I am writing genealogical sketches, and then will write AI-assisted biographies, of my wife's ancestors by ancestral couple, not by individual ancestor.
Here is the genealogical sketch for my wife Linda's paternal great-great-grandparents Sjur Torgersen Leland (1804-1889) and Brita Olsdatter (1818-1895) who married in 1850 in Voss, Norway.
Sjur Torgersen, son of Torgeir Olsen (1753-1827) and Anna Sjursdatter (1772-1826), was born on 19 August 1804 in Tungeteigens, Voss, Hordaland, Norway.[1-2] His parents married in 1796 in Voss, and they had six children:
- Ole Torgersen, born 27 March 1797, Praestegaarden, Voss, Hordaland, Norway; married Rannveig Olsdtr, 29 April 1835, Voss, Hordaland, Norway; died 1851, Gjelle, Voss, Hordaland, Norway.
- Torbior Torgersdtr was born on 14 January 1800 in Bowkhuus, Voss, Hordaland, Norway.
- Barbra Torgersdtr was born on 29 January 1803 in Tungeteigens, Voss, Hordaland, Norway.
- Sjur Torgersen Leland, born 19 August 1804, Tungeteigens, Voss, Hordaland, Norway; married Brita Olsdatter, 21 June 1850, Vinje, Voss, Hordaland, Norway; died 29 March 1889, Deerfield, Dane, Wisconsin, United States.
- Anna Torgersdtr was born on 17 July 1808 in Tungeteigens, Voss, Hordaland, Norway.
- Ivar Torgersen Liland, born before 11 January 1812, Tungeteigens, Voss, Hordaland, Norway; married Kari Larsdtr, 18 June 1839, Voss, Hordaland, Norway; died 21 November 1893, Spring Prairie, Walworth, Wisconsin, United States.
Brita Olsdatter, daughter of Ole Olavsen (1794-1871) and Ingeborg Botolfsdatter (1792-1872), was born on 4 October 1818 in Midtun, Voss, Hordaland, Norway.[3-4] Her parents were married in 1818 in Vinje, Voss, Hordaland, Norway. Ole Olavsen and Ingeborg Botolfsdatter had six children:
- Brita Olsdatter, born 4 October 1818, Midtun, Voss, Hordaland, Norway; married Sjur Torgersen, 21 June 1850, Vinje, Voss, Hordaland, Norway; died 3 September 1895, Deerfield, Dane, Wisconsin, United States.
- Åsa Olsdtr, born 23 July 1820, Midtun, Voss, Hordaland, Norway; married Gusskalk Olssen, Voss, Hordaland, Norway.
- Rannveig Olsdtr, born 13 January 1822, Midtun, Voss, Hordaland, Norway; married Ingebrikt Olssen, Voss, Hordaland, Norway.
- Ingeborg Olsdtr was born on 14 March 1825 in Eimstad, Voss, Hordaland, Norway.
- Olav Olsen was born on 16 December 1827 in Eimstad, Voss, Hordaland, Norway.
- Sjur Olsen, born 16 December 1830, Eimstad, Voss, Hordaland, Norway.
Sjur Torgersen and Brita Olsdatter were married on 21 June 1850 in Vinje, Voss, Hordaland, Norway.[5] They had the following children:
- Torger Sjursen Leland, born 26 March 1850, Mølster, Voss, Hordaland, Norway; married Anna Ellingsdatter Natvig, 30 May 1876, Deerfield, Dane, Wisconsin, United States, ten children; died 18 March 1933, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States.
- Ole Sjursen Leland was born on 16 December 1851 in Gjelle, Voss, Hordaland, Norway. He was christened on 25 January 1852 in Voss, Hordaland, Norway; Unmarried; He died on 8 February 1914 at the age of 62 in Dane, Wisconsin, United States.
