Johannes Syndvisen Narjord

   Another name for Johannes was Johannes Sønvisen.

  General Notes:

Johannes Sønvisen Narjord '96 Biographical Sketch


Written by Rueben D Grue, 27 Feb 2013



Johannes Sønvisen Narjord was born on 1 Mar 1838, likely on the farm Narjord nordre that at one time was part of a larger farm, Sønvisgården in the Tufsingdalen area of the Os clerical district, county of Hedmark, Norway. His parents were Sønvis Perssen Narjord (1800-1890) and Johanna Jonsdtr Holøien (1802-). He was a grandson of Sigrid Jonsdtr Grue (1763-1824) and a great grandson of Jon Simensen Grue (1729-1807).

Thoralf Grue had written in the entry for Johannes' parents that they had a son, Johannes Sundersen, who married and traveled to America.¹ This surname may be a typo error since the common naming practices for children in Norway at the time would be Johannes Sønvisen. In the Norway Parish Registers, Johannes' birth is recorded and his name is recorded as Johannes Sÿnvisen.² With the birth record for Johannes, I have concluded that this family on the Legacy database is a direct family relationship.

Johannes was married on 3 Oct 1870 at Os to Ingrid Mikkelsdtr Bakken (born 5 Feb 1841). Johannes and Ingrid had two children, Sønvis Johannesen Narjord born 18 June 1873 and Johanna Maria Johannesdtr Narjord born on 5 Mar 1878. Ingrid had a daughter through an earlier relationship, Gea Persdtr born on 23 Mar 1865 (her father was Peder Olsen). It appears that Gea adopted the surname Narjord.

There is no record of Johannes and Ingrid Narjord leaving Os in the Norway Parish Registers; however, the three children are recorded in the Os i Tolga Ministerialbok leaving for North America on 11 Apr 1879. This family is recorded on the Emigrants from Trondheim database for 24 Apr 1879 with a destination of Lansing, Iowa. They are also on a transcribed passenger list the Norway Heritage website. The family surname is recorded as Narjord; they left Liverpool, England on 3 May 1879 and arrived in Quebec on 15 May 1879. Some of the US census data records emigration as 1880 or 1884; however, the passenger lists (Emigrants from Trondheim and Canadian Passenger Lists) are likely to be the most accurate. Therefore, on the Legacy data I have recorded 1879 as the date of emigration.

The first record of the family in the US is on the 1880 US Federal Census for Waterloo Twp in Allamakee County, Iowa. From other research on other families, Lansing (Allamakee Co), IA was often a "jumping off" point for many emigrants going to the western states. Waterloo Twp is about 50 kms cross country from Lansing. It is likely that one of the main reasons that Johannes came to Waterloo Twp was because a cousin, Elias Hansen Narjord³, had come to this area in 1854. It's likely that Johannes stayed with Elias for awhile. In the 1885 Iowa State Census, Johannes is recorded as living on Sec 30 of Waterloo Twp at or near the town of Quandahl, with an occupation of Blacksmith. Today the village of Quandahl is essentially a ghost town, but in the late 1800's it had a peak population of about 60, with a post office, creamery, grist mill, dry goods store, hardware store, a grocery store, Bank, blacksmith shop, shoemaker, and a woolen mill nearby. By the 1930's, many of the town businesses closed and the village slowly died. In 1966, the village was sold at an auction earning a total of about $15,000. One of the buildings sold was Blacksmith shop.⁴ In the 1865 Norway Census, Johannes is also recorded with an occupation of "shoemaker". I don't have any direct evidence that Johannes had or owned a Blacksmith shop at Quandahl; however, it is likely.

Johannes died on 22 Oct 1886 at the age of 48, at Waterloo Twp. He is buried at the Waterloo Ridge Cemetery. I do not know the cause of death.

Ingrid Narjord, Sonvis J Narjord, and Johanna Maria (Johannes' and Ingrid's son and daughter), continued to live in Waterloo Twp, at least until 1895 when they were recorded in the 1895 Iowa State Census. At that time, Sonvis' occupation was recorded as a Farmer. I have not been able to find this family in the 1900 US Census (they also are not recorded in the 1905 Iowa State Census). However, Ingrid, Sonvis and Johanna Maria are found in the 1910 US Census for Denhoff Twp, Sheridan Co, North Dakota (Johanna Maria is recorded as Mary Halseth).

The US Bureau of Land Managment data base shows that Ingri Narjord, Sonvis J Narjord, and Mary Halseth - Narjord all were issued a land patent through a "cash entry" for land on Sec 6 in Denhoff Twp; Sonvis had 160 acres, Ingrid had 159.76 acres, Mary had 152.11 acres, so together they had close to 1 and a ½ section of land. Denhoff Township is about 100 kms south and east of Minot, ND.

