petergmdale
19.04.11, 22:08
Greetings,
Please find below my notes on both Olof Törielsson (Tyrgilsson) Hourula and his father-in-law Jöns Fordell who are the progenitors of the Fordell/Hoffrén families. They are my 13th and 14th Great-Grandfathers, respectively. I’d be grateful if anyone had any comments, additions or corrections to make. I would certainly like to learn more about these 2 interesting men and, if possible, something about their background/parentage. I have my suspicions that perhaps the Fordell family originated in Scotland and came to Finland via Germany and Sweden. You will see my notes on the Scottish Fordell family below. I would be very interested if anyone had any information on any crests, seals or family marks of any Fordell family members. I'd like to see if there is any similarity to the Scottish Fordell family.
Many thanks for any assistance you can provide.
Cheers,
Pete Dale
Olof Törielsson (Tyrgilsson) Hourula – Olof and/or his family may have been born in Sweden.
Genos 65(1994), s. 131-136 provides a history of the Josander - Jusander family and states the following with respect to Olof and his family. From the 1500s up to the early 1600s the family had positions of power and wealth of extraordinary dimensions. The family's first known ancestor, and also the main representative of its power and wealth, was Olof Törielsson from Salo parish in Ostrobothnia. His power and wealth also contributed to his marriage to Brita who was the daughter of a great merchant and befallningshavanden (Governor) Jons Fordell. He was originally a citizen of Stockholm and it is also possible that Olof Törielsson was born in Sweden. It was primarily extensive trade that created the family's large fortune. At the end of the 1500s the family had several ships which sailed to Stockholm, Tallinn and other towns around the Baltic Sea and were often hired by the Crown for transport. Several generations were Bailiffs in Salo in succession and also entrusted with a number of other missions on behalf of the crown. Olof Törielssons’ sons Joseph and Olof lived in Ostrobothnia while a third son Mark became a citizen of Sigtuna, Sweden. In 1592 Mark wanted to divest himself of his assets in western Finland and sold the farms, probably a dozen, in seven parishes to his brother Olof. This gives a clear picture of the family's position of wealth. In 1567 the Bailiff Joseph Olofsson had 24 cows which was one of the largest herds in the county. His brother Olof's farm was inherited by his son Hans and came to be called Hannuksela 1. (source: http://www.genealogia.fi/genos/65/65_131.htm (http://www.genealogia.fi/genos/65/65_131.htm))
Antti Soini states, in an entry under the thread “Fordell suku” on SukuForum (http://suku.genealogia.fi/showthread.php?p=76218&posted=1#post76218 (http://suku.genealogia.fi/showthread.php?p=76218&posted=1#post76218)) dated October 17, 2010, the following: “I am a direct paternal descendant of Olof Tyrgilson and a member of the Hoffren family (my grandfather changed the name from Hoffren to Soini in 1906). DNA results reveal that my haplogroup is I1, which supports your theory that Olof arrived in Finland together with Jöns Fordell and was not of Finnish origin. I have nothing new to add to your information on Jöns Fordell. He may have come from Scotland or he may also have been a Hansa merchant from Germany/Holland who used to “conduct business” around the Baltic Sea.”
“Olof Törielinpoika, in other words Olli Torkkelinpoika, married Brita Fordell who was the daughter of the Stockholm native, and Bailiff, Jöns Fordell. Jöns had purchased the farm of Salo in 1499 from Sten Sture. The Crown tried to reacquire the farm for its own use in 1559 from the grandsons of Jöns but they had carefully kept the deed safe and won the case.” (source: http://suvut.genealogia.fi/simelius-simojoki/historia/salo_juusola.html (http://suvut.genealogia.fi/simelius-simojoki/historia/salo_juusola.html))
Wikipedia provides a history of Salo which is one of the oldest parishes in Ostrobothnia. At the end of the Middle Ages the Fordell dynasty from Pietarsaari was in possession of several houses including Juusola, Hannuksela and Tokola, among others, in the parish of Salo. The houses of Juusola and Hannuksela had earlier been for some time in the possession of the regent Sten Sture (file:///C:/wiki/Sten_Sture). Sten Sture sold the farm, from which the parish name Salo was adopted, to Jöns Fordell who was from Pirilössä of Pietarsaari. Jöns’ son-in-law was named Olli Torkkelinpoika who lived in Juusola and was employed by Jöns. Supposedly Olli had already come to Salo as a representative of Sten Sture. Olli Torkkelinpoika’s sons were named Juuso, Olli and Hannu who were later men of power in the parish in the 1500s. Juusola received its name from Olli’s son Jusso and Hannuksela was later separated from Juusola. Hannu Ollinpoika lived in Tokola. The masters of Juusola acted as the Rural Police Chiefs of the parish for a number of generations. Olli’s sons’ neighbours were Simo and Olli Fordell who were obviously members of the same family. Other large houses during that period in the village of Salo were Honka, Orava, Siniluoto and Kulju which were all established in the 1500s at the latest. (source: http://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saloisten_historia (http://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saloisten_historia)
b. approx. 1480 – Finland or Sweden
m.
d. before 1548
Jöns Fordell – Jöns was a Bailiff and Merchant in Stockholm. The first members of the Hoffrén family settled in Bothnia, on the Western coast of Finland, close to the present city of Pietarsaari (Jakobstad) about 1490. A German Hansa-Merchant, Jöns Fordell, living in Stockholm, Sweden, came over to Finland and stayed. Brita Fordell, the daughter of Jöns Fordell, married a local farmer called Olav. Their descendants moved north to the Pyhäjoki parish where one of their sons settled down by the Houru Falls in the river Pyhäjoki. That is how the family got its name: Houru/Hourula = Hourenius (the Latin form) – Hoffrenius - Hoffren. There are still people living in Pyhäjoki called Hourula. (source: http://suvut.genealogia.fi/simelius-...o_juusola.html (http://suvut.genealogia.fi/simelius-simojoki/historia/salo_juusola.html) and www.finlandforum.org (http://www.finlandforum.org/) e-mail dated September 5, 2005 - http://www.finlandforum.org/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=29222&start=45 (http://www.finlandforum.org/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=29222&start=45)).
