This is the story of eight great American families whose roots trace back to the
windswept Hvaler Islands of Norway: the Berggrens, the Brotons, the Carlsens/Karlsens,
the Grønlis, the Gundersons, the Hansons, the Jensens, and the Strands.
Six of these families were founded by the children of Torine Larsdatter of Hvaler, Norway,
through her marriages to Carl Hansen and later Karl Berggren. The Jensen family descends
from a son of Torine’s sister Oline, while the Grønli family was founded by a son of Torine
and Oline’s sister Andrine.
From Norway to Chicago
Between the late nineteenth century and the early twentieth century, the founders of these
eight families emigrated from Norway and settled primarily in Chicago, Illinois.
- 1901 – Julia Gunderson and her husband emigrated
- 1902 – Karl Karlsen emigrated with his family, joined by Kristian Sofus Jensen
- 1909 – Johann Einar Grønli arrived, staying initially with his cousin Karl
Karl and Julia
Growing restless in the small rural hamlets of Norway’s Hvaler Islands, Karl Theodor Karlsen
left home in 1883 at age 19 to seek work in Oslo. Within three years, he met Olava Emilie Johansen,
whom he married. Their first son, Sverre Eugene, was born in 1886.
Karl worked as a machinist in an Oslo bookbindery while the family grew rapidly, eventually
raising five sons with the help of Karl’s mother, Torine, who moved to Oslo to assist them.
A Family of Sisters
Karl was the only surviving son among seven daughters. His father, Carl Hansen, was a Swedish-born
sailor who was lost at sea in 1871, leaving Torine widowed. She later married Karl Berggren and
had three more daughters.
The Family Church
The family church on Kirkeøy, dating to the year 1000, stood at the spiritual center of this family.
It overlooks the Oslo Fjord and remains a tangible link to the family’s earliest generations.
Eight Great American Families
- Berggren
- Broton
- Carlsen / Karlsen
- Grønli
- Gunderson
- Hanson
- Jensen
- Strand