Finnestad Ancestry

Here is the 1940 US Census for Lettie (Finnestad) Risetter, granddaughter of Mari (Iversdatter Nord-Skaar) and Ole Finnestad Sr. Lettie is listed (lines 43 - 46 at the top of the census) with husband Christopher and their son, Hamilton  and niece, Betty Lou Risetter. Lettie was the daughter of Caroline (Quitno) and Ole Finnestad Jr.     Betty Lou was the daughter of Lettie's younger sister, Lillian May (Finnestad) and George Risetter. The Risetters were living in Willow Creek township, Lee county, Illinois.

I have not had any updates lately so thought I would start a new decade by catching up to the 1920's. In 1920, Ole Finnestad, wife Caroline and daughter Frances had moved one township south of Alto and had moved to Willow Township, Lee County, Illinois. They moved in with daughter Lettie, son-in-law Christopher Risetter and their two children, Hamilton and Verdell. Living next door was Ole and Caroline's daughter, Lillian, husband George Risetter and their daughter Betty Lou.

Here are some pictures provided by Roxanne (Dearth) Hamilton that I have been rather slow in posting. My intent to create a chronological history is practically impossible so I've decided to post things randomly. These photos represent the sisters and their respective families of my great grandfather, Oliver Finnestad. As I have yet to encounter any photos of Oliver with his sisters, I do not know what the extent of their relationship was in adulthood. . ABOVE Men: Pete Svetika (Husband of Frances Finnestad), Rodney Risetter, Leo Dearth (Husband of Wanda Risetter), Friends Women: Betty (Risetter) Shipman, Rita (Richardson) Roots, Wanda (Risetter) Dearth, Norraine (Richardson) Carlson, Helen Dearth As this was Wanda and Leo's wedding, this photo was taken November 15, 1946. Above: Women: Florence (Johnson) Dearth – Leo’s Mother, Betty (Risetter) Shipman, Wanda (Risetter) Dearth, Frances (Finnestad) Svetika, Alice (Finnestad) Gittleson Men: Frank Dearth – Leo’s Fath...