Finnestad Ancestry

Here is a summary of Ole and Mari Finnestad and their 11 children along with their final resting places: Ole Oleson Finnestad February 14, 1814 - November 22, 1906 Union Cemetery - Lee County, Illinois Mari Iversdatter Skaar Finnestad July 12, 1824 - November 1, 1905 Union Cemetery - Lee County, Illinois Elizabeth Olsdatter Finnestad Knutson April 10, 1844 - March 14, 1930 Lawnridge Cemetery - Rochelle, Illinois Sarah (Serina) Olsdatter Finnestad July 5, 1846 - August 21, 1923 Union Cemetery - Lee County, Illinois Maria Olsdatter March 7, 1848 - May 15, 1851 Fister , Norway Dana (Iverdine) Olsdatter Finnestad Travland December 2, 1850 - November 3, 1879 Union Cemetery - Lee County, Illinois Bertha Olsdatter Finnestad Haaland December 2, 1850 - April 29, 1929 Union Cemetery - Lee County, Illinois Rachel (Rakkel) Marie Olsdatter Finnestad Vallem December 2, 1853 - April 8, 1932 Lawnridge Cemetery - Rochelle, Illinois Ole Oleson Finnestad June 4, 1856 - July 7, 1928 Fairview Cemet...

Church records from the village of Fister in Hjelemeland, Norway document the burial for Ole and Mari Finnestad's third child, Maria Olsdatter. Maria Olsdatter was born March 7, 1848 and died May 15, 1851. The photo* below is the Fister church, built in 1867, several years after Maria had died. I do not know whether this church replaced another or whether there is a second church in the village. I have not come across any records that confirm exactly where she may have been buried, but considering the village of Fister is quite small, hopefully it will not be too difficult to locate when I eventually go to Norway. * Photo: Arne Toftøy-Andersen

Here is a map of southwestern Norway that shows the locations where the earliest Finnestad family resided throughout the ages: Click on the map to enlarge it. As I mentioned the previous post, the earliest known ancestor (Torgeir, last name unknown) was born around 1390. While I have been unable to confirm where he lived, his grandson was born around 1434 and died in Vikedal. It's probably likely that Torgeir (Gen #1), his son Ingemund Torgeirsen (Gen #2), grandson Torgeir Ingemundsen (Gen #3), and great grandson Torkell Torgeirsen (Gen #4) also lived in the same area, Vikedal. Vikedal is depicted as point "A" on the above map. In 1521, Torgeir Ingemundsen's son Torkell Torgeirsen was born in Vikedal but died in Sauda. Sauda is depicted as point "B" on the above map. Vikedal to Sauda is 50 kilometers. (31 miles). It wasn't until the 13th generation when my great great great grandparents, Ole and Mari Olson moved to Fister, Norway. Fister is depicted ...

According to Wikipidia: Hjelmeland is a municipality in the county of Rogaland, Norway. Hjelmeland was established as a municipality January 1, 1838. Two other municipalities were later separated from it: Årdal (1849) and Fister (1884) - but these were both again merged with Hjelmeland January 1, 1965. Hjelmeland is known for their fruit (apples, pears, plums, cherries and strawberries) and fish production. Salmon has been important for the fish industry in Hjelmeland for a couple of decades, but white fish such as cod and halibut has increased its value in the latter years. Hjelmeland is a very beautiful commune, with deep fjords, mountains, archipelago and good opportunities for outdoor activities, like fishing and mountain-trekking, Due to the want and need to develop the community, Hjelmeland has laid large areas open to industry. It is, however, sad to see that the industry is located in some of the prettiest parts of the commune, like Viganeset for instance. The crude-iron and...

The next few entries I will be revisiting the areas of Norway where the Olson/Finnestad family had lived prior to moving to America. The family of Ole and Mari started in the county of Rogaland, municipality of Hjelmeland, community of Fister. Based upon documents I have found, Ole and Mari lived in Fister from at least the time of their marriage, July 4, 1844 until November 3, 1862 when they purchased a farm in the county of Rogaland to the municipality of Hetland, community of Frue, where the Finnestad farm was located.