Descendants of Thiøstul Hande (living 1600s)
Sixth Generation 
46. Hans Jonsen RØN was born about 1795.
General Notes: Census of Norway, 1801
Tore Ey, p. 632
47. Marit Gutormsdatter HANDE was born in 1793 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway and died on 10 Feb 1881 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway, at age 88. Another name for Marit was MAJISTAD.
General Notes: Tore Ey, pp. 530, 642
Vestre Slidre parish records
G. Beitrusten, V. SLIDRE, pp. 421 & 845
Bergen University Digitalarkiv gives engagement date as 3 Jun 1811 & marriage date as 6 Jan 1812
Marit married Ola Olson MAJISTAD , son of Ola Olson MAJISTAD and Guro Aslaksdatter GRANEIM , on 3 Jun 1811 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway. Ola was born in 1780 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway and died on 6 Dec 1842 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway, at age 62.
General Notes: Tore Ey, p. 642
Vestre Slidre parish records
G. Beitrusten, V. SLIDRE, pp. 844 & 845
Bergen University Digitalarkiv gives engagement date as 3 Jun 1811 & marriage date as 6 Jan 1812
Their children were:
+ 85 M i. Ola Olson MAJISTAD "The Elder" 8,49,50 was born in 1812 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway and died in 1897, at age 85.
+ 86 F ii. Guro Olsdatter MAJISTAD was born in 1814 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway and died in 1885, at age 71.
+ 87 F iii. Rangdi Olsdatter MAJISTAD was born on 8 Aug 1816 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway and died on 4 Jul 1879 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway, at age 62.
+ 88 M iv. Guttorm Olson MAJISTAD was born on 15 Aug 1818 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway and died 21(?) Sep 1830 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway, at age 12.
+ 89 M v. Ole Olson MAJISTAD "The Younger" was born on 22 May 1821 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway and died on 7 Nov 1878 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway, at age 57.
+ 90 F vi. Inge Olsdatter MAJISTAD was born on 12 Aug 1824 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway and died on 17 Jan 1825 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway.
+ 91 M vii. Knut Olson MAJISTAD was born on 15 Jun 1827 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway.
+ 92 F viii. Inge Olsdatter MAJISTAD was born on 26 Jul 1832 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway.
48. Anne Gutormsdatter HANDE was born in 1796 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway and died on 23 Dec 1875 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway, at age 79. Another name for Anne was IARSTAD.
General Notes: Tore Ey, pp. 525, 530-531
Vestre Slidre parish records
Anne married Knut Iøgerson IARSTAD , son of Iøger Halvorson IARSTAD and Marit Knutsdatter HAUGE , on 9 Oct 1815 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway. Knut was born in 1792 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway and died on 7 Oct 1850 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway, at age 58.
General Notes: Tore Ey, p. 525
Vestre Slidre parish records
G. Beitrusten, V. SLIDRE, p. 410
Their children were:
+ 93 F i. Marit Knutsdatter IARSTAD was born on 3 Jun 1820 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Norway.
+ 94 M ii. Iøger Knutson IARSTAD was born on 8 Feb 1824 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway.
+ 95 F iii. Rangdi Knutsdatter IARSTAD was born on 3 Nov 1827 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway and died on 12 May 1830 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway, at age 2.
+ 96 F iv. Rangdi Knutsdatter IARSTAD was born on 29 May 1830 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway.
49. Reiar Gutormson HANDE was born in 1799 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway.
Birth Notes: Baptized 24 Mar 1799
General Notes: Tore Ey, p. 531
Vestre Slidre parish records
Seems to have died by the time his mother's estate was settled, 1816-17
50. Ingebiør Gutormsdatter HANDE was born in 1803 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway. Another name for Ingebiør was ÅSTAD.
General Notes: Tore Ey, pp. 356, 531
Vestre Slidre parish records
VALDRES BYGEDEBOK, pp. 34 & 421
Ingebiør married Ole Torgierson NYEGÅRD , son of Torger Andersen TØRSTAD and Kari Olsdatter NYGAR , on 23 Nov 1823 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway. Ole was born in 1803 in Vang, Valdres, Oppland, Norway and died in 1866, at age 63. Another name for Ole was ÅSTAD.
