Helja Mickelsdotter Hendrickson

   Other names for Helja were Ellen Hendrickson ⁶⁸²⁵ and Nellie Nelson.

  Research Notes:

Summary: Helja Mickelsdotter Hendrickson, also known as Nellie Nelson


Written by Rueben D Grue 12 May 2017. © 2017. All rights reserved. [23 May 2020 revision notes marked with *]


I do not have definitive proof that the person named "Nellie Nelson" in many records is the same person "Helja Mickelsdotter Hendrickson" born on 18 Feb 1856 in Sweden. Helja was the daughter of Michael Hendrickson and Helja Andersdotter Andersson (and she was the daughter of Anders Stephansson, my 3rd great grandfather, on my grandmother Avey Skaret's side). The Michael Hendrickson family left Östmark parish in Sweden on 11 Mar 1863 to travel to North America. [* see work of Manuel Aguilar Hendrickson ]

The early US records (1870 & 1880 US Census and the 1875 & 1885 MN State Census) records Helja as Ellen Hendrickson. In the 1870 US Census, the oldest daughter is also recorded as "Ellen" and also likely "Helen" and her age corresponds with "Helja" of the Sweden Church Records.

There are few documents that provide probable evidence that Nellie Nelson is the same Helja, the daughter of Michael and Helja:

(1). Otto Edward Hendrickson's obituary of 1914 that notes he is survived by 3 sisters and 2 brothers "....Mrs Nellie Nelson of Clearwater, Fla .... and Emil Hendrickson of Annandale [MN] ...
- MN death and burials collection on Familysearch.org for Otto records father as Michael Hendrickson and mother Helen
- MN death and burials collection on Familysearch.org for Emil records fahter as Michael Hendrickson
Conclusion: If the father of both Otto and Emil (who are brothers) is Michael Hendrickson and mother is Helen and if a sister to Otto is "Mrs Nellie Nelson", then Mrs Nellie Nelson's father is also Michael Hendrickson and her mother would be Helen (see point 5).

(2). For the most part, the US and MN state census records for Kandiyohi County record Nellie Nelson's birth as 1856. The 1870 US Census records Ellen at age 14 and thus born in 1856; this records her name (and her mother's name as Ellen - see point 5). I have not found her in the 1875 MN State or the 1880 US Federal Census. The 1895 & 1905 MN State records her birth as 1856. However, the 1900 US census records her birth as 1845 but records she is 45 years old - this would mean her birth year was 1855. The birth year recorded in the 1900 census is likely a mistake. The 1900 US Census also records her name as Helen. Both the 1910 and 1930 US Census records her birth as 1856.
Conclusion: the majority of the above records note birth as 1856 and this date is in agreement with the Sweden Church Records.

(3). The Findagrave post at Atwater Union Cemetery in Atwater, Kandiyohi Co for Nellie Nelson records birth as
11 Feb 1855 (death as 22 Feb 1941). There is no record of death in MN for Nellie Nelson born 1856 +-2yrs in Sweden on the MN Death Index either at MN Historical Society database or Familysearch.

There is only one other possibility, but it does not seem likely. Specifically, there is a death record in 1931 in Pinelles Co, FL for Mrs Martin Nelson and a findagrave post with a birth of 20 Jan 1856 (my research has found that Nellie Nelson was married to John Nelson). The only reason this could be a possibility is because Otto E Hendrickson's obit says that she is from Clearwater, FL. In searching this area, I have not found no other evidence of someone named Mrs Nellie Nelson in Pinelles Co. However, her son Irvin Chester Nelson is recorded in the 1920, 1930, and 1940 US Census as well as the 1935 and 1945 FL state census for Pinellas Co, FL. It should be noted that the obituary (1915) of Nellie Nelson's daughter, Edna Eleanor Nelson, does state her mother is living in Clearwater FL, but I haven't been able to find Nellie Nelson living in Florida in the 1920 US Census (nor have I found her indexed anyplace in 1920 Census). It is likely she had a place or at the very least stayed with her son for a few months or possible a few years.

Although her birth date on the findagrave post (Atwater) is a year off, the most likely conclusion is that this is the same person, that is, Nellie Nelson, nee Hendrickson.

(4) Most records note the date of emigration as either 1861 or 1862. However, the 1905 MN State records that Nellie Nelson was a residence of this state [MN] for 42 years, meaning her year of emigration was 1863 and this date agrees with the Sweden Church Records.

