Finnestad Ancestry

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.