- Mathias Sjursen Leland was born on 19 December 1853 in Gjelle, Voss, Hordaland, Norway. He was christened on 22 January 1854 in Voss, Hordaland, Norway. He died in 1856 at the age of 3 in Dane, Wisconsin, United States.
- Ingeborg Isabel Sjursdtr Leland, born 2 September 1856, Koshkonong, Dane, Wisconsin, United States; married Anders Gulliekson Dykkesten, 16 May 1880, Deerfield, Dane, Wisconsin, United States, two children; died 15 May 1939, Wenatchee, Chelan, Washington, United States.
- Anna Mathea Sjursdtr Leland, born 8 June 1859, Deerfield, Dane, Wisconsin, United States; married Charles Woelffer, 21 October 1880, Dane, Wisconsin, United States, no children; died 3 July 1892, Deerfield, Dane, Wisconsin, United States.
In 1856, the Sjur Torgersen family moved from Voss, Norway to southern Wisconsin, first settling in the Koshkonong area and soon moving to Deerfield, Dane County, Wisconsin.
In the 1870’s, the Sjur Torgersen family members adopted the permanent surname of Leland, named after Liland farm in Voss. Torger’s brother, Ivar, had married a woman from Liland farm and that family adopted the Leland name also.
The book by K.A. Rene, History of Emigration from Voss and the Vossings in America (Madison, Wis.: the author, 1930),[2] provides a short summary of Sjur Torgerson Liland's life:\
The administration of his estate includes:[10]
In the 1870’s, the Sjur Torgersen family members adopted the permanent surname of Leland, named after Liland farm in Voss. Torger’s brother, Ivar, had married a woman from Liland farm and that family adopted the Leland name also.
The book by K.A. Rene, History of Emigration from Voss and the Vossings in America (Madison, Wis.: the author, 1930),[2] provides a short summary of Sjur Torgerson Liland's life:\
"Sjur Torgerson Liland, born in 1804 on the Gjelle farm, Voss, married in 1850 to Britha Olsdatter Midtun, born in 1815, daughter of Ole O. Midtun (Sundet) and Ingeborg Bottolfsdatter Bystolen. Sjur also used the name Molster in Voss. They came in 1856 to Koshkonong, where his brother Ivar Liland then was. He settled on a farm in Deerfield Township by the village of London, WI, where he and his wife stayed the rest of their lives. They had four children, of which two died small. The others are Torger and Ingeborg. Torger, born at Voss, lived on his father's farm until he moved to San Francisco, CA. For many years, he was the town clerk in Deerfield Township. Ingeborg, born at Koshkonong, was married to Anders Gulleikson Gjukestein, also from Voss. Anders is dead, but Ingeborg lives in the state of Washington where their son lives. She paid a call on some relatives in September 1925; she was to Voss in 1881."A biography of Ole S. Leland (1851-1914) [the son of Sjur and Brita Torgersen] was published in the Norwegian Pioneer Association, pages 66-67, located in Deerfield, Wisconsin Historical Society Library (816 State Street, Madison WI 53706). The biography provides significant detail about the emigration of the Sjur Torgersen family from Voss to Wisconsin. It reads:
"Ole S. Leland was born the 16th of December A.D. 1851 in the parish of Voss in Bergens Stift in Norway. Emigrated with his parents, Sjur Torgerson Leland and Britha Oldsdatter Leland, and his two brothers Torger and Mathias to America in the Spring of 1856. Embarked on board of the sail ship called Hebe in the city of Bergen in Norway. The vessel was new but it proved to be a fast sailing ship. They landed in the city of Quebec in Canada three weeks after they left Bergen, which was a short time for a sailing ship to cross the Atlantic Ocean in.In the 1860 United States Census, this family was enumerated in Deerfield township, Dane County Wisconsin.[6] The household included:
"After they had arrived in Quebec they started for Chicago, part of the way they came on steamboat, and on a canal boat and a railroad train, and arrived safe and sound. When they left Chicago they came to Milwaukee and from there they took passage on a railroad train to Edgerton in Rock County, Wisconsin. When they left Edgerton they came to Bryngel L. Leland, an old acquaintance from Norway who resided in Section No. 25 in the town of Deerfield in the county of Dane, Wisconsin. There they stopped until in the fall, then Mr. Sjur Torgerson Leland built a house on Section No. 25 in said town of Deerfield, moved into it with his family, and lived there ten years. In the fall of 1865 he bought 40 acres of land in Section No. 23 in the town of Deerfield, and moved in to it in 1866, and lived there 18 years. Two daughters were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Sjur Torgerson Leland in the town of Deerfield, Engebor and Anna. Their son Mathias died in the fall of 1856.