I have not been able to find a marriage record for Mary; however, on the cemetery index for Denhoff Cemetery, she is listed as Ms [Mrs ?] Robert Halseth. Her death is recorded as 13 Oct 1968 at Fargo, ND and she is buried at the Denhoff Cemetery. I also have not been able to find a death record for Robert Halseth. I can only speculate that he died shortly after arriving in North Dakota. The 1910 and 1920 US Census records Mary's son, Melvin Halseth, born about 1902 in North Dakota. Mary's land patent was issued on 6 Nov 1908 (Ingrid's was issued on 29 Nov 1908 and Sonvis' was issued on 29 Nov 1907). Mary, Ingrid and Sonvis are recorded in both the 1910 and 1920 US Census, but they are not recorded in the 1930 US Census. Mary and Ingrid are recorded as housekeepers; Sonvis is recorded as a farmer.

The 1930 US Cenus records Melvin Halseth, born 1902, as a Lodger living in Fargo, ND. His occupation is a Barber. In the 1940 US Census, he is recorded as married to Anna (born 1912). Melvin, Annie (Anna), and Melvin's mother, Mary, are recorded in the R L Polk City Directories for Fargo from the years of 1932-1948⁵. Melvin is listed as a Barber and Annie is listed as an operator of a Beauty Salon. The North Dakota Public Death Index records Melvin's death as 3 Sept 1984 in Cass Co, ND; he is buried at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Fargo. Annie died on 28 Aug 1992 and is also buried at Sunset Memorial Gardens. It appears that they did not have children.

As indicated above, Sonvis J Narjord was recorded in the 1910 and 1920 US Census for Denhoff Twp, Sheridan Co, ND. However, he is not recorded in the 1930 US Census '96 this is likely because he died prior to the first of June; he is recorded cemetery records for Denhoff cemetery as dying in 1930. Sonvis worked as a farmer throughout his life. He was not married and had no children.

Ingrid Narjord died on 8 Aug 1928 in Sheridan Co, ND; she is buried at the Denhoff Cemetery. The Denhoff Cemetery records her death as 1924; howeever, this is likely an error since the ND Public Death Index records 1928 and this source is likely to be more accurate '96 I have used 1928 on the Legacy data.




Endnotes:

1. Klokkervang, page 16. Perhaps the use of the surname "Sundersen" was an updated version for Sønvisen?
2. Norway Parish Records. Name is recorded as Johannes Sÿnvisen Narjord. The use of the vowel "ÿ" is not common in Norwegian, and so the Priest likely received his training outside of Norway/Denmark; the most common vowel is "ø", and in this context the name would be Johannes Sønvisen.
3. Johannes and Elias were 1^st cousins '96 their fathers were brothers. In the US, Elias used the surname of Hansen (or sometimes written as Hanson). See the website, www.NorwegianRidge.com <http://www.NorwegianRidge.com/> ( for the specific article, see <http://norwegianridge.com/2012/07/05/1966-ghost-town-of-quandahl-auctioned-for-15330/#more-1009> ).
5. US City Directories Collection, www.ancestry.com <http://www.ancestry.com/>. Ancestry has digitalized the years 1932-1948 for Fargo-Moorehead. It is likely that Melvin is listed in later editions.

  Research Notes:

see Biographical Sketch
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Norway Parish Records

Birth, 1838 - parents Sÿnvis Persen [?] and Johanna Jonsdtr Narjord

Marriage 1870 - father - Sÿnvis Persen Narjord; Ingrid's father was Mikkel Pedersen

birth of son, Sønvis Johannesen, 1873
- parents Johannes Sønvisen Narjord (born 1 Mar 1838) and Ingrid Mikkelsdtr (born 5 Feb 1841); married 3 Oct 1870


2. 1865 Norway Census,, Farm Narjord nordre, #235b

- household of Peder Synvis [likely his half-brother], as 42
- Johannes Synvis, age 28 <1838>, relation to head, Lodger; occupation shoemaker


3. a. Emigration - Norway Heritage

Passenger List
http://www.norwayheritage.com/p_list.asp?jo=2452&ps=52575 ;;; line 114

Leaving Liverpool 3 May 1879; arrival at Quebec 15 May 1879; SS Canadian
Johannes S Narjord, age 41; Ingrid Mikkesdtr age 38, wife; Gea age 15, child; Sonvis Johansdtr age 6, Johannes Johannsen age ¾, child ---- NOTE; either a recording or transcription error on children - likely Gea, Sonvis Johannsen, and Johanna Jonsdtr

