Roald Dahl

Date of Birth: 13 September, 1916

Place of Birth: Cardiff, Glamorganshire, Wales

Date of Death: 23 November, 1990

Place of Death: Oxford, England, U.K.

Ethnicity: Norwegian, some Danish, as well as remote Scottish, German, Dutch, French, and Swedish

Roald Dahl was a British novelist, short story writer, poet, screenwriter, and wartime fighter pilot.

Roald was born in Cardiff, Glamorganshire, Wales, the son of Norwegian parents, Sofie Magdalene (Hesselberg) and Harald Dahl. His father was from Sarpsborