Jan Erik Norberg (Mattsen)

Jan Eric was born in Sweden. He was a Seaman in Swedish Navy and apparently jumped ship in NZ. He was first traced being in NZ in Wairoa. He married Carrie Morgan and they settled in Dannevirke. He and Carrie had children

John Eric Mattsen came to NZ about 1872 or 1878. His real name was Jan Eric Norberg from the parish Vaddo in Sweden. It is believed that he was born in 2/08/1860 and his parents were Matts Norberg and Johanna Andersdotter.

In NZ he first lived at Wairoa and then him and his wife moved to Dannevirke. In Dannevirke they had 7 children and got separated in 1916. The children all got sent to an orphanage in Nelson.

Jan Eric was sent to 4 months hard labour for threatening to blow up his wife and their boarder James Cotterell. Carrie and James went on to have a child called James Gordon Cotterell Mattsen who is buried at the Dannevirke cemetry.

He nationalised himself twice apparently. I have papers of both, but find it had to believe he managed to do that. He spoke very little English so its possible they could have misunderstood him

Jan Eric died in Dannevirke in 1934 and is buried in the Dannevirke cementry with Marion Mattsen - his grandaughter.

He lost his leg in an accident when his oxen cart feel on his leg. He was involved in clearing trees in the Dannevirke area.

I visited a farm in Dannevirke where he lived ... an old Man from the Museum took me there. The old mans fondest memories of Jan Eric was him giving him golden syrup sandwiches.

I have managed to make contact with his family in Sweden and chat to them frequently on facebook.