Juhan genealogy news blog dated November 20, 2009 states that the Fordell family appeared in Ostrobothnia by the end of the Middle Ages. The originator was an important Merchant and Bailiff. The family’s origin is unknown and it is thought that Jöns was from Finland or Stockholm (as family members spent considerable time in, and there were clearly family links to, Stockholm). It may have originated in Germany. In 1499 Jöns was a Chief Judge and representative of Northern Ostrobothnia on the board of electors that chose a successor to King Christian II. In the same year, Jöns purchased from Sten Sture the Elder (Regent of Sweden) an estate in Saloinen parish for 150 DM which had belonged to the Bishop of Turku (Salo is near the city of Raahe). It was located on the coast near the harbour and marketplace which was likely what interested Jöns in purchasing the property. Furthermore, Jöns had a country home in Pyhäjoki and in the parish of Pedersöre. He likely lived in the latter. Later there was Fordellsgarden and Pinnonäs - manor houses which were located in the present town of Pietarsaari. Pinnonäs was changed in the 1590s, during the Club War, into a Crown Manor House. Jöns was still mentioned in Stockholm in 1512. He had seven children entitled to an inheritance. Two children are clearly identified - Anna and Knut and 4 others are identified with considerable probability:
1. Anna Fordell, died at the latest 1567, spouse Stockholm citizen Jöns Jakobsson (aka “Rauma Jöns”)
2. Brita Fordell, died approximately 1545, spouse Olof Törielsson (Tyrgilsson)
3. Knut Fordell, Merchant, Bailiff and Rural Police Chief, spouse Karin Olofsdotter
4. Jöns Fordell, the Clergyman of Pedersöre 1538-42
5. Markus Fordell, who is mentioned as a Merchant from Tornio in 1543
6. Henrik Fordell, Farm Owner in Salo in 1557
7. ?
(source: http://juhansuku.blogspot.com/2009/11/fordellit.html (http://juhansuku.blogspot.com/2009/11/fordellit.html))
Another source (from the website: http://www.toivohoffren.com/suku/Juuret.htm (http://www.toivohoffren.com/suku/Juuret.htm)) states that Jöns was from Germany and a Merchant in Stockholm. Jöns bought the farm of Hourula in the municipality of Pyhäjoki in Pohjankylä in 1499 from Sten Sture the Elder who was the Regent of Sweden.
The website for the city of Kokkola, Finland states the following with respect to the Fordell family: “Fordell (Fordel, Fordeel) - The Fordell family was a merchant and bailiff family in western Finland. A Knut Fordell is mentioned in Stockholm in 1485 and Jöns Fordell is mentioned in 1499 as a representative of Northern Finland at Christian II's election to the Swedish throne. Fordell bought that year from Sten Sture the Elder a farm in Salo in North Ostrobothnia and is mentioned in Stockholm in 1512. He also owned property in Pedersöre in Southern Ostrobothnia. Among his seven children were Anna (dead at the latest in 1567), married to the Stockholm Merchant Jöns Jakobsson, or Rauma Jöns (Board 1525-52), Brita, wife of Olof Tyrgilsson (Törielsson) in Salo and the mother of the Steward in Northern Ostrobothnia in 1560-63 Olof Olofsson, and Knut Fordell, the Bailiff of Pedersöre, Kokkola and Vörå 1530-51. Knut Fordell, who is said to have been engaged in large commercial ventures, held the farm of Pinnonäs in Pedersöre.” (source: http://www3.kokkola.fi/historia/nuijasota/fordellsv.htm (http://www3.kokkola.fi/historia/nuijasota/fordellsv.htm))
The Finnish National Biography Centre states the following with respect to the Fordell family:
“The Fordell family was a considerable peasant Merchant and Bailiff family from Ostrobothnia at the beginning of the modern age. There is no sure information about the origin of the family but it may have been originally from Germany. The oldest information about the family is from Stockholm from the 1480s.
The Fordells came to Ostrobothnia seemingly with trade connections between Ostrobothnia and Stockholm. The first known representative of the family from Ostrobothnia was Jöns Fordell who bought a farm in the parish of Salo in 1499. He already owned at that time property in Pietarsaari which became the base for the family. King Kustaa Vaasa surrendered to the grandson of Jöns Fordell, Lars Fordell, in a fief letter from Pietarsaari Pirilön dated September 1, 1546 certain islands which were earlier said to have belonged to his ancestors.
Jöns Fordell had at least seven children. Knut Fordell was a Bailiff of the municipalities of Kokkola, Pietarsaari and Vöyri from 1530 - 1551 and he owned the manor house of Pinnonäs in Pietarsaari. He conducted large land trades in Ostrobothnia and became wealthy. Jöns Fordell was a clergyman of Pietarsaari from 1538-1543. With respect to Jöns’ daughters, Brita Fordell’s spouse was named Olof Torgelsson who was a farm owner from the parish of Salo. One of their sons was named Olof Olofsson who served, among other things, as the Bailiff of Norrbotten [which is the northern most county in Sweden, see - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norrbotten_County (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norrbotten_County)] and Josef Fordell was a wealthy farm owner, Merchant and Rural Police Chief of the parish of Salo. Jöns’ son Henrik inherited the estate in Salo but he lived seemingly in Luleå. However, the peasant branch of a family of Fordells continued to reside in Salo and conduct land transactions.