"Mr. Sjur Torgerson Leland died the 29th of March 1889, and left a wife and 4 children to mourn his loss. He was a kind and accommodating man, and willing to lend a helping hand to the needy, friendly and reliable. Mrs. Sjur Torgerson Leland died the 3rd of September 1895, and left 3 children to mourn her loss, their daughter Anna died the 3rd of July 1892. She left a husband to mourn her loss but no children.
"Ole S. Leland's sister Engebor married Andrew Dykesteen, and his sister Anna who is dead married Charles Woelffer.
"Mr. Ole S. Leland is a carpenter and joiner by occupation and is gifted with a good deal of mechanical skill. He is a kind, good hearted and sociable and agreeable companion.
"Mr. Ole S. Leland died February 8th, 1914."
- Seva Fargason - age 56, male, day laborer, $50 in personal property, born Norway
- Bridget Fargason - age 42, female, born Norway
- Tangor Fargason - age 10, male, born Norway, attended school
- Ole Fargason - age 8, male, born Norway, attended school
- Isabel Fargason - age 8, female, born Norway
- Ann Fargason - age 1, female, born Wisconsin
- Seaver Torgerson - age 67, male, white, farmer, $800 in real property, $3000 in personal property, born Norway, male citizen eligible to vote
- Betsy Torgerson - age 54, female, white, keeping house, born Norway
- Ole Torgerson - age 18, male, white, works on farm, born Norway, attended school
- Anna Torgerson - age 15, female, white, at home, born Norway, attended school
- Isabella Torgerson - age 12, female, white, born Wisconsin, attended school
- Sivert T. Leeland - white, male, age 75, married, farming, born Norway, parents born Norway/Norway
- Britha O. Leeland - white, female, age 61, wife, married, keeping house, born Norway, parents born Norway/Norway
- Anna M. Leeland - white, female, age 20, daughter, single, house work, born Wisconsin, parents born Norway/Norway
The administration of his estate includes:[10]
State of Wisconsin, County Court for Dane County
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In the Matter of the Estate of } IN PROBATE
Sever Torgerson Leland }
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At December Term 18 90
December 3rd 18 90
Torger S. Leland the administrator of the Estate of Sever Torgerson Leland deceased, late of the town of Deerfield in said county of Dane, having on the 25th day of September 18 90, field in said court his final accounts as such administrator , together with his petition, praying among other things for judgment adjusting and allowing his said accounts, and assigning the residue of said estate to the persons entitled thereto; And on the 25th day of September 18 90 , an Order having been made by said court, that said accounts be examined and adjusted, and the matters of said petition be decided at the Regular Term of said court, to be held on the First Tuesday of November 18 90 , at the opening of the Court on that day, or as soon thereafter as said matter could be heard and that notice thereof be given to all persons interested by publication of said Order three successive weeks before said Term in the Wisconsin State Journal a newspaper published in said Dane County; And it appearing by due proof that due notice by publication of said Order has been given as required by law and said Order.
