I am searching for info on Serine Olsen who was last known to live in South Bend, WA in 1912. She was 65 years old at that time. She was born at Mobak (farm name?) in Norway on May 28, 1847 to Gudmund Tollefsen Skavern and Helene Oldsdatter Eggen. She came to Wisconsin in 1885 and later to Washington around 1900. She was married in Norway to Johan Olsen Stremsrud from Grue, Solør, Norway. They had a daughter named Gina.

Any info would be appreciated. Thank you.

I have little info about Serine Skavern: She married johan olsen in Trysil 1874 May 15. Johan Olsen was Brother of Martin Olsen (later Østbu)who was my great grandfather. Martin had many children and lot of them came to America in the beginning of 1900 and setled in Wisconsin surnamed Ostby. Parents to Johan and Martin was Ole Pedersen and Maren Johansdatter from(lived in) Grue, Hedmark. I found Serine (38 yr) and daughter Gina (9yr)in the shipslist:Emigranter from Oslo September 10. 1885, but I din`t find Johan in the list. I`m live in Norway and was raised in Trysil Hilsen Gunnar Østbu

Thank you, Gunnar, for your reply to my post. I appreciate it very much. Serine was the daughter of my Great-Grandmother (Helene Skavern) on my mother's side. I knew Serine had originally settled in Wisconsin but didn't know the town. I only recently learned that Helene came to the USA so I have been trying to trace her. She did not settle in the area my grandmother (Anne Skavern from Gammelgarden, near Osen, Norway) which was South Dakota.

My Norwegian family comes from the Trysil/Stange areas and the area around Osen, Norway. Both of my grandparents came to the USA in the early 1900's...my grandfather in 1900 and my grandmother in 1906.

My computer is down so I having using one at a local library to check in every so often.

Thanks again,
Margaret

Hi Gunnar,
Back in 2003 you sent me some information re: Johan & Serine Olsen. I thought you might be interested in what I've found on them.
I was given a copy of a letter Serine had written in 1912 telling a little about her life in Norway and in Wisconsin USA. They lived in a town called Abbotsford in Wisconsin. They farmed about 40 acres and after their house burned they moved to town and opened a store. They moved to the town of South Bend in the State of Washington after living in Wisconsin for 15 years. I was able to find their obituaries which are below.

Willapa Harbor Pilot June 23, 1916
John Olsen, aged 65, who had been ill a long time of chronic heart disease and nephritis, passed away at the family home in Eklund Park last Monday (19 June 1916) morning about 3 o'clock. The funeral was held Tuesday afternoon at 3 o'clock from the R. S. Henderson chapel, Revs. Larsen and Gilman Park officiating. He is survived by his widow and a daughter, Mrs. Crawford of Oregon, formerly Mrs. Helen Dixon, who was librarian here in 1910-1911. The interment was in Odd Fellows Cemetery.

Raymond (Washington) Herald, Friday, March 3, 1922
Mrs. Sol Smith (Serine Skavern Olsen), a resident of Eklund Park for the past 18 years, died at the Riverview hospital last Sunday (Feb 26, 1922) following an illness of heart trouble since last summer. She was taken seriously ill last September and for a time appeared to be on the road to recovery when she suffered a setback, being quite ill ever since.
Deceased was born in Norway on October 10, 1848, (I have a different birthdate) being 74 years of age. She was the widow of John Olson, a long time resident of Pacific County. On November 4, 1920, she was married to Judge Sol Smith of South Bend. In addition to her widower, she is survived by a daughter Mrs. Helen Crawford of Los Angeles, who had been with her since December in her illness.
The funeral was held from the South Bend Baptist church Tuesday afternoon. Rev. Joseph Weiss, pastor of that church and Rev. Percy Davies, pastor of the Methodist church, officiating. Interment was at the 1.O.O.F. cemetery. Albro Dickinson of this city had charge of the funeral.

According to the 1910 census for South Bend, Washington, their daughter was divorced and had a son named Vern. I can find no record of him after he was listed on that census as being 5 years old and living with his grandparents and mother Helen Dixon (Gina Helene).

Hope this is of interest to you....
Marge in Michigan