The second spouse of the Bailiff Knut Fordell is identified as Katarina Olavsdotter who received in 1551 “protection books” from King Kustaa Vaasa against her stepsons. It is uncertain from which marriage all of Knut’s children descend. However, his sons Hans, Lars, Jöns and Knut are obviously from the first one. Of the boys, Jöns was dead already in 1556 and shortly after Knut died who had lived in Rodnäsissä in Kruunupyy.
Lars Fordell died approximately 1563 and was a farm owner in Rudsnäsissä in Kruunupyy. He occupied the office of District Judge of Ostrobothnia from 1555-1562. He was the Bailiff of the municipality of Liminga from 1555-1558 and the Bailiff of Pinnonäs from 1558–1561. He was also King Kustaa Vaasa's Crown Furs Buyer in Ostrobothnia. Furthermore, Lars Fordell conducted wide land trades by which he became wealthy. The King forbade land transactions by the Fordells in 1563 but in practice the prohibition was of little significance. Lars Fordell often got positions of trust from the King past actual civil servants. He died in 1563 in Kruunupyy when he was killed by a farm owner. There were descendants of his branch of the family in the 1600s in Oulu, including citizens and mayors.
Hans Knutsson Fordell died approximately 1574 and likewise conducted wide land trades and also acted repeatedly as the Bailiff of different municipalities in Ostrobothnia in the 1560s and the 1570s. He did not have scruples about his office and used it to his own advantage which is why he was discharged several times as a result of complaints. Because he was princely rich he was able to grant loans to the King and was able to assist also by equipping ships, among others things. Thus Hans Fordell acted as the King's uppermost Governor in Ostrobothnia from the year 1568 until his death.
Hans Knutsson’s younger son Knut served as the lukkari in Pietarsaari from 1600-1606. Hans Hansson Fordell (approximately 1535-1606) inherited Pinnonäs and increased its prosperity by practising farm trading. He also acted at times as the Rural Police Chief of Pietarsaari. During the years of the Club War he gained fame as a leader of, and advocate for, the farmers of Ostrobothnia.
One of the daughters of Hans Hansson Fordell was Lucia Fordell who died in 1599. She was married to Knut Henriksson who was the Clergyman of Pietarsaari. Their son Johannes Canuti studied in Wittenberg and received his Master of Arts in 1610. He took the name Forthelius. Other sons became farmers. The daughters, however, were married to Clergymen who were mainly from Ostrobothnia.
Sources and Literature: E. Anthoni, Släkten Fordell och dess släktförbindelser // Historisk Tidskrift för Finland 3/1963; E. Anthoni, Ett bidrag till släkten Fordells historia // Historisk tidskrift för Finland 2/1964; Y. Blomstedt, Fordeliorum Familia // Historisk Tidskrift för Finland 1/1965; A. Luukko, Pohjois-Pohjanmaan ja Lapin historia II. 1954; J. Mäkitalo, Fordell-suvun Luulajan haara // Genos 59. 1988.
This article on the Fordell family was prepared by Jouko Vahtola, Julkaistu October 28, 2003.” (source: http://www.kansallisbiografia.fi/kb/artikkeli/2648/ (http://www.kansallisbiografia.fi/kb/artikkeli/2648/))
The surname “Fordell” is also of Scottish background and in Scotland originates in Fife, Scotland. The book ‘Medieval Scotland, Crown, Lordship and Community’, edited by Alexander Grant and Keith J. Stringer states on page 81 in an addendum regarding the family “Fordell (in Fife)” the following: “This may have been a thanage or have had a thane. In 1451 there was a John Thane of Fordell and his son Alexander, and in 1457 an Alexander Thane of Thainisland (Dunfermline Reg., nos. 435-9, 452); these can be linked to the 1543 retour of ‘Thainislandis, viz tertia parte de Strabrune, Fordell et Fotheris’ (Retours, Fife, no.2). John and Alexander may have been descended from a John ‘Thyanus’ (i.e. ‘Thaynus’) who was chamberlain to the abbot of Dunfermline in 1316 (Dunfermline Reg., no. 348). Unfortunately, it is impossible to be certain about it, and therefore Fordell has not been included among the thanages discussed in this essay.” (source: http://books.google.fi/books?id=pC8njhobGxQC&pg=PA81&lpg=PA81&dq=Thainisl and&source=bl&ots=LOL50QwBv2&sig=6qFM6KKG-To8m1VDiJQSB2Ynrhc&hl=fi&ei=TNkXTNmBOcuj_AbC-7j1Cw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0 CC8Q6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=Thainisland&f=false (http://books.google.fi/books?id=pC8njhobGxQC&pg=PA81&lpg=PA81&dq=Thainisland&source=bl&ots=LOL50QwBv2&sig=6qFM6KKG-To8m1VDiJQSB2Ynrhc&hl=fi&ei=TNkXTNmBOcuj_AbC-7j1Cw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CC8Q6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=Thainisland&f=false))
The Wikipedia entry for Fordell Castle states: “Fordell Castle is a restored 16th-century tower house (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tower_house), located 1.25 miles (2.01 km) north-west of Dalgety Bay (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalgety_Bay) and 2 miles (3.2 km) east of Dunfermline (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunfermline), in Fife (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fife), Scotland (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotland). The lands of Fordell were given to the Henderson family by King James IV (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_IV_of_Scotland) in 1511, and the castle was built in 1567 on the site of an earlier structure. Mary, Queen of Scots (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary,_Queen_of_Scots), stayed here when Marion Scott, one of her ladies-in-waiting, married George Henderson, the laird (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laird). The castle was destroyed by fire, but rebuilt c.1580. The castle was damaged again by Oliver Cromwell (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oliver_Cromwell)'s army in 1651.” (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fordell_Castle (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fordell_Castle))
