We shall begin the Tesli - Iverson journey in the Røros municipality of Sør-Trøndelag county, Norway. Røros has historically been a copper-mining town. Today it has only about 5,000 residents, but draws over 60,000 tourists for the annual Rørosmartnan, a traditional winter market held for five days each February.
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Sør-Trøndelag in Norway. Source
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Michel Olsen Bachen (/Bakken) and his wife Ingeborg Erichsdatter had at least three children: Ole Michelsen Bachen, born around 1745, Eric Michelsen Bachen, and Anne Margrete Michelsdatter Bachen. Across the way at the Kurassen farm, Jacob Iverson Kurassen (/Kuråsen or Kuraasen) (born 1720) and Marit Arnesdatter (born 1729) had at least two children of their own: Iver Jacobsen Kurassen (born 1750) and Maritte (/Marith) Jacobsdatter (born 29 March 1761).
This and all subsequent tree images were taken as screen captures from my family tree at Ancestry.com, http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/60229298.
Birth record of Maritte Jakobsdatter. Source
From the Bachen family, Ole Michelsen Bachen married Maritte (/Marith) Olsdatter Kvernengen, and together they had two children: Ole Olsen (born 12 August 1770), and Ingeborg Olsdatter, born approximately 1779.
Birth record of Ole Olsen. Source
It is here that the the Bachen and the Kurassen families begin to intertwine. Anne Margrete Michelsdatter Bachen married Iver Jacobsen Kurassen, and had a son Jacob Iversen Kurassen, born 1778. Meanwhile, Eric Michelsen married Iver's sister, Maritte Jacobsdatter, on 16 July 1784. Eric and Maritte had two children: Ingeborg Erichsdatter, born 14 August 1785, and Marit Erichsdatter, born 15 June 1788.
Marriage of Erich Michelsen and Maritte Jacobsdatter. Source
Eric passed away some time after the birth of his two daughters, leaving Maritte a widow. Maritte remarried Ole Olsen, who was her nephew both by blood and by marriage. (Ole's blood uncle was Maritte's first husband, Eric-- the brother of Ole's father Ole Mikelson; and Ole's uncle by marriage to his father's sister Anne Margrete Michelsdatter was Iver Jacobsen Kurassen-- Maritte's brother.) Given these special circumstances, the marriage required kongelig bevilling or royal permission; such permission was required under circumstances such as consanguinity, illness preventing church attendance, military duty, or marriage at home. The church booklet here reads, “Kongelig bevilling af 15 May 1794, da Ole er enkens afdöde mands Brodersön,” meaning royal permission to marry granted given that Ole is the son of the widow’s late husband’s brother." This marriage marked the third intertwining between the Bachen and the Kurassen families.
Marriage record of Ole Olsen and Marith Jakobsdatter. Source
Ole ran the family farm, called Ormhaug Røros. Ole was also a school teacher during this time. Their first son, also Ole Olsen, was born 12 April 1795. Sadly, he died in May after living about one month. Their second son, born 28 August 1796, was also named Ole Olsen. A daughter, Elen Olsdatter, was born 17 June 1798 at the family farm in Røros.
Birth record of the first Ole Olsen baby (1795). Source
Birth record of the second Ole Olsen baby (1796). Source
Elen Oldsdatter birth record. Source
By 1801, the Bachen and Kuraasen families moved to the Strinda municipality in Sør-Trøndelag county. Today Strinda has been incorporated into Trondheim.
At the time, Strinda was home to two large, thriving farms known as Tesli Øvre (“upper”) and Tesli Nedre (“lower”). The farm name –li means “hillside,” and tes- is believed to refer to the thistle plant. The Tesli farms have a rich history in Norway. In fact, Tesli Lower is described by the present-day Strinda Historical Society as “one of the biggest cultural gems in the encyclopedia.” The Society held a 2008 seminar at the farm, which is still in use today, explaining the history and significance of Tesli.
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Historic map showing the location of the Tesli farms: “ned” for nedre (lower), and “öv” for øvre (upper). Source
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By November 1718 the Tesli Lower farm was owned by Prefect Iver von Ahnen, where it had significance near the end of the Great Northern War. During this time, Charles XII, also known as Carl of Sweden, sent General Carl Gustaf Armfeldt and his troops to conquer the Kristiansten Fortress in present-day Trondheim. Armfeldt and his troops set up their encampment at Tesli Lower, where they made the hooks and ladders to be used in their attack against Kristiansten.
During the winter of the attack, many of the Swedish troops fell ill due to terrible conditions. In December 1718, Sweden was losing other battles in the Great Northern War, and leader Charles XII died. Thus, the Swedish troops in Norway were finally ordered to retreat around the new year, during what became known as the Carolean Death March. Norwegians retained control of Kristiansten and the Tesli farms.
