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Johan Andreas Selmer born 30 December 1834.
This is the birth record for Karen Gurine Nelsdatter's older brother, John:
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The National Archives of
Norway, scanned church records, Telemark, Solum: 1833-1843, parish register
(official) birth and baptism records, 1835, page 14, entry 17, Johan Andreas Selmer, <http://www.arkivverket.no/URN:kb_read
: accessed 17 January 2013>.
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At the Family History Library in Salt Lake City last month I asked a Norwegian Specialist to help me read it.
In the 5th column it states illegitimate.
In the sixth column it gives parentage: a married wife Anne Olesdatter of Klovholt and the stated father of the child, the batchelor, (it gives a crunched name and occupation) Selmer of Christianna (now Oslo). Her first immorality. The far right column states that the husband was notified at Paludan (a place in Denmark).
This next record is of his confirmation: Spring class of 1850.
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The National Archives of
Norway, scanned church records, Telemark, Solum: 1844-1855, parish register
(official) Confirmation Records, 1850, page 228, entry 27, Johan Andreas Selmer, <http://www.arkivverket.no/URN:kb_read
: accessed 19 January 2013>.
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I'm not sure the where the name Selmer comes from, the father I guess.
John is the one who had a child in Wisconsin in 1866 named Louis. This is the boy we find with Karen Gurine, aka Caroline Jacobson in the 1870 and 1880 census records. Karen Gurine raised her nephew. He became a plumber in Chicago and had three children. Mom and Dad had some correspondence with a descendant of his, Irenne F. Gable, in February and March of 2001.
Ablowin' In The Wind
by Irenne Gable
You ask why I say "Genealogy ain't all that great." It's because of what I learned about my beloved Grandpa Nelson.
Until very recently this is what I knew about my patriarchal predecessor. Lewis Hans Nelson was born in Oslo, Norway and his mother died in childbirth. His father was a Viking, a Norwegian sailor. Because of his sailing schedule he could not care for his infant son. I didn't know my Great Grandfather's name, but because of the way the Norwegian lineage works I figured it could be, probably was, Nels. Nels had only one relative who could help him, a sister who lied in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
My Viking Great Grandfather brought his newborn son over the wild and tempestuous Atlantic Ocean shortly after his birth, May 14, 1866 and a dear and loving aunt raised him. There were other questions for which I didn't have answers, hence my reason for delving into the archives.
For instance, I didn't know how and when Grandpa got from Milwaukee to Chicago and started successful plumbing business, a segment of this historical past I was planning to pursue through the wonders of genealogy. Other missing parts were going to be revealed as well, i.e. "How and where did he meet Grandma Nelson who had immigrated to America from Sweden to do domestic work, when she was 16 years old."
"So what's the problem?" you ask. "You've got good substantial starting information."
That's the problem. Very recently I was startled to learn after receiving a copy of Grandpa's death certificate that he was born in Milwaukee! It further listed his father's name: John. (Really) Also after mother's name: unknown. (No Surprise) But my romantic picture of a stalwart heartbroken Viking crossing the ocean with infant son was torn asunder.
As a child Lewis Hans Nelson was my hero. He was kind, loving and caring to me, his second grandchild, and together we made meaningful memories. As my family lived next door I would visit him regularly. Before he'd take his daily nap I would drop in to make a connection. At the conclusion of our time, with out fail he would reach into his pants pocket and pull out a nickel for me. Five cents bought alot of candy back then.
From where I'm at now it seems strange that I never discussed with Gramps his childhood and early beginnings. Where did I get my romantic Viking rendition?
To prove that the certificate might be in error I called my cousin Millye in California. She had enjoyed good times with Grandma and Grandpa Nelson when they all lived in the Golden State. I started to tell her my Viking version, but before I could report the information on the death certificate she stated: "No, that is not what I heard. Grandpa said he was born in Milwaukee.. He told me he was an orphan." She repeated: "He told me he was an orphan, born in Milwaukee."
Like I said in the beginning of this story, currently in my opinion genealogy ain't all that great. I am purposefully being ungrammatical to stress my unhappiness and disappointment. However, despite it all , I've decided to pursue it and Grandpa through the 1870 census and whatever other avenues present themselves. Being an optimist and deciding to take a positive attitude I'm considering that I may learn something so interesting it will make my Viking story pale in contrast.
Memories of Grandpa Nelson are my treasures. I loved and knew him so well having spent very valuable time with him even after my marriage and my children made him a great Grandfather.
My disappointment is not with Grandpa; it is with this new information. It's taken the wind out of my Viking sails.