The website www.castleduncan.com (http://www.castleduncan.com) states the following with respect to Fordell Castle: “As might be expected from a castle which is reputed to date from around 1210, Fordell has a rich history. The main Keep which forms the original castle was built for a Flemish family by the name of de Camera on land thought to have been granted to them for their services in the Fifth Crusade [1213-1221 – see - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_Crusade (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_Crusade)]. The star and half moon motif which appears throughout both the castle and the gardens originates from this time. The castle was then extended in 1567 to create its present form when it was passed to James Henderson of Fordell and a date stone can be seen above the main entrance door bearing the year 1567. The castle now comprises a four storey oblong fortified house with stairwings to the north and south west corners with corbelled turrets above. The north-west wing also has a square turret with battlements. Mary Queen of Scots stayed at Fordell Castle with her husband Lord Darnley and is reputed to have returned when she escaped from her imprisonment at Loch Leven Castle.” (source: http://www.castleduncan.com/forum/index.php?/topic/1392-fordell-castle/page__st__10 (http://www.castleduncan.com/forum/index.php?/topic/1392-fordell-castle/page__st__10))
The website www.historic-scotland.gov.uk (http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/) states the following with respect to Fordell Castle: “Lands at Fordell were granted to a Flemish family called de Camera, along with a keep, said to have been built c. 1210. In 1220, Richard de Camera presented 13 acres of his lands, between Dalgety and Leuchat, to the Monastery of Inchcolm. These lands became known as ‘St Thereota's lands’, where there was a chapel by 1510. In 1511, the Hendersons who had acquired Fordell Castle in the early 16th century, acquired a charter of barony from James IV. The castle was enclosed with walls, had a portcullis gate and drawbridge. Following a fire the castle was rebuilt c. 1580, by James Henderson, a favourite of James VI. The modified barmkin wall forming the castle enclosure is probably part of this work. During the late 16th century, the Hendersons began working coal from outcrops near Broomieside Farm, starting the exploitation of the rich coal seams on the estate which, in the future, came to form the basis of their wealth and the estate economy.” (source: http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/largertext/gardenssearchmoreinfo?s=&r=&bool=0&PageID=2123&mor e_info=Site (http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/largertext/gardenssearchmoreinfo?s=&r=&bool=0&PageID=2123&more_info=Site))
A picture of Fordell Castle can be seen at the following link - http://www.castleduncan.com/forum/index.php?/topic/1392-fordell-castle/page__st__10 (http://www.castleduncan.com/forum/index.php?/topic/1392-fordell-castle/page__st__10))
For more pictures of Fordell Castle and its interior see - http://www.welcomehome.co.uk/News/Featured-property/A-beautifully-restored-16th-century-castle.aspx (http://www.welcomehome.co.uk/News/Featured-property/A-beautifully-restored-16th-century-castle.aspx)
A post on the website DNA-Forums (A Genetic Genealogy Community) dated June 15, 2010 under the heading “Scottish name Fordell” states the follow: “Does anyone know about the history of the medieval Fordells? It looks like it was a medieval Scottish clan that disappeared at the end of the 15th century and their property was given to another family, the Henderson family in 1511AD. The original Fordells are mentioned by a title Thane of Fordell. In 1451AD John Thane of Fordell and later his son Alexander are mentioned in the following documents. Where did the Fordell family disappear to and was there some violent event, for example a clan war or an effort at coup d'état, behind its disappearance?” (source: http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:Sn5stkgwWgUJ:dna-forums.org/index.php%3F/user/2400-mikej2/page__tab__topics+john+%22thane+of+fordell%22&cd=2 &hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=ca&source=www.google.ca (http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:Sn5stkgwWgUJ:dna-forums.org/index.php%3F/user/2400-mikej2/page__tab__topics+john+%22thane+of+fordell%22&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=ca&source=www.google.ca))
‘Mikej2’ responded to the post above on June 20, 2010 and stated the following: “Yes, this was my question. We have in Finland quite a large Fordell family, but its origin is unknown. The name is always spelled exactly as the Scottish name. We know that many other Scots came to Finland before the 17th century and this family popped up in Finland at the end of the 15th century, which corresponds exactly with the time when the Scottish family disappeared in Scotland. They probably came through Germany and Sweden because this Jöns (the man that was mentioned in your link, estimated birth date 1450AD) bought an estate near my birthplace from Swedish Sten Sture the Elder 1499AD. http://en.wikipedia....Sture_the_Elder (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sten_Sture_the_Elder) . So this man was probably a noble man. Sten Sture hardly did business with common people.” (source: http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:hSC7Csv2SnYJ:dna-forums.org/index.php%3F/topic/12203-scottish-name-fordell/+%22fordell+family%22+%22sweden%22&cd=4&hl=en&ct=c lnk&gl=ca&source=www.google.ca (http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:hSC7Csv2SnYJ:dna-forums.org/index.php%3F/topic/12203-scottish-name-fordell/+%22fordell+family%22+%22sweden%22&cd=4&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=ca&source=www.google.ca)
b. approx. 1450 – Germany or Holland. Likely of Scottish origin.
m.
d. 1512
Please find below my notes on both Olof Törielsson (Tyrgilsson) Hourula and his father-in-law Jöns Fordell who are the progenitors of the Fordell/Hoffrén families. They are my 13th and 14th Great-Grandfathers, respectively. I’d be grateful if anyone had any comments, additions or corrections to make. I would certainly like to learn more about these 2 interesting men and, if possible, something about their background/parentage. I have my suspicions that perhaps the Fordell family originated in Scotland and came to Finland via Germany and Sweden. You will see my notes on the Scottish Fordell family below. I would be very interested if anyone had any information on any crests, seals or family marks of any Fordell family members. I'd like to see if there is any similarity to the Scottish Fordell family.