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The original pegs upon which General Armfeldt hung his clothes during the attack on Kristiansten. Photo by Jan Habberstad, 2008. Source
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By 1801, the families moved to the Strinda region where the Tesli farms are located. At this time they added the Teslia designation to their surname, indicating their new location. The 1801 census lists numerous members of the Tesli family living at the farm.
Tesli farm census, 1801. Source
In 1803, Ole purchased Tesli Lower from its owner, Lieutenant Leonard Borchgrevink. Ole’s father Ole Mikkelsen purchased Tesli Upper. Later, Jacob Iversen Kurassen (Ole's nephew) would marry Ingeborg Olsdatter (unrelated to Ole's sister of the same name)-- and purchase a portion of Tesli Lower, subsequently named Jacobsli.
Ole Olsen Teslia became quite active politically. In 1814 he was a Volgmann, similar to a modern-day precinct delegate, who elected representatives to attend the National Assembly at Eidsvoll. Here the Assembly adopted and signed the Norwegian Constitution and formalized their dissociation of the union with Denmark on 17 May 1814. May 17th is now the National Day of Norway.
In 1818, Ole Olsen Teslia was an MP (Member of Parliament) who served on 15 committees of the council. On 7 September he was also a kroningsdeputasjonen, or deputy during the coronation ceremony of King Karl Johan. (King Karl Johan was also known as Sovereign Prince of Pontecorvo in Italy, Charles XIV John as King of Sweden, and Charles III John as King of Norway.)
While being involved in politics, Ole Olsen Teslia also served as interim sheriff in Strinda. He continued to run the farm at Tesli Lower, and purchased Tesli Upper from his father in 1819.
By the year 1830 or 1831, Ole passed on Tesli Upper to his son-in-law Bjørn (see below). Interestingly, both of these men ran for election in Norway’s first municipal elections held in 1837. From the Lade Parish, Bjørn Teslia ran as chairman alternate, tying the other winner with 5 votes. Ole Olsen Teslia ran as a regular member, winning with 19 votes. Bjorn tied for second with 17 votes for the same position. Source
Ole Olsen Teslia became quite active politically. In 1814 he was a Volgmann, similar to a modern-day precinct delegate, who elected representatives to attend the National Assembly at Eidsvoll. Here the Assembly adopted and signed the Norwegian Constitution and formalized their dissociation of the union with Denmark on 17 May 1814. May 17th is now the National Day of Norway.
In 1818, Ole Olsen Teslia was an MP (Member of Parliament) who served on 15 committees of the council. On 7 September he was also a kroningsdeputasjonen, or deputy during the coronation ceremony of King Karl Johan. (King Karl Johan was also known as Sovereign Prince of Pontecorvo in Italy, Charles XIV John as King of Sweden, and Charles III John as King of Norway.)
While being involved in politics, Ole Olsen Teslia also served as interim sheriff in Strinda. He continued to run the farm at Tesli Lower, and purchased Tesli Upper from his father in 1819.
By the year 1830 or 1831, Ole passed on Tesli Upper to his son-in-law Bjørn (see below). Interestingly, both of these men ran for election in Norway’s first municipal elections held in 1837. From the Lade Parish, Bjørn Teslia ran as chairman alternate, tying the other winner with 5 votes. Ole Olsen Teslia ran as a regular member, winning with 19 votes. Bjorn tied for second with 17 votes for the same position. Source
In 1842, Ole Olsen Teslia established Strindens Sparebank (Strinda Savings Bank) where he remained on the board until 1848. (In 1975 Strindens merged with Trondhjems Savings Bank, forming the Trondheim and Strindens Savings Bank.)
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Strindens Sparebank building in 1942 at its 100-year anniversary. Source
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Ole Olsen Teslia died at Tesli Lower in 1851. Today, Ole Teslia Road in Trondheim is named in his honor. It is located between Øvreberg Bend and Sigurd Slembe Road. Though Ole had an evidently rich role in Norwegian history, there are no known paintings of him, unlike many of the other assembly members at Eidsvoll.
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Ole Teslia Road as it appears in recent times. Source
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Tesli Upper in operation today, run by the descendents of Kasper J. Alstad (unrelated to Ole Olsen Teslia). Source
Recall that Ole Olsen Teslia and Maritte Jacobsdatter had four children: Ingerborg Erichsdatter and Marit Erichsdatter from Maritte's first marriage, and Ole Olsen and Elen Olsdatter from the second marriage. I have not explored the futures of the first two daughters. Ole Olsen appears in an 1865 census as a snedkerarb, or cabinetmaker / carpenter. Elen Olsdatter lived at the Tesli Lower family farm. On 17 July 1823 she married Bjørn Pedersen of Bjørnstad, born approximately 1799. This is the same Bjørn who acquired the farm from his father-in-law around 1830-1831 and was involved in local politics. He was now known as Bjørn Pedersen Teslien.