NOTE: Gea born 23 Mar 1865, bap 3 Jul at Narbuvoll; illegitimate; mother - Ingrid Mikkelsdtr Bakken, father Peder Olsen Fomundbrenken [???] .... [R .... ] ;;; source Tolga Ministeriabok, 1852-1876, page 68, line 47 ---- note, no record on Tolga Narbuvoll or Os in Tolga Klokkerbok

b. [ 25 Feb 2013 ]

Leaving Tolga Parish - not recorded in the Os i Tolga Klokkerbok, 1845-1887 -- yrs 1875-1885; not recorded in the Os i Tolga Ministerialbok, 1877-1910 -- yrs 1878-1885; not recorded in the Tolga Ministeriabok, 1852-1876 -- yrs 1875-1876; not recorded in the Narbuvoll i Tolga Klokkerbok, 1864-1894 -- yrs 1875-1885; not recorded in Narbuvoll i Tolga Ministerialbok, 1877-1900 -- yrs 1878-1885; not recorded in Tolga i Tolga Ministerialbok (or Klokkerbok) 1877-1920 -- yrs 1878-1885
BUT, the children are recorded - see Sonvis

c. Emigrants from Trondhiem

- date - 24 Apr 1879; ship, Dampskib Tasso; destination, Lansing Jowa [Iowa]
- Johannes S Narjord, Ingrid wife, Gea daughter, Sønivs datter [? - should be son]; Johannes J son [ ? - should be daughter ]

d. Canadian Passenger Lists

- Lib and Archives --- Johannes s Nearged, age 41; Eugenia Mikkwell, age 38; Gea Hansdall, age 15, Lauro Johannsen, age 6, Johanna m Johannesen age 1
- ancestry.com - page 2, line 1646 -- image; --- difficult to make out --- Johannes S Nearged age 41, Lab; Eugenia Mikkesdtr (but looks like ... adll), age 38, spin ???; Gea Pedersdatr (looks like ...dall), age 15, Lab; Sonvis Johannsen (but looks like ...Johannsedt , age 6 recorded in the male column, child; Johanna M Johannesen, age 1, infant





4. a. 1880 US Census, Waterloo Twp, Allamakee Co, IA

- Johannes, age 39, occupation as Shoe Maker; wife Ingri age 37 <1843> [ ? birth 1841 ], Sonvis age 7 <1873>, Johanna Maria, age 2 <1879>; all born in Norway

Ancestry.com indexed as Johanis S Karford; very faint image on Ancestry - better at http://archive.org/stream/10thcensus0326unit#page/n34/mode/1up

b. 1885 IA State Census, Waterloo Twp

- Johanis Narjord age 44, Ingri age 43, Gea age 20 <1865>, Sonvis age 12, Johanna Maria age 6 <1879>
- Johanis - Blacksmith; residence Twp 111, Range 6, Sec 30, SW of NW or SW and NW quarter - written SW, NWn

-- note: Johannes Narjord is not listed as an owner of land on Sec 30 in 1886 Plat of Waterloo Twp. See, http://www.sharylscabin.com/Allamakee/Land/waterloo86.htm
Sec 30 also includes the town on Quandahl, including a post office, mill, school, store (did he have blacksmith shop or was it on the farm that he was likely leasing?)
-- see the website, Norwegian Ridge - this is essentially a blog about the area around Spring Grove, MN and into Waterloo Twp and to the NE corner of Winneshiek Co http://norwegianridge.com/2012/07/05/1966-ghost-town-of-quandahl-auctioned-for-15330/ ;;; the above article notes that the village of Quandahl is essentially a ghost town today, but around 1900 it had a peak population of about 60, with a post office, creamery, grist mill, dry goods store, hardware store, a grocery store, Bank, blacksmith shop, shoemaker, and a woolen mill nearby. By the 1930's, many of the town businesses closed and the village slowly died. In 1966, the village was sold at an auction earning a total of about $15,000. One of the buildings sold was Blacksmith shop.


c. 1895 IA State Census, Waterloo Twp

- Ingri Narjord, age 54, widow, housekeeping; Sonvis age 22, farming; Johanna Maria age 16

NOTE: not found on a scan of the 1905 IA State, Waterloo Twp [26 Feb 2013]

d. 1910 US, Denhoff Twp, Sheridan Co, ND, p 4

- head of Household - Mary Halseth, age 32, widow, mother of 1 child, 1 living; born in Iowa; housekeeper; own mortaged farm
- Melvin Halseth, age 7, born in ND
- Ingrid Narjord, age 69, mother (relation to head of household), widow, born in Norway
- Sonvis J Narjord, age 37, brother (as above), born in Norway; naturalized; farmer;
- note, born Ingrid and Sonvis emigration as 1884???