Birth Notes: Bapt. 11 Dec 1803
General Notes: Tore Ey, pp. 326, 356, 531
Vang & Vestre Slidre parish records
VALDRES BYGEDEBOK, pp. 34 & 421
Owned part of Nedre Hande farm 1836-41
Their children were:
+ 97 M i. Torger Olson ÅSTAD was born on 2 Feb 1824 in Vestre Slidre, Norway and died in 1902, at age 78.
+ 98 M ii. Guttorm Olson ÅSTAD was born on 19 Sep 1826 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway.
+ 99 M iii. Knud Olson ÅSTAD was born on 2 Mar 1829 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway and died on 17 Aug 1829 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway.
+ 100 F iv. Kari Olsdatter ÅSTAD was born on 24 Jul 1830 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway.
+ 101 F v. Rangdi Olsdatter ÅSTAD was born on 16 Jul 1833 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway.
+ 102 M vi. Reier Olson HANDE was born on 26 Dec 1836 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway and died in 1923, at age 87.
+ 103 M vii. Knud Olson HANDE was born on 21 Apr 1840 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway and died on 27 Apr 1840 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway.
+ 104 M viii. Knud Olson HANDE was born on 28 Oct 1841 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway and died on 20 Feb 1842 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway.
+ 105 M ix. Ole Olson ÅSTAD was born on 4 Apr 1843 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway.
+ 106 F x. Berit Olsdatter ÅSTAD was born on 16 Jun 1846 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway.
51. Reiar Olson BERGE was born in 1808 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway and died in 1894, at age 86.
General Notes: Tore Ey, p. 536
Vestre Slidre parish records
Beitrusten, p. 439
Noted events in his life were:
. Occupation: Itinerant school teacher.
Reiar married Ingri Biørnsdatter HIPPE . Ingri was born in 1798 in Nord Aurdal, Valdres, Oppland, Norway? and died in 1895, at age 97. Another name for Ingri was BERGE.
General Notes: Tore Ey, p. 536
Vestre Slidre parish records
G. Beitrusten, V. SLIDRE, p. 439
Their children were:
+ 107 F i. Marit Reiersdatter BERGE was born on 20 Jun 1831 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway and died in 1908, at age 77.
+ 108 F ii. Ågoth Reiersdatter BERGE was born on 22 Sep 1833 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway.
+ 109 F iii. Ingeborg Reiersdatter BERGE was born on 21 Jan 1836 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway and died in 1915, at age 79.
+ 110 M iv. Ole Reiersen BERGE was born on 8 Feb 1839 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway and died on 16 Feb 1880 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway, at age 41.
+ 111 M v. Ole Reiersen BERGE was born on 10 Apr 1842 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway and died in 1921, at age 79.
52. Ingebiør Olsdatter BERGE was born in 1811 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway and died in 1813 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway?, at age 2.
General Notes: Tore Ey, p. 536
VALDRES BYGDEBOK, p. 439
53. Marit Iulsdatter HJELLE was born in 1788 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Norway and died vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppla.
General Notes: Tore Ey, p. 506
"The Story of Jul Hjelle," BUDSTIKKEN, Nov 1992
Census of Norway, 1801
Marit married (name unknown).
Their children were:
+ 112 F i. Berit Knudsdatter BRÅTEN
54. Reiar Iulson HJELLE was born in 1791 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway and died in 1891 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway, at age 100. Another name for Reiar was HANDE.
General Notes: Vestre Slidre parish records
Tore Ey, p. 506
"The Story of Jul Hjelle," BUDSTIKKEN, Nov 1992
G. Beitrusten, p. 608
Lived on Øye under Kirkevold from 1829
Reiar married Ingri Halvorsdatter HANDE .
Their children were:
+ 118 M i. Reier Reierson HANDE was born on 14 Oct 1818 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway and died on 5 Dec 1818 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway.
Reiar next married Marit Olsdatter KIRKEVOLD , daughter of Ola Torsteinson FLADÅKER and Sigri Olsdatter MAGISTAD , on 1 Jun 1825 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway. Marit was born in 1804 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway and died on 9 Apr 1842 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway, at age 38.
General Notes: Tore Ey, p. 582
Vestre Slidre parish records
G. Beitrusten, V. SLIDRE, p. 608
Their children were:
+ 113 F i. Kari Reiersdatter KIRKEVOLD was born [27] Jan 1831 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway and died on 4 Feb 1831 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway.
