Using the ABC method described in Using Artificial Intelligence In the Ancestor Biography Creation (ABC) Process, here is another ancestor biography using the Anthropic Claude Sonnet 4.5 AI tool.
3) The Anthropic Claude Sonnet 4.5 biography (lightly edited) is:
The Leland Family: A Norwegian-American Journey
Torger's Early Years in Norway
Torger Sjursen entered the world on March 26, 1850, in the mountain village of Mølster, Voss, in the Hordaland region of Norway. He was born into a farming family during a time when Norway was experiencing significant economic hardship and population pressures that would eventually drive thousands to seek new opportunities across the Atlantic.
His parents were Sjur Torgersen (1804-1889) and Brithe "Brita" Olsdatter (1818-1895). Torger was christened on June 9, 1850, in the Voss church, following the Lutheran traditions that were central to Norwegian village life. He grew up with four siblings:
Ole Sjursen (1851-1914), born December 16, 1851, in Gjelle, Voss
Mathias Sjursen (1853-1856), born December 19, 1853, who tragically died at age three after the family's immigration to America
Ingeborg Isabel Sjursdatter (1856-1939), born September 2, 1856, in Wisconsin after the family's arrival
Anna Mathea Sjursdatter (1859-1892), born June 8, 1859, in Wisconsin
In the spring of 1856, when Torger was just six years old, the Sjur Torgersen family made the momentous decision to leave Norway forever. They joined Sjur's brother, Ivar Torgersen, and his family on this journey into the unknown. This was during the height of Norwegian emigration to America, when crop failures, limited farmland, and tales of abundant opportunities in the New World prompted entire communities to uproot themselves.
The family boarded the sailing ship Hebe in Bergen, Norway's historic port city. Despite being a new vessel, the Hebe proved remarkably fast, completing the Atlantic crossing in just three weeks—an unusually short voyage for a sailing ship of that era. They landed in Quebec, Canada, and from there began an arduous overland journey that took them by steamboat, canal boat, and railroad train through Canada and into the American Midwest.
Their destination was Chicago, and from there they traveled to Milwaukee before taking a railroad train to Edgerton in Rock County, Wisconsin. Finally, they made their way to Section 25 in the town of Deerfield, Dane County, where they were welcomed by Bryngel Larsen, an acquaintance from Norway who had already established himself in the area. Ivar Torgersen’s wife, Kari Larsdatter, was the sister of Bryngel Larsen and their family was on Liland farm west of Voss, Norway.
The journey was not without its sorrows. Young Mathias, who had been born in Norway, died in 1856 at the age of three, shortly after the family's arrival in Wisconsin—a tragic reminder of the hardships that pioneer families endured.
Growing Up in DeerfieldBy 1860, ten-year-old Torger was settling into life in Deerfield, Dane County, Wisconsin. The census taker that year recorded his father as "Seeva Torgason," reflecting the challenges immigration officials and census takers faced with Norwegian names. The family worked hard to establish themselves, farming the fertile Wisconsin soil that was so different from the rocky terrain of Norway.
As a young man of twenty, Torger was working as a farm laborer, living with the Andrew Less family in Dunkirk, Dane County, in 1870. This was typical for young Norwegian immigrants—working for established families to gain experience and save money before starting their own households.
Becoming American: A New Name and New CitizenshipBy 1876, the Sjur Torgersen family had made an important cultural transition. They abandoned the traditional Norwegian patronymic naming system (where children took their father's first name as their surname) and adopted "Leland" as their permanent family surname. This shift reflected their desire to adapt to American customs and avoid the spelling and pronunciation difficulties that plagued many Norwegian immigrants. The name "Leland" came from the farm name of Ivar Torgersen's wife, connecting them to their Norwegian roots while establishing a stable American identity.
