Oliver Elgaaen

  Research Notes:

Summary: Oliver Elgaaen was my 2nd cousin twice removed, and he was of the same generation as my Grandfather, Lars Thoresen Grue [1887-1958].

Oliver Elgaaen was born in 1877. His birth is noted in the Narbuvoll chapel/church in Tolga Parish. His place of birth is Elgaaen which at the time was in Røros parish, Sør Trondelag county. In 1885 he and his parents left Tolga Parish for North America - their desingation was Sioux Falls, SD [see his mother's page for detail]. Oliver and his parents, and his younger sister and brother continued to live at Lyons Twp, Minnehaha Co, until the early 1900s [they are recorded in the 1900 US Census]. It is likely that Oliver and his parents left SD for Alberta, Canada sometime in late 1902. Oliver had taken out a homestead entry on 7 Nov 1902, with his address as Wetaskwin.

The early entry is a signed Declaration of Abandonment on 3 Jul 1903, signed at Wetaskiwin [his residence is noted as Wetaskwin]. In this document, Oliver states that he had taken out a homestead entry on 7 Nov 1902 for SW¼ of Sec 32, Twp 53, Rage 15, W4th. Using the 'land converter website', this is about 25+ kms to the west and North or Vegreville or close to 10 kms of Warwick. And this document, Oliver states: " ...I would like to take up another homestead nearer those of my relatives." This was the first document I had found in Alberta for anybody in the family. I had wondered why he stated his residence was Wetaskiwin, but a few days later I have this parents recorded in the 1906 Census of the Prairie Provinces living on Sec 2, Twp 47, Range 23 [this area is north of Gwynne Alberta on the east side of Crooked Lake or today what is known as Coal Lake].

The most interesting aspect of this document is: who are the relatives ???

Reviewing the 1906 Census of the Prairie Provinces, O. I. Elgaaen is living on NE¼ Sec 4, Twp 43, Rge 14, W4th - this is in the area east and north of Forestburg. And on the same section is Martin Lillebo and Thosten Thompson [see point 3]. Why is this important? Using the "fan theory in genealogy research", I looked to see a connection with Oliver Elgaaen and Martin Lillebo and Thosten Thompson. There most certainly is. Thosten Thompson was to become Oliver Elgaaen's brother in law [Oliver married Thosten's sister, Belle]. And all three had previously lived in either Lyons Twp or next door in Svedrup Twp in Minnehaha Co, SD. It is almost certain the three talked about and made plans to emigrate to Canada and obtain homestead.

Note that there is another person that Oliver, Martin, and Thosten may have discussed plans with. Mikkel Iversen Bakken [b 1886] was a distant 6th cousin twice removed, but Mikkel I Bakken had arrived in the Benton Twp area in 1902, at Amund A Røsten's place, about 10 kms or south of the Elgaaen's in Lyons Twp. It is also possible that these guys knew each other in Norway.

There is only a brief paragraph on Oliver Elgaaen in Forestburg local history book. There is nothing about Martin Lillebo or Thosten Thompson.


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1. birth: Narbuval - Tolga, b 30 May 1877, bap 1 Jul 1877
witnesses: ... Olava J Moen ... Maria J Midtdal, John J Moen, John I Midtdal, Erik Sater
... these witnessed bring out the family connection to the Midtdal's and Moens .. ... ..

2. Alberta homestead records:
a.
.. Oliver must have taken out an entry on 7 Nov 1902 for SW¼ of Sec 32, Twp 53, Rage 15, W4th .... using 'land converter website', this is about 25+ kms to the west and North or Vegreville or close to 10 kms of Warwick......
but he signed a Declaration of Abandonment on 3 Jul 1903, signed at Wetaskiwin [his residence is noted as Wetaskiwin]
... and the following statement:
"...I would like to take up another homestead nearer those of my relatives." my question: who is the relative ???
- since Oliver had not applied for a patent for this land, the file only contains the 1 page for the abandonment]
this is on reel 2710, file 800-275 .... image 1340 .... what was he doing in Wetaskiwin in 1903 ??
[ https://www.ancestry.ca/imageviewer/collections/60865/images/albertahomestead2710cana_1339?usePUB=true&_phsrc=HSa304&pId=22394 ]


