The Protagonists
1750 to 1950
The stories on this site are about a Norse family that came to America in the 19th century. This file presents the cast of characters, or, as some might call it: "the family tree." These are my ancestors, my grandparents and their grandparents, grand uncles and aunts and cousins. I like to call them the Dramatis Personae, because after all, these are the people the stories are about. While many of these may seem to play little or no role at all in the stories, they were all back there somewhere, exerting their influence of the events, sort of like directors, stage hands, and script writers.
I should say a bit about the names. "Grytnes" is the name of most of these people, it is taken from a farm in Norway where these people (or their ancestors) lived for many generations. And many have the same first name. Brit, Peder, and Nils are especially common. So it helps that in Norway they usually added the father's name. For example the children of Nils would be called Peder Nilsen or in the case of a daughter, Brit Nilsdatter. Even so, there were two people here with the name of Peder Nilsen Grytnes and also two who were Brit Nilsdatter Grytnes.
Most of these people lived within 100 miles of Trondjem (Trondheim) and Kristiansund. The farm itself, Gaarden Grytnes at Øksendal, is in the upper reaches of a fjord in that region, at about 63 degrees north latitude. The farm usually went from father to eldest son; in one case it went to a daughter and her husband. Below are the people who owned the farm from the 1700's to the 1920's:
Anders Grytnes, born in early 1700's
*
*
Brit Andersdatter Grytnes
Nils Pedersen Øien, born 1753
*
*
Peder Nilsen, born 1791
Mildri born 1806
*
*
Nils Pedersen Grytnes, born 4/20/1828, Gaardbruger og Selveier
Gura (also spelled Guru, Guro) Endresdatter Brandstad 1831-1912
*
*
Peder Nilsen, 1857 - 1913; sold farm to his brother Endre Nilsen in 1905
Brit Kristoffersdatter Jordahle (or Jordal) born 1852 (?)
*
*
Endre Nilsen, died 1921; bought Grytnes farm from Peder Nilsen in 1905
*
*
His son, Nils Endresen inherited the Grytnes farm after his father died in 1921
=================================
=================================
=================================
And these are the people in the stories
Anders Grytnes, born in early 1700'S
father of Brit
*
*
Brit Andersdatter Grytnes
Nils Pedersen Øien, born in 1753
parents of:
*
*
Peder Nilsen Grytnes, born in 1791 (or, 1792 ???),
Mildri Andersdatter (Andersdatter doesn't sound right) born 1806
parents of 7 children:
*
*
I. Nils Pedersen Grytnes, born 4/20/1828, Gaardbruger og Selveier
Gura Endresdatter Brandstad 1831-1912
parents of 8 children: (see listed below)
*
II. Brit Pedersdotter 2/9/1830 - 8/26/1904
Nils Endresen Brandstad, 1821
emigrated to America in 1899
many descendants
*
III. Anders Pedersen, Sogneprest (pastor); 12/20/1832 - 7/27/1904, (or, 12/14/1832 - 7/28/1904 ?)
Olette Georgine Høstmark born 7/27/1838 - 8/20/1903
married 1867 in Oslo
1) Haftor Andersen, 1868-189?