On April 13, 1876, at the Dane County Circuit Court in Madison, Torger S. Leland took the oath of allegiance and became a naturalized citizen of the United States. The official certificate recorded his renunciation of allegiance to "Oscar 2d King of Norway" and his pledge to support the Constitution of the United States. Two citizens, L.J. Erdall and A. Flom, testified that Torger had resided in the United States for five continuous years and had "behaved as a man of good moral character." This was the centennial year of American independence—1876—making Torger's citizenship particularly symbolic.
Anna's Journey from SogndalWhile Torger was establishing himself in Wisconsin, another Norwegian family was making a similar journey. Anna Ellingsdatter was born on May 16, 1853, in Øvretun, Sogndal, in the Sogn og Fjordane region of Norway—a stunningly beautiful area of deep fjords and steep mountains. She was christened on May 22, 1853, in the Sogndal church.
Anna's parents were Elling Eriksen (1820-1896) and Anna Ellingsdatter (1812-1901), who had married in 1845. She grew up with three siblings:
Christina Ellingsdatter (1846-1911), born January 13, 1846
Solfest "Sylvester" Ellingsen (1847-1922), born December 15, 1847
Erik Ellingsen (1850-unknown), born August 6, 1850
The Elling Eriksen family emigrated from Norway around 1862, when Anna was about nine years old. Like many immigrant families, they seemed to struggle initially—they don't appear in the 1870 or 1880 census records, suggesting they may have moved frequently or lived in circumstances that made them difficult for census takers to locate. They settled on a farm in Cottage Grove, Dane County, Wisconsin.
The family chose "Natvig" as their surname, taking the name from a farm in Sogn og Fjordane, though not one particularly close to their home in Sogndal.
A Wedding at KoshkonongOn May 30, 1876—just six weeks after Torger received his American citizenship—Torger Sjursen Leland, age 26, and Anna Ellingsdatter, age 23, were married at the Koshkonong church. This was one of the important Norwegian Lutheran churches in the region, serving as a spiritual and social center for the immigrant community. The marriage ceremony was witnessed by their fathers, Sjur T. Leland and Elling Eriksen, symbolizing the joining of two Norwegian families who had both taken the brave step of leaving their homeland for a new life in America.
The ceremony took place at Liberty church, one of the congregations that served the Norwegian settlement. For both Torger and Anna, this marriage represented not just a personal union but the establishment of a new branch of their families firmly rooted in American soil.
Building a Life in London TownshipTorger and Anna settled in London Township, Dane County, where they would raise their family. Torger worked as a carpenter while also farming—a common combination of skills that allowed Norwegian immigrants to support themselves in rural Wisconsin. The couple would go on to have ten children over sixteen years, though they would experience the heartbreak that was all too common in the 19th century, losing three children in infancy or early childhood:
Their Children:
Edwin Mathias Leland (March 13, 1877 – May 6, 1966), born in Liberty Prairie. He married Louise Andrews Waite on February 29, 1904, in Clarkston, Washington, and they had three children. Edwin lived to the remarkable age of 89, dying in Moses Lake, Washington.
Severt Oliver Leland (August 2, 1878 – November 2, 1940), born in London. He married Amelia Anna Brocke on February 12, 1904, in Helena, Montana, and they had five children. Severt eventually settled in San Francisco, California.
Bertina Leland (October 27, 1879 – September 2, 1903), born in London. She died unmarried at age 23, a devastating loss for the family.
Anna Amanda Leland (September 27, 1881 – April 8, 1885), born in London. She died at just three years old.
Theodore Alexander Leland (February 10, 1883 – February 24, 1964), born in London. He married Alice Gertrude Walker on May 28, 1912, in Livingston, Montana, and they had four children. Theodore eventually settled in Seattle, Washington.
Herman Olaus Leland (March 20, 1884 – December 24, 1884), born in London. He died before his first birthday, right at Christmas time.
Mabelle Emelia Leland (December 16, 1885 – January 19, 1973), born in London. She married George Scott MacKenzie on July 13, 1916, in Molson, Washington, and they had one child. She lived to age 87, dying in Paradise, California.
