Martinus’ obituary states that he was born in “Prestzeld, Norway” but this appears to be a misinterpretation of the Norwegian word for “parish”: “prestegjeld.” There is no known parish or town in Norway named “Prestzeld.” [498]

Moved to Anacortes, WA, about 1902. [326]

Some trees on Ancestry.com suggest he was born in Biri, Oppland, but without supporting documentation.

Possible birth record *if* his birthplace was in the parish of Biri, Oppland:
born 16 May 1844 as Martinus Jørgensen, son of Jørgen Engebretsen and Mathea Pedersdatter of the Paradiis farm. Baptised 27 May 1844. Entry No.50.
Source information: Oppland county, Biri, Parish register (official) nr. 5 (1843-1854), Birth and baptism records 1844, page 11.
Permanent pagelink: http://www.arkivverket.no/URN:kb_read?idx_kildeid=...=ny&idx_side=-14
Permanent imagelink: http://www.arkivverket.no/URN:NBN:no-a1450-kb20070201640093.jpg

No birth/baptism records in May 1846 in Biri provide as close a match.


www.bing.com and kart.gulesider.no show there is a street named “Paradisvegen” in the village of Biri.
kart.gulesider.no also shows the label “Pardis” over a residential area in Biri at 60.94925 North, 10.62586 East.

Unable to locate emigration records for Biri parish in the 1862-66 range. I have been advised that church records for the years 1789-1814 and 1854-1877 were destroyed in a fire on 12 Sept 1890 (Norwegian Genealogy Group on Facebook, 30-NOV-2013). Searches also came up negative at http://www.slektshistorielaget.no/kilder/gjovik/da...riSnd/index_eng.html

According to the "Jorgensen/ Pardis/ Blyberg" public tree on Ancestry.com (owner = smilla2), Martinus had 7 siblings. Also indicates his mother's first name was Ingeborg, with Mathea being a middle name.