Many thanks for any assistance you can provide.
Cheers,
Pete Dale
Olof Törielsson (Tyrgilsson) Hourula – Olof and/or his family may have been born in Sweden.
Genos 65(1994), s. 131-136 provides a history of the Josander - Jusander family and states the following with respect to Olof and his family. From the 1500s up to the early 1600s the family had positions of power and wealth of extraordinary dimensions. The family's first known ancestor, and also the main representative of its power and wealth, was Olof Törielsson from Salo parish in Ostrobothnia. His power and wealth also contributed to his marriage to Brita who was the daughter of a great merchant and befallningshavanden (Governor) Jons Fordell. He was originally a citizen of Stockholm and it is also possible that Olof Törielsson was born in Sweden. It was primarily extensive trade that created the family's large fortune. At the end of the 1500s the family had several ships which sailed to Stockholm, Tallinn and other towns around the Baltic Sea and were often hired by the Crown for transport. Several generations were Bailiffs in Salo in succession and also entrusted with a number of other missions on behalf of the crown. Olof Törielssons’ sons Joseph and Olof lived in Ostrobothnia while a third son Mark became a citizen of Sigtuna, Sweden. In 1592 Mark wanted to divest himself of his assets in western Finland and sold the farms, probably a dozen, in seven parishes to his brother Olof. This gives a clear picture of the family's position of wealth. In 1567 the Bailiff Joseph Olofsson had 24 cows which was one of the largest herds in the county. His brother Olof's farm was inherited by his son Hans and came to be called Hannuksela 1. (source: http://www.genealogia.fi/genos/65/65_131.htm (http://www.genealogia.fi/genos/65/65_131.htm))
Antti Soini states, in an entry under the thread “Fordell suku” on SukuForum (http://suku.genealogia.fi/showthread.php?p=76218&posted=1#post76218 (http://suku.genealogia.fi/showthread.php?p=76218&posted=1#post76218)) dated October 17, 2010, the following: “I am a direct paternal descendant of Olof Tyrgilson and a member of the Hoffren family (my grandfather changed the name from Hoffren to Soini in 1906). DNA results reveal that my haplogroup is I1, which supports your theory that Olof arrived in Finland together with Jöns Fordell and was not of Finnish origin. I have nothing new to add to your information on Jöns Fordell. He may have come from Scotland or he may also have been a Hansa merchant from Germany/Holland who used to “conduct business” around the Baltic Sea.”
“Olof Törielinpoika, in other words Olli Torkkelinpoika, married Brita Fordell who was the daughter of the Stockholm native, and Bailiff, Jöns Fordell. Jöns had purchased the farm of Salo in 1499 from Sten Sture. The Crown tried to reacquire the farm for its own use in 1559 from the grandsons of Jöns but they had carefully kept the deed safe and won the case.” (source: http://suvut.genealogia.fi/simelius-simojoki/historia/salo_juusola.html (http://suvut.genealogia.fi/simelius-simojoki/historia/salo_juusola.html))
Wikipedia provides a history of Salo which is one of the oldest parishes in Ostrobothnia. At the end of the Middle Ages the Fordell dynasty from Pietarsaari was in possession of several houses including Juusola, Hannuksela and Tokola, among others, in the parish of Salo. The houses of Juusola and Hannuksela had earlier been for some time in the possession of the regent Sten Sture (file:///C:/wiki/Sten_Sture). Sten Sture sold the farm, from which the parish name Salo was adopted, to Jöns Fordell who was from Pirilössä of Pietarsaari. Jöns’ son-in-law was named Olli Torkkelinpoika who lived in Juusola and was employed by Jöns. Supposedly Olli had already come to Salo as a representative of Sten Sture. Olli Torkkelinpoika’s sons were named Juuso, Olli and Hannu who were later men of power in the parish in the 1500s. Juusola received its name from Olli’s son Jusso and Hannuksela was later separated from Juusola. Hannu Ollinpoika lived in Tokola. The masters of Juusola acted as the Rural Police Chiefs of the parish for a number of generations. Olli’s sons’ neighbours were Simo and Olli Fordell who were obviously members of the same family. Other large houses during that period in the village of Salo were Honka, Orava, Siniluoto and Kulju which were all established in the 1500s at the latest. (source: http://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saloisten_historia (http://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saloisten_historia)
b. approx. 1480 – Finland or Sweden
m.
d. before 1548
Jöns Fordell – Jöns was a Bailiff and Merchant in Stockholm. The first members of the Hoffrén family settled in Bothnia, on the Western coast of Finland, close to the present city of Pietarsaari (Jakobstad) about 1490. A German Hansa-Merchant, Jöns Fordell, living in Stockholm, Sweden, came over to Finland and stayed. Brita Fordell, the daughter of Jöns Fordell, married a local farmer called Olav. Their descendants moved north to the Pyhäjoki parish where one of their sons settled down by the Houru Falls in the river Pyhäjoki. That is how the family got its name: Houru/Hourula = Hourenius (the Latin form) – Hoffrenius - Hoffren. There are still people living in Pyhäjoki called Hourula. (source: http://suvut.genealogia.fi/simelius-...o_juusola.html (http://suvut.genealogia.fi/simelius-simojoki/historia/salo_juusola.html) and www.finlandforum.org (http://www.finlandforum.org/) e-mail dated September 5, 2005 - http://www.finlandforum.org/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=29222&start=45 (http://www.finlandforum.org/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=29222&start=45)).