then ... .b . Forestburg - Pleasington area
reel 2821 ... file 166.95.88 images start at 1024 ... NE¼ Sec 4, Twp 14, W4th
.. Oliver's sworn statement ... signed at Daysland on 9 Jul 1908
- at 32, farmer at Pleasington, AB; naturalized 9 Jul 1908 at Daysland
- entry 29 May 1905 ... house Jul 1905 ... res 14 Jul 1905 to 30 Jul 1905, and from 19 Oct 1905 to present
- when not at homestead, at Wetaskiwin, working
- who lives on Homestead .. self and wife since 20 Dec 1907 continuously to date
- support statements: M. H. Lillebo, SW¼ Sec 4, Twp 43, Rge 14 ... T. K. Thompson, SE¼ Sec 4-43-14-4
both from Pleasington and signed at Daysland, 9 Jul 1908
--- patent issued 3 Mar 1909
https://www.ancestry.ca/imageviewer/collections/60865/images/albertahomestead2821cana_1023?treeid=&personid=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=HSa293&_phstart=successSource&pId=20752


3. 1906 Canada Prairie Provinces, Census, Alberta, Strathcona, sub-district 10, page 22 on 2nd side, fam 26 [line 39]
.. post office: Spring Lake [this is still in the Pleasington area, east and north of Forestburg\\
O. I. Elgaaen, age 28 born in Nor; single; em 1903; residence NE¼ Sec 4, Twp 43, Rge 14, W4th; 3 horses, 1 milk cow, 8 cattle; farm

https://automatedgenealogy.com/census06/ViewFrame06.jsp?id=4482
..note: the scanned image for 1906 census is much clearer that Ancestry/FamilySearch, and additionally, Automated genealogy has a 'surname index' page and by reviewing this, it is easier to locate a person/family although you may have to click on the census pages

** .... below, Oliver's entry is the name: line 40 on page 22 [ https://automatedgenealogy.com/census06/index.jsp ]
M. H. Lillebo, age 33 [1874], b in Nor; emigrated to Canada 1906; residence, Sec 4, Twp 43, Rge 14, W4th [no livestock recorded]
and then, next page - p. 23, line 1
T. K. Thompson, age 26 b in US; emigrated to Canada 1905; residence, Sec 4, Twp 43, Rge 14, W4th; 2 horses, 1 milk cow
[link, https://automatedgenealogy.com/census06/ViewFrame06.jsp?id=4483 ]

.... why are these 2 people of note regarding Oliver Elgaaen ?? .... using the 'fan theory in genealogy', I searched their AB homestead

3. b.
... Thosten K Thompson [brother of Oliver's wife, Belle] .... age 28, farmer at Pleasington, AB .... AB homestead
... reel 2820 .... file 166.67.52 .... images start 1105 .... SE¼ Sec 4-43-14 ..
- entry, 29 May 1905... house and res 1 Oct 1905 to Nov 29 1905; and then to 29 May 1906 et .
lived 6 mos on homestead, 6 mos neighbor
- single ... sworn statement signed at Daysland, 9 Jul 1908
- support statements ... Oliver Elgaaen and M. H. Lillebo of SW¼ sec 4-43-14-4 .... signed at Daysland, 9 Jul 1908
--- patent issued, 9 Apr 1910
https://www.ancestry.ca/imageviewer/collections/60865/images/albertahomestead2820cana_1104?treeid=&personid=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=HSa289&_phstart=successSource&pId=20750

3. c. Martin H Lillebo
AB Homestead ... reel .... 2820 ... file 166.68-51; images start 1110 .... SW¼ sec 4-43-14-4
- age 35, farmer, Pleasington, AB ... signed at Daysland, 9 Jul 1908
- entry 29 May 1905 .... living aternately with Mr Thompson on his homestead and working on my land
- had 12 x 14 sod houses ... some fencing ... stable, well
- support statements T K Thompson and Oliver Elgaaen
--- patent issued 29 Sep 1909
https://www.ancestry.ca/imageviewer/collections/60865/images/albertahomestead2820cana_1109?treeid=&personid=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=HSa291&_phstart=successSource&pId=20745


3. d. U.S., Border Crossings from Canada to U.S., 1895-1960 for Martin Lillebo
.. Martin Lillebo, age 32, residence Trondhiem ... going to Graften, ND ...arrived in Canada on 7 May 1905 on SS Gregorian [?]
.. not sure why? ... took CPR to Winnipeg, then to Graften, ND and then to Alberta