Elen and Bjørn had four or five children: Peter Olaus Bjørnsen (born 16 May 1824), Ingeborg Bjørnsdatter (born 21 Nov 1826), a possible Ole Bjørnsen (born 11 November 1828; see below for his appearance in a future record), Jacob Edvard Bjørnsen (born 29 April 1831), and Beret Marta Bjørnsdatter (born April 8 1835). All were born at the Tesli farm in the region that was now known as Lade.
Elen and Bjørn had four or five children: Peter Olaus Bjørnsen (born 16 May 1824), Ingeborg Bjørnsdatter (born 21 Nov 1826), a possible Ole Bjørnsen (born 11 November 1828; see below for his appearance in a future record), Jacob Edvard Bjørnsen (born 29 April 1831), and Beret Marta Bjørnsdatter (born April 8 1835). All were born at the Tesli farm in the region that was now known as Lade.
Peter Olaus Bjørnsen Tesli married Olava Olsdatter on 27 October 1846. Olava was born 6 July 1820 to father Ole Nilson and mother Karen Larsdatter in the Solem region of Sør-Trøndelag. Peter and Olava’s first daughter was named Elen Marie Pedersdatter, born 6 March 1847. It was standard to name the first child of each sex after the grandparent of the same sex. Thus, Elen Pedersdatter was the granddaughter of Elen Olsdatter. Peter and Olava’s second daughter, Oline Pedersdatter, was born in 1849, and son Bjørn Petersen Teslia was born 4 February 1853. As would be expected, this first son was named after grandfather Bjørn.
Peter Olaus Bjørnsen died of pneumonia 16 March 1856). After Peter’s death, the widowed Olava remarried to Ole Silvertsen (born about 1828). They had one son, Ole, born about 1859. Olava died 18 June 1878.
I have not spent as much time researching the four Tesli children, Elen, Oline, Bjørn, and Ole, as they are not my direct ancestors. It is quite possible that they have additional living descendants. I am interested in exploring this branch of the family tree starting from the following information.
Peter Olaus Bjørnsen died of pneumonia 16 March 1856). After Peter’s death, the widowed Olava remarried to Ole Silvertsen (born about 1828). They had one son, Ole, born about 1859. Olava died 18 June 1878.
I have not spent as much time researching the four Tesli children, Elen, Oline, Bjørn, and Ole, as they are not my direct ancestors. It is quite possible that they have additional living descendants. I am interested in exploring this branch of the family tree starting from the following information.
Bjørn graduated from the Trondheim Technical Learning Institution in 1877, having studied mechanical engineering. Norwegian records indicate that he emigrated to Chicago, Illinois in May 1880, where he subsequently worked as a mechanical engineer. Unfortunately I cannot find any record of him in the United States directories.
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Bjørn Petersen Teslie. Source
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The other siblings, Elen, Oline, and Ole Tesli are registered on the Norwegian emigration list, leaving for Chicago aboard the steamer Tasso (Cunard Line) on 5 August 1880. Ole’s middle initial is listed as “B,” even though his father was Olava’s second husband, Ole. Ole B.’s profession is handelsbetjent, or salesman / shop assistant. Oline is a meierske (translation unknown).
Unfortunately, I cannot find the immigration record of these Teslis as they entered the United States, nor any other records of them in the following years. I am interested in finding any living descendants of these four Tesli siblings.
Unfortunately, I cannot find the immigration record of these Teslis as they entered the United States, nor any other records of them in the following years. I am interested in finding any living descendants of these four Tesli siblings.
These Teslis represent one branch of the Tesli tree. If we begin again with the original Ole Olsen, recall that his daughter Elen Olsdatter and husband Bjørn Pedersen had four (or five) children: Peter Olaus Bjørnsen, Ingeborg Bjørnsdatter, a possible Ole Bjørnsen, Jacob Edvard Bjørnsen, and Beret Marta Bjørnsdatter. Peter’s descendants, the four Tesli siblings, we have discussed so far.
Jacob Edvard Bjørnsen Teslia married Kristine Estensdatter Donali on 3 July 1856. She was born 14 November 1826 to father Esten Knudsen Donelie of Opdahl, and mother Dordie Larsdatter Donelie. Jacob and Kristine had at least four children: Peter Olaf Edvardsen (~1857), Ole Bjorn Edvardsen (~1859), Eivind (Øyvind) Edvardsen born 10 May 1862, and his twin Christian (Kristian) Edvardsen also born 10 May 1862. It is confirmed that Øyvind and Christian are twins rather than variations of the same name, as both individuals appear in a later census. It is quite possible that there are living descendants of these children today; indeed, we see about a dozen Teslis emigrating to the United States in 1880 and beyond, including these four children: Peter O., Ole B., Kristian, and Eivind. [Note that some immigrants with the last name Tesli are not blood relatives, but rather, residents who worked at the Tesli farm.]