(also spelled Halthor?), twin brother of Sigurd, died tragically in his 20's
2) Sigurd Andersen, born at Bolsø Pr,.2/26/1868-10/13/196
Beret Anna Rotø, 9/3/1872-4/13/1945
married in 1895, in America
parents of 10 children, (see listed below)
3) Astrid Andersdatter, born at Molde, born 7/21/1871
Dr. Gerhart Marius Krohn Nilsen, 9/11/1864 - 3/20/1918
married Nov 15, 1893 at Aure
Alma
4) Signe Andersdatter, born at Hammerfest, 1875
Pastor Janke
parents of 3 children
5) Helga Andersdatter, a nurse
married a brother of Pastor Janke
6) Dagny Andersdatter, died around age of 12
) Olivia Høstmark (Cole), 3/20/1873 - 3/?/1975
*
IV. Dordi Pedersdotter, born 1/1/1836 (or, 12/13/1835 ???) -- died 9/16/1929
Endre Endresen Brandstad, born 1826, died 1903
married 6/24/1858
emigrated to America 5/23/1873 with their 6 children:
Endre Endreson Erstad, 1859
Peder Endreson Erstad, 1861
Brit Endresdotter Erstad, 10/24/1863
Engel Endreson Erstad, 1866
Mildri Endresdotter Erstad, 1869
Elen Dortea Endresdotter Erstad. 1873
*
V. Eli Pedersen, born 1/13/1841; lived in Sunndalsøra
Hoagen Olsen Melkild
*
VI. Halvor Pedersen --died at the age of 2
*
VII. Halvor Pedersen, (also spelled Halvord), born 3/23/1844
never married, druggist in Oslo
emigrated to America 4/21/1885
*
VIII. Brit Pedersdotter 8/8/1847 - 1/26/1919
Martinus Johansen Erstad
married 11/13/1878
*
*
=================================
=================================
=================================
THE ROTØ FAMILY AT AURE
The Rotø family lived near Aure where Pastor Anders Grytnes became parish priest in 1884. This is where my grandfather, Sigurd Andersen Grytnes, met his future wife, Beret Anna. Her brother, Johanes Kundsen Rotø, also came to America, where he changed his name to John Knudsen.
Knut Knudsen Rotø
father of Beret Anna and Johanes:
*
*
) Beret Ana Knudsdatter Rotø 9/3/1872 4/13/1945
Sigurd Grytnes (1868-1961)
married in 1895
parents of 10 children, (see below)
*
) Johanes Knudsen Rotø; 6/9/18?? - 6/9/1928
Kjerstina, died of TB in winter of 1911
parents of Marie
*
*
) Marie Knudsen 11/10/1903 - 1/24/1988
Halcy Bryant Ramey 5/20/1897 - 12/24/1962
(later changed their names to Rhoberta & Ernest Rendlohr)
parents of twin daughters, born in 1927
=================================
=================================
=================================
THE HØSTMARK FAMILY
Ole Beyer Høstmark 1799-1881
occupation: Købmand
Georgine Kouise/Lovise Pedersen 1802-1890
married 4/1/1823 at Kragero, Telemark
Parents of Barbara, Adolf, Olette Georgine & Bernhard
*
*
Barbara Olava Hostmark, born 8/13/1829 at Mindestromen South Bergen
*
Olette Georgine Høstmark
born 7/ 27/1838 at Molde, Møre Og Romsdal; died 8/20/1903
Anders Pedersen Grytnes
married 7/1/1867 at Trefoldighet Menighet, Oslo, Akershus
parents of 6 children
*
Bernhard Høstmark, born 8/20/1840 at Molde, Møre Og Romsdal
*
Henrik Adolf Høstmark, born 8/6/1842 at Molde, Møre Og Romsdal
died 7/4/1895 (age 52) at Paulsbo, WA
occupation: Købmand / landhandler og skibsfører
Engelbertine Augusta "Thina" Junge, born 9/24/1843 at Christianssund - 1922
Married 6/30/1865 at Aalesund, Møre Og Romsdal
parents of 8 children:
*
*
Ole Beyer Hostmark 11/29/1867-1931
Sophia Holst 1869-1959
parents of Aagot Hostmark, born 7/14/1898 at Opdol
*
Henrietta Augusta Hostmark
*
Agnes Hostmark
*
Gudrun Hostmark
*
Olivia Hostmark (Cole) 3/20/1873 - 3/?/1975
*
Alf Hostmark (1875-1953)
*
Signe Hostmark born 1876 or 1877 at Molde, Møre Og Romsdal
*
Ann Hostmark
***
NOTE:
Henrik Adolf Hostmark, along with 2 of his children, Alf and Olivia, came to Seattle together with my grandfather in 1889
=================================
=================================
=================================
descendents of Nils Pedersen Grytnes, born 4/20/1828. Nils Pedersen was an eldest son, and therefore inherited the Grytnes farm
Nils Pedersen Grytnes, born 4/20/1828, Gaardbruger og Selveier
Gura (also spelled Guru, Guro) Endresdatter Brandstad 1831-1912
parents of 8 children:
1) Peder Nilsen, 1857 - 1913; sold farm to his brother Endre Nilsen in 1905
Brit Kristoffersdatter Jordahle (or Jordal) born 1852 (?) she, or someone with the same name, traveled to America in 1873; if that was her, she obviously returned to Norway and married Peder Nilsen.
parents of 9 children; all emigrated to US, 2 returned to Norway:
a) Nils Pedersen
b) Helga Pedersdatter. born 1884
c) Kristoffer Pedersen, born 1887
d) Kristian Pedersen, born 1889
e) Petter Pedersen, born 1893
f) Gudrun Pedersdatter
g) Astrid Pedersdatter, born 1896
h) Ole Pedersenborn born 1898
i) Havtor Pedersen, born 1901; --wrote the letter of Dec. 15, 1953 with ættitavle
2) Brit Nilsdatter
3) Endre Nilsen, died 1921; bought Grytnes farm from Peder Nilsen in 1905
Brit Aafar
parents of 6 children:
) Nils Endresen Grytnes, took over the family farm after their father passed away in 1921
) Gunnar Endresen Grytnes, carpenter
) Oline Endresdatter Grytnes
) Brit Endresdatter Grytnes Ansnes
) Guro Endresdatter Grytnes Melkild
) Bersven (Ben) Endresen Grytnes 10/6/1902-1990, came to the U.S. in 1922
Mabel C. Grytnes 1909-1999, Kitsap, Washington
married in 1927, parents of 2 children
He was interviewed for an oral history, contains info on the Grytnes farm
Bersven (Ben) Endresen Grytnes: Oral History Interview
4) Meldrid Nilsdatter
5) Marit Nilsdatter
6) Brit Nilsdatter
7) Anders Nilsen
8) Halvor Nilsen
=================================
=================================
=================================
descendents of Sigurd Andersen Grytnes & Beret Anna Rotø
Sigurd Andersen Grytnes
born at Bolsø, 2/26/1868; died in Post Falls, Idaho 10/13/1961
Beret Anna Knudsdatter Rotø
born in Norway 9/3/1872; died in Proctor, Minnesota, 4/13/1945
married in 1895, parents of 10 children:
*
*
1) Dagny Grytnes, 1896 - 1932
Nealie Hanson 1896 - 1973
parents of 4 children
*
2) Freda Grytnes 1897 - 1971
Richard Engström 890 - 1976
parents of 4 children
*
3) Agnes Grytnes 1899 - 1996
Sett Borgström 1895 - 1958
parents of one child
*
4) Ralph Grytnes 1902 - 1965
Alma 1899 - 1963
*
5) Olaf Grytnes 1903 - 1954
Dorothy 1908 - 1982
parents of 4 children
*
6) Einar Grytnes 1906 - 1976; Jean
parents of 2 children
*
7) William Grytnes 1908 - 1979
Amber 1913 - 2000
parents of 6 children
*
8) Ingvald Grytnes 1911 - 1975; never married
*
9) Lillian Grytnes 1913 - 1941; Conrad Kroken 1889 - 1965
parents of 3 children
*
10) Wilma Grytnes 1913 - 2000; Simmie DeMarre 1909
parents of 2 children
=================================
=================================
=================================
LETTERS, WEBSITES, ORAL HISTORIES, ETC
Havtor Pedersen Grytnes, born 1901; wrote a letter dated Dec. 15, 1953, containing a genealogy (ættitavle), which will be posted at this site before too long, I hope. This site is still under construction
***
memoirs of Agnes Grytnes Borgström
this website
***
biography of
Endre E. and Dordi Branstad
posted by Ed Morrissey, at
Endre E. &Dordi Branstad: biography***
Bersven (Ben) Endresen Grytnes Oral History Interview, 1982 is at
Bersven (Ben) Endresen Grytnes: Oral History Interview***
Two Wikipedia articles on that region of Norway
Øksendal-- article at WikipediaMøre og Romsdal-- article at Wikipedia
***
The stories on this site are about a Norse family that came to America in the 19th century. This file presents the cast of characters, or, as some might call it: "the family tree." These are my ancestors, my grandparents and their grandparents, grand uncles and aunts and cousins. I like to call them the Dramatis Personae, because after all, these are the people the stories are about. While many of these may seem to play little or no role at all in the stories, they were all back there somewhere, exerting their influence of the events, sort of like directors, stage hands, and script writers.
I should say a bit about the names. "Grytnes" is the name of most of these people, it is taken from a farm in Norway where these people (or their ancestors) lived for many generations. And many have the same first name. Brit, Peder, and Nils are especially common. So it helps that in Norway they usually added the father's name. For example the children of Nils would be called Peder Nilsen or in the case of a daughter, Brit Nilsdatter. Even so, there were two people here with the name of Peder Nilsen Grytnes and also two who were Brit Nilsdatter Grytnes.
Most of these people lived within 100 miles of Trondjem (Trondheim) and Kristiansund. The farm itself, Gaarden Grytnes at Øksendal, is in the upper reaches of a fjord in that region, at about 63 degrees north latitude. The farm usually went from father to eldest son; in one case it went to a daughter and her husband. Below are the people who owned the farm from the 1700's to the 1920's:
Anders Grytnes, born in early 1700's
*
*
Brit Andersdatter Grytnes
Nils Pedersen Øien, born 1753
*
*
Peder Nilsen, born 1791
Mildri born 1806
*
*
Nils Pedersen Grytnes, born 4/20/1828, Gaardbruger og Selveier
Gura (also spelled Guru, Guro) Endresdatter Brandstad 1831-1912
*
*
Peder Nilsen, 1857 - 1913; sold farm to his brother Endre Nilsen in 1905
Brit Kristoffersdatter Jordahle (or Jordal) born 1852 (?)
*
*
Endre Nilsen, died 1921; bought Grytnes farm from Peder Nilsen in 1905
*
*
His son, Nils Endresen inherited the Grytnes farm after his father died in 1921
=================================
=================================
=================================
And these are the people in the stories
Anders Grytnes, born in early 1700'S
father of Brit
*
*
Brit Andersdatter Grytnes
Nils Pedersen Øien, born in 1753
parents of:
*
*
Peder Nilsen Grytnes, born in 1791 (or, 1792 ???),
Mildri Andersdatter (Andersdatter doesn't sound right) born 1806
parents of 7 children:
*
*
I. Nils Pedersen Grytnes, born 4/20/1828, Gaardbruger og Selveier
Gura Endresdatter Brandstad 1831-1912
parents of 8 children: (see listed below)
*
II. Brit Pedersdotter 2/9/1830 - 8/26/1904
Nils Endresen Brandstad, 1821
emigrated to America in 1899
many descendants
*
III. Anders Pedersen, Sogneprest (pastor); 12/20/1832 - 7/27/1904, (or, 12/14/1832 - 7/28/1904 ?)
Olette Georgine Høstmark born 7/27/1838 - 8/20/1903
married 1867 in Oslo
1) Haftor Andersen, 1868-189?
