Finnestad Ancestry

The 1930 US Census lists Arthur LeRoy Arndt living with his aunt and uncle, Mary (Arndt) and Wallace L. Toole and their daughter Alfa.        They are listed on lines 65 - 68 of the census. The Toole family were living in South Haven township, Van Buren county, Michigan.    I do not know why Arthur didn't live with his mother though it may have had to do with economics.   This census was taken the year following the Great Depression of 1929. Arthur was the son of Linnie (Vallem) and David Andrew Arndt, the grandson of Rachel (Finnestad) and Lewis Vallem and great-grandson of Mari (Iversdatter Nord-Skaar) and Ole (Olson) Finnestad Sr.

The 1930 US Census for Leonard A Arndt lists him living in Lincoln City, Logan county, Illinois at the "Institute for Feeble Minded Children".     Leonard was 12 years old when the census was taken April 1, 1930.      Leonard's mother, Linnie was living in Dement township, Ogle county, Illinois at the time of the 1930 census.      This census incorrectly states Linnie was single. The "Institute" opened in 1877 in Lincoln, Illinois, at the time, as an 'appendage' for the deaf and dumb.  More can be found here , here , here and here . This photo of the "Institute" was taken between 1890 and 1901: Leonard was the son of Linnie (Vallem) and David Andrew Arndt, the grandson of Rachel (Finnestad) and Lewis Vallem and great-grandson of Mari (Iversdatter Nord-Skaar) and Ole (Olson) Finnestad Sr..

Here is the 1920 US Census for Peter Vallem, his 2nd wife, Sarah (Anderson) and their son Orville.  Living next door Peter's younger sister, Linnie (Vallem) Arndt and her husband Andrew and their children Arthur LeRoy and Leonard. The two families were living in Rockford, Winnebago county, Illinois.     Both Peter and his brother-in-law were employed as machinists. Due to the spelling and handwriting for Peter Vallem and Linnie Arndt this census was difficult to track down.    1930 US Census also created a search barrier as Linnie was listed as single and reverted to her maiden name, Vallem. Peter and Linnie were the children of Rachel (Finnestad) and Lewis Vallem and grandchildren of Mari (Iversdatter Nord-Skaar) and Ole (Olson) Finnestad Sr.

I have been searching for the husband of Mary (Finnestad) Bell for quite awhile.    Her death certificate from Snohomish county, state of Washington lists Mary as a widow.    No name was listed in the space for her husband but "no one knew".     That might apply to her actual birth month and day but I can only guess.    Apparently her brother, Rasmus couldn't remember the name of his brother-in-law.   I have yet to encounter a descendant of Mari (Iversdatter Nord-Skaar) and Ole (Olson) Finnestad Sr that does know his name. I previously posted  information on Mary's two burials hoping the original burial place would have more information on the name of Mary's husband, however, they did not have any additional documents. At this point I believe the closest I will get to discovering Mr. Bell's first name will be the deposition Mary provided to the prosecutor's office during the trial in which she was a witness.    The courthouse in Dixon, Illinois has a copy