Re: Martin H Lillebo
..... findagrave id 116686299 ... died 1949, buried at Pleasington Cemetery
.. Edmonton Journal issue 6 Apr 1953 page 27 ... Estate of Martin Lillebo ... For Sale
- farm at NE Sec 30 and SE Sec 31-42-14 ... 200 acres under cultivation ... dwelling, barn, chicken house, workshop, dug well
- and Lot 3, Block 8, village of Forestburg, dwelling 18x 24, 3 rooms, full basement
- above ad by Hans Farvolden, Excutor of Estate of Martin Lillebo; Forestburg, AB

Martin Lillebo
1900 US Census, Lyons Twp, Minnehaha County, SD; ED 0257 dw/fam 34/34 [about 10 kms north of Sioux Falls, SD]
Joseph H Lillebo [indexed on Ancestry as 'Leleb??] b Feb 1868 in Norway, age 32, married 2 yrs; em 1894; farmer
wife Mary, b Sep 1876 in SD, age 23; mother of 1 child 1 living
son Hilmer M b Nov 1899 b in SD, age 7 mos;
then,
Martin, brother, born Mar 1873 in Norway, age 27; em 1896; farmer

Ancestry FT re; Martin Lillebo
Forster & Fossen FT, ..... [zakthedog36]
https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/56266174/person/38382201649/facts
- refers to spouse Mary Chirstiansen ... but this is actually Martin's brother Joseph's wife
- but names father as Halvor Pedersen Lillebo 31 August 1827 - 22 Oct 1910
and links to his sister, Marit https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/56266174/person/38007037277/facts


... 1891 Norway Census ... re; Martin Lillebo ... working on a farm in the Røros parish area

.. marriage record for parents
https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/60606/images/kb20070129610456?pId=3885262

.. other familytrees
https://www.ancestry.com/search/categories/42/?name=Martin+_Lillebo&birth=1873_norway_5173&birth_x=1-0-0&count=50&defaultFacets=PRIMARY_YEAR.PRIMARY_NPLACE&residence=_minnehaha-south+dakota-usa_2033&residence2=_alberta-canada_5001&searchMode=advanced


Martin Lillebo birth ..... 2 Mar 1873 ... Trysil parish register (official) no. 6, 1866-1873, p. 246, no 2
.. on the top of this page in the Trysil register: Engerdalen
parents: Halvor Pedersen age 45 from Lillebo and Marit Halvorsdr [Leiland ?], age 36 ... married 19 years
https://media.digitalarkivet.no/en/view/9004/245

4. a. 1926 Canada census, Camrose district, sub - district 46, Municipality of Sterling, page 9, dw/fam 81/82 [line 13]
Oliver Elgaaen
wife Belle, age 49 b in US
dau Alfie, age 14 b in US
son Raymond, age 12 , b in US
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C395-GSVG-D?view=index&cc=3005862&lang=en&groupId=

4. b. 1931 Canada Census Camrose district, sub - district 47, Municipality of Sterling, page 10, dw/fam 91/91 [line 49]
Oliver Elgaaen, age 54
wife Belle, age 51 b in US
next page, nephew Raymond, age 17 born in US
https://www.ancestry.ca/imageviewer/collections/62640/images/1931_217-e011749797?usePUB=true&_phsrc=YRs153


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obit: Edmonton Journal, issue 9 Sept 1957
.. Oliver Elgaaen
- died at age 80 ... residence 117131 96 St, Edmonton*
- survived by one son, Raymond Mathison of Edmonton and a daughter Mrs Albert Bohn of Minneapolis, brother Jacob Elgaaen of Camrose and a sister Mrs J A Moller of Killiam, AB

* Hendersen directories, Edmonton - 1956; page 467, 2nd col .... Elgaaen, O I retired 117131 96 St

page 464 of Forestburg History book ...
Oliver had 2 stepchildren [?], Alfie and Raymond Mathison .... at one point, I had researched - they were children of Belle's sister ¹⁰²⁴⁹

Oliver married Ingeborg Belle Thompson on 24 Nov 1906 in Pleasington, Forestburg, Alberta, Canada. (Ingeborg Belle Thompson was born in 1880 in Minnehaha Co, South Dakota, United States, died in 1955 in Forestburg, Alberta, Canada and was buried in Pleasington Cemetery, Forestburg, Alberta, Canada.)