The following was taken from documents that Lloyd & June Susag researched and compiled. June, also known as "Thala June" spent hours researching Susag history.

SIVERT JONSEN SKILLEGRIND

The Skillegrind Farm is mentioned as far back as 1626 in O. Rygh Farm Names. It was located in the Ogndal or Ogndalen community, Parish or Skei (Schey). Sparbu community had the parishes of Henning and Maere. Saasegg farm was located in Henning Parish, Sparbuen community, Nordre Trondjhems county, later called Nord-Trondelag.

Sivert was the eldest son and was entitled to inherit Skillegrind farm. He apparently chose to start his own farm called "Kormyrasen" prior to his marriage. He was a timber worker and a craftsman in wood, particularly the oblong, wood bowls called "traug" which housewives used for breadmaking. He was known as "one good traug maker." He also was skilled as a crafter of wicker.

After his marriage in 1854 he and Andreanna lived, husmann status (house and farm land) on Langliplass under Susegg (Ne'stua). In Bygdebok for Sparbu og Ogndal, Vol. VII, it lists Langlie residence from 1855, stating in 1865 Sivert had 2 sheep, and produced "2 tonner poteter" (8 bushels potatoes) "men ikke sadd korn" (but not seed grain. The word "korn" usually referred to barley.)

He is listed as living in 1865, under Susegg/Ne'stua and in 1875 under Susegg Asphaugen. In 1998 an email was received from Einar Susegg (no relation) who still lives on a Susegg farm. He stated that Sivert's husmannsplass was on his farm; that they had found artifacts there. Also, that relatives of Sivert still live around there. His address is Einar Susegg. Suseggrenda, 7700 Steinkjer, Norway, telephone +47 74146133. His son, Kjell Ivar and his daughter. Christina, telephone +47 74146292- Email: kjellsusag@c2i.net (Kjell Ivar Susegg). Einar is the Uncle of Jan Susegg (Jan.Susegg@hint.no), a computer engineer at North Trondelag College, 7600 Levanger, Norway, telephone +47 74012711. Very nice people! The Matrikkelutkastet for 1950 lists Einar Susegg owning Saasegg West, Bruk #3.

The bygdebok for Sparbu and Ogndal state that Sivert and Andreanna, after marriage, lived as husmannfolk on Langlieplading, raising their children there. It was a hard life with very little farm production on their small acreage. Sivert was known as a carpenter and a very good traugmaker. In 1881 he and Andreanna moved to Brandseggplass, intending to emigrate to America in 1883. Their sons, Antonius and John, went 1881 and 1882; however Sivert and Andreanna, with son David, did not emigrate until 1888. The only child left in Norway was Edvart, who moved to Namsos and became a blacksmith. Sivert and his sons, John, Antonius and David, all homesteaded land in Sargent County, North Dakota. Sivert died in 1902 and is buried in Nordland Cemetery, near Rutland, Sargent County, North Dakota. Andreanna moved to New Norway, Alberta, Canada with Antonius and his wife, Elen, in 1910. She died there and is buried in New Norway Cemetery along with Antonius, his wife Elen and her second husband, Bakke.

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