Juhan genealogy news blog dated November 20, 2009 states that the Fordell family appeared in Ostrobothnia by the end of the Middle Ages. The originator was an important Merchant and Bailiff. The family’s origin is unknown and it is thought that Jöns was from Finland or Stockholm (as family members spent considerable time in, and there were clearly family links to, Stockholm). It may have originated in Germany. In 1499 Jöns was a Chief Judge and representative of Northern Ostrobothnia on the board of electors that chose a successor to King Christian II. In the same year, Jöns purchased from Sten Sture the Elder (Regent of Sweden) an estate in Saloinen parish for 150 DM which had belonged to the Bishop of Turku (Salo is near the city of Raahe). It was located on the coast near the harbour and marketplace which was likely what interested Jöns in purchasing the property. Furthermore, Jöns had a country home in Pyhäjoki and in the parish of Pedersöre. He likely lived in the latter. Later there was Fordellsgarden and Pinnonäs - manor houses which were located in the present town of Pietarsaari. Pinnonäs was changed in the 1590s, during the Club War, into a Crown Manor House. Jöns was still mentioned in Stockholm in 1512. He had seven children entitled to an inheritance. Two children are clearly identified - Anna and Knut and 4 others are identified with considerable probability:
1. Anna Fordell, died at the latest 1567, spouse Stockholm citizen Jöns Jakobsson (aka “Rauma Jöns”)
2. Brita Fordell, died approximately 1545, spouse Olof Törielsson (Tyrgilsson)
3. Knut Fordell, Merchant, Bailiff and Rural Police Chief, spouse Karin Olofsdotter
4. Jöns Fordell, the Clergyman of Pedersöre 1538-42
5. Markus Fordell, who is mentioned as a Merchant from Tornio in 1543
6. Henrik Fordell, Farm Owner in Salo in 1557
7. ?
(source: http://juhansuku.blogspot.com/2009/11/fordellit.html (http://juhansuku.blogspot.com/2009/11/fordellit.html))
Another source (from the website: http://www.toivohoffren.com/suku/Juuret.htm (http://www.toivohoffren.com/suku/Juuret.htm)) states that Jöns was from Germany and a Merchant in Stockholm. Jöns bought the farm of Hourula in the municipality of Pyhäjoki in Pohjankylä in 1499 from Sten Sture the Elder who was the Regent of Sweden.
The website for the city of Kokkola, Finland states the following with respect to the Fordell family: “Fordell (Fordel, Fordeel) - The Fordell family was a merchant and bailiff family in western Finland. A Knut Fordell is mentioned in Stockholm in 1485 and Jöns Fordell is mentioned in 1499 as a representative of Northern Finland at Christian II's election to the Swedish throne. Fordell bought that year from Sten Sture the Elder a farm in Salo in North Ostrobothnia and is mentioned in Stockholm in 1512. He also owned property in Pedersöre in Southern Ostrobothnia. Among his seven children were Anna (dead at the latest in 1567), married to the Stockholm Merchant Jöns Jakobsson, or Rauma Jöns (Board 1525-52), Brita, wife of Olof Tyrgilsson (Törielsson) in Salo and the mother of the Steward in Northern Ostrobothnia in 1560-63 Olof Olofsson, and Knut Fordell, the Bailiff of Pedersöre, Kokkola and Vörå 1530-51. Knut Fordell, who is said to have been engaged in large commercial ventures, held the farm of Pinnonäs in Pedersöre.” (source: http://www3.kokkola.fi/historia/nuijasota/fordellsv.htm (http://www3.kokkola.fi/historia/nuijasota/fordellsv.htm))
The Finnish National Biography Centre states the following with respect to the Fordell family:
“The Fordell family was a considerable peasant Merchant and Bailiff family from Ostrobothnia at the beginning of the modern age. There is no sure information about the origin of the family but it may have been originally from Germany. The oldest information about the family is from Stockholm from the 1480s.
The Fordells came to Ostrobothnia seemingly with trade connections between Ostrobothnia and Stockholm. The first known representative of the family from Ostrobothnia was Jöns Fordell who bought a farm in the parish of Salo in 1499. He already owned at that time property in Pietarsaari which became the base for the family. King Kustaa Vaasa surrendered to the grandson of Jöns Fordell, Lars Fordell, in a fief letter from Pietarsaari Pirilön dated September 1, 1546 certain islands which were earlier said to have belonged to his ancestors.
Jöns Fordell had at least seven children. Knut Fordell was a Bailiff of the municipalities of Kokkola, Pietarsaari and Vöyri from 1530 - 1551 and he owned the manor house of Pinnonäs in Pietarsaari. He conducted large land trades in Ostrobothnia and became wealthy. Jöns Fordell was a clergyman of Pietarsaari from 1538-1543. With respect to Jöns’ daughters, Brita Fordell’s spouse was named Olof Torgelsson who was a farm owner from the parish of Salo. One of their sons was named Olof Olofsson who served, among other things, as the Bailiff of Norrbotten [which is the northern most county in Sweden, see - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norrbotten_County (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norrbotten_County)] and Josef Fordell was a wealthy farm owner, Merchant and Rural Police Chief of the parish of Salo. Jöns’ son Henrik inherited the estate in Salo but he lived seemingly in Luleå. However, the peasant branch of a family of Fordells continued to reside in Salo and conduct land transactions.
