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christen
New on board
United Kingdom
3 Posts |
 Posted - 20/08/2012 : 16:09:35
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I am looking for information on Christopher Thoger Olausen Friis, born 29 sep 1835 in Drammen. His father was Thoger Olausen Friis and his mother Christiane Meier. Christopher later married a Catherine Mullen in India. He left Norway for Ireland then India. They had a number of children, all with the surname of Browne as Christopher changed his name to Charles William Browne. I would like to find out why he changed his identity so radically. He died in 1900 aboard a French Steamer. He is a total mystery and I would welcome any information relating to his life and his family.
Many thanks |
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jwiborg
Norway Heritage Veteran
Norway
4961 Posts |
Posted - 20/08/2012 : 17:16:07
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#33 Christopher
Born 29 Jul 1835
Chr: 05 Jun 1836, Strømsø, Buskerud, Norway
Parents: Sailor Thøger Olaus Friis & wife Christiane Meyer at Strømsøe
Source: Buskerud county, Strømsø, Parish register (official) nr. I 12 (1830-1847), Birth and baptism records 1836, page 51.
Two brothers:
#26 Nils Olaus
Born 14 Oct 1828
Chr: 05 Jul 1829, Strømsø, Buskerud, Norway
Parents: Sailor Tøger Olaus Friis & wife Christiane Meyer
Source: Buskerud county, Strømsø, Parish register (official) nr. I 11 (1815-1829), Birth and baptism records 1830, page 185-186.
Nils Olaus Friis married Ragnild Hansdr on 17 May 1857
#32 Hans
Born 01 Jun 1838
Chr: 05 Jun 1838, Strømsø, Buskerud, Norway
Parents: Sailor Olaus Friis & wife Christiane Meyer at Strømsøe
Source: Buskerud county, Strømsø, Parish register (official) nr. I 12 (1830-1847), Birth and baptism records 1838, page 73.
The Drammen river divide Drammen between Bragernes (left) and Strømsø (right)
Jan Peter |
Edited by - jwiborg on 20/08/2012 17:51:48 |
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eibache
Norway Heritage Veteran
Norway
6495 Posts |
Posted - 20/08/2012 : 17:56:31
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Christopher had a brother Niels Olaves born Oct 14 1828, see #26.
Parents Thyger Olaves Friis and Christiana Meier.
Another brother was Thøger Cathrinus born Dec 10 1830, see #30.
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Einar |
Edited by - eibache on 20/08/2012 18:07:23 |
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Hopkins
Norway Heritage Veteran
USA
3351 Posts |
Posted - 20/08/2012 : 18:59:35
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Why he chose to use the name Browne would probably be an impossible question to answer at this point unless you find something in records after he left Norway.
An emigrant to the US could call themselves anything they liked - so long as such a name 'change' was not for purposes of fraud or evasion. I would assume that might also be the case in at least a few other countries.
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Kåarto
Norway Heritage Veteran
Norway
5861 Posts |
Posted - 20/08/2012 : 19:36:14
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The familyname Friis in Norway is first mentioned 1494, "Vebner" Squire Henrik Friis.
The origin of the name to my knowledge is Frisia or Friesland
The familyname Browne, vere unusul, exist in Norway.
Cant find any connection between the two names at present in Norway.
Kåre |
Edited by - Kåarto on 20/08/2012 19:38:53 |
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eibache
Norway Heritage Veteran
Norway
6495 Posts |
Posted - 20/08/2012 : 20:10:21
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Sailor Tøger Olavus Friis and Christiane Olsdatter were married in Bragernes March 15 1829, see #8 on right page.
Tøger Olavus sen was baptized Sept 22 1802, see 2nd record on right page. His parents were 1st mate Niels Clausen Friis and Anne Catrine Tøgersdatter. |
Einar |
Edited by - eibache on 20/08/2012 20:26:41 |
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jwiborg
Norway Heritage Veteran
Norway
4961 Posts |
Posted - 20/08/2012 : 20:26:34
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#2, right page: Tøger Olavussen
Christening 27 Sep 1802
Parents: Sailor Niels Clausen Friis & wife Anne Catrine Tøgersdatter
Source: Buskerud county, Strømsø, Parish register (official) nr. I 10 (1792-1822), Birth and baptism records 1802, page 55.
Niels Clausen Friis and Anna Catrine Tøgerdatter Holm got married at 11 Feb 1802.
Jan Peter |
Edited by - jwiborg on 20/08/2012 20:30:45 |
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eibache
Norway Heritage Veteran
Norway
6495 Posts |
Posted - 21/08/2012 : 05:38:23
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Anne Cathrine Tøgersdatter, her parents and siblings in 1801.
Niels Clausen Friis and Anne Catarine Holm were married Febr 14 1802, see 5th record on left page.
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Einar |
Edited by - eibache on 21/08/2012 05:46:29 |
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christen
New on board
United Kingdom
3 Posts |
Posted - 21/08/2012 : 15:36:17
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Thank you everyone for your help. I did have most of this information already but some spelling were wrong so am grateful. My children are Christopher's great-great-great-grand-children. From family folklore we believe that he changed his name because he was involved or witnessed a man's death either in Ireland or India. Another reason might be to have a name that fits in and does not sound foreign. We just don't know and I guess we will probably never find out. I have a photo of his wife Catherine with her daughters taken in India when she was quite elderly. No photo of Christopher.
Any further information is most welcome.
Kind regards
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jwiborg
Norway Heritage Veteran
Norway
4961 Posts |
Posted - 21/08/2012 : 22:21:53
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Just a question... How do you know that "Christopher Thoger Olausen Friis" and "Charles William Browne" is the same person? 
Many norwegian emigrants americanized their names, but the change from Christopher to Charles seems a bit strange..., doesn't it? Nickname Chris would have been understandable, but Charles...?
The fact that he changed his name because he was involved or witnessed something is feasible, but hard to find proof of today. Maybe The National Archives could have something?
Jan Peter |
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christen
New on board
United Kingdom
3 Posts |
Posted - 21/08/2012 : 22:37:06
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The information has been passed down from my children's great-grand mother. I don't know why he would have picked that name. On his marriage certificate he stated his father's name as a George Browne. I have been in touch with other distant descendants of Christopher and they had the same information too. We know that Christopher died in 1900 on a French Steamer whilst travelling back from a visit to Norway. He travelled under the name of Friis for some unknown reason, therefore it took (I think) up to 3 years for his widow to be informed. He is just a really interesting chararcter. The distant cousin I mentioned above even travelled to Drammen and had a local ancestry specialist look into it but found nothing new. I do undertsand though that facts get distorted with each passing generation. Once again I do appreciate all your input.
Kind regards |
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Friis family in Drammen