Lewis Franklin “Frank” Leland (September 25, 1887 – August 14, 1947), born in London. He never married and died in San Francisco at age 59.
Arthur Henry Leland (August 6, 1890 – August 23, 1976), born in London. He married Mary Malvina Whitley on February 3, 1913, in Pullman, Washington, and they had two children. Arthur lived to age 86, dying in Brewster, Washington.
Anna Ruth Leland (September 24, 1893 – April 16, 1988), born in London. She married Edwin Krall in 1925 in Sacramento, California, and they had no children. She lived to the remarkable age of 94, dying in San Francisco.
The 1880 census provides a snapshot of the young Leland family in Deerfield Township. Torger, age 30, was working as a carpenter and farmer, while Anna, age 27, kept house—a demanding job that included cooking, cleaning, caring for small children, tending the garden, and preserving food for winter. Three small children were in the household: Edwin (age 3), Sivert (age 1), and baby Bertina (7 months old). Also living with them was Torger's brother Ole S. Leland, age 28, who worked as a carpenter alongside Torger.
On October 19, 1885, Torger and Anna purchased three-quarters of an acre of land in Dane County from Ole S. Johnson. This small plot was part of Section 25 of Township 7 North, Range 12—the same section where they had first settled when arriving from Norway decades earlier. Owning their own land, even a small parcel, represented economic security and independence.
Family tragedy struck on March 29, 1889, when Torger's father, Sjur Torgersen Leland, died at age 85 in Deerfield. He died intestate (without a will), and Torger, as the eldest son, was appointed administrator of the estate. The estate was modest—Sjur had no real property, and much of his personal property had already been distributed to family members. After paying for the funeral, cemetery monument, road tax, and other expenses, the widow Brita and each of their four surviving children received $548 as their share. This responsibility as estate administrator reflected Torger's position as family patriarch and his integration into American legal and social systems.
By the 1900 census, the Leland household was bustling with children ranging from age 6 to 20. Torger, now 50, was still working as a carpenter and owned his home, though it was mortgaged—a sign that the family was managing but not wealthy. Anna, age 47, had given birth to ten children over the years, though by this time eight were still living. The household included six children still at home: Berthina (20), Theodore (17), Mable (14), Franklin (12), Arthur (9), and Ruth (6). The four youngest were attending school, taking advantage of the educational opportunities that had drawn many immigrants to America. Torger's brother Ole, now 48 and still unmarried, continued to live with the family and work as a carpenter.
The 1905 Wisconsin state census shows a similar household, though the older children were beginning to launch into their own lives. By this time, Torger was 55 and Anna was 52. Only three children remained at home: Mabell (19), Arthur (14), and Ruth (12). Ole continued to reside with them.
The 1910 census captured the family at a pivotal moment. Torger, now 59 and recorded as "T.H. Leland," was working as a foreman in a tobacco warehouse—Wisconsin had become a major tobacco-growing state, and this represented steady work beyond carpentry. He and Anna had been married for 34 years. The census noted that of their ten children born, seven were still living—a stark reminder of the infant and child mortality that shadowed even established families. Still at home were Mabel (24), who had become a schoolteacher; Arthur (19), working as a baggage man for the railway; and Ruth (16). The family owned their home, though it still carried a mortgage.
A Family's LossOn October 26, 1911, Anna Ellingsdatter Leland died at Madison General Hospital at 7:25 in the evening, following surgery for cancer of the gallbladder and adjoining organs. She was 58 years old. According to the death notice published in the Wisconsin Tobacco Reporter on November 10, 1911, Anna "had not been noticeably sick until about six weeks ago, and had been up every day until taken to the hospital." This sudden decline must have been shocking to the family.
Anna was laid to rest in St. Paul's Liberty Lutheran Church Cemetery in Deerfield—the same community where she and Torger had been married 35 years earlier, and where they had raised their large family. As administrator of her intestate estate, Torger handled the legal details. The estate consisted of half an acre of land, part of the original property they had purchased decades earlier. The heirs-at-law were Torger and their six surviving children: Edwin, Severt, Theodore, Mabelle, Lewis Franklin, Arthur, and Anna Ruth. In 1912, the family sold this land to their son Frank Leland, and he sold it soon after.