+ 114 F ii. Sigri Reiarsdatter KIRKEVOLD was born on 16 Sep 1825 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway.
+ 115 M iii. Ole Reiarsen KIRKEVOLD was born on 23 Nov 1828 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Norway and died in 1907 in Vestre Slidre, Norway, at age 79.
+ 116 F iv. Kari Reiarsdatter KIRKEVOLD was born on 4 May 1837 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway.
+ 117 F v. Gunhild Reiersdatter KIRKEVOLD 8 was born on 13 Apr 1840 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway and died about 1866, about age 26.
55. Ola Iulson HJELLE was born in 1794 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Norway.
General Notes: Tore Ey, p. 506
56. Ingebiør Iulsdatter HJELLE was born in 1796 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Norway.
General Notes: Tore Ey, p. 506
57. Anne Olsdatter RØN was born in 1799 and died in 1810, at age 11.
58. Sissel Olsdatter RØN was born in 1802 and died in 1866, at age 64.
Sissel married Ole Olsen ULVEN "The Younger" .
59. Ingri Iohannesdatter REIE
Ingri married Ola Olsen ULVE , son of Ola Knutson ULVE and Unknown . Ola was born in 1719 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway 51 and died in 1763 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway, at age 44.51
Their children were:
+ 119 M i. Ola Olsen ULVE was born in 1753 and died in 1811, at age 58.
+ 120 F ii. Marit Olsdatter ULVE was born in 1756.
+ 121 M iii. Knut Olsen ULVE was born in 1759.
+ 122 F iv. Sigri Olsdatter ULVE was born on 31 Oct 1761.51
+ 123 M v. Iohannes Olsen ULVE was born in 1763.
Ingri next married Knut Halvorson SUMMELENGJI , son of Halvor Nilsson SUMMELENGJI and Ingri Knutsdatter ULVEN , in 1764. Knut was born in 1731 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway. Other names for Knut were LANSRUD, and ULVE.
General Notes: Tore Ey, pp. 570 & 576
G. Beitrusten, V. SLIDRE, pp. 572 & 617
Their children were:
+ 124 F i. Berit Knutsdatter ULVE was born in 1765.
+ 125 M ii. Ola Knutson Ulve ULVE was born in 1768.
+ 126 F iii. Sigri Knutsdatter ULVE was born in 1773.
60. Kari Iohannesdatter REIE was born in 1726 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Norway and died in 1805 in Vestre Slidre, Norway, at age 79. Another name for Kari was ULVESTAD.
General Notes: T. Ey, p. 537, 636-7
VALDRES BYGDEBOK, p. 837
1st husband's probate recs.
1801 Census
Kari married Ola Iohannesson ULVESTAD , son of Iohannes Olson ULVESTAD and Marit Iohannesdatter FAUSKE , in 1747. Ola was born in 1719 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway and died in 1751 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway, at age 32.
General Notes: Tore Ey, pp. 636-7
VALDRES BYGDEBOK, p. 837
Probate records
Their children were:
+ 127 M i. Iohannes Olson ULVESTAD was born in 1748 and died in 1808, at age 60.
+ 128 F ii. Sigri Olsdatter ULVESTAD was born in 1749.
Kari next married Ola Olsen . Ola was born in 1723. Another name for Ola was ULVESTAD.
Their children were:
+ 129 M i. Ola Olson ULVESTAD was born in 1754.
+ 130 M ii. Ola Olson ULVESTAD was born in 1757.
+ 131 F iii. Ingri Olsdatter ULVESTAD was born in 1761.
+ 132 M iv. Iohannes Olson ULVESTAD was born in 1763.
+ 133 F v. Kari Olsdatter ULVESTAD was born in 1766.
61. Iohannes Knutson IOME was born in 1736 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway and died in 1776, at age 40.
General Notes: Tore Ey, p. 539
Vestre Slidre parish records
G. Beitrusten, V. SLIDRE, p. 459
Census of Norway, 1801
Iohannes married Ragnild Haldorsdatter RENGJISTAD in 1757. Ragnild was born in 1737 and died in 1796, at age 59. Another name for Ragnild was IOME.
Their children were:
+ 134 M i. Knud Iohannesson IOME was born in 1767 and died in 1842, at age 75.
