Aslak Tarjeison Skrei was born and lived in the area of Moland/Fyresdal, Telemark, Norway. He was a restless soul and broke with the tradition of settling permanently on a single farm. According to a Norwegian genealogy written by Bendik Veum, he moved from farm to farm in the district. Aslak was always willing to take on a new challenge, and apparently had the skills and intelligence to succeed at whatever he set out to do. According to oral tradition, there were sometimes "bidding wars" for his services.  He was referred to as "The Gypsy" by many family members.   Aslak inherited his father Tarje's farm on Skree upon his death in 1820.  He is identified as its gaardmand until Aase is baptized in 1833, when Aslak is listed as the gaardmand on Nusvik.  In 1841, when Ole is confirmed, his father is again Aslak Tarjeisen Skree. Records from 1843 show that Aslak and his family are leiglendinger (have a lease) on the Graver farm.   Baptism and Confirmation Records for Aslak's Children The church record from Fyresdal indicates that Aslak died on February 2, 1846 and was buried there on February 9.  It is said that he died as a result of injuries incurred during a stallion fight, a dangerous betting sport that placed  stallions in a pen with a mare in heat, sometimes with riders on the stallions. It is not clear if Aslak was a rider, horse owner or an observer. (He was, after all, 60 years old.) Kristi's brother, Aslach, had already gone to America in 1843. Writing a letter to America and receiving a response took significant time, so we can surmise that Kristi and her husband may have been planning to emigrate at the time of his death.  As a widow with teen-aged children, joining her brother in Wisconsin may have been the family's best option.  Their traveling companions included Kittel Knudsen Snartland and his family, Herjus Osmundsen Grunnevig and his pregnant wife, Anne Gjermundsdtr.  This group signed out of Moland parish together, in entries carrying the date June 29, 1846.  There is an oral tradition that says they left Telemark a few days earlier, on Jonsoksdag, 1846.   The "Udflyttede"

Genealogy for Tarje's Father Aslak Skrei   (1786-1846)      Parents:          Tarje Amundsen Skree  (1749-1820)          Rannei Aslaksdatter  (1753-1813)       Known Siblings:          Amund Tarjeisen   (b. 1789)          Anne Tarjesdtr    (b. 1793)                 Helge  (b. 1795)         According to the 1801 census, Aslak's father, Tarje,  was a farmer in Weum Annex, Skree, Telemark (then known as Bratsberg).  The Aettebog indicates that Aslak's father owned land and the census also indicates there were two servants, a brother and sister, living in the house. 1801 Census - Aslak Skrei Ættebog Entries Ættesoge Entries Family Tree

Genealogy for Tarje's Mother Kristi Olavsdatter Lien   (1796-1867)      Parents:          Ole Aslacsen Lien  (b. 1751)          Aase Tarjesdatter  (b. 1762)       Known Siblings:  Anne Olesdatter   (b. 1782)      Aasne Olesdtr    (b. 1785)      Tone Olesdtr  (b. 1789) Jorond Olesdtr (b. 1792) Aslac Olesen (b. 1794) Tarje Olesen (b. 1798) According to the 1801 census, Kristi's father, Ole,  was a farmer on the Lien farm in Naeslands Anne, Winie, Telemark. Also in the household were Kristi's maternal uncle Trond, two farmhands and a house servant.   1801 Census - Kristi Lien   Family Tree

Obert Grover visited Norway around 1970. This picture shows him surveying the Graver (Gr-ah-ver) farm in Telemark, the place Aslak worked and lived with his family at the time of his death. Like many Norwegian immigrants, Kristi reported the farm name as the family's last name when they entered America. However, in 1850 the census shows the family using the patronymic, "Aslacksen" as a last name. Tarje and Ole returned to the use of the farm name - this time spelled "Grover" rather than "Graver" - in the records in Houston County, MN. It is said that Tarje and Geline pronounced the name properly, but within a generation the pronunciation matched the spelling (Gr-oh-ver). Grover is categorized as a British name in most name directories but make no mistake: These Grovers were strong, proud Norwegian stock!! Interested in more information  about surnames?    Link to the  Surname Web! More About Telemark

Surname Sighting!!    If you travel to Skien, Telemark today,  you might catch sight of a truck wearing the name we might have had!