Hello there!

I've been racking my brain on information for my great-great-grandmother, whose information is a little confusing for me?

I always thought her maiden name was Evensen, from Mandal, Norway, as deduced from other records for her, believe born about 1858/1860. The confusion comes in when her third child's birth certificate, Sadie, has her maiden name as "Stovland?". I began thinking that Stovland might be a place, rather than a name ... and I discovered that Stoveland is in / near Mandal, Norway?

Her mother, as listed on her death certificate, is Anna Thorgensen but father's info is unknown. I know of no other relatives other than the father of her first two children MIGHT have been a Sam Nelson (sons Arthur and Robert, both born in Illinois). She was later married to a Sam Olson (father to Sadie) and the Carl Friesenfeldt.

I'm hoping "Stoveland" might be a new lead, but I've hit a brick wall otherwise. Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions where to go next?

Thanks so much in advance!