Mr Johannes Halvorsen Kalvik 1 was born in Skånevik, Søndre Bergenhus (modern-day Hordaland), Norway on 2 December 1890, later being baptised on 21 December that year in Åkre.
He was the youngest child of Halvar Godskalkson (1841-1918), a farmer and trader, and Søverine Nilsdotter (1841-1911) and the brother of: Nils Martin (b. 1878), Anna Alise (b. 1879), Godskalk (b. 1883) and Marta Johanna (b. 1887).
He spent the first years of his life at the family farm alongside the Åkrafjorden on Norway's west coast. In 1910 Johannes and his brother Nils built a house together in the valley (the house remains in the family). His elder brother Nils was established as a carpenter and construction worker and also spent time working as a teacher. Besides helping on the family farm, Johannes worked with Nils in the carpentry business, earning about £35 a year (600 NKr). He was engaged to be married to Anna Berta Åsmundsdotter Austarheim (b.1892), a native of Etne.
© Nils Halleland
The death of his mother in 1911 perhaps compelled him to seek bigger opportunities in the USA. His brother Godskalk had emigrated to Montana several years previous but had disappeared. Johannes decided to travel to the US to search for his brother. He would join a former neighbour in Story City, Iowa and, once well established with a job and property, would send for his fiancée Anna. He already had many family members living in Iowa.
Shortly before his departure Johannes had photographs taken of himself and his fiancée. He went by boat from Haugesund to Newcastle and from there by train to Southampton where he boarded Titanic as a third class passenger (ticket number 8475 which cost £8, 8s, 8d).
Johannes died in the sinking. His body, if recovered, was never identified.
His widowed father later received £40 from the Titanic Relief Fund. He would pass away in 1918. What became of his fiancée Anna is unknown. In later years it transpired that Johannes' brother Godskalk was killed not long after his arrival in the USA in a gunfight between cattlemen and homesteaders 2. Several generations of Kalvigs have lived in Iowa and many relatives continue to live there.
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I remember seeing those pictures as a child. Vern Kalvig was my grandfather, and as a child I remember he sent me those in the mail when we were writing letters to each other (1973). I sent them back not knowing he wanted me to keep them. The picture above is my great-great grandfather. pactcg4@gmail is my email. Any communication with family in Norway would be appreciated. Did my great grandfather really find a large pearl near the river where he lived?
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Dear Kerry! I am the grandson of Nils Halleland, brother of Johannes. Somehow, you must have the wrong information; Johannes had no children, neither are there any descendants after his brother Godskalk. He died of disease, not long after Johannes died in the Titanic-sinking. The house on the picture is now in my possession. Your ancestry must come from another Johannes. I hope you will succeed in your search. b rgds Nils Halleland.
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