Wilhelmsdatter / Wilhelmson Family History
Jørgine Wilhelmsdatter was born 19 Jan 1850 and baptized 7 Apr 1850 in Ostre Toten, Oppland, Norway, the second child of 2nd great-grandparents Vilhelm (Wilhelm) Olsen and Ragnild Jonsdatter (Lommen). She’s my great grand aunt (sister of my great grandmother Augusta Wilhelmson).
I had found an indexed baptism entry in 2001 but as no other family records had mentioned her, I wasn’t sure if this was the correct family. In early 2011 I located a Google Site entitled “Toten Emigrants” which included info on Ragnild and her family. Jørgine didn’t emigrate with the rest of the family in 1867, but the article didn’t state why. Was she married and settled in Norway? Had she died? Ragnild was a widow by the time she left Norway; presumably she sought a better future for her family in the land where her siblings had already relocated.
Wilhelmsdatter Jorgine Baptism 1850 Ostre Toten
Later in 2011 I found Jørgine’s death recorded in the Ostre Toten registers; she died 10 Mar 1862 aged 12. So, it took me about 10 years to get the picture of Jørgine’s life.
Wilhelmsdatter Jorgine Death 1862 Ostre Toten
Here is where the family lived during Jørgine’s lifetime. Surprisingly, in today’s travel this area is 2 1/2 hours from where Ragnild origins in Vestre Slidre. One wonders how she met Wilhelm and where.