(5). The given name, Nellie.
The Swedish Church birth records record her name as "Helja". So how did her name become known as "Nellie" after 1895 MN census? The answer to this is not known, but likely it became a nickname.
From the website "nordicnames.de" a nickname (or pet name) of Helja is Helena (or possibly Helja is a nickname for Helena) and Helena is derived from the Latin, Helene. It is likely Helja orginally was a Finnish name as indicated on the website "behindthename.com". Using Helena (Helen) as a variant, Ellen (Elen) becomes an English variant. A diminutive (shorten form) of "Nellie" is "Nell" and and Nell was a diminutive of names Ellen or Helen. Thus, the "Nellie Nelson" in Otto's obit and many of the census records.

Conclusion:

Although I have not found convincing evidence that I have found and recorded the right family, that is, the John and Nellie Nelson family and that Nellie Nelson is the daughter of Michael and Helja (Ellen) Hendrickson, conclusion is probable.

Further research is needed to provide more evidence of this, with the possiblilty that the Nellie Nelson's obituary may record her parents (see 'to do' list).


Nellie married John Nelson and they lived in Atwater, Kandiyohi Co, MN. He died at age 50, in 1900. Nellie and John had 4 children. The oldest was Irvin; he lived most of his life in Clearwater, Pinellas Co, FL where he had a fruit orchard. Irvin died in 1950 in FL. Edna died at age 31 in 1915; she lived in Atwater. Some time in the early 1900's, Emma began using the given name Lillian (possibly her middle name). She married Irvin Lester Porter; he was a Dentist. They lived in Atwater and Willmar MN and later lived in Reno, NV. Lillian died in 1975 in Nevada. Both Emma and Lillian were school teachers in their early adulthood. Helen was unmarried; she worked as a secretary for Chicago and later lived in Reno, NV. She died in 1974.

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1. Otto E Hendrickson's obit of 1914

survived by:
sisters, Mrs Nellie Nelson of Clearwater, FL

then, a son of Otto's (so a nephew of Nellie), Earl W Hendrickson's obit of 1919
- survived by "other relatives", Mrs Nellie Nelson of Atwater, MN and a cousin, Mrs I S Porter - both from Atwater


2. Findagrave

John Nelson, born 24 Jun 1850, died 24 Oct 1900; Plot: Block 5 Lot 7
https://findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Nelson&GSfn=John&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSst=25&GScnty=1343&GScntry=4&GSob=n&GRid=62155223&df=all&
MN State death and burials (familysearch); father Andrew
- see his Obit

Nellie Nelson, born 11 Feb 1855, died, 22 Oct 1941; Plot: Block 5 Lot 7
https://findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Nelson&GSiman=1&GSsr=41&GScid=83741&GRid=62155222&


[ one other possibility, BUT not likely; findagrave, Clearwater Municipal Cemetery, Clearwater, Penellas Co, FL
https://findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Nelson&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSst=11&GScnty=367&GScntry=4&GSob=n&GSsr=161&GRid=25323106&df=all&106&df=all&
Mrs Martin Nelson, born 20 Jan 1856 died 5 May 1931 -- birth date does not match ? ]


3. Misc. re; Newspapers.com [11 May 2017]; nothing in Florida


There are 73 items, using search terms: Minnesota, Nellie Nelson, years 1920-1930

- it seems that there at least 3 or 4 people with the name, Nellie Nelson: many of these are in Minneapolis, including some items for Dr Nellie Nelson; a few for Miss Nellie Nelson (Warren Sheaf) -- these don't seem to match
But, ????


from St Cloud Times, 7 Jun 1930 - "Central MN court proceedings"; Kandiyohi Co, Atwater. "Deeds: N L Larson to Nellie Nelson, $5000. E. 25 feet of Lot 8, Block 3."

from Willmar Tribune, 15 Feb 1922, "delinquent taxes since 1920", Villiage of Crescent Beach,
"Lester Porter and Nellie Nelson [2 parcels on Gov't Lot 3 ...Lot 4... ] and I. L. Porter and Nellie Nelson [1 parcel on Gov't Lot 3 ... to Lot 5]

then,

Willmar Tribune
23 Jul 1902, Atwater, Real Estate Transfer; Jul 17 John Nelson to Nellie Nelson, e 27 ft of Lot 8, block 3. Probate Decree
29 Jun 1904. Atwater, Real Estate Transfer; Nellie Nelson to Peter M Peterson, lots 1 & 2, block 43 (Getshell's Addition)
5 Jan 1910, City of Willmar; "Probate court to Nellie Nelson et al, to each of lots 7 & 8, block 7"
28 Aug 1912, marriage of Dr Lester Porter of Atwater and Miss Lillian Nelson .... ,married at the home of Mrs. Nellie Nelson of Atwater ... he is a dentist"
3 Nov 1915 ......Real Estate Transfers .... Atwater, Oct 30, Mrs Nellie Nelson, widow, to G E Johnson, Lot 3, Block 3, Getchells add., $290.00

....................................

