249 Surnames. Most popular: Andersen, Blinco, Blincoe, Davidson, Feeman, Hansen, Kidwiler, Landsrud, Larsen, Lengel, Medlar, Medler, Mettler, Nielsen, Pedersen, Powell, Rasmussen, Ruvolis, Sorenson, Stephens, Witt.
We are currently focused on researching the surnames of my children's four grandparents: Witt, Davidson, Medlar and Powell.
Born in Neumünster, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, Ditlev Karl Witt and Wife Lisette Vod de Furster fled the Prussian war to Denmark. Their son, Karl, with family in tow, emigrated from Denmark in 1888 aboard the SS Thingvalla. During that journey the Thingvalla collided with the SS Geiser near Nova Scotia. 105 Geiser passengers perished.
Peder Davidson and his bride Carne (Karen) left Nordfjord, Norway about 1867 for Pope County, MN. They relocated to Alexandria, MN by 1880 and spent the rest of their lives there. Their seven children spread out creating little Davidsons all over the US. The Davidson line also descends from Winslow's, Colton's, Walker's and other prominent 17th Century New England families. The Winslow line directly descends from King Edward I and other British royalty. And, if you really want to have some fun, you can trace that line back to before the year 100 to a person named Godwulf.
The Powells have undergone some name changes which we have had a hard time tracking down. As recently as a generation ago the family name was Parvolis.
The Medlars have a very interesting history, primarily in Jefferson County West Virginia. Sebastian Mettler from Frederick Maryland fought in many Revolutionary War battlers. his son, Henry was a Colonel in the US Army and was involved in the raid of the armory at Harper's Ferry. Henry's son, Napoleon Medler was a Confederate soldier in the Civil War in the 2nd Virginia Infantry. We have reason to believe that cousins fought for the Union in the war.
We also have 500 years of my paternal grandmother's Larsen history. Peder Hanssen, born in 1500, was the superintendant of the Castle at Hagenskov, Denmark.
With much thanks to our friend Dick Nordvold, we have Landsrud information to the year 1768 in Vestre Slidre, Norway.
Always eager to share with others!
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