+ 135 F ii. Gro Iohannesdatter IOME was born in 1772.
+ 136 F iii. Sigri Iohannesdatter IOME was born in 1775.
62. Andris Knutson IOME was born in 1737 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway.
General Notes: Tore Ey, p. 539
63. Berit Iøgersdatter HØINE was born in 1733 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway. Another name for Berit was GRYTE.
General Notes: Tore Ey, pp. 361-2, 382, 441, 556
Berit married Anders Ericksen KVÅLE in 1766. Anders was born in 1727 and died in 1802, at age 75. Other names for Anders were HELDE, and GRYTE.
Their children were:
+ 137 F i. Ragnhild Andrisdatter HAMBRE was born in 1767.
+ 138 F ii. Marit Andrisdatter HAMBRE was born in 1769.
+ 139 F iii. Berit Andrisdatter HAMBRE was born in 1772.
+ 140 M iv. Iøger Andrisson HAMBRE was born in 1773.
64. Alf Iøgerson HØYNE was born in 1735 in Vestre Slidre, Oppland, Norway and died in 1808, at age 73.
General Notes: Ey, p. 441
Census of Norway, 1801
Beitrusten, V. SLIDRE, p. 202
Alf married Guro Tomasdatter KVIE . Guro was born in 1741. Another name for Guro was HØYNE.
Their children were:
+ 141 M i. Iøger Alfson HØYNE was born in 1763 and died in 1838, at age 75.
+ 142 M ii. Tomas Alfson HØYNE was born in 1765 and died in 1836, at age 71.
+ 143 M iii. Alf Alfson HØYNE was born in 1766.
+ 144 F iv. Marit Alfsdatter HØYNE was born in 1768.
+ 145 F v. Barbo Alfsdatter HØYNE was born in 1776.
+ 146 F vi. Knud Alfsdatter HØYNE was born in 1779.
+ 147 M vii. Anders Alfson HØYNE was born in 1783.
Alf next married Sigri Håvolsdatter ELLESTAD . Sigri Håvolsdatter ELLESTAD died in 1833. Another name for Sigri was HØYNE.
65. Gølik Knutson HOLLIEN was born in 1739 in Vang, Valdres, Oppland, Norway and died in 1782, at age 43.
General Notes: Tore Ey, pp. 349-350
Mother's probate record
Gølik married Barbo Knutsdatter HOLLIEN , daughter of Knut Iohannesson HOLLIEN and Iøran Olsdatter STEE-KVÅLE . Barbo Knutsdatter HOLLIEN died in 1775 in Vang, Valdres, Oppland, Norway. Another name for Barbo was HOLLIEN.
General Notes: Tore Ey, pp. 348-50
Their children were:
+ 148 M i. Knut Golikson HOLLIEN was born about 1762 in Vang, Norway and died on 20 Apr 1836 in Vang, Valdres, Oppland, Norway, about age 74.
+ 149 F ii. Ingebiør Gøliksdatter HOLLIEN was born in 1766.
+ 150 M iii. Knut Gølikson HOLLIEN was born in 1770.
+ 151 M iv. Tomas Gølikson HOLLIEN was born in 1772.
+ 152 M v. Iohannes Gølikson HOLLIEN was born in 1775.
66. Kari (Karen) Knutsdatter HOLLIEN was born in 1741 in Vang, Valdres, Oppland, Norway and died in 1804 in Vang, Valdres, Oppland, Norway, at age 63. Another name for Kari was KVIE.
General Notes: Tore Ey, pp. 308, 349
Census of Norway, 1801
A. Frøholm, pp. C141 & 420
Kari married Ola Tomasson KVIE in 1761. Ola was born in 1731 and died in 1811, at age 80.
Their children were:
+ 153 M i. Tomas Olsen KVIE was born in 1762 and died in 1829, at age 67.
+ 154 M ii. Knut Olsen KVIE was born in 1763 and died in 1818, at age 55.
67. Knud Knudsen HOLLIEN was born in 1742 in Vang, Norway and died on 15 Dec 1821 in Vang, Norway, at age 79. Another name for Knud was VEFLEN.
General Notes: Ey, p. 320, 349
Vang par. recs.
David JACKSON, descendant
Knud married Sigri Olsdatter BUNDE . Sigri was born about 1751 and died in 1821, about age 70. Another name for Sigri was VEFLEN.
