The photographer is Francis in Crookston Minn according to the Minnesota Historical Society Directory of Photographers he was in business in Crookston during 1885, 1888 and 1890.
Rena Ensby
Thanks for stopping by. Do come again.
Update from Lars:
Oline from yesterday came from Øyer in Norway. The only place in Norway I can find a farm called Ensby is in Øyer. So that is a link to 1572... Øyer is not a very big community.
In 1885, a girl called Rønnaug Ensby emigrated from Norway, destined for Crookston. The way Rønnaug is pronounced in Norwegian sounds a bit like Rena, so perhaps she simplified her name. It says there that she was 20 when she emigrated, but she might have been 30, as the only Rønnaug (Rønoug) I could find at Ensby in 1854 (1875 census).
This photo went Full Circle 110 on March 24 2015
In 1885, a girl called Rønnaug Ensby emigrated from Norway, destined for Crookston. The way Rønnaug is pronounced in Norwegian sounds a bit like Rena, so perhaps she simplified her name. It says there that she was 20 when she emigrated, but she might have been 30, as the only Rønnaug (Rønoug) I could find at Ensby in 1854 (1875 census).
This photo went Full Circle 110 on March 24 2015
I suspect, but cannot prove, that Ren[n]a was the (oldest) daughter of Louis and Emma nee Hanson Ensby: Find A Grave Memorial# 51540058. Rena shows up in the 1890 city directory for Spokane, Washington working as a domestic. Perhaps Emma was related to the Hanson in Photo Number 1572.
ReplyDeleteThis is a theory...
ReplyDeleteOline from yesterday came from Øyer in Norway. The only place in Norway I can find a farm called Ensby is in Øyer. So that is a link to 1572... Øyer is not a very big community.
In 1885, a girl called Rønnaug Ensby emigrated from Norway, destined for Crookston. The way Rønnaug is pronounced in Norwegian sounds a bit like Rena, so perhaps she simplified her name. It says there that she was 20 when she emigrated, but she might have been 30, as the only Rønnaug (Rønoug) I could find at Ensby in 1854 (1875 census).
(If this is the one, it makes her too old to be the daughter of Emma Hanson Ensby, but she could be related otherwise, of course. I could not find Louis or Emma Ensby in the Norwegian archives.)
Someone is asking for traces of Rønnaug in America here.
Thanks Lars, Can you reply to the person asking for traces? Thanks!
DeleteI found a Sidsel Ensby Engh
ReplyDeleteBirth: Sep. 18, 1857, Norway
Death: Dec. 19, 1928
Pennington County
Minnesota, USA
Saint Hilaire Cemetery
Saint Hilaire
Find A Grave Memorial# 70534934
Might this be her? Or perhaps a sister?
LarsI, I see from your census link that Sidsel was indeed "Rena" sister.
DeleteWith the census link, we can also answer this request...
DeleteThat gaze just captures your attention, doesn't it? I know she was just holding still for the camera, but it does have a lingering "Mona Lisa" -like effect. Makes you wonder what she was thinking...
ReplyDeleteIf you look closely, the women in pics 1572 & 1573 appear to be wearing the same dress, so I am assuming the thoughts that they are related is probably correct. ~Abra
ReplyDeleteGoodness, Abra is right. In fact, to me, they look like the same person.
DeleteI am so happy I stumbled upon your blog! I believe this Rena Ensby is my great great aunt- Ronnog Simensdatter Ensby born 1854. I am a descendant of her sister Berte. How can I get a copy of this picture?! Thank you, Karla Carter
ReplyDeleteHi Karla Contact me by clicking on the yellow flower on the left. My email can be found there in my profile. Thanks Connie
ReplyDeleteI will mail this photo to Karla on Monday January 26 2015 :)
ReplyDelete