Stillef Herlofsen Baas, Gudum

Stillef Herlufsen, 1828-1871 ~ Elen Maria Kristensdatter, 1834-1868 (Vestfold, Norway)

Stillef and Elen had a hard life... In 1852 18-year-old Elen from the Eker farm in Nedre Eiker parish, Buskerud married the 24-year-old farmer Stillef Herlufsen from the Tuft farm in Sande, Vestfold. Their daughter, Anne Dorthea, was born the same year. The following years, Elen gave birth to 9 children - all of them were either stillborn or died of "poisoned breast milk" before their 1st birthday. In 1867 Stillef and Elen finally had another daughter, Constance Elvine, who survived infancy; however, happiness was short lived. Ellen died the year after Constance's birth.

Stillef became a father again. He had a daughter, Elise Marie, with Tilla Gunelia Olsdatter the year after Elen's death. Stillef and Tilla had yet another daughter, Stina Olette, 2 years later; however, Stillef was unhappy and he committed suicide the day after Stina was born. - Norwegian parish records and Det norske utvandrersenteret