Ingeborg Refling Hagen's grandparents

Ingeborg's parents were Johanne Hagen and Hans Petter Hagen. She came from the Ringsaker district, he from Biri.

Two grandmothers

Johanne's and Hans Petter's mothers were both named Johanne. The difference between these similarly named women, was striking:

Ingeborg's maternal grandmother, Johanne Bakken, dwelled in the Hagen family. The children enjoyed her singing and story telling. She knew local stories from Ringsaker - several of which were later written down by the Norwegian autor Tryggve Andersen in his book "I Cancellieraadens Dage". And of course she knew fairy tales...
Ingeborg described her "open smile".

Ingeborg's paternal grandmother was dark-haired -
Only one photography of her is known, and she seems reserved and harsh. Ingeborg saw her only once - and found her frightening.

Two grandfathers

Ingeborg's mother was born outside matrimony. Her father is in the family tradition called "overjeger Refling". He wanted to marry her, but his family did not accept her. In her grief, she denied to report who was her child's father. Her neighbours used the name of a man newly emigrated to the US, who is still said to be Ingeborg's maternal grandfather in the local parish registry.

We hardly know anything about Ingeborg's paternal grandfather, Ole Undsethagen. His hand writing is seen in an old family bible. First he wrote his and his wife's name and the date of their marriage, later his children's names and birth dates. His writing was firm and clear at first, but you can tell from the last note that he is old and weary.

<= - =>

[Ingeborgmuseet]