Knaphus Family Organization
May, 2002
Summer Reunion Planned -Volunteers Anyone?
- Mark your calendars now for a Knaphus Family Reunion for the descendants of Torleif (and Millie & Marie) and Andrew (and Myrtle). However, we need 4 of you from each of Andrew and Torleif's descendants to serve on the committee. If you would like to help out or would like to nominate someone (here's your chance!), please call John Gerritsen at (801) 943-1446 within two weeks. It will be held at a park on Sunnyside Avenue in Salt Lake City on Saturday, July 27, 2002. The Hogle Zoo and Pioneer State Park are conveniently located nearby for a day of fun. Plan on coming!
www .knaphusfamily.org
- We're now on the Internet. This is just a starting point of what we would like the page to become. We would appreciate your help in adding to and making this site a working site for information, photos,
histories, etc. Your help is needed to make this a complete site that would be of value for all the family.
Please contact Tyler Gerritsen, the webmaster, at brothertyler@hotmail.com for suggestions and additions. He particularly needs information about Andrew's family. His number is (801) 583-2948.
Descendants of:
Andrew L. Knaphus Myrtle C. Christensen &
Torleif S. Knaphus "Millie" Christensen & Rebecca Marie Jacobsen
A family representative of yours has given us an updated list of descendants of the two Knaphus
brothers. Can you imagine that there are 864 identified descendants? You are part of their legacy.
We've kept your personal data confidential, but have listed your name on the web site so you can see
the names of the descendants and your cousins, second cousins, etc. Any inquiries to personal data of
the descendants like, birth dates, places, or mailing lists, you may contact Allen Gerritsen at
apgerritsen@earthlink.net or call him at (801) 278-8079. Any changes or updates on moves, births and
deaths would be appreciated (however, the deaths themselves are not appreciated!).
Update on Family History (Genealogy)
The work is continuing. Those interested in a current copy of the GEDCOM file of the direct-line
ancestors, please email Allen Gerritsen at apgerritsen@earthlink.net or call him at (801) 278-8079. Or
you can download a fairly recent copy from Genealogy. You can put the GEDCOM file onto Personal Ancestral File (PAF) or most any other genealogy program.
Research and modifications are constantly being made so more of the names can be submitted for
temple work. Only a small portion of the indirect line has been entered onto PAF .The indirect line
was about two thirds of Torleif and Andrew's research. So we have quite a ways to go in entering the names and doing the temple work! Your financial contributions are much needed and appreciated for this great work to continue which the Knaphus brothers started. Please help with this effort, and mail contributions to the "Knaphus Family Organization" in the enclosed envelope to:
- Knaphus Family Organization
c/o Becky Beddoes, Secretary/Treasurer
8805 South 1595 East
Sandy, Utah 84093
Tidbits on Norwegian Genealogy & the Knaphus Line
- Before record keeping began, only first names were used, for example Jon or Eric. With the small
population and the lack of mobility of the people, individuals only went by one name. That's why
you will see some names in our pedigree as just one name.
- As the population grew, individuals needed to be identified with last names. Patronymic names
were established in Norway (and most of Scandinavia). "Patronymic names" means that the son takes on the name of the father, as his last name, with sen"(meaning son ofı) on the end. For example, Eric's son Paul would have the name Paul Ericsen. In 1901 a law was passed in Norway which virtually ³froze" people's last name. Patronymic names didn't continue.
- As most know, Knaphus is a farm name. Norwegians commonly took on the farm name where they
lived as a second last name. In our pedigree, you'll see some individuals with the patronymic name including the farm name after.
- Some of Norway's old county's names have been changed. Of particular interest for our family, the
county of ³Stavanger" was changed to Rogaland. However, there is still the major port city of Stavanger. So the Knaphus' are from Vats, Rogaland (not Stavanger), Norway.
- Most parishes throughout Norway began keeping records in the 1700s. In Vats, the parish started in 1786. Prior to that time, court records and family records were used. It's rare to know Norwegian ancestors prior to the 1600s. We're blessed to have the research work of Torleif and Andrew.
- Here are some interesting facts about our direct-line ancestors:
- Jon Jonsen Packe (born 1490 in England then moved to Norway) was the first book printer in Norway Jorgen Eriksen (born 1535 in Denmark then moved to Norway) introduced the Lutheran faith into Norway; he was a Bishop in Bergen, Norway.
- Elling Simonsen (born abt. 1542) assisted Bishop Jorgen Eriksen in the Reformation. He was
a Lutheran Minister in Finnoy, Rogaland, Norway.
- There are several (about ten) Lutheran Ministers in our direct line ancestors.
- Oluf Hotch (born 1484) and his son Laurits Olufsen Hotch (born 1517) were both mayors.
- Viking of Torsnes (born abt. 1174) is our earliest known non Royal-line ancestor.
- Gecelia Hokansen (born abt. 1220) was the Princess of Norway. Her ancestor (and ours) was
- King Harold of Jynland (born abt. 840). He is our earliest documented direct-line ancestor (Jynland was the name of the land before Norway).
Thanks for helping to return the hearts of the children to their fathers.