The second spouse of the Bailiff Knut Fordell is identified as Katarina Olavsdotter who received in 1551 “protection books” from King Kustaa Vaasa against her stepsons. It is uncertain from which marriage all of Knut’s children descend. However, his sons Hans, Lars, Jöns and Knut are obviously from the first one. Of the boys, Jöns was dead already in 1556 and shortly after Knut died who had lived in Rodnäsissä in Kruunupyy.
Lars Fordell died approximately 1563 and was a farm owner in Rudsnäsissä in Kruunupyy. He occupied the office of District Judge of Ostrobothnia from 1555-1562. He was the Bailiff of the municipality of Liminga from 1555-1558 and the Bailiff of Pinnonäs from 1558–1561. He was also King Kustaa Vaasa's Crown Furs Buyer in Ostrobothnia. Furthermore, Lars Fordell conducted wide land trades by which he became wealthy. The King forbade land transactions by the Fordells in 1563 but in practice the prohibition was of little significance. Lars Fordell often got positions of trust from the King past actual civil servants. He died in 1563 in Kruunupyy when he was killed by a farm owner. There were descendants of his branch of the family in the 1600s in Oulu, including citizens and mayors.
Hans Knutsson Fordell died approximately 1574 and likewise conducted wide land trades and also acted repeatedly as the Bailiff of different municipalities in Ostrobothnia in the 1560s and the 1570s. He did not have scruples about his office and used it to his own advantage which is why he was discharged several times as a result of complaints. Because he was princely rich he was able to grant loans to the King and was able to assist also by equipping ships, among others things. Thus Hans Fordell acted as the King's uppermost Governor in Ostrobothnia from the year 1568 until his death.
Hans Knutsson’s younger son Knut served as the lukkari in Pietarsaari from 1600-1606. Hans Hansson Fordell (approximately 1535-1606) inherited Pinnonäs and increased its prosperity by practising farm trading. He also acted at times as the Rural Police Chief of Pietarsaari. During the years of the Club War he gained fame as a leader of, and advocate for, the farmers of Ostrobothnia.
One of the daughters of Hans Hansson Fordell was Lucia Fordell who died in 1599. She was married to Knut Henriksson who was the Clergyman of Pietarsaari. Their son Johannes Canuti studied in Wittenberg and received his Master of Arts in 1610. He took the name Forthelius. Other sons became farmers. The daughters, however, were married to Clergymen who were mainly from Ostrobothnia.
Sources and Literature: E. Anthoni, Släkten Fordell och dess släktförbindelser // Historisk Tidskrift för Finland 3/1963; E. Anthoni, Ett bidrag till släkten Fordells historia // Historisk tidskrift för Finland 2/1964; Y. Blomstedt, Fordeliorum Familia // Historisk Tidskrift för Finland 1/1965; A. Luukko, Pohjois-Pohjanmaan ja Lapin historia II. 1954; J. Mäkitalo, Fordell-suvun Luulajan haara // Genos 59. 1988.
This article on the Fordell family was prepared by Jouko Vahtola, Julkaistu October 28, 2003.” (source: http://www.kansallisbiografia.fi/kb/artikkeli/2648/ (http://www.kansallisbiografia.fi/kb/artikkeli/2648/))
The surname “Fordell” is also of Scottish background and in Scotland originates in Fife, Scotland. The book ‘Medieval Scotland, Crown, Lordship and Community’, edited by Alexander Grant and Keith J. Stringer states on page 81 in an addendum regarding the family “Fordell (in Fife)” the following: “This may have been a thanage or have had a thane. In 1451 there was a John Thane of Fordell and his son Alexander, and in 1457 an Alexander Thane of Thainisland (Dunfermline Reg., nos. 435-9, 452); these can be linked to the 1543 retour of ‘Thainislandis, viz tertia parte de Strabrune, Fordell et Fotheris’ (Retours, Fife, no.2). John and Alexander may have been descended from a John ‘Thyanus’ (i.e. ‘Thaynus’) who was chamberlain to the abbot of Dunfermline in 1316 (Dunfermline Reg., no. 348). Unfortunately, it is impossible to be certain about it, and therefore Fordell has not been included among the thanages discussed in this essay.” (source: http://books.google.fi/books?id=pC8njhobGxQC&pg=PA81&lpg=PA81&dq=Thainisl and&source=bl&ots=LOL50QwBv2&sig=6qFM6KKG-To8m1VDiJQSB2Ynrhc&hl=fi&ei=TNkXTNmBOcuj_AbC-7j1Cw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0 CC8Q6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=Thainisland&f=false (http://books.google.fi/books?id=pC8njhobGxQC&pg=PA81&lpg=PA81&dq=Thainisland&source=bl&ots=LOL50QwBv2&sig=6qFM6KKG-To8m1VDiJQSB2Ynrhc&hl=fi&ei=TNkXTNmBOcuj_AbC-7j1Cw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CC8Q6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=Thainisland&f=false))
The Wikipedia entry for Fordell Castle states: “Fordell Castle is a restored 16th-century tower house (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tower_house), located 1.25 miles (2.01 km) north-west of Dalgety Bay (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalgety_Bay) and 2 miles (3.2 km) east of Dunfermline (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunfermline), in Fife (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fife), Scotland (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotland). The lands of Fordell were given to the Henderson family by King James IV (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_IV_of_Scotland) in 1511, and the castle was built in 1567 on the site of an earlier structure. Mary, Queen of Scots (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary,_Queen_of_Scots), stayed here when Marion Scott, one of her ladies-in-waiting, married George Henderson, the laird (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laird). The castle was destroyed by fire, but rebuilt c.1580. The castle was damaged again by Oliver Cromwell (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oliver_Cromwell)'s army in 1651.” (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fordell_Castle (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fordell_Castle))
