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ddcummings
New on board
USA
1 Posts |
 Posted - 10/11/2002 : 02:15:11
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My g-grandfather & g-grandmother were born in Norway,according to my grandfathers birthcertificate. A now deceased relative confided in my mother (years ago) that our family name was completely different than what we now know (Johnson) it to be. She told my mother the name, but Mom can't remember it. She does remember my aunt telling her that we could be Jews. They immigrated to the US and settled in Philadelphia. The birthcertificate I have lists g-grandfather as Charles B Johnson (born abt 1871-1872. His occupation is listed as "rigger". It lists g-grandmother's maiden name as Albertina Miller (born abt 1874-1875). I believe their first child was born in the US, which means they couldn't have arrived here later than 1886. I feel certain that the names Charles and Albertina are true. Can someone point me in the right direction?
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Brining
Norway Heritage Veteran
USA
868 Posts |
Posted - 10/11/2002 : 07:22:28
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Hi It was quite common for Norwegians to Americanize their names. If you will read the article on this site "Those Norwegian Names, tips for the on line researcher" (there is a link at the bottom of this page) it will help in your research. Johnson certainly sounds Norwegian, Miller I didn't find in the census but could be Americanized from something. You need to find as much info in the US as you can before you start searching in Norway. Death certificates, Marriage licenses, Naturalization papers can all give you some leads to go on (parents, where born). Also if you can locate them in the 1900 or 1910 census you can find out when they came to the US and their nationality. When you have that info go to the Digitalarkivet which has emigrant lists and census for Norway and much much more.
Good Luck Carla |
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thelebrity
Senior member
Norway
234 Posts |
Posted - 11/11/2002 : 15:22:18
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If your g-grandparents were born when you suggest and emigrated before 1886, they probably travelled with their parents. Do you know anything about that?
Miller could very well have been Møller in Norway. Johnson could, according to norwegian naming patterns, mean that his father's name was John.
Per Helge Seglsten |
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Norwegian Jew?
