Jens Ericson (1842-1933)as the eldest son of Eric Jenson (1820-1898) and Guri Oldsdatter (1820-1889), being one of 9 children (not counting two that both died before age 1) who were raised on the "rented" Bjørkerud homesite on the Pletan Farm north Eggedal, Norway.
Eight of the nine left Norway for better opportunities in America: Jens in 1869, Ole between 1869-1880, Gunder in 1866, Martha in 1869, Anne in 1880, Ingeborg in 1880, Mari in 1880 and Ragne in 1876. Eric Ericson stayed behind with his parents.
Instead of using their second name (Ericson and Ericsdatter) as their last name in America, they all "borrowed" the farm name of Pletan as a third (last) name. No one else who came to America from Norway carried the name Pletan with them. So all known persons using the name Pletan in America are direct descendants of Jens Ericson Pletan or one of his brothers, Ole & Gunder. His married sisters became Mrs. Reier Baasen (Martha), Mrs. Ole Bergan (Ingeborg), Mrs. Ole Roise (Mari), and Mrs Oluf Brekkestrand (Ragne). Anna did not marry.
The PLETAN FAMILY TREE 2006 Book listed below focuses just on the Ancestors and Descendants of Jens Ericson Pletan and his wife Sigrid Nilsdatter. Click on .pdf and you can download the book using Acrobat Reader.
The book is about 100 pages in length and includes about 1000 names, of which over 800 are blood-relatives that were born and raised in America.
Corrections and additons are always appreciated. I am also collecting old Pletan Family photos and stories that can be added to future versions of the book.
Please help perpetuate and retain the Pletan Heritage!
Feel free to contact the author for genealogy information on other blood related family names, including Evavold, Risbrudt, Helleckson, Lillemoen, Stave, Nelson (Nicolia), etc.
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Ancestors & Descendants of Jens Ericson Pletan