Photo of my 3X great grandfather Nils Jensen of Eidanger, Norway?

A lovely old photo found in the possession of an aged cousin. Circa mid 1800's judging by the gentleman's clothing. Why had the family saved this photo? Saved through more than a couple of generations. Most likely an ancestor, but who? Another cousin has guessed it to be our third great grandfather Nils Jensen (1812-1897), but he admits honestly that was just a "shot in the dark".  This ancestor? proudly posed and paid for a studio portrait. In remembrance of a special occasion or just for the family to have a remembrance of him? We likely will never now know. It saddens me but I too will keep this photo of someone who likely? perhaps? maybe never? was part of our family. Whoever he is, I feel I owe him at least that much.

Another reminder to mark every photo with name, date and place.
Someone, somewhere. someday, just may want to know.

**click on photos to enlarge for easier viewing**

My "Brick Wall" - great great great grandfather Nils Jensen

Everyone researching their family history has a "brick wall". That ancestor that brings your research to a dead end. For me that ancestor is my 3X great grandfather Nils Jensen.
Much is available about Nils and his wife Johanne and their lives on the family farm Øvald. An Eidanger bygdebok (local farm history book) mentions them as famous for their entertaining on the Eidanger fjord. This is an etching of Nils and Johanne.

The rights to the farm Øvald came through Johanne's father Ole Gundersen. The first time we hear of Nils is in the Norwegian Eidanger church parish record of their marriage. The record although in Norwegian and over 150 years old is very legible and even I as an American not versed in Norwegian can read quite clearly his name (Nils Jensen) and the date of his birth (1812) and the name of his father (Jens Hansen). The record also clearly states that Nils was born in Bamble. The 1865 Norwegian National Census states Porsgrunn and bygdeboken states the same. And that is where it ends. Before his marriage to Johanne, Nils and his father Jens are nowhere to be found. I have searched the 1801 census extensively for Jens and scoured the Bamble, Porsgrunn (and surrounding area) parish birth records in a 10 year window for the birth of Nils.......................no luck. Did the marriage record of Johanne and Nils state the wrong patronymic for his father Jens? I can't believe Ole would give his wife in marriage to someone who just showed up in town, someone without family and history?

WHERE DID YOU COME FROM NILS??????

I GIVE UP! 

Well, for now anyway, but I have quit before and as the Terminator said "I'll be back".

chip chip chip chip chip....someday, somehow, someway I will find you Nils and Jens. Just you wait and see.

1865 Norwegian National Census - Øvald, Eidanger, Telemark

This census shows my 3rd great grandparents Nils Jensen and Johanne Olsdatter and their family. They live on Øvald, considered the family farm and occupied by my family since the mid 1600's. Johanne is the seventh generation on the farm. The farm is actually a small part of the Prestegaarden or priests property, owned by the Norwegian State church. Their oldest son, Gunder Nilsen, will inherit the right to farm Øvald. Gunder and Marthe Marie are my 2nd great grandparents. My great grandfather, Nils, will be born in 1875, ten years after this census.

CLICK HERE to view the online census

Nils and Johanne were known for their entertaining/party skills. I do not know if this was a side job to earn some extra money or they just enjoyed having family and friends over.

My 3rd great grandparents:

Nils Jensen 1812-1897

Johanne Elisabeth Olsdatter 1809-1884

(click on documents or pictures to enlarge for easier viewing)