrangement they had a secure place to live in the company districts -- -- .” Vål became around 1820 plotted out as a chief’s farm. (These chief's farms are now almost all sold. Most of them were sold in the years 1850-60; from this formed the Chiefs’ Farms Fund. Vål was sold 1900).

1637 sheriff's farm, sheriff Peder Vål. -- Around 1720 there were 2 farmers on the farm: a) Tor Vebjørnsen farmed ½, and b) Nils Gislesen the other half. This situation with 2 farmers continued until 1786.

Farmers on b): Nils Gislesen to 1737. His son Jacob Nilsen 1737-86.

Farmers on a): Tor Vebjørnsen Skotbu until 1737; his son Svend Toresen to 1760; his son Vebjørn Svendsen received the lease 1760 on first half and in 1786 also on the second half, so he therefore had the entire farm; 1761 married to Gunhild Svendsdtr. Sørum. 6 children:

1. Vebjørn, was school teacher 1797-1807 (v. 1, p. 329), came to Brekka, generally calls himself Vebjørn Brekka.
2. Margrete, married to Hans Jensen Molbech Asgjerrud.
3. Gunhild, married to Fredrik Svendsen Opsal.
4. Agar, married to Bjerke in Frogn.
5. Anne Kirstine, married to Osmund Andersen Eldor, Ås.
6. Sophie, married to Andreas Rød, Kroer. [Emphasis added.]

When the farm in 1820 was plotted at chief's farm, for the “follaugske” company, the old farmer Vebjørn Svendsen moved to his son-in-law at Rød in Kroer, where he died in 1824.

Captain Blickfeldt took over the farm in 1820; was member of Parliament in 1830; was chairman of land register committee, which worked out the land register in 1839. His successor on Vål was Capt. Munch, in the years 1860-70. After him the farm was farmed by renters until 1900, when it became privately owned; Captain K.F. Kase received royal deed for it for 40,000 kroner. 1903 it was deeded to Hans Naverstad.

Vål farm, Kråkstad, Akershus, Norway (1986). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

"Brekken," Kråkstad: En Bygdebok

M. Østlid, "Brekken," Kråkstad: En Bygdebok, Bind II (1931), 102-104. Images courtesy of Verla Williams.

Brekken.

Den folkelige uttale er Brekka (med dobbelt tonelag). Eldre former: um Brekko, um Brekkonæ 1361, i Brekko 1500, Breckan 1536, Breke 1578, Breken 1723. Til grunn ligger substantivet brekka (f.) = en bakke. I et brev fra 1539 kalles gården Smørbrekka, likeså i et bygselbrev 1759.

Gården var fjerdings- eller ødegård; gammelt matr.nr. 125, gml. skyld 8 lispund tunge, som 1723 foreslås forhøiet til 12 lispd. Da anføres: "Middelmådig jord; skog til husreparasjoner og litt til lastebruk. Står 2 skjepper blandkorn, 6 t. havre; avler 9 lass høi; 2 hester, 6 storfe, 4 sauer". Fikk 1839 nytt nr. 43, ny skyld 3 daler 4 ort 9 skilling; revidert skyld 1886: 7,32 mark.

Var kirkegods, hørte oprinnelig til Hobøl kirke, men blev 1529 overført til Hobøl prestebol. Av et brev fra 1361 fremgår det at det den gang var 2 Brekkegårder, øvre og nedre Brekke.

Brukere: 1665: Laurids Lauritzen. Efter 1700: Gudbrand Rasmussen fikk bygselbrev 1718, g. m. Anne Rasmusdtr. Han døde 1749, 83 år. Enken brukte til 1759, da sønnen Rasmus Gulbrandsen fikk bygselbrev på gården, som da kalles S m ø r b r e k k a.

Brekken.
Han var gift med Mari Larsdtr. Asperud. De bruker til 1783, da svigersønnen Ole Evensen Ambjørnrud, g. m. Gunhild Rasmusdtr. Brekke, fikk bygselbrev på gården. Han døde 1808, 57 år. Deres barn: Samuel, f. 1784. Rasmus, f 1787. Andreas, f. 1789. Even, f. 1791. Thore, f. 1793. Gunhild, f. 1797.

1810 får Rasmus Olsen, sønn av den avdøde bruker Ole Evensen, bygselbrev på gården; g. m. Malene Gulbrandsdtr.