(also spelled Halthor?), twin brother of Sigurd, died tragically in his 20's
2) Sigurd Andersen, born at Bolsø Pr,.2/26/1868-10/13/196
Beret Anna Rotø, 9/3/1872-4/13/1945
married in 1895, in America
parents of 10 children, (see listed below)
3) Astrid Andersdatter, born at Molde, born 7/21/1871
Dr. Gerhart Marius Krohn Nilsen, 9/11/1864 - 3/20/1918
married Nov 15, 1893 at Aure
Alma
4) Signe Andersdatter, born at Hammerfest, 1875
Pastor Janke
parents of 3 children
5) Helga Andersdatter, a nurse
married a brother of Pastor Janke
6) Dagny Andersdatter, died around age of 12
) Olivia Høstmark (Cole), 3/20/1873 - 3/?/1975
*
IV. Dordi Pedersdotter, born 1/1/1836 (or, 12/13/1835 ???) -- died 9/16/1929
Endre Endresen Brandstad, born 1826, died 1903
married 6/24/1858
emigrated to America 5/23/1873 with their 6 children:
Endre Endreson Erstad, 1859
Peder Endreson Erstad, 1861
Brit Endresdotter Erstad, 10/24/1863
Engel Endreson Erstad, 1866
Mildri Endresdotter Erstad, 1869
Elen Dortea Endresdotter Erstad. 1873
*
V. Eli Pedersen, born 1/13/1841; lived in Sunndalsøra
Hoagen Olsen Melkild
*
VI. Halvor Pedersen --died at the age of 2
*
VII. Halvor Pedersen, (also spelled Halvord), born 3/23/1844
never married, druggist in Oslo
emigrated to America 4/21/1885
*
VIII. Brit Pedersdotter 8/8/1847 - 1/26/1919
Martinus Johansen Erstad
married 11/13/1878
*
*
=================================
=================================
=================================
THE ROTØ FAMILY AT AURE
The Rotø family lived near Aure where Pastor Anders Grytnes became parish priest in 1884. This is where my grandfather, Sigurd Andersen Grytnes, met his future wife, Beret Anna. Her brother, Johanes Kundsen Rotø, also came to America, where he changed his name to John Knudsen.
Knut Knudsen Rotø
father of Beret Anna and Johanes:
*
*
) Beret Ana Knudsdatter Rotø 9/3/1872 4/13/1945
Sigurd Grytnes (1868-1961)
married in 1895
parents of 10 children, (see below)
*
) Johanes Knudsen Rotø; 6/9/18?? - 6/9/1928
Kjerstina, died of TB in winter of 1911
parents of Marie
*
*
) Marie Knudsen 11/10/1903 - 1/24/1988
Halcy Bryant Ramey 5/20/1897 - 12/24/1962
(later changed their names to Rhoberta & Ernest Rendlohr)
parents of twin daughters, born in 1927
=================================
=================================
=================================
THE HØSTMARK FAMILY
Ole Beyer Høstmark 1799-1881
occupation: Købmand
Georgine Kouise/Lovise Pedersen 1802-1890
married 4/1/1823 at Kragero, Telemark
Parents of Barbara, Adolf, Olette Georgine & Bernhard
*
*
Barbara Olava Hostmark, born 8/13/1829 at Mindestromen South Bergen
*
Olette Georgine Høstmark
born 7/ 27/1838 at Molde, Møre Og Romsdal; died 8/20/1903
Anders Pedersen Grytnes
married 7/1/1867 at Trefoldighet Menighet, Oslo, Akershus
parents of 6 children
*
Bernhard Høstmark, born 8/20/1840 at Molde, Møre Og Romsdal
*
Henrik Adolf Høstmark, born 8/6/1842 at Molde, Møre Og Romsdal
died 7/4/1895 (age 52) at Paulsbo, WA
occupation: Købmand / landhandler og skibsfører
Engelbertine Augusta "Thina" Junge, born 9/24/1843 at Christianssund - 1922
Married 6/30/1865 at Aalesund, Møre Og Romsdal
parents of 8 children:
*
*
Ole Beyer Hostmark 11/29/1867-1931
Sophia Holst 1869-1959
parents of Aagot Hostmark, born 7/14/1898 at Opdol
*
Henrietta Augusta Hostmark
*
Agnes Hostmark
*
Gudrun Hostmark
*
Olivia Hostmark (Cole) 3/20/1873 - 3/?/1975
*
Alf Hostmark (1875-1953)
*
Signe Hostmark born 1876 or 1877 at Molde, Møre Og Romsdal
*
Ann Hostmark
***
NOTE:
Henrik Adolf Hostmark, along with 2 of his children, Alf and Olivia, came to Seattle together with my grandfather in 1889
=================================
=================================
=================================
descendents of Nils Pedersen Grytnes, born 4/20/1828. Nils Pedersen was an eldest son, and therefore inherited the Grytnes farm
Nils Pedersen Grytnes, born 4/20/1828, Gaardbruger og Selveier
Gura (also spelled Guru, Guro) Endresdatter Brandstad 1831-1912
parents of 8 children:
1) Peder Nilsen, 1857 - 1913; sold farm to his brother Endre Nilsen in 1905
Brit Kristoffersdatter Jordahle (or Jordal) born 1852 (?) she, or someone with the same name, traveled to America in 1873; if that was her, she obviously returned to Norway and married Peder Nilsen.