3. US Federal Census

1900 US Census Kandiyohi, Atwater & Gennesse Twp
John Nelson (b Jun 1850) Helen Nelson (Feb 1845) but birthdates way off; BUT same children
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6SS9-JFQ?mode=g&cc=1325221
Irvine C, Sep 1881; Edna E, Nov 1883; Emma L, Aug 1885; Helen J, Jul 1894

1910 US Cenus; Atwater, Kandiyohi Co
Nellie Nelson, age 54 <1856> born in Sweden, Widow; mother of 4 children, 4 living; own income; own home.
Edna E, daughter age 25 <1885>, single, Teacher, common school
Lillian, daughter age 24 <1886>, single, Teacher, common school
Helen, daughter age 15 <1895>

1930 US Census; Atwater
Irvin L Porter (indexed as Parter), age 44, married 27 yrs <1903>, own home value of $3500, Dentist
Lillian, wife age 44; daughter Jeannie C, age 15 <1915>; mother in law, Nillie Nelson, age 74 <1856> born in Sweden (her parents Swedish), Wd, emigration 1861

4. MN State

1885 MN State, Atwater, Kandiyohi Co
John Nelson age 34, Nellie Nelson age 29 <1856> born in Sweden; Erwin Chester age 3 <1881-82> and Edna Ellen age 1 <1883-84>. Also recorded is Nils Anderson age 75 <1810> born in Sweden
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-DBB7-XSR?mode=g&i=1&cc=1503044 ; line 33, 1st side

1895 MN State, Kandiyohi, Atwater
Nellie Nelson age 39 <1856> born in Sweden; married to John Nelson age 44 <1851> born in Sweden, Druggist (for 12 yrs, <1883>), resident of state for 25 yrs 9mos <Sep 1869> and in this jurisdiction, 13 yrs and 10 mos <Aug 1881>, children Irvine C age 13 <1882>; Edna E age 11 <1884>; Emma L age 9 <1886>; Helen J age 10 mos <1894>
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-DZJW-4Y2?mode=g&i=1&cc=1503031

1905, MN State; as above
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:9Q97-YSYD-VK3?mode=g&i=3&cc=1503056


5. Daughter Edna's death

Edna Eleanor Nelson, born 15 Nov 1883 died 14 June 1915; Plot: Block 5 Lot 7
https://findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Nelson&GSiman=1&GScid=83741&GRid=62155224&
- see file for obit, published in Willmar Tribune
- in the winter of 1914-1915, she was at her mother's in Florida; came back, operations, and died
- survived by mother, two sisters, Mrs I L Porter and Helen [Nelson] and a brother Irvin of Clearwater, FL

Atwater Republican, 1900-1928 (at Available on microfilm from the Minnesota Historical Society), then a couple change of names; see, http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn89064878/


6. Daughter Emma L or Lillian


Newspaper Clipp, from Willmar Tribune, edition 28 Aug 1912, marriage of Lillian Nelson and Dr Lester Porter (a dentist) at the home of her mother Nellie Nelson in Atwater; MOMS has marriage 27 Aug 1912 with his name as Irving L
- Otto E Hendrickson's son, Earl W Hendrickson obit of 1919 says he is survived by "other relatives, Mrs Nellie Nelson and Mrs I S Porter, both of Atwater [Mrs I S Porter ? Lester Porter ??]

re; Lillian Porter, Atwater, 1920 US Census
Lester age 35 <1885>, Dentist; Lillian age 35 <1835>; daughter Jean Clare age 5 <1915>
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9RX6-WXY?mode=g&i=10&cc=1488411


1930 US Census; Atwater
Irvin L Porter (indexed as Parter), age 44, married 27 yrs <1903>, own home value of $3500, Dentist
Lillian, wife age 44; daughter Jeannie C, age 15 <1915>; mother in law, Nillie Nelson, age 74 <1856> born in Sweden (her parents Swedish), Wd, emigration 1861

1940 US Census; Willmar, Kandiyohi Co
I. Lester Porter, age 54, 4 yrs College; proprietor, Dental Office, own home value of $4000
Lillian, age 54, 2 yrs of College
(Nellie is not recorded at Atwater - review of 27 pages; also no index records --12 May 2017; also she does not seem to bem indexed in the 1940 Census, if she had died in 1941 )

Note:
** Re: Emma L - there are two family trees on Ancestry, with one tree (Price) married to Thomas Karvonen; and the second married to Edwin August Propp BUT both of these are NOT likely accurate at all



6. Son Irvin

Irvin Chester Nelson
Florida Death Index
Affiliate CD NumberFDI03
Certificate Number19885
Volume Number1428
NameIrvin Chester Nelson
Event TypeDeath
Event Date1950
Event PlacePinellas, Florida, United States
GenderMale
RaceWhite
Affiliate File NameFDI03-1950.txt
Affiliate Line Number19402

findagrave; indexed as I G Nelson, but the tombstone says, I C Nelson. born 14 Sep 1881 died 17 Sep 1950
Clearwater, FL; and links to wife and children
https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=106065262


Irvin C. Nelson Marriage,
mentioned in the record of Irvin C. Nelson and Florine Tipton
NameIrvin C. Nelson
Spouse's NameFlorine Tipton
Event Date05 Feb 1916

Florida Marriages, 1837-1974," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FWQL-M4D : 12 December 2014), Irvin C. Nelson and Florine Tipton, 05 Feb 1916; citing ; FHL microfilm 979,426.


