David Danielsen of New York and Norway

David Danielsen, brother of my great-grandfather Kristian, traveled back and forth to Brooklyn, New York, where he earned money to send home to his wife and the farm.  Three of his four living children [Hilmar, Emma and David], later joined him in New York to work for various periods of time.  Only one, Kristian Hilmar Danielsen [known as "Hilmar"], failed to return to Norway.  It appears he was also the only use to use the surname Danielsen; I believe the others took the farm name, Vigmostad, as their surname.  Daughter Emma married in New York, returned to Norway to have her daughter, left her with her parents to raise, and returned to New York to live another 15 years or so.  When she returned to Norway for good, it is said she brought a car with her for her daughter to drive.

Here are some photos of David, Hilmar and Emma:

Hilmar Danielsen & father David, ca. 1914

David, Hilmar & Emma Danielsen,
circa 1914

NORWAY RELATIVES

David Danielsen [brother of Kristian] & wife Lise
Haying, circa 1920, Norway

Sofie Kalleberg [sister of David & Kristian], Norway, ca. 1920

& More Photos...

Kristian Danielsen, wife Mary [Reynolds], daughter Mary "Mae" [Danielsen] Williams

MORE PHOTOS

[Click on each photo to enlarge...]

I always assumed the couple with Kristian & Mary [below] were friends or neighbors. 

But I wonder - could this be his sister Kristine & her husband Kornelius Olsen?

Mary and Kristian Danielsen [center]-- with?? ca. 1910

Kristian's children - Christian, Edward, [neighbor girl], and Mae, ca. 1910

 Kristine Danielsdatter & Kornelius Olsen Family - circa 1905

I recall being told by some family member that Kristian Danielsen never collected Social Security in his older years as he was not a U.S. citizen. However, in checking the federal censuses for his family, all indicated he was a naturalized citizen. Eventually I searched for and found his naturalization papers. Funny that his own family did not think he was a citizen...?!  Could be he did not collect S.S. because for most of his working years he was self-employed [as a butcher].

Declaration of Intention filed 1894  - Kristian Danielsen

1894 Signature - Kristian Danielsen

REMINDER...

...to move the family photo of Kristine Danielsdatter Olsen from the side to the main part of the blog.  It's too small where it is---viewers need to be able to click on the photo to enlarge for detail...

WHERE ARE DONALD & MURIEL WILLIAMS?

I'd forgotten to post this... I have been unable to trace the children of Mary "Mae" [Danielsen] Williams Vernet, daughter of Kristian Danielsen [our immigrant ancestor].  Mary married Daniel Williams about 1922/1923, probably in the Bronx, New York.  They had two children, Donald and Muriel, born about 1925 and 1928, respectively.  I've heard Donald was an airline pilot who lived perhaps in California.  I know his mother Mary ended up in California, married to Jean Vernet; she died there as Mary Vernet in 1974.

I've searched for an online obituary for Mary...did find her death record in online indexes but no luck with the obit, which would hopefully list her living descendants.  Does anyone know what became of Donald and Muriel Williams, or know how I might contact their descendants?

KALLEBERG NEWS

Recently received an email from Jon Kalleberg, descendant of my Kristian's sister, Sofie [Danielsdatter] Andreasen Kalleberg.  I had no idea what had happened to her 2 sons, Harald and Andreas after they emigrated to the U.S., so am happy to exchange info with Jon.