The Ole Paulsen Family

The Family of Ole Paulsen and Karen Madsdatter (the Birth Family of the Maternal Grandmother of the Editor's Paternal Grandfather), of Skiøl Farm, Toten Parish, Oppland County, Norway. Ole Paulsen was a great-grandfather of the editor's paternal grandfather. In the year of the Census, 21-year-old Ole was found to be residing with his 24-year-old sister (Mari Paulsdatter), 18-year-old brother (Peder Paulsen), and 15-year-old sister (Johanne Paulsdatter) on the Smebye farm, in Toten parish. All were unmarried, and they were described as children of the head of household. The positioning of their names in the list of farm residents leads to some confusion: they could be the children of household-head (52-year-old Cottar with land) Paul Ellingsen, or household-head (48-year-old Farmer) Poul Haagensen. Lacking further evidence, the editor intuitively selected Poul Haagensen and 49-year-old Berte Hansdatter as the parents of Ole Paulsen.

Ole Paulsen subsequently married Karen Madsdatter. The 1801 Census shows 17-year-old Karen living on the Skiøl farm with her parents (46-year-old Mads Pedersen and 42-year-old Marte Olsdatter) and two sisters (15-year-old Berte Madsdatter and six-year-old Pernille Madsdatter).

Karen Madsdatter gave birth to Karine Olsdatter, whose Døpte reports that Kariine was born on March 6, 1823. Karine's Døpte also reveals that her family was then residing on the Skiøl (Schjøl) farm. Her Døpte further reveals that two of her father's siblings (Peder Paulsen and Mari Paulsdatter) also had moved to the Skiøl farm; they are listed as witnesses of Karine's baptism.