Helmer and Ole Nelson Emigrate to the United States

 

Before emigrating to the United States, Helmer and Ole Nelson lived with their parents on the farm called "Berget" in Stange, Norway.

1900 Census Record for Nils Evensen family
1900 Census Record for Nils Evensen family

Two older daughters, Helen Nilsdatter and Berte Nilsdatter, had already moved out.

On March 26, 1908, Helmer left Stange and started on his move to the United States (Emmigration record for Helmer Nelson). It is unknown how he traveled on the first leg of his journey, but for the second leg he boarded the ship S/S Ivernia of the Cunard Line in Liverpool.

S/S Ivernia
S/S Ivernia

He landed in Boston on April 1, 1908 and proceeded directly to Oscar Township in Minnesota to the farm of Henry Haldorsen (1910 Census Record) where he worked for many years.

In 1914, Helmer Nelson went back over seas.  At this time, it is unknown if he returned all the way to Norway, or only as far as England.  However, a passenger list record lists him together with Ole Nelson and their cousin Edwin Rongstad.  Ole emigrated from Stange on February 26, 1914 (Emmigration record for Ole Nelson).

No information is currently available about their trip from Stange, Norway to Liverpool, England, however the following description of a similar trip probably matches pretty close: A voyage from Norway to America in 1911.  On March 7, 1914, Helmer, Ole, and Edwin boarded the ship Mauretania in Liverpool and set sail for the United States.

RMS Mauretania
RMS Mauretania

Also listed in their party is a Sevrine Nelson, age 18, who is listed as a cousin to Helmer and Ole with their father, Nils Evensen, as her closest relative back in Norway.  They have all listed Osseo, Wisconsin, as their final destination and the residence of Ole Rognstad.  At that time, Ole Rognstad was living in Hale Township, Trempealeau County, Wisconsin.

In May, 1918, Helmer Nelson returned to Europe, this time as a member of Company I, 132nd Infantry of the 33rd Division.  He landed in Brest, France, on May 24 after sailing across on the SS Mount Vernon.

SS Mount Vernon
SS Mount Vernon

He returned back to the United States on the same ship, arriving in New York Harbor on May 17, 1919.