I am in search of my great grandfather's history. I seem to have some information that was put together by family here in the States. I'm not sure how accurate it is. But if someone could help me out I would greatly appreciate it. His name was Bennett S Anderson or Berendt S Andreason, born Oasen, Norway December 28, 1868; came to the USA in 1888 from Norway and in April arrived in New York, having sailed in an American ship. The rest of the info I have is what he did once he was here. So I assume that is not helpful. Please let me know if anyone out there can steer me in the right direction. I've neer tried to search for this type of info before. Thanks.
Berent is not a common name in Norway. Unfortunately your grandfather was too young to be in the 1865 cencus and had left prior to the 1900 cencus so we can't find him there. Berent/Bennet are very uncommon names in Norway. - In the (sorrily very incomplete) 1875 cencus there's no Bennets and only a few Berendts - and combined with Ander/Andreson/etc. there's only a handful. Unfortunately none of them seem to fit the age. There's one in Bergen born about 1861 and one in Kristiania (Oslo) born about 1871. That's the closest I get.
On the other hand I've never heard of a place called Oasen in Norway (which doesn't mean it doesn't exist!), but do you have any idea of what part of Norway it's located?
I have experienced the "Berent" name being a variation of "Bernt", and also seen the form "Berendt". "Bennet" and "Bent" might be variations of the same name.
I've just found out - there IS really a place on the norwegian map called Oasen. But unfortunately it's in the middle of a clacier - so I doubt anyone has ever been living there. So I guess Åsen is a better suggestion after all? Do you have any idea of any part of Norway to narrow the search?
Norwegian genealogy
Posted - 09/02/2002 : 21:50:09
