Dear Kris,
I see your post was a very long time ago, but I was so excited to find it. My Great Grandfather was Alfred Havnaer, and my grandfather was James C. Havnaer who moved west in the early 1900s. My name is Myrna Havnaer Hall. Would love to know how you found out who your GG grandfather was. This is the first I have heard of Joseph who must have been the brother of my grandfather. Why do you think he changed the spelling of the name? I would love to hear more from you.