HAMSUNS FAMILY: UNCLE OLE AND UNCLE HANS
Knut Hamsun's mother Tora Olsen (b. 11.1.1830, d. 6.1.1919) had two brothers, Ole and Hans, who were central to Knut Hamsun's life.
Ole Olsen (b. 27.3.1825, d. 11.5.1869) had many children, four out of wedlock.
"Illegitimate" child 1: Rønnaug (b. 9.2.1851). Ole is listed in the Lom church register as the father; the child died before baptism. The mother's name was Berith Jonsdatter Frisvold.
"Illegitimate" child 2: Approx. 1856, Senja in Troms, Berg parish. Not found in church register, probably baptized elsewhere.
"Illegitimate" child 3: Juliane Maria (b. 2.11.1859) on Hamarøy. Mother's name was Ingeborg Margrethe Clemetsdatter.
Prison: In 1860, Ole spent 10 days on bread and water in Lillehammer auxiliary prison for impregnating three different women out of wedlock.
"Illegitimate" child 4: Sevald (b. 22.4.1861) in Lom. Mother's name was Kari Erlandsdatter Frisvold: Church book for Lom. Ole denied paternity to avoid a new conviction, and escaped, even though mother said it had been no one else.
Ole married Mari Johannesdatter Sandboeie on 11.11.1862, who was then seven months pregnant. Their children:
Ole Mathias (b. February 1863)
Mari (b. March 1864)
Mari no. 2 (b. 15.3.1866)
When Ole Olsen and his wife Mari Olsen went to Hamarøy in September 1868, Mari was on her way with their fourth child, Olea.
Mari no. 2 (b. 15.03.1866) married Lyder Andersen who bought the farm Hamsund together with his brother Hans Normann in 1891. Hamsun's parents then came to "parental council" on the farm.
Hans Olsen (b. 27.10.1827, d. 11.2. 1890). Unmarried, no children. In the church register for Lom in 1849 he is listed as having moved from his home village to Kristiania. In the church register for Hamarøy "Skrædder Hans Olsen" is listed as having moved in August 1859. He bought a house at the rectory on Hamarøy (close to where The Hamsun Centre is built). In addition to his tailoring business, he traded in cloth, ran a post office and a library.
Knut Hamsun lived with Hans Olsen at the rectory for part of his childhood.
Gray's rectory
Source: Lars Frode Larsen. Edited by Gro Roksand.
Published July 6, 2010