Their children were:
+ 155 F i. Ola Knudsen HOLLIEN was born in 1772.
+ 156 F ii. Marit Knudsdatter HOLLIEN was born in 1773.
+ 157 F iii. Berit Knudsdatter VEFLEN was born in 1776.
+ 158 M iv. Knut Knudsen VEFLEN was born in 1779.
+ 159 F v. Anne Knudsdatter VEFLEN was born in 1780.
+ 160 M vi. Ola Knudsen VEFLEN was born in 1783.
+ 161 M vii. Ola Knudsen VEFLEN was born in 1785.
+ 162 M viii. Ola Knudsen VEFLEN was born in 1787.
+ 163 M ix. Andris Knudsen VEFLEN was born in 1788 and died about 1839, about age 51.
+ 164 M x. Ola Knudsen VEFLEN was born in 1795.
68. Ingri Knutsdatter HOLLIEN was born about 1745 in Vang, Valdres, Oppland, Norway, died in Vang, Valdres, Oppland, Norway, and was buried on 19 Jan 1800 in Vang, Valdres, Oppland, Norway. Another name for Ingri was HOLLIEN.
General Notes: Ey, p. 312, 344, 346, 348, 349
Vang par. recs.
Probate recs.
Ingri married Iohannes Knudsen HOLLIEN . Iohannes was born in 1740 and died in 1820, at age 80.
Their children were:
+ 165 F i. Marit Iohannesdatter HOLLIEN
+ 166 M ii. Knut Iohannesson HOLLIEN was born in 1772 and died in 1826, at age 54.
+ 167 M iii. Knut Iohannesson HOLLIEN was born in 1776.
+ 168 M iv. Iohannes Iohannesson HOLLIEN was born in 1778.
+ 169 F v. Iørand Iohannesdatter HOLLIEN was born in 1782.
+ 170 F vi. Ingri Iohannesdatter HOLLIEN was born in 1785.
+ 171 F vii. Sigri Iohannesdatter HOLLIEN was born in 1788.
69. Karen Or Kari Iøgersdatter HANDE was born in 1748 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway. Another name for Karen was MAGISTAD.
Birth Notes: Baptized 27 Oct 1748
General Notes: Tore Ey, pp. 527 & 639
Vestre Slidre parish records
Bergen University Digitalarkiv
Karen married Ole Larson MAGISTAD , son of Lars Ulveson MAGISTAD and Marit Gudbrandsdatter HØDNE , on 13 Nov 1771 in Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway. Ole was born in 1750 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway.
General Notes: Tore Ey, pp. 639-40
Bergen University Digitalarkiv
G. Beitrusten, V. SLIDRE, p. 850
70. Marit Iøgersdatter HANDE was born EITHER 1751 OR 1752 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway and died in 1787. Another name for Marit was HJELLE.
Birth Notes: Ey gives both dates; BYGDEBOK says 1751
General Notes: Tore Ey, pp. 506, 527
G. Beitrusten, V. SLIDRE, p. 429
Probate record
Bergen University Digitalarkiv
Marit married Iul Torsteinson KVÅLE , son of Torstein Iulson KVÅLE and Gro Knudsdatter HJELLE , on 9 Nov 1772 in Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway. Iul was born in 1740 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway and died between 1808 and 1811, about age 68. Another name for Iul was HJELLE.
General Notes: Tore Ey, pp. 506 & 508
Census of Norway, 1801
Murdered? See: "The Story of Jul Hjelle," BUDSTIKKEN, Nov 1992
G. Beitrusten, V. SLIDRE, pp. 343 & 420
Owned Handemyre 1783-86; leased Nordre Hjelle from 1786
Bergen University Digitalarkiv
The Unusual Disappearance of Jul Torsteinson Hjelle: A Hande Family Mystery
(by D'Arcy Hande)
The mysterious disappearance of Jul Torsteinson Hjelle, both of whose wives were from the Hande farm in Norway, still remains unresolved after nearly two centuries. The evidence remains suspicious, but no answers will likely ever be found to this intriguing historical puzzle.
What is known about Jul is that he was born in Vestre Slidre parish, Valdres, in 1740, the son of Torstein Julson Kvaale and Gro Knutsdatter Hjelle. (Since Gro was the heiress of Hjelle farm, she and her husband lived there and, as was the custom in Norway, they took the farm name as their surname.)
