"I've "rescued" a group of 6 photographs along related to the BJELLAND
Family of Illinois.
I am hoping to be able to return the photographs to their rightful
place with family. If you are a member of this family, or know
someone who might be, please
contact me.
Thanks,
Shelley"
The photographs included in this group are as follows:
(Click on the photo for the LARGER ORIGINAL SCAN to help you identify
the faces.)
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1. Ole H. BJELLAND, no studio or location, 1880's, man in his
20's or 30's, note "Mrs. Annie BJELLAND of Newark, Ill"
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2. Henry BJELLAND, Hendricks Studio in Sandwich, IL, 1890's,
note "March 31,1896 - October 21, 1948"
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3. Jane Markus TUNGESVIK, Taylor Studio in Aurora, IL, 1880's
or 1890's, woman in her teens or 20's, note "a distant relative
of Ole H. BJELLAND"
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4. Olufue Mikolule (Jorgensdatter) MATTISEN OAKLAND and Olianna
Mathea (Jorgensdatter) MATTISEN BJELLAND, S. Benensohn Studio in
Yorkville, IL, 1890's, young women in teens or 20's, notes "Olufue
born Aug 5 1876, died March 5 1953, and Olianna born Feb 17 1873
and died Jan 30 1949"
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5. Elias ROLLASTADT with second wife and child, Menzel Studio
in Grand Rapids, WI, 1890's, couple in their 40's, child about 1
year, note "Mrs. A. BJELLAND"
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6. Elias ROLLASTADT with Guri ROLLASTADT and a second little
girl, Rich Studio in Shawano, WI, 1890's, man in his 40's,
children 3-4 years, notes "To Ole Halverson" and "Guri is
daughter of Ole Halvorsen BJELLAND'S only sister" and "little
girl also a daughter of Dad's sister whose name was Walborg
Halvarsdatter BJELLAND" and "the littlest girl died so Guri is
the only one on Dad's side who grew up and she may have family"
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Based on limited research, Shelley was able to gather the following
information regarding this family:
Ole H. BJELLAND b. 23 Nov 1855 in Norway to parents Halver BJELLAND
and Guri TOLLEFSON, married Anne MATTESON (b. 17 Feb 1873 in Tromso,
Norway) on 28 Feb 1895 in IL and together they had six children
including, Henry b. 1896; James Engemon b. 1898; Gerhard Olai b. 1900;
Carl Wilbur b. 1902; Esther b. 1906; and Omi b. 1906; all born in
Millbrook or Fox, IL. Ole died 8 Apr 1906 in Aitkin, MN.
His wife (pictured in photo 4 as Olianna) Anne MATTESON BJELLAND died
at the home of her daughter Mrs. William J. AHRNENDT in Chesterton,
IN. Anne came to the US at the age of 20 and first lived with her
Aunt and Uncle, Mr. & Mrs. Lars ALSAGER near Newark, IL. Obit notes
that her son Henry died in 1948, surviving were a son Gerhard BJELLAND
of Portland, OR; son James BJELLAND of Seattle, WA; son Carl BJELLAND
of Chicago, IL; daughter Mrs. O. W. JOHNSON of Chicago, IL; and
daughter Mrs. AHRNENDT. She was also survived by siblings, Mrs.
Fannie OAKLAND of Yorkville, IL; Mrs. Inga BREWSTER of Port of Spain,
Trinidad; Hans MATTESON; Morris MATTESON; and Mattis MATTESON all of
Libertyville, IL; and Paul MATTESON of Coal City, IL;
Census information is as follows: 1910 census of Fox Township, IL:
Annie BJELLAND, age 37, a widow, 5 children/5 living, born Norway,
parents born Norway, to USA 1882
Henry BJELLAND, son, age 14, born IL
Gahert BJELLAND, son, age 10, born IL
Carl BJELLAND, son, age 8, born IL
Esther BJELLAND, dau, age 5, born MN
Olma BJELLAND, dau, age 3, born MN |
