Miss Kalle (Karen) Marie Abelseth, was born on 14 September 1895 in Örskog, Nilsgård, Romsdal County, Norway, and was christened 6 October the same year1.
Her parents were Iver Kristian Martinus, b. 31 December 1863 at Örskog, and Nikoline Petrine Asmundsdatter Nilsen (b. 19 November 1866 at Örskog), who had married 25 April 1887 in Örskog. Her brothers and sisters included Lisa Petrine, b. 18 February 1891 (she may have died young), Nils Peter, b. 14 January 1897, Bergitte Andrea Nilsine, b. 26 February 1899, Lisa Olivia, b. 3 November 1900, and Anna, Louise, and Laurits.
Anna, Lisa, and Bertha emigrated to the USA. The brothers remained in Norway.
Miss Abelseth was travelling with Olaus Abelseth (who, being a family friend, accompanied her but apparently was no relation), Anna Salkjelsvik, Peter Søholt, Sigurd Hansen Moen and Adolf Humblen. They all set sail from Ålesund to Newcastle via Bergen and boarded the Titanic at Southampton as third-class passengers. Karen's destination was 848 East Adams Street in (Inglewood) Los Angeles, California. where her sister Anna lived. She shared a cabin with Anna Salkjelsvik and some Swedish girls.
She slept through the collision but was woken up by Adolf Humblen. When she went out in the corridor the people had risen "and came dragging their trunks". She became very scared. Sigurd Moen had to hold on to her because she was shaking with fright. Up on deck she was escorted by Olaus, Moen and Søholt to a lifeboat (possibly lifeboat 16). Moen said to her to be brave, all would be well in the end. Then the boat was lowered.
Karen was some time at St. Vincent Hospital before she was able to continue to Minneapolis.
Karen married to Harry Sylvester Little and had two sons Norman and Francis and three daughters, Phyllis, Wanda and Iris. In 1956 she was living in Los Angeles. She died in Inglewood, California on 27 July 1969. She was buried at Inglewood Park Cemetery, California.
Comment and discuss
-
Thank you for showing the human side of this tragedy. I was able to find information about my relative, Karen Marie Abelseth (3rd class passenger). I am searching for her descendants and more information on her. If anyone can help me, let me know. Holly Tomren Long Beach, CA
:
-
I am one of Karen's grandchildren. She was the best grandmother anyone could ever ask for. As children, we were instructed to NEVER ask about Titanic, it was too distressing to her. There is a letter, sent to her father shortly after the sinking, which explains her experience.
:
-
Not to be too nosy, but did you ever get to read the letter yourself, or only heard about it? I was just reading about the Abelseth family today. I could imagine it being very distressing, and unfortunately unforgettable for her in the worst way. In a way it's a shame it was the scene of a romantic story like James Cameron's film, because it takes away from the real stories, and the factual from fictional, and romanticized such a tragedy that was romantic for no one experiencing it.
:
-
I am a relative of Karen, I'm a great granddaughter of her sister Anna. I would love to connect with family from Karen's descendants!
:
-
I remember my Auntie Anna very well. And Uncle Axl!! They were my Great Aunt and Uncle. I am Karen's Grandson, we called her Nama. I spent half my time at Nama and Daddo's growing up. She passed when I was 14. I think that you and I are connected on Ancestry.com or 23andme.com. Dan Martin
:
-
The Letter that Karen wrote her father was posted in a newspaper in Norway in 1912. Since it was a big story back then, I'm certain that they jumped at the chance to publish it.
:
-
Hello Victoria. Auntie Anna and Uncle Axl I remember very well. They lived on 116 st in Hawthorne or Inglewood when I was a boy. We used to go over and get freshly baked sweet bread from Auntie Anna. Axl was always sitting in his chair, smoking the absolute worst smelling cigars he could find! LOL! My sister Melanie has all of the family photos with the three sisters (Ana, Lisa, and Karen) and their husbands at the park and other events. Auntie Lisa lived in Culver City. A forth sister, the youngest, Bertha also immigrated to the United States later on. Bertha didn't have an children. These were actually my great aunts. We had a very close family back then. I grew up in the same house with my Grandmother Karen. She had Parkinson's and ended up falling and breaking her hip. That was a...
:
-
Oh, also, I have a copy of the letter she sent back to her family. Chris Fabri
:
-
Hello Victoria. Auntie Anna and Uncle Axl I remember very well. They lived on 116 st in Hawthorne or Inglewood when I was a boy. We used to go over and get freshly baked sweet bread from Auntie Anna. Axl was always sitting in his chair, smoking the absolute worst smelling cigars he could find! LOL! My sister Melanie has all of the family photos with the three sisters (Ana, Lisa, and Karen) and their husbands at the park and other events. Auntie Lisa lived in Culver City. A forth sister, the youngest, Bertha also immigrated to the United States later on. Bertha didn't have an children. These were actually my great aunts. We had a very close family back then. I grew up in the same house with my Grandmother Karen. She had Parkinson's and ended up falling and breaking her hip. That was a death sentence in those days. She died in 1969, and my grandfather was never the same. Over a 3 year period I lost my Grandmother, my Father, and then my...
:
-
Maybe you could post the letter or have it added to her bio here. I'm sure many would like to read it. Of course that's entirely up to you. Cheers.
:
-
I literally just found this tonight. Not sure hiw to upload a photo yet. Will do soon
:
-
ok, figured it out. Here is what I have.
:
-
Thanks for posting it. Always interesting to read these things.
:
Open Thread Leave a Reply Watch Thread