1935 FL State
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-DCJH-8F?mode=g&i=39&cc=1457856
1945 FL State
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-D553-X9S?mode=g&i=16&cc=1457855
1940 US
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9MR-6NJK?mode=g&i=4&cc=2000219
1920 US Irvin C Nelson, Belleair, Pinellas Co, ED 144; page 1 [intially found on MooseRoots indexing]
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GR6W-4MV?wc=QZJG-T8F%3A1036469901%2C1038528601%2C1038552501%2C1589332587&cc=1488411
1930 US Irving C Nelson, Belleair
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9R4V-7H9?i=1&wc=QZFS-7N4%3A648804501%2C650548401%2C650593801%2C1589282318&cc=1810731

7. Daughter Helen J ???? I have not found any other information


⁶⁸¹⁸

  Noted events in her life were:

1. Residence, 1885, 1 May 1885, Atwater, Kandiyohi Co, Minnesota, United States. ⁶⁸⁵⁸ John Nelson age 34 born in Sweden; wife, Nelly age 29 born in Sweden. Erwin Chester age 3 <1882> born in MN; Edna Eleanor age 1 <1884>. Also recorded is Nils Anderson age 75 born in Sweden [John's father?].

2. Residence, 1895, 1 Jun 1895, Atwater, Kandiyohi Co, Minnesota, United States. ⁶⁸⁵⁹ John Nelson, age 44 <1851> born in Sweden, lived in the state for 29 yrs 9 mos <Sep 1869> and in this jurisdicton for 13 yrs 10 mos <Aug 1881>, Druggist for 12 mos. Wife, Nellie age 39 <1856> born in Sweden. Children (all born in Minnesota): Irvin C age 13; Edna E age 11; Emma L age 9 <1886>; Helen J age 10 mos <Apr-Mar 1894>.

3. Residence, 1900, 1 Jun 1900, Atwater, Kandiyohi Co, Minnesota, United States. ⁶⁸⁵⁵ John Nelson age 49 born Jun 1850 in Sweden, married 19 yrs <1881>, parents Swedish, emigrated in 1867, in the US for 33 yrs, occupation ? [looks like land lord?]. Wife Helen age 45 born in Feb 1845 [? if age 45, birth year would be 1855], married 19 yrs <1881>, born in Sweden (parents Swedish), emmigrated in 1851 [?], in the US for 39 yrs [1861]. Children all born in Minnesota: Irvin C, born Sept 1881, age 19; Edna E born Nov 1883 age 16; Emma L born Aug 1885 age 14; Helen J born Jul 1894 age 6.

4. Residence, 1905, 1 Jun 1905, Atwater, Kandiyohi Co, Minnesota, United States. ⁶⁸⁶⁰ Mrs Nellie Nelson (widow) age 49 born in Sweden, lived in the State for 40 yrs <1860> and in this jurisdiction for 24 <1881>. Children (all born in Sweden): Irvin age 23, bookeeper; Edna age 21, school teacher; Lillian age 19 <1884>; Helen age 10.

5. Residence, 1910, 15 Apr 1910, Atwater, Kandiyohi Co, Minnesota, United States. ⁶⁸⁶¹ Nellie Nelson, age 54 born in Sweden, Widow, mother of 4 children, 4 living, "own income." Daughter, Edna E age 25, teacher; Daughter, Lillian age 24, teacher; Daughter Helen, age 15 (all children born in MN)

6. Disproven death, 1941, 22 Feb 1941, Atwater, Kandiyohi Co, Minnesota, United States. ⁶⁸⁵⁷ As I have indicated in the "Summary of 12 May 2017" under general notes, I have not found any other evidence of Nellie's (Ellen/Helen/Helja). I believe that this is likely the correct date, but I'm not certain.

Helja married John Nelson in 1881 in Minnesota, United States.⁶⁸⁵⁵ (John Nelson was born on 24 Jun 1850 in Sweden,^6855,6862 died on 24 Oct 1900 in Atwater, Kandiyohi Co, Minnesota, United States ⁶⁸⁶² and was buried in Atwater Union Cemetery, Kandiyohi Co, Minnesota, United States ⁶⁸⁵⁷.)