I discovered a Norwegian family tree that references Sevat Knutson of Stake, Gol, Norway. It doesn’t provide source information and I believe it may include some inaccuracies, but it does introduce some new place names and additional generations to our lineage. Especially interesting to me is a reference to Akershus Festning (Oslo Fortress) as the place of death of Sevat’s father. If, indeed, Knud Endreson died in Akershus Fortress in 1844, he may have been a prisoner. In addition to common criminals, many socialists were imprisoned in Akershus Festning around the time of Knud's death. So, determining how he came to be at Akershus may prove very interesting.
Knud's death may also provide a clue to the emigration of his sons. If he was a common criminal, they may have left to escape the stigma of his circumstances. If he was a political prisoner, they may have left for the promise of a better political climate in America. Certainly, if he spent time in Akershus, his family would have suffered consequences and his sons' departures so soon after his death were likely among them. Any information I can find on prisoners of Akershus festning slaveri, on the political climate of the Hallingdal region before the Knudson's left for America, and on Knud Endreson, in particular, will help in understanding the motivation behind his sons' immigration to America.
More puzzle pieces to examine ...
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