e. 1920 US, Denhoff Twp, Sheridan Co, ND, p 6

- Sonvis J Narjord, head of household, age 46, single, emigrated 1880; farmer
- Mary Halseth, sister, age 41 born in Norway, widow emigrated 1880;
- Melvin Halseth, son [??], age 17 born in ND; laborer
- Ingrid Narjord, mother, age 78, widow, born in Nor, emigrate 1881 [???]

f. 1915 & 1925 ND State census, Denhoff Twp, Sheridan Co

- 1915, S J Narjord, Ingrid Narjord, Mrs Mary Halseth, Melvin Halseth
- 1925, Mary Halseth age 47, Melvin Halseth age 23, Ingrid Narjord age 84, Sonvis J Narjord age 53
* note Ingrid is living as of 1 Apr 1925 - conflicts with cemetery index with death in 1924

g. 1900 US ??? [ 23 Feb 2013 ]
- not likely ----- ancestry index as Mari Nuhjordet or Mari Narbjordet, age 20 born in Norway as a servant BUT emigrated in 1899 and then Jhou Norhjordet, age 17 born in Norway as a servant but emigrated in 1900---- head of household Ole Jacobsen born in Norway
- can't find Mary or Johanna Halseth or Narjord anyplace
- can't find Sonvis Narjord or variation spellings anyplace
- not on scan of Denhoff Twp, Sheridan Co, ND
- not on scan of Waterloo Twp, Allamakee Co, IA


h. 1930 US

- can`t find Mary Halseth or Sonvis Narjord in Denhoff Twp scan, so did Sonvis die early in 1930 and then the farm was sold ??? -- cemetery index has death as 1930 BUT ND Death Index does not have him recorded - so, ??? died out of State --- isn't on MN Death Index [ 24 Feb 2013 ]
- Melvin Halseth - 1930 at Fargo, Cass Co (Ed 34, page 19), as a Lodger and working as Barber in a Barbershop

i 1940 US Fargo, Cass Co, (ED 9-92, page 2)

- Melvin - Barber married to Anna, age 25 born in MN; and Mary Halseth, mother age 62 <1878> born in Norway
- living at the same place in 1935




5. Death - from findagrave, 22 Oct 1886, Waterloo Ridge Cemetery, Dorchester, Allamakee Co, IA

- Johannes Narjord --- he is the only one listed


- Ingrid Narjord - Denhoff Twp, Sheridan Co, ND --- tombstone transcription indicates 1924
BUT - ND Public Health Index (https://secure.apps.state.nd.us/doh/certificates/deathCertSearch.htm)
date of death 8 Aug 1928, Sheridan Co, ND; date of birth as 5 Feb 1841


Ancestry.com Public Member Tree KRITBZ~1 owner khubner3131 from Corinth, TX; last log on Jan 2013
- Melvin Halseth born 27 May 1902 (no death info; no info on his parents) married to Annie Clarice Brekkus born after 1888.


6. BLO - US Land Patent

- Sheridan Co, ND - Ingri Narjord - cash entry - issue 27 Ap 1908; 159.76 acres - S half of NE quarter and Lots 1 & 2, Sec 6, Twp 146N, Range 75W, 5th Meridian


7. general

Waukon, IA
- from http://www.allamakeehistory.org/resources/wills.html - wills,probate, etc
---- Johannes S Narjorde (Elias Hansen is not listed on the index) ⁴²³⁰

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Residence - 1865, 1865, Os, Tolga, Hedmark, Norway. ⁴⁵¹⁵ Farm Narjord nordre, #235b

2. Emrigation - 1879, 24 Apr 1879, Trondhiem, Norway. ⁴⁵¹⁶

3. Emigration - 1879, 1879. ^4517,4518

4. Residence - 1880, 1 Jun 1880, Waterloo Twp, Allamakee Co, Iowa, United States. ⁴⁵¹⁹

5. Residence - 1885, 1885, Waterloo Twp, Allamakee Co, Iowa, United States. ⁴⁵²⁰

Johannes married Ingrid Mikkelsdtr Bakken on 3 Oct 1870 in Os, Tolga, Hedmark, Norway.⁴⁵¹² (Ingrid Mikkelsdtr Bakken was born on 5 Feb 1841 in Tolga, Hedmark, Norway,^4512,4521 died on 8 Aug 1928 in Sheridan Co, North Dakota, United States ⁴⁵²¹ and was buried in Denhoff Cemetery, Sheridan Co, North Dakota, United States ⁴⁵²².)