And, on the 4th day of October 18 89, an order having been duly made by said Court limiting the time for creditors of the said Sever Torgerson Leeland deceased to present their claims against said Sever Torgerson Leland deceased, and appointing time and place, when and where the said Court would receive, examine and adjust such claims; and due notice having been given, as required by law, and the Order last aforesaid, of the time so limited for presenting such claims, and of the time and place so appointed for the examination and adjusting of the same; and the time so limited for the presenting of such claims having expired on the 6th day of May 18 90 , and no claim having been presented against said Sever Torgerson Leland deceased and it appearing that the amount properly chargeable to said administrator is Two Thousand eight hundred and sixty five and 43/100 dollars, that the amount properly allowed and credited to said administrator is One hundred and twenty two and 85/100 dollars that the balance left in the hands of said administrator is Two thousand Seven hundred and forty two and 68/100 dollars.
That the said Sever Togerson Leeland deceased died leaving him as his only heirs at law the following, to wit: Torger S. Leland a son of age, residing at London Dane County State of Wisconsin, Ole S. Leland a son of age residing at the same place; Isabel Dykestien a daughter of age residing at Deerfield in said County, Anna Woelfer a daughter of age residing at Waterloo, County of Jefferson in said State, and Mrs. Betsey Leland the widow of said deceased residing at London in said County.
Wherefore it is order and Adjudged that the account of the administrator as stated as afore said be and the same is hereby allowed: That the said sum of two Thousand Seven hundred and forty and 58/100 be assigned and set over as follows: To the said Torger S. Leeland one fifth part thereof amounting to five hundred and forty eight and 11/100 Dollars; to the said Ole S. Leland one fifth part thereof amounting to Five hundred and forty eight and 11/100 dollars; to the said Isabel Dykestien one fifth part thereof amounting to Five hundred and forty eight and 11/100 Dollars; to the said Anna Woelfer one fifth part thereof amounting to Five hundred and forty eight and 11/100 Dollars; to the said Betsy Leland one fifth part thereof amounting to Five hundred and forty eight and 11/100 Dollars and it is further Ordered that upon filing the receipts of the persons above named for their shares the said administrator be discharged from any further duty or liability and that his surities also be discharged from further obligation on their bond. Dated the 8th day of December A.D. 1890.
By the Court
J.H. Carpenter
Judge
The eldest son, Torger S. Leland was appointed administrator of the estate. No real property was included in the estate. Much of the personal property was distributed to the heirs shortly after the death. The debts and credits owed to Sever Torgerson Leland and the money in the house comprised the personal property to be distributed. The administrator paid the bills for the monument in the cemetery, the funeral charges, the road tax, the publication charges, and prospective expenses.
Brita Olsdatter Leland (1818-1895) died 3 September 1895 in Deerfield, Dane, Wisconsin at the age of 77 years.[2] She is probably buried in St. Paul’s Liberty Lutheran Church Cemetery in Deerfield with her husband, although no grave marker was found.
4) Sources
1. Voss (Vangen) Parish Church (Voss, Norway), imaged, Arkivverket DigitalArkivet, Scanned Church Records (http://www.arkivverket.no/URN:kb_read), "Voss: 1780-1810, Ministerialbok A9, Births and Baptisms," Page 221, Tungeteigens, entry for birth of Sjur, son of Torgeir Olsen and Anna Sjursdatter, 19 August 1804 (accessed 12 December 2013).
2. K.A. Rene, History of Emigration from Voss and the Vossings in America (Madison, Wis.: the author, 1930), English Translation, Volume 1, page 508, a short summary of Sjur Torgerson Liland's life.
3. Voss (Vangen) Parish Church (Voss, Norway), imaged, Arkivverket DigitalArkivet, Scanned Church Records (http://www.arkivverket.no/URN:kb_read), "Voss, 1810-1821, Ministerialbok A10, Kronologisk," Page 135, Brita, Midtun, daughter of Ole Olavsen and Ingeborg Botolfsdatter, 4 October 1818 (accessed 12 December 2013).