parents of 9 children; all emigrated to US, 2 returned to Norway:
a) Nils Pedersen
b) Helga Pedersdatter. born 1884
c) Kristoffer Pedersen, born 1887
d) Kristian Pedersen, born 1889
e) Petter Pedersen, born 1893
f) Gudrun Pedersdatter
g) Astrid Pedersdatter, born 1896
h) Ole Pedersenborn born 1898
i) Havtor Pedersen, born 1901; --wrote the letter of Dec. 15, 1953 with ættitavle
2) Brit Nilsdatter
3) Endre Nilsen, died 1921; bought Grytnes farm from Peder Nilsen in 1905
Brit Aafar
parents of 6 children:
) Nils Endresen Grytnes, took over the family farm after their father passed away in 1921
) Gunnar Endresen Grytnes, carpenter
) Oline Endresdatter Grytnes
) Brit Endresdatter Grytnes Ansnes
) Guro Endresdatter Grytnes Melkild
) Bersven (Ben) Endresen Grytnes 10/6/1902-1990, came to the U.S. in 1922
Mabel C. Grytnes 1909-1999, Kitsap, Washington
married in 1927, parents of 2 children
He was interviewed for an oral history, contains info on the Grytnes farm
Bersven (Ben) Endresen Grytnes: Oral History Interview
4) Meldrid Nilsdatter
5) Marit Nilsdatter
6) Brit Nilsdatter
7) Anders Nilsen
8) Halvor Nilsen
=================================
=================================
=================================
descendents of Sigurd Andersen Grytnes & Beret Anna Rotø
Sigurd Andersen Grytnes
born at Bolsø, 2/26/1868; died in Post Falls, Idaho 10/13/1961
Beret Anna Knudsdatter Rotø
born in Norway 9/3/1872; died in Proctor, Minnesota, 4/13/1945
married in 1895, parents of 10 children:
*
*
1) Dagny Grytnes, 1896 - 1932
Nealie Hanson 1896 - 1973
parents of 4 children
*
2) Freda Grytnes 1897 - 1971
Richard Engström 890 - 1976
parents of 4 children
*
3) Agnes Grytnes 1899 - 1996
Sett Borgström 1895 - 1958
parents of one child
*
4) Ralph Grytnes 1902 - 1965
Alma 1899 - 1963
*
5) Olaf Grytnes 1903 - 1954
Dorothy 1908 - 1982
parents of 4 children
*
6) Einar Grytnes 1906 - 1976; Jean
parents of 2 children
*
7) William Grytnes 1908 - 1979
Amber 1913 - 2000
parents of 6 children
*
8) Ingvald Grytnes 1911 - 1975; never married
*
9) Lillian Grytnes 1913 - 1941; Conrad Kroken 1889 - 1965
parents of 3 children
*
10) Wilma Grytnes 1913 - 2000; Simmie DeMarre 1909
parents of 2 children
=================================
=================================
=================================
LETTERS, WEBSITES, ORAL HISTORIES, ETC
Havtor Pedersen Grytnes, born 1901; wrote a letter dated Dec. 15, 1953, containing a genealogy (ættitavle), which will be posted at this site before too long, I hope. This site is still under construction
***
memoirs of Agnes Grytnes Borgström
this website
***
biography of
Endre E. and Dordi Branstad
posted by Ed Morrissey, at
Endre E. &Dordi Branstad: biography***
Bersven (Ben) Endresen Grytnes Oral History Interview, 1982 is at
Bersven (Ben) Endresen Grytnes: Oral History Interview***
Two Wikipedia articles on that region of Norway
Øksendal-- article at WikipediaMøre og Romsdal-- article at Wikipedia
***
Labels: Grytnæs, Grytnæss, Grytnes, Grytness, Høstmark, Rotø
posted by Daniel at
12:00 PM
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