Jul was married twice, first to Kari Jøgersdatter Hande (born in 1751 or 1752) from which came five children. Upon her death in 1787, Jul married again to Kari Reiersdatter Hande (born 1762) from which came another four children. Marit and Kari were distant cousins--Marit's father owned upper Hande farm, while Kari's father was a tenant on lower Hande farm.
It appears that in the 1700s Hjelle farm was owned by the parish and its tenancy was held on a lifetime basis and was inheritable. This tenancy was held jointly by Jul and his mother from 1786, but when she died two years later the entire tenancy would be his. In 1804. Jul and Marit's eldest son, named Torstein (born about 1775), took over half the tenancy. In 1811 Torstein took over the other half as well.
A curious sequence of events transpired in the years following 1808. In that year Hjelle farm was by royal proclamation made the farm of the commander of the Upper Valdres Company of musketeers, a military unit set up for the defence of Norway during the Napoleonic Wars.
These were turbulent times, in which the Norwegians were influenced by international affairs far beyond their control. Norway was governed by Denmark, which was allied with Napoleonic France against Great Britain and its supporters. Britain was the naval giant of the time and in 1807 had in retaliation imposed an effective blockade on Norway. Already dependent on foreign foodstuffs, the people of Norway were nearly brought to starvation when there was a domestic crop failure that same year. It was at this time that potatoes were first introduced as an alternative food supply. The next year, the Danish king declared war on Sweden, bringing Norway into conflict with its eastern neighbor. (This in turn led to Swedish domination of Norway after 1814.)
International politics were thus to have far-reaching consequences for the Hjelle family. The commandant of the Upper Valdres Company was Captain Adam Beck, who had high ambitions. Although he did not live on the farm himself, he evicted the tenants from the farmstead and renovated it to suit the grandeur to which he aspireded. The former residents had to set up new cotter's quarters on the farm. By 1813 Beck's successor as company captain (who also happened to be his son-in-law) moved onto the farm where he would live until 1851. This was Captain Otto Friedrich Mueller, who became a wealthy, colorful personality in the district, best known as the model for the character Captain Jaeger in a popular novel of the time, Familien Paa Gilje (The Family at Hjelle) written by Jonas Lie and illustrated by Erik Werenskiold.
But returning to Jul Torsteinson Hjelle, a story about him comes down to us from those times, published in the book, I Manns Minne: Gamal Valdreskultur III (1944). It seems that the expulsion of Jul and his family from their home by the Upper Valdres Company in 1808 caused them great hardship, leaving them with no shelter or sustenance other than that provided through the goodwill and generosity of others. Unable to obtain justice from the intractable Captain Beck, Jul set off over the uplands to the neighboring valley of Gudbrandsdal to seek redress. Gudbrandsdal was where the larger towns of Lillehammer and Hamar are located, so he may have wished to approach the courts to resolve his grievance. However, he failed to reach his destination; he was never seen or heard of again. The following summer his travel bag, provisions and some other belongings were found beneath an evergreen near the trail. In retrospect, a suspicion of foul play, even murder, has lingered in the minds of his descendants.
Captain Beck, who might have easily been the prime suspect in this bizarre disappearance, is also known as Major Beck in the Norwegian records, indicating he had an advancement in his military career. Although in upper-class circles he was regarded as a pillar of the community, he was intensely disliked by his troops and many of his neighbors. On one occasion at least, he was lynched and beaten by unknown local vigilantes. In fact, after Beck's death it was claimed that his ghost still haunted the community, striking terror into the hearts of the local inhabitants. The parish pastor was commissioned to exorcise Beck's ghost. At the churchyard, it is said, he succeeded in putting the ghost to rest after a valiant struggle with the spirit world!
But what became of the family Jul so unexpectedly left behind? Of the nine children he had by his two Hande wives, only one, Ingri (born 1780) appears to have predeceased him. The eldest daughter Gro (born 1772) had married Nils Alvsen Tvenge in 1800. Torstein, who took the Hjelle tenancy over in 1811, went on to a court challenge of Capt. Mueller's custody of the farm in 1821, assisted by an uncle. This action won compensation of 100 dollars from the Captain. Torstein married twice and had at least six children as a tenant on the Hjelle farm.