Rasmus Olsen døde samme år, og enken blev gift til Arnestad i Vestby; samtidig fikk svogeren Johannes Hansen Arnestad bygselbrev på Brekken, utstedt 1810. Han avstår det 1811 til Vebjørn Vebjørnsen Vål. Hadde vært skoleholder i 10 år (1797-1807). Om hans virke i skolen, se 329-30. Var med i første herredstyre. Blev holdt for å kunne litt av hvert; skulde ha hatt "svarteboka". Han fikk kongelig skjøte på gården 1837. Han døde 1852, 72 år. Hadde vært gift 2 ganger. 1) med Dorthe Andersdtr. Alvim. 2) Inger Marie Christiansdtr. (fra Hobøl). 4 barn: Gunhild, g. m. Samuel Pedersen Bjørke. Vebjørn Vebjørnsen, f. 1821. Johanne, g. m. Christian Thoresen Gjevelsrud, Enebakk. Anders Sigvard, f. 1849.

Enken Inger Marie Christiansdtr. blev gift igjen med Olaus Hellemundsen Berger. [Uthevelse tilføyd.] Gården blev ved skifteauksjon solgt for 3000 spd. til Johan Olsen Bjertsrud. 1855 blev gården delt: De to brødrene Olaus og Edvard Hellemundsen Berger kjøpte hver sin halvdel.

B r u k s n r. 1 Johan Olsen solgte, som nevnt ovenfor, denne del 1855 til Olaus Hellemundsen Berger, gift med enken Inger Marie Christiansdtr. Brekken. Han hadde også Nedre Berger. Ved hans død 1858 solgte enken gården for 1800 spd. til Lars Nilsen Kvillese, og den har siden fulgt denne gård. (See Kvillese).

B r u k s n r. 2 Edvard Hellemundsen Berger fikk kjøpt denne del 1855 for 1900 spd. Var gift med Anne-Oline Syversdtr. Hanekrop, f. 1834, † 1883. Edv. Brekke var ordfører 1881-85. Se I. s. 212. Han døde 1901. Barn: Herman (f. 1861, † 1931), g. m. Marie Hoel (Ås); kjøpmann i Oslo. Bolette, f. 1861, † 1931. Oline, f. 1863, har landhandleri i Hobøl. Elise, f. 1866, †1897. Sigvart, f. 1868, † 1924, kjøpmann ved Tomter st.; g. m. Helene Rud, Kråkstad. Ludvig, f. 1870, kjøpmann ved Kråkstad st. Laura, f. 1873, lærerinne i Kråkstad, se I s. 377. Anna, f. 1878, † 1913. – Efter Edv. Brekkes død 1901 blev gården solgt til Johannes J. Mørk, som kort tid efter selger den til Petter Narvestad. Efter hans død blev den 1923 solgt til Kristian Malle.

English translation:

Brekken.

The popular pronunciation is Brekka (with double inflection). Older forms: um Brekko, um Brekkonæ 1361, to Brekko 1500, Breckan 1526. Breke 1578, Breken 1723. The basis lies in the noun, b r e k k a = en bakke, a hill. In a letter from 1529 calls the farm Smørbrekka, likewise in a lease 1759.

The farm was a quarter or abandoned farm; old tax number 125, old tax 8 lispund weight, as 1723 suggests for the hay to 12 lispd. Then cites: "Average land; woods for house improvements and a little for home use. Sowed 2 half-bushels grain mixture, 6 barrels oats, raises 9 loads hay; 2 horses, 6 cattle, 4 sheep. Received 1839 new number 43, new tax 3 daler, 4 ort 9 shilling; revised tax 1886: 7.32 mark.

Was church property, belonged originally to Hobøl church but was transferred to Hobøl parsonage. By a letter from 1361 [it is] evident that at one time there were 2 Brekke farms, upper and lower Brekke.

Farmers: 1665: Laurids Lauritzen. After 1700: Gudbrand Rasmussen got lease 1718, married to Anne Rasmusdtr. He died 1749, 83 years old. The widow farmed until 1759, when her son Rasmus Gulbrandsen got the lease to the farm, which was then called Smørbrekka. He was married to Mari Larsdtr Asperud. They farmed until 1783, then their son-in-law Ole Evensen Ambjørnrud, married to Gunhild Rasmusdtr. Brekke, got lease to the farm. He died 1808, 57 years old. Their children: Samuel, born 1784. Rasmus, born 1787. Andreas, born 1789. Even, born 1791. Thore, born 1793. Gunhild, born 1797.