Brita Olsdatter Leland (1818-1895) died 3 September 1895 in Deerfield, Dane, Wisconsin at the age of 77 years.[2] She is probably buried in St. Paul’s Liberty Lutheran Church Cemetery in Deerfield with her husband, although no grave marker was found.
4) Sources
1. Voss (Vangen) Parish Church (Voss, Norway), imaged, Arkivverket DigitalArkivet, Scanned Church Records (http://www.arkivverket.no/URN:kb_read), "Voss: 1780-1810, Ministerialbok A9, Births and Baptisms," Page 221, Tungeteigens, entry for birth of Sjur, son of Torgeir Olsen and Anna Sjursdatter, 19 August 1804 (accessed 12 December 2013).
2. K.A. Rene, History of Emigration from Voss and the Vossings in America (Madison, Wis.: the author, 1930), English Translation, Volume 1, page 508, a short summary of Sjur Torgerson Liland's life.
3. Voss (Vangen) Parish Church (Voss, Norway), imaged, Arkivverket DigitalArkivet, Scanned Church Records (http://www.arkivverket.no/URN:kb_read), "Voss, 1810-1821, Ministerialbok A10, Kronologisk," Page 135, Brita, Midtun, daughter of Ole Olavsen and Ingeborg Botolfsdatter, 4 October 1818 (accessed 12 December 2013).
4. "Norway Church Books, 1815-1930", imaged, FamilySearch, (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NCT8-K9R), Brithe, daughter of Ole Olsen and Ingebjor Botolfsdtr, Midtun, baptized 4 October 1818.
5. Voss (Vangen) Parish Church (Voss, Norway), imaged, Arkivverket DigitalArkivet, Scanned Church Records (http://www.arkivverket.no/URN:kb_read), "Voss, 1836-1851, imaged, Ministerialbok A13," Marriages, Page 212, item 44, Vinje, Sjur Torgersen and Brita Olsdtr, 21 June 1850 (accessed 12 December 2013).
6. 1860 United States Federal Census, Dane County, Wisconsin, Deerfield Township, Page 309 (penned), Dwelling #121, Family #120, Seva Torgason household; maged, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com), citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M653, Roll 1403.
7. 1870 United States Federal Census, Dane County, Wisconsin, Deerfield Township, Page 179B, Dwelling #142, Family #149, Seaver Torgerson household; imaged, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com), citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M593, Roll 1708.
8. 1880 United States Federal Census, Dane County, Wisconsin, Deerfield Township, Enumeration District 67, Page 21C (stamped), Dwelling #117, Family #120, Sivert T. Leeland household; imaged, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com), citing National Archives Microfilm Publication T9, Roll 1421.
9. Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/71636077/severt_torgerson-leland: accessed May 9, 2024), memorial page for Severt Torgerson “Sjur” Leland (19 Aug 1804–29 Mar 1889), Memorial #71636077, citing Saint Pauls Liberty Lutheran Cemetery, Deerfield, Dane County, Wisconsin, USA; Maintained by B L Larson (contributor 47561076).
10. Dane County, Wisconsin, Dane County Probate Records, Box 112-Box 113, Sever Torgeson Leland estate file, 1889 (images 386-420 of 1293); "Wisconsin, Wills and Probates, 1800-1987;" imaged, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com: accessed 9 September 2015); citing original data in Wisconsin County, District and Probate Courts.
6) Relationship
Sjur Torgersen (1804-1889) and Brita Olsdatter (1818-1895) are the paternal great-great-grandparents of my wife, Linda (Leland) Seaver (1942-still living), through:
- her great-grandfather Torger Sjursen Leland (1850-1933) who married Anna Ellingsdatter Natvig (1853-1911) in 1876 in Wisconsin,
- her grandparents Severt Oliver Leland (1878-1940) who married Amelia Anna Brocke (1884-1975) in 1904 in Montana,
- her parents Leo Severt Leland (1911-2002) who married Edna May Schaffner (1913-1979) in 1937 in California.
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