Christine, Elsie, Victor and Mabel's Baptismal Records but where is John's?

 

Anders and Anna's first five children were born on their farm near Jewell, Iowa before the family moved to Oklahoma in 1901.  The family were members of the Jewell Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation.  Most Norwegians were of this Christian denomination.  I have been able to find all the baptismal records of the children expect for John.  It was either not written down correctly or possibly he was baptized at another church.  I have a theory, but first need to research it.   


First up is Christine Dorthea, who was born on March 28, 1892.  She was baptized on June 12, 1892 by Rev. N.G Peterson.  Her Godparents where her maternal grandparents, Christ and Dorthea Miller, her aunt and uncle Ingeborg and Peder Lund and someone named T Talem.  

 

Christine's Baptism Record

 
 
Christine Dorthea

 
 
 
 
 
 

Elsie Theodora was born on January 23, 1894 at the home of her parents.  She was baptized on March 11, 1894 by N. G. Peterson and her Godparents were Bertha Gilbertson, Gina Gilbertson, Michael Gilbertson, Lars Solerus, and Julius Jacobson.  I have not been able to figure out how these godparents were connected to Anders and Anna. 

 

Elsie Theodora's Baptism Record  

Elsie Theodora



John Oly was born on March 14, 1896.  It is odd that there isn't a record of his baptism, because the outfit John has on in the photo below looks very much like a baptism gown.    


John Oly


 

Victor was born on October 16, 1898 and was baptized by C.J. Eastvold on Sunday November 13, 1898.   His Godparents were his maternal grandfather Christ Mueller/Miller, his cousin Inger Lund  and Gilbert and Bertha Kringlen.  The Kringlen's were neighbors of the Olson's and lived just across the road on the next mile section.  I noticed on the baptism record they spelled his name as "Viktor"  It is also interesting to note that he wasn't given a middle name.  

 

Victor's Baptism Record 

 
 
 
Land Records showing that the Olson's and Kringlen's were neighbors

 
 
Victor Olson 
 

 

Mabel was born on July 19, 1900 and was baptized on September 16, 1900 by C.J. Eastvold.  Her Godparents were Kristine Falk, who was the niece ( I think) of Peter Lund, who was the husband of Anders's sister Ingeborg.  Elias Olson, Sjur Skare and her cousin Elsie Lund were also named as her Godparents.    

Mabel's Baptism Document 

 
 
Mabel Olson



 When I visited Bethesda Lutheran Church in June, I took a picture of Victor in front of their Baptismal font.  


  

But then one of the church members tells me they have the original alter, baptismal font and communion railings from the original church upstairs and asked if I would like to see it.  I was like," yes please!"  

 

Interior shot of the old church.  


  

The old alter, railing, baptism font and the statue of Jesus 

 
 
The alter and statue are circled in green on the older picture.  The railings I circled in red.

 
 
The baptismal font is circled in blue on the old picture.  This was used when Christine, Elsie, Victor and Mabel were baptized.  It gave me chills to see everything. 

 
 
Of course I had to take another picture of Victor by the old baptismal font.  

I am pretty sure that John was also baptized at the church as well and someone just didn't record the event.  There is a small chance he was baptized at another church, but will have to see.  I did check St Petri's church in Story City, but there was no record for John.   I am curious to why Anders and Anna did not ask Anders' sister Elsie Jondall or her family in Story City Iowa to be a Godparent. 


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What was the draw for Anders and Christ to move from Iowa to Oklahoma?

Image
What motivated Anders Olson  and Christ Miller to up and move their families to Oklahoma?  They were well established in Jewell, Iowa with homes, a farm with good friends and family.  Anders had only recently purchased farm land from his FIL Christ Miller in September 1895.   Anders would have to leave his two sisters and their families and start anew in Oklahoma.  His children wouldn't have the opportunity to grow up with their cousins.  I am sure it was a hard decision to make.    Document showing Anders' purchase of Christ Miller's farm near Jewell   Christ and Dora moved into Jewell and set up a home there.   As I have written before, Christ had become quite active in the city life of Jewell.  He seemed to be dealing in real estate and taking an active role in city affairs, even running for city council.  He was well respected in his community.     Newspaper articles started appearing in the local papers aro...
Read more

Parsons Children's School Enrollment

Image
Recently came across these school enrollments for Gerald, Thelma, Elmer and Vada for the school years 1929-1934   1929 In 1929 the family lived at 1019 W. Grove in Perry, Oklahoma.  Their mother Mabel Parsons enrolled them in the Perry Schools.  At the time Gerald was 12 years old, Thelma was 8 years old and Elmer was just six years old.  Vada was to young at this time to attend school.  They were enrolled on January 21, 1929.  1930 In 1930 their father Ralph Parsons enrolled them in school near Yukon, Oklahoma.  It appears they lived in Frisco Township.  Gerald was 13 years old, Thelma was 10 years old and Elmer was 7 years old.  They were enrolled on February 10, 1930.    1931 In 1931 the kids were enrolled in "Old Hydro" number five near Deer Creek in Caddo County Oklahoma.  They were enrolled on January 23, 1931 by their father.  Gerald was 14 years old, Thelma was 10 years old, Elmer was 8 years old and Vada was just ...
Read more

Witness in a murder trial! Ralph E Parsons 1914

Image
 While doing some newspaper research, I came across this school notice that Ralph Parsons dismissed school for a couple of days since he was needed as a witness in the trial of the State vs. Joe Myers.  This piqued my interest of what the trial was even about.  Of course after some quick research I found out what had happened.   Murder! The article below explains what happened when Joe Myers murdered his fellow farmer and friend Buck Story.  I have a couple of questions.  Was Ralph Parsons a witness to the murder or was he called as a character witness in the trial?  Now I have to see if I can find the court records and see why Ralph Parsons was needed at the trial.  The murder occurred near Lindsay, Oklahoma  on December 23, 1913 and the trial was held in February of 1914.  At this time Ralph was a teacher at Lindsay School.    So, did Joe Myers get sent prison or was he acquitted of Buck Story's murder?  See below to fin...
Read more