Halstein Julson (born 1784) married and went on to live on the Jarstad farm in Vestre Slidre parish.
Marit (born 1788), oldest in the second family, later went to live with her mother's brother Guttorm Reierson Hande (1756-1839), perhaps with her mother Kari, who died at the age of 66 years in 1828.
Reier (born 1791) married Marit Olsdatter Kirkevold, and they operated the Kirkevold farm that she inherited. He died in Vestre Slidre at the age of 100 years and is said to have gone up to the summer pastures just the year before he died! Of their five children, Ola (born 1828) later moved to the Grefsrud farm and became the great-grandfather of Norman Braaten of Maple Grove, Minnesota, and Gunhild (1840-1866?) became the first wife of Peder Halvorson Hande and has many descendants in Polk County, northern Minnesota.
What became of Juel's three other children, Jøger (born 1782), Ola (born 1794) and Ingebiør (born 1796) is unknown.
If rocks could tell the stories they have heard, or if we could climb into a time-machine, we might try to resolve this family mystery so long after the actual events occurred! What was the case that Jul was preparing against an obvious injustice done by the bureaucracy of his day? How did he meet his end up on the highlands between Valdres and Gudbrandsdal? Was he a victim of a murder most foul, and was Major Beck implicated? Was he attacked by animals (maybe even trolls!) in that wilderness region? Or did the harsh elements cause his demise? How did his family manage to survive this obvious blow to their fortunes? Unfortunately, we may never know the answers to all these intriguing questions.
SOURCES
G. Beitrusten, Valdres Bygdebok (1979), I, 340-344.
N. J. Braaten, "The Story of Jul Hjelle: A Tale of Murder Most Foul! ", Budstikken, December 1992, 30 & 43.
H. Drake, Population and Society in Norway, 1735-1805 (1969), Chapter 3.
T. Ey, Vang og Slire (1916), 505-507.
K. Gjersut, History of the Norwegian People (1927), II, 377-416.
C. T. Narvestad, "The Spirit of Major Bech Would Not Lie in Grave, " Budstikken, May 1976, 22 & 31.
Vestre Slidre parish records.
Their children were:
+ 172 F i. Gro Iulsdatter HJELLE was born in 1772 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway.
+ 173 M ii. Torstein Iulson HJELLE was born in 1775 in Vestre Slidre, Norway.
+ 174 F iii. Ingri Iulsdatter HJELLE was born in 1780 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway.
+ 175 M iv. Iøger Iulson HJELLE was born in 1782 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway.
+ 176 M v. Halstein Iulson HJELLE was born in 1784 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway.
71. Knut Iøgerson HANDE was born in 1758 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway and died on 23 Jan 1844 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway, at age 86.
General Notes: Tore Ey, p. 527
Vestre Slidre parish register
G. Beitrusten, pp. 426, 428 & 429
Awarded a prize for good agriculture practices on Øvre Hande farm, 1802
1801 census
Bergen University Digitalarkiv
Knut married Ingri Olsdatter on 20 Oct 1794 in Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway. Ingri was born about 1774 and died about 1862, about age 88. Another name for Ingri was HANDE.
General Notes: Tore Ey, p. 527
Census of Norway, 1801
Probate record
Bergen University Digitalarkiv
Their children were:
+ 177 F i. Ingri Knutsdatter HANDE was born in 1798 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway and died in 1876, at age 78.
+ 178 M ii. Iøger Knutson HANDE was born in 1805 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway and died on 28 Jan 1847 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway, at age 42.
+ 179 M iii. Ola Knutson HANDE was born in 1809 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway.
72. Ingri Jøgersdatter HANDE was born about 1759, died in 1760 in Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway, about age 1, and was buried on 13 Jun 1760.
General Notes: Bergen University Digitalarkiv
73. Ingri Jøgersdatter HANDE was born in 1761, died in 1761 in Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway, and was buried on 4 Jul 1761.
General Notes: Bergen University Digitalarkiv
74. Iohannes Iøgerson HANDE was born in 1762 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway and died on 10 Oct 1831 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway, at age 69.