Jacob Edvard Bjørnsen Teslia married Kristine Estensdatter Donali on 3 July 1856. She was born 14 November 1826 to father Esten Knudsen Donelie of Opdahl, and mother Dordie Larsdatter Donelie. Jacob and Kristine had at least four children: Peter Olaf Edvardsen (~1857), Ole Bjorn Edvardsen (~1859), Eivind (Øyvind) Edvardsen born 10 May 1862, and his twin Christian (Kristian) Edvardsen also born 10 May 1862. It is confirmed that Øyvind and Christian are twins rather than variations of the same name, as both individuals appear in a later census. It is quite possible that there are living descendants of these children today; indeed, we see about a dozen Teslis emigrating to the United States in 1880 and beyond, including these four children: Peter O., Ole B., Kristian, and Eivind. [Note that some immigrants with the last name Tesli are not blood relatives, but rather, residents who worked at the Tesli farm.]
We have now briefly explored two of the lineages of Elen Olsdatter and Bjørn Pedersen: son Peter, and son Jacob Edvard. I have not explored the descendants, if any, of their daughter Beret Marta.
This leaves us with two additional children, Ingeborg and possibly Ole.
Ingeborg Bjørnsdatter was born 21 November 1826 at the Tesli farm.
This leaves us with two additional children, Ingeborg and possibly Ole.
Ingeborg Bjørnsdatter was born 21 November 1826 at the Tesli farm.
Ingeborg Bjørnsdatter birth record. Source
Ingeborg Bjørnsdatter married Jon Olsen Granaas on 22 June 1849 in Lade.
Marriage record of Ingeborg Bjørnsdatter Tesli to Jon Olsen Granaas. Source
Jon’s father was Ole Johnsen Granaas, and I have not yet pursued his lineage. The name Granaas comes from gran (“spruce”) and aas (“ridge”). An unsourced family tree online indicates he was born Ola Jonson Løset(h) in Nestu, 1792, and married to Rannei Wesseldotter Røen, born 1790. This tree presents that Ole and Rannei had five or six children, one of whom was Jon.
Ingeborg and Jon had one daughter, Elen Marie Jonsdatter Tesli, born in Lade 3 December 1853 (christened 25 December). The presence of two people named Elen Marie Tesli is at first confusing, until we recognize that they were cousins and shared the same grandmother. As both Elen Maries were the firstborn daughters of their respective parents, both were named after their grandmother Elen.
Birth record of Elen Marie Jonsdatter Tesli. Source
By 1875 Ingeborg Bjørnsdatter and assumed brother Ole Bjørnsen Teslia were running the Lade Fattigarbeiderhus, or poorhouse, named Peterborg. Although I have not found a birth record for Ole, Ingeborg is listed as his sister in this census. They were two years apart in age. Ole is listed as the forstander (trustee) and Ingeborg the opsynskone (supervisor). 39 tenants resided there at the time.
1875 census, Teslia poorhouse. Source
Notice in this census that Ingeborg has had a second daughter, Petra Johanna Olsdatter, now age 9. It is likely that Ingeborg’s first husband Jon had died by this time. Perhaps of greater interest is the identity of Petra’s father. On the birth record dated 29 August 1869, we see that her father Ole Jakobsen Gjemse is an inderst, translated most closely to a lodger. A Norwegian research site describes innerst as a term for “people who moved from place to place, living of some craft (shoemakers, tailors etc.); seasonal workers on the farm. […] Of all the groups explained on this page, the 'innerst' class had the most temporarily character: The persons in this group were usually in transition, either to something better -- or to something much worse…” Was Ole Jakobsen Gjemse a resident of the poorhouse operated by Ingeborg? This we do not know.
Birth record of Petra Johanna Olsdatter. Source
In any event, we see that Ingeborg B. Tesli, daughter Elen Marie Tesli, and daughter Petra J. Tesli departed Trondheim aboard the steamship Domino (Cunard Line) for Chicago on 3 June 1880.
Tesli emigration from Trondheim, 1880.
These three Teslis are missing from the United States immigration record, or their names are so grossly mis-transcribed that a digital search has not successfully yielded any data of their arrival. However, they do begin appearing in Chicago records shortly thereafter.
In 1882, Elen Tesli married Iver F. Iverson in Chicago. Click here to read about the Norwegian lineage of Iver F. Iverson. Click here to read about the Tesli - Iverson family's life in Chicago and on to Brooklyn.
In 1882, Elen Tesli married Iver F. Iverson in Chicago. Click here to read about the Norwegian lineage of Iver F. Iverson. Click here to read about the Tesli - Iverson family's life in Chicago and on to Brooklyn.