The website www.castleduncan.com (http://www.castleduncan.com) states the following with respect to Fordell Castle: “As might be expected from a castle which is reputed to date from around 1210, Fordell has a rich history. The main Keep which forms the original castle was built for a Flemish family by the name of de Camera on land thought to have been granted to them for their services in the Fifth Crusade [1213-1221 – see - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_Crusade (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_Crusade)]. The star and half moon motif which appears throughout both the castle and the gardens originates from this time. The castle was then extended in 1567 to create its present form when it was passed to James Henderson of Fordell and a date stone can be seen above the main entrance door bearing the year 1567. The castle now comprises a four storey oblong fortified house with stairwings to the north and south west corners with corbelled turrets above. The north-west wing also has a square turret with battlements. Mary Queen of Scots stayed at Fordell Castle with her husband Lord Darnley and is reputed to have returned when she escaped from her imprisonment at Loch Leven Castle.” (source: http://www.castleduncan.com/forum/index.php?/topic/1392-fordell-castle/page__st__10 (http://www.castleduncan.com/forum/index.php?/topic/1392-fordell-castle/page__st__10))
The website www.historic-scotland.gov.uk (http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/) states the following with respect to Fordell Castle: “Lands at Fordell were granted to a Flemish family called de Camera, along with a keep, said to have been built c. 1210. In 1220, Richard de Camera presented 13 acres of his lands, between Dalgety and Leuchat, to the Monastery of Inchcolm. These lands became known as ‘St Thereota's lands’, where there was a chapel by 1510. In 1511, the Hendersons who had acquired Fordell Castle in the early 16th century, acquired a charter of barony from James IV. The castle was enclosed with walls, had a portcullis gate and drawbridge. Following a fire the castle was rebuilt c. 1580, by James Henderson, a favourite of James VI. The modified barmkin wall forming the castle enclosure is probably part of this work. During the late 16th century, the Hendersons began working coal from outcrops near Broomieside Farm, starting the exploitation of the rich coal seams on the estate which, in the future, came to form the basis of their wealth and the estate economy.” (source: http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/largertext/gardenssearchmoreinfo?s=&r=&bool=0&PageID=2123&mor e_info=Site (http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/largertext/gardenssearchmoreinfo?s=&r=&bool=0&PageID=2123&more_info=Site))
A picture of Fordell Castle can be seen at the following link - http://www.castleduncan.com/forum/index.php?/topic/1392-fordell-castle/page__st__10 (http://www.castleduncan.com/forum/index.php?/topic/1392-fordell-castle/page__st__10))
For more pictures of Fordell Castle and its interior see - http://www.welcomehome.co.uk/News/Featured-property/A-beautifully-restored-16th-century-castle.aspx (http://www.welcomehome.co.uk/News/Featured-property/A-beautifully-restored-16th-century-castle.aspx)
A post on the website DNA-Forums (A Genetic Genealogy Community) dated June 15, 2010 under the heading “Scottish name Fordell” states the follow: “Does anyone know about the history of the medieval Fordells? It looks like it was a medieval Scottish clan that disappeared at the end of the 15th century and their property was given to another family, the Henderson family in 1511AD. The original Fordells are mentioned by a title Thane of Fordell. In 1451AD John Thane of Fordell and later his son Alexander are mentioned in the following documents. Where did the Fordell family disappear to and was there some violent event, for example a clan war or an effort at coup d'état, behind its disappearance?” (source: http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:Sn5stkgwWgUJ:dna-forums.org/index.php%3F/user/2400-mikej2/page__tab__topics+john+%22thane+of+fordell%22&cd=2 &hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=ca&source=www.google.ca (http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:Sn5stkgwWgUJ:dna-forums.org/index.php%3F/user/2400-mikej2/page__tab__topics+john+%22thane+of+fordell%22&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=ca&source=www.google.ca))
‘Mikej2’ responded to the post above on June 20, 2010 and stated the following: “Yes, this was my question. We have in Finland quite a large Fordell family, but its origin is unknown. The name is always spelled exactly as the Scottish name. We know that many other Scots came to Finland before the 17th century and this family popped up in Finland at the end of the 15th century, which corresponds exactly with the time when the Scottish family disappeared in Scotland. They probably came through Germany and Sweden because this Jöns (the man that was mentioned in your link, estimated birth date 1450AD) bought an estate near my birthplace from Swedish Sten Sture the Elder 1499AD. http://en.wikipedia....Sture_the_Elder (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sten_Sture_the_Elder) . So this man was probably a noble man. Sten Sture hardly did business with common people.” (source: http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:hSC7Csv2SnYJ:dna-forums.org/index.php%3F/topic/12203-scottish-name-fordell/+%22fordell+family%22+%22sweden%22&cd=4&hl=en&ct=c lnk&gl=ca&source=www.google.ca (http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:hSC7Csv2SnYJ:dna-forums.org/index.php%3F/topic/12203-scottish-name-fordell/+%22fordell+family%22+%22sweden%22&cd=4&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=ca&source=www.google.ca)
b. approx. 1450 – Germany or Holland. Likely of Scottish origin.
m.
d. 1512