General Notes: Tore Ey, pp. 527, 530
Vestre Slidre parish records
Census of Norway, 1801
VALDRES BYGEDEBOK, p. 421
Farmed Nedre Hande from ca. 1792
Bergen University Digitalarkiv
Iohannes married Ambiør Tostensdatter HAUGE , daughter of Torstein Kristofferson HELLE and Iartrud Olsdatter HØVE , on 28 Dec 1790 in Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway. Ambiør was born 1767? in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway, died in 1791, and was buried on 6 Jul 1791 in Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway. Other names for Ambiør were HANDE, and QVALE.
General Notes: Bergen University Digitalarkiv
Tore Ey, pp. 479 & 503
Iohannes next married Marit Halvorsdatter IARSTAD "The Younger" , daughter of Halvor Olson HØDNE and Ingri Torsteinsdatter RØINE , on 29 Oct 1792 in Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway. Marit was born in 1772 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway and died on 11 Jul 1849 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway, at age 77. Another name for Marit was HANDE.
General Notes: Tore Ey, pp. 527, 529, 530
Vestre Slidre parish register
Father's probate record
Their children were:
+ 180 F i. Ambiør Iohannesdatter HANDE was born in 1793 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway.
+ 181 M ii. Iøger Iohannesson HANDE was born in 1795 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway.
+ 182 F iii. Ingri Iohannesdatter HANDE was born in 1804 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway and died on 13 Apr 1871 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway, at age 67.
+ 183 M iv. Halvor Iohannesson HANDE was born in 1807 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway.
+ 184 F v. Ingri Iohannesdatter HANDE was born in 1812 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway, died in 1812 in Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway, and was buried on 27 Aug 1812.
75. Sigri Iøgersdatter HANDE was born in 1765 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway.
General Notes: Tore Ey, p. 527
76. Ingri Iøgersdatter HANDE was born in 1768 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway.
General Notes: Tore Ey, p. 527
77. Halsten Iøgersen HANDE was born in 1772 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway.
Birth Notes: Baptized 16 Aug 1772
General Notes: Tore Ey, p. 527
Vestre Slidre parish records
78. Marit Knutsdatter RØN was born in 1732 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway.
General Notes: Tore Ey, p. 628
79. Iul Knutson RØN was born in 1735 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway and died in 1758, at age 23.
General Notes: Tore Ey, p. 628
80. Kari Knutsdatter RØN was born in 1749 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway and died on 27 Jun 1826 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway, at age 77.
General Notes: Tore Ey, pp. 628-9 & 633
Vestre Slidre parish records
1801 Census
Kari married Endre Erikson KVÅLE , son of Erik Einarson KJØS and Marit Olsdatter KVÅLE .
Their children were:
+ 185 M i. Knut Endreson RØN was born in 1768 and died in 1788, at age 20.
+ 186 M ii. Erik Endreson RØN was born in 1770 and died in 1792, at age 22.
+ 187 F iii. Ingri Endresdatter RØN was born in 1773 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway and died in 1849, at age 76.
+ 188 M iv. Ola Endreson RØN was born in 1776 and died in 1804, at age 28.
+ 189 M v. Iul Endreseon RØN was born in 1778 and died in 1831, at age 53.
Kari next married Knut Iøgerson IARSTAD , son of Iøger Halvorson IARSTAD and Ingri Knutsdatter GRANEI , in 1792. Knut was born in 1759 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway and died in 1848, at age 89. Another name for Knut was ULVESTAD.
General Notes: Tore Ey, pp. 524, 628 & 633
Census of Norway, 1801
G. Beitrusten, V. SLIDRE, pp. 408, 429 & 837
Vestre Slidre parish recs.
81. Kari Iensdatter FERE was born in 1743 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway and died about 1782, about age 39.
General Notes: Tore Ey, p. 591
L. Midthaug, VALDRES-SOGA (1944), p. 448
Kari married Ola Monson RØLLANG .
82. Knut Olson KVÅLE was born in 1745 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway and died in 1763, at age 18.
General Notes: Tore Ey, p. 502
G. Beitrusten, V. SLIDRE, p. 318
83. Rangdi Olsdatter KVÅLE was born in 1747 in Vestre Slidre, Valdres, Oppland, Norway.
General Notes: Tore Ey, p. 502
84. Ragnhild Knutsdatter RIDSTE was born in 1741 and died in 1798, at age 57.
Ragnhild married Torgal K. LOMEN .
Ragnhild next married Ola K. ØIGALE .