The Kragtorp Family History

This web page is dedicated to my ancestors who came to this country from Norway, Sweden and Germany. My brother, Paul, spent many long hours helping me put this information together. Brothers David and Mark also visited the Historical Society of Jackson County, Minnesota, to pour through old records. Our research was initially intended to uncover the origin of the name Kragthorpe. I have expanded my research to include information about my maternal ancestors whose surnames include Beckman and Scharbach. The Kragthorpe name comes from a farm in Hemnes, Norway which was spelled Kragtorp before the name became "Americanized". The farm is still there today. My great, great grandfather, Johan Olsen, and his sons Olai, Peter, Marcus and Andreas came to the U.S. in 1867. I have information going back two generations prior to Johan.I also have much information on the Beckman family from Wadersloh, West Phalen, Germany. Please browse through my reports and family trees and contact me if you have additional information or if you have questions about my research.

John Alan Kragthorpe
145818 Hunters Lane
Savage,MN 55378
A-United States
[email protected]

My Family History

• Surname List


• Index of Individuals




• Sources

Family Photos

• Jalmer and Emma (Krafve) Kragthorpe - 1937 (46 KB)
  This photo of my grandparents, Jalmer & Emma Kragthorpe, was taken in 1937.
• Jalmer and Emma (Krafve) Kragthorpe 1954 (77 KB)
  This phot of my grandparents was taken in 1954.
• The "Magnificent 7" 1937 (157 KB)
  This is a photo of my father Jim Kragthorpe, center, and his brothers & sisters taken in 1937.
• My mother, Dorothy (Beckman) Kragthorpe (145 KB)
  This is a photo of my mother in her senior year at Jordan High School in Jordan, MN.
• Belmont Lutheran Church - Lakefield, Minnesota (27 KB)
  This is the church where many of my ancestors were baptized, confirmed and married.

Family Tree Maker Reports and Trees

• John A Kragthorpe -InterneTree


• User Home Page Outline Descendant Tree: Descendants of Berger Tordsen


• User Home Page Outline Descendant Tree: Descendants of John Herman Hammerbeck


• User Home Page Genealogy Report: Descendants of Berger Tordsen


• User Home Page Genealogy Report: Descendants of John Herman Hammerbeck