The Westward Journey ContinuesAfter Anna's death, 61-year-old Torger could not remain in the home they had shared for so many years. The older boys, Edwin, Severt and Theodore, had moved west to Montanan and Washington and had married before 1911. The other children also moved westward with Torger, mainly to Washington, -- following the pattern of westward migration that had brought his own parents from Norway to Wisconsin.
By 1920, at age 69, Torger was living with his son Arthur Henry Leland's family in Spring Coulee, Okanagan County, Washington. Arthur, age 29, was farming with his wife Vinie (26) and their two young children, Robert (6) and Beverly (3). The census noted that Torger was working on his son's farm, with work "specially for him"—suggesting that Arthur had structured some light duties to give his aging father purpose and keep him active.
The 1930 census found 80-year-old Torger living in Grange, Chelan County, Washington, with his sister Ingeborg Isabel's family. Isabel, now 72 and widowed, lived with her son Isidore Dykkesten, who ran a fruit farm with his wife Enid and their three young sons. Torger was listed as "uncle" in the household, reflecting his honored position as the elderly patriarch of the extended family. The census recorded that he had immigrated in 1902—clearly an error, as we know he came in 1856 -- demonstrating how memories and records could become confused over the decades.
Final Days in San FranciscoIn his final years, Torger moved south to San Francisco to live with his son Severt Oliver Leland, who had established himself in California's growing metropolis. It was there, on March 18, 1933, that Torger Sjursen Leland died at the age of 82. He had lived through an extraordinary span of history—from pre-industrial Norway through the American Civil War, the settling of the West, World War I, and into the depths of the Great Depression.
Following his death, Torger's body was transported back to Wisconsin, completing a final journey across the continent. He was buried in St. Paul's Liberty Lutheran Cemetery in Deerfield, Dane County—next to his beloved Anna, in the community where their American journey had truly begun more than three-quarters of a century earlier.
LegacyTorger Sjursen Leland's life embodied the Norwegian-American experience. He was part of the great wave of Scandinavian immigration that transformed the upper Midwest, bringing Lutheran faith, strong work ethic, and tight-knit family values. From a six-year-old boy leaving Norway on a sailing ship, he became an American citizen, a skilled carpenter, a family patriarch, and the founder of a large extended family that spread across the American West.
His ten children produced numerous grandchildren who settled throughout Washington, Montana, and California, carrying forward the pioneering spirit that had brought Sjur Torgersen's family across the Atlantic. The Leland name—chosen for Liland farm near Voss, and to sound more American while honoring their Norwegian roots -- continued through multiple generations.
Anna Ellingsdatter Natvig Leland, though her life was cut short at 58, was the heart of this family during its most challenging years -- bearing and raising ten children, losing three of them, managing a household without modern conveniences, and supporting her husband's work as the family established itself in their new homeland. Her strength and resilience were typical of immigrant women whose contributions often went unrecorded except in the memories of their children.
Together, Torger and Anna represent the courage, sacrifice, and determination of the millions of immigrants who built America. Their story—from Norwegian fjords to Wisconsin farmland to the valleys of Washington and the streets of San Francisco—is a uniquely American tale of hope, hard work, and family.
7) The "Infographic" feature about this biography from the Google NotebookLM Studio:
8) The Google NotebookLM Studio "Slide Deck" feature created 14 slides in a PDF file. You can see the slide show created with Google Vids below (voiceover to be added when available]:
Links to my blog posts about using Artificial Intelligence are on my Randy's AI and Genealogy page. Links to AI information and articles about Artificial Intelligence in Genealogy by other genealogists are on my AI and Genealogy Compendium page.
Copyright (c) 2025, Randall J. Seaver
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