1810 Rasmus Olsen, son of deceased farmer Ole Evensen received lease to the farm; married to Malene Gulbrandsdtr.

Rasmus Olsen died same year, and the widow was married to Arnestad in Vestby; at the same time her brother-in-law Johannes Hansen Arnestad received the lease to Brekken, issued 1810. He ceded it 1811 to Vebjørn Vebjørnsen Vål. He was school teacher for 10 years (1797-1807). Of his work in the school see Volume 1, pages 329-330. He was on the first township board. Was considered to know little of each; was supposed to have had the "blackbook." He got royal deed of conveyance to the farm in 1837. He died 1852, 72 years. Had been married 2 times. 1) to Dorthe Andersdtr Alvim. 2) Inger Marie Christiansdtr. (from Hobøl). 4 children: Gunhild, married to Samuel Pedersen Bjørke. Vebjørn Vebjørnsen, born 1821. Johanne, married to Christian Thorersen Gjevelsrud, Enebakk. Anders Sigvard, born 1849.

The widow Inger Marie Christiansdtr. was married again to Olaus Hellemundsen Berger. [Emphasis added.] The farm was sold by "inheritance auction" for 3000 spd. to Johan Olsen Bjertsrud. 1855 the farm was divided in two: the 2 brothers, Olaus and Edvard Hellemundsen Berger bought each a half part. . . .

"Karlsmyr," Kråkstad: En Bygebok

M. Østlid, "Karlsmyr," Kråkstad: En Bygdebok, Bind II (1931), 111-112. Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

Karlsmyr.

(Utt. ka'llsmyr eller kæ'llsmyr). Eldre former; Kalsmyra 1295, i Karlsmyri 1400, Kaldzmyr 1593, Kalsmyr 1723. Opprinnelig form: Karlsmýrr; første ledd er mannsnavnet Karl, annet ledd mýr = en myr. Hører til de yngre naturbetegnende navn, yngre enn Myrer.

Var ødegård, gammelt matr.nr. 101, gml. skyld 8 lispd., som 1723 forslås nedsatt til 6 lispd. Da anføres "Svakt land. brandsædig; skog tiul husfornødenhet; sår 1 skjeppe blandkorn, 3 t. havre; avler 6 lass høi; har 1 hest, 4 kyr, 4 sauer". Fikk 1839 nytt nr. 46, ny skyld 2 daler 2 ord 22 skilling; 1886 revidert skyld 5,09 mark.

I middelalderen hørte en liten del av gården til Kråkstad prestebol, men uten bygsel, så den kan ikke regnes som kirkegods. I nyere tid vbar den propritærgods, tilhørte Osloborgere, således tilhørte den 1723 Hans Carsten Kamps arvinger (om ætten se under Bekkevar).

1753 selger Maren Kamp (på Vestby i Enebakk) gården til løitnant Hermann Kjelberg for 110 rdl. Han selger den igjen samme år til soldat Lars Nilsen Rådim, for 120 rdl.; var gift med Anne Svendsdtr. Røis. 4 barn: Ingeborg, Anne, Marte, Svend († på Berger 1772).

Lars Nilsen døde 1755. Enken Anne Svendsdtr. blev 1756 gift med Joen Larsen Schaug, Hobøl.

Da Joen Larsen 1768 hadde kjøpt Berger, overtas Karlsmyr av svigersønnen Aslavh Larsen Helgestad (Kroer), 1771, g. m. Ingeborg Larsdtr. Karlsmyr. I de følgende år skifter gården ofte eier: 1782 Aslach Larsens skjøte til Svend Christensen Berger for 450 rd. – 1784 dennes skjøte til Johannes Jensen Vien for 498 rdl. – 1790 til Henrik Tostensen for 750 rdl. – 1794 til Anders Henriksen Skotbu for 800 rdl. dertil 400 i odelspenger til Svend Aslachsen i Helgestad, Kroer.

1800 Anders Henriksens skjøte til Hans Gundersen Reitvet for 960 rdl. (Anders Henriksen kjøpte Løvestad).

1807 dennes skjøte til Vebjørn Vebjørnsen Vål for 1600 rdl. Om hans ætt se under Brekke.

Efter hans død blev Karlsmyr 1854 solgt til Baltzer Johannessen Børsum for 1500 spd. Skjøte tingl. 1854. 1868 skifte sluttet efter Baltzer Johannessen; eindommen utlagt stervbo-enken Mathea Gudmundsdtr. for 1000 spd.; hun selger den straks til Thorer Halvorsen, g. m. Elen Nilsdtr. Røis.

1912 skjøte fra Thoer Halvorsens myndige og selvskiftende arvinger til Hans Th. Karlsmyr.

Bruksnr. 2 blev utskilt fra bruksnr. 1 ved skylddeling 1865. – Bruksnr. 3 blev utskilt fra bruksnr. 2 bed skylddeling i 1873.

English translation

Karlsmyr.

(Pronounced ka'llsmyr or kå'llsmyr). Older forms: Kalsmyra 1295, Karlsmyri 1400, Kaldzmyr 1593, Kalsmyr 1723. Original form: Karlsmyrr; first part is the man's name Karl, second part myrr = a marsh. Belongs to one of the younger nature descriptive name, younger than Myrer.

Was abandoned farm; old tax number 101, old tax 8 lispd., some 1723 suggested reduced to 6 lispd. Then it is written: "Weak [poor] land, ___; woods for home use; Sowed 1 sack mixed grain, 3 barrels oats; raises 6 loads hay; has 1 horse, 4 cows, 4 sheep". Got 1839 new number 46, new tax 2 daler 2 ort 22 skilling; 1886 revised tax: 5.09 mark.

During the middle ages belonged to a little part of the farm of Kråkstad parsonage but without lease, so it can not count as church property. During newer times it was wealthy farmers’ property, belong to Olso citizens, therefore it belonged to the Hans Carstensen Kamps heirs in 1723 (see under Bekkevar).

In 1753 Maren Kamp (of Vestby in Enebakk) sold the farm to Lt. Hermann Kjelberg for 110 rdl (riksdal = state dollar). He sold it again the same year to soldier Lars Nilsen Rådim for 120 rdl.; was married to Anne Svendsdtr. R0is. 4 children: Ingeborg, Anne, Marte, Svend (died on Berger 1772).

Lars Nilsen died 1755. The widow Anne Svendsdtr. was 1756 married to Joen Larsen Schaug, Hobøl.

When Joen Larsen 1768 had bought Berger, Karlsmyr was taken over by son-in-law Aslach Larsen Helgestad (Kroer), married to Ingeborg Larsdtr. Karlsmyr. During the following years the farm changed ownership often: 1782 Aslach Larsen deeded to Svend Christensen Berger for 450 rdl. - 1784 it was deeded to Johannes Jensen Vien for 498 rdl. - 1790 to Henrik Tostenson for 750 rdl. - 1794 to Anders Henriksen Skotbu for 800 rdl., in addition 400 rdl in precious (alodial or inherited) money to Svend Aslachsen Helgestad, Kroer.

1800 Anders Henriksen deeded to Hans Gundersen Reitvet for 960 rdl. (Anders Henriksen bought Løvestad).

1807 it was deeded to Vebjørn Vebjørnsen Vål for 1600 rkd. About his family see under Brekke.

After his death Karlsmyr was sold in 1854 to Baltzer Johannessen Børsum for 1500 spd. The deed registered (in county office) in 1854. 1868 tax distribution completed after Baltzer Johannessen; property plotted out ___ widow Mathea Gudmundsdtr. for 1000 spd.; she sold it immediately to Thorer Halvorsen, married to Elen Nilsdtr. Røis.

1912 sold by Thorer Halvorsen's grownup (of age) and self-distributing heirs to Hans Th. Karlsmyr.

Farm 2 was separated from farm 1 by tax partition 1865. - Farm 3 was separated from farm 2 by tax partition in 1873.

Karlsmyr farm, Kråkstad, Akershus, Norway (1986). Image courtesy of Verla Williams.

Norwegian Words

The following Norwegian words and phrases are found in the baptismal and marriage certifications and records:

kirkebok - church book
innført - registered
sønn - son
døpt - baptized
fødelsdag - birthdate
ikke oppgitt - not declared
datter - daughter
leilendinger - tenant farmer
født - born
ektefolk - husband and wife
samme år - same year
ungkar - bachelor
pike - girl
viet -married
brudgommen - the bridegroom
fra - from
bruden - bride
gårdbruker - farmer

The columns in the copy of the church baptism register are as follows:

birthdate, baptism date, full name, legitimate or illeg., parents' names, sponsors' names