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wnelson
Starting member
USA
5 Posts |
 Posted - 25/10/2004 : 06:30:13
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| Looking for information on my gf Lewis Nelson b Aug 1845 in Christina, came to the US in July 1856. He enlisted in the Civil War in Dec of 1861 using the name Olson as John Olson signed for him. Lived in Decorah, IA all his life. John Olson was either a uncle or brother-in-law. I would like to find information for Lewis parents. |
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Hopkins
Norway Heritage Veteran
USA
3351 Posts |
Posted - 25/10/2004 : 15:52:24
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You are probably going to need to do additional research into records after he came to the states before you can find the family in Norway. The names are very common and Lewis left Norway before the 1865 census and before most records of emigrants departing were being kept.
Decorah and Winneshiek County Iowa are well represented with a large collection of old records, church records, vital records, newspaper obituaries, cemetery listings, etc. In addition the state of Iowa did many extra census enumerations between the typical federal censuses. If 'Lewis' Nelson and his relative John Olson were early residents of that county (first created in 1847) they may also be mentioned in the published county history book(s). There also appears to be a book entitled "The pioneer Norwegians; Springfield Township, Winneshiek County, Iowa".
Lewis' death entry in the county's 'Register of Deaths' might have listed the names of his parents. His application for a marriage license may also list his parent's names. If he was enumerated in the 1925 Iowa State census - parents names were also recorded in that. The records of the church where he was a member may have recorded the name of the church in Norway where he was originally baptised. |
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wnelson
Starting member
USA
5 Posts |
Posted - 13/11/2004 : 17:59:59
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| Thanks for the reply. I have both the marriage and death records and the parents names are not mentioned. I have the HIstory of Winneshiek county and there is a short bio on him but his parents are not mentioned. I also have his Civil War records as he applied for a pensionand at various places his parents and sister a mentioned but never by name. I did some research in a chuch but did not find anything. I will get the book you mentioned. If you may have any other suggestions please let me know. |
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Jo Anne Sadler
Norway Heritage Veteran
USA
1100 Posts |
Posted - 13/11/2004 : 20:11:30
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Do you have the passenger record for him immigrating in July 1856? He would only have been 11 at the time and most likely immigrated with his family.
Have you found him in the 1860 census? What state did he volunteer from? |
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wnelson
Starting member
USA
5 Posts |
Posted - 21/11/2004 : 05:41:22
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quote:
Originally posted by Jo Anne Sadler
Do you have the passenger record for him immigrating in July 1856? He would only have been 11 at the time and most likely immigrated with his family.
Have you found him in the 1860 census? What state did he volunteer from?
I can not find a passenger record and have no idea which ship they were on. I know the date of arrival as he gave information when he was applying for a Civil War Pension. I can not find his name in the 1860 census I checked Decorah City and Glenwood and Frankville township I am fairly sure of the area as the towns of Thorton and Woodville are mentioned in some of the testimony given. He volenteered at Dubuque in the US 13th Infantry. I have a great deal of testimony all about his health before and after the war, but no information about family. |
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Hopkins
Norway Heritage Veteran
USA
3351 Posts |
Posted - 21/11/2004 : 18:07:47
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Where is he buried? Is that cemetery linked to any one specific church congregation? Have you thoroughly searched the records of that church and its history? Also check who else is buried in the same cemetery that might be part of his family and look for them in the church records and local histories.
His parents and a sister are mentioned in pension papers, as living? What dates are those papers created? For that matter, when did Lewis Nelson die?
The state of Iowa did a number of censuses between the federal census years. Have you tracked him and/or John Olson through those censuses too? |
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wnelson
Starting member
USA
5 Posts |
Posted - 15/12/2004 : 06:32:14
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He was buried in Decorah. I have visited the cemetary and others in the area and there does not seem to be anyone with a similar named buried near.
The papers were created in the middle 90's, the sister was listed as living after the war and the parents before the war. Lewis died in May 1899.
I have not able to find him in the 70as a single individual living in what appreared to be a boarding house, 80 and 90 census listed him with his family.
I have traced John Olson to Forest City and also have civil war papers as he also applied for a pension. One of the papers in Olson's file was from Lewis Nelson and he stated he was aa close neighbor and was "known from intimate acquaintenceandpersonal knowledge" Olson had a brother by the name of Gilbert who lived in Cook county, ILL in Nov 1902.
As you can see I have a great deal of misc information but nothing to get me names.
Thanks for the help and suggestions. |
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nelson/olson
