THE FJÆSTAD FAMILY HOMEPAGE

Introduction

This site is dedicated to providing and soliciting genealogical information (photos, documents, stories, etc.) on the family of Syver Larsen Fjæstad and Kirsti Christensdatter. The Fjæstad Family originally came from the Hedmarken district of Norway. Hedmarken is in Hedmark fylke in eastern Norway and is comprised of the following four kommune: Hamar, Løten, Ringsaker, and Stange (see maps).

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Additions and corrections to the information contained within are always welcome by contacting Bruce Wiland (wiland@att.net, 512-443-2918, 1510 Oxford Ave, Austin TX).

Biography of Syver Larsen Fjæstad and Kirsti Christensdatter

Syver Larsen Fjæstad was born 15 Jul 1845 at Fjæstad in Romedal, the first child of six born to Lars Syversen Fjæstad and Sigrid Trondsdatter Sæter. He was baptized 10 Aug 1845.

Baptismal Record of Syver Larsen (Romedal Ministerialbok nr.3, s.92, #66)

Syver's wife, Kirsti Christensdatter, was born 09 May 1837 at Lekvolden in Romedal, the third child of four born to Christen Henriksen Bjørnerud and Helene Larsdatter. She was baptized 17 Sep 1837. According to marriage record, Kirsti was born at Vold. Some sources have indicated she was born at Haukserudsven but that is not what is in the baptismal record. She was living on Ostbyeie when she married.

Baptismal Record of Kirsti Christensdatter (Romedal Ministerialbok nr.3, s.54, #86)

Syver, Kirsti, and their first child Syverine were living on Botetil in Romedal during the 1865 census. Although the census shows them to be married, Syver and Kirsti did not marry until 1866, a little over a year after the birth of Syverine. Syver and Kirsti married on 02 Jan 1866 in Romedal kirke. At the time of marriage, Syver was 20 years old, and Kirsti was 28 years old, eight years older than him.

Marriage Record of Syver and Kirsti (Romedal Ministerialbok nr 5, s.210, #1)
Marriage Record of Syver and Kirsti (Romedal Klokkerbok nr.9, s.200, #1)

Syver and Kirsti later lived on Gaustadeie and Gråberget vestre, where Syver was a tenant farmer. Shortly before November 1873, they moved to Heknerydningen. Syver purchased this farm 07 May 1874. Syver and Kirsti lived the rest of their lives at Heknerydningen. Syver was also a timber contractor. Syver and Kirsti had nine children, with six reaching adulthood. Of those six, three emigrated to America and stayed, one emigrated to America but returned to Norway, and two remained in Norway. Syver had two brothers, Jens and Håken, that also emigrated to the United States. Syver died 16 Dec 1923 at the age of 78, and Kirsti died in 10 Oct 1931 at the age of 94, both at Heknerydningen.

Their Children

Syver Larsen and Kirsti Christensdatter had 9 children. Three daughters died young. Of the six children which reached adulthood, two remained in Norway, three emigrated to America, and one emigrated to America but returned to Norway. Only four of the children (Helene, Julea, Lars, and Karoline) have descendants that are living today. Click on one of the children below to see further information on that child.

1.		Syverine Syversdatter [1864-1874]	(no descendants; died young at the age of 9 in Norway)
2.		Helene Syversdatter [1866-1955]	(emigrated to the United States; married Petter Olsen; 11 children; died at the age of 89)
3.		Lina Syversdatter [1868-1963]	(emigrated to the United States; married twice; no descendants; died at the age of 94)
4.		Karen Mathea Syversdatter [1871-1986]	(no descendants; died young at the age of 15 in Norway)
5.		Julea Syversdatter [1872-1925]	(emigrated to the United States, married Bernhard Mortensen Korslund and returned to Norway; 6 children; died at the age of 52)
6.		Lars Syversen [1873-1956]	(remained in Norway; married twice (Anna Oline Olsdatter Olstad & Olava Larsdatter; 13 children; died at the age of 82)
7.		Syverine Syversdatter [1875-1889]	( no descendants; died young at the age of 13 in Norway)
8.		Anna Marie Syversdatter [1877-1905]	(emigrated to the United States; married Syverin Christofferson; 1 child but no other descendants; died at the age of 28)
9.		Karoline Syversdatter [1880-1971]	(remained in Norway; married Peder Larsen Holen; 13 children; died at the age of 91)

Photos

Syver Larsen Fjæstad as a younger man
(date unknown)

Kersti Christensdatter as a younger woman
(date unknown)

Syver Larsen Fjæstad and wife Kersti Christensdatter
(date unknown)

Kersti Christensdatter as a older woman
(date unknown)

Kersti Christensdatter and Lars Syversen Fjæstad with grandddaughter
(Heknerydningen, 1911)

Lars Syversen Fjæstad and wife Siri Trondsdatter Sæter,
parents of Syver Larsen Fjæstad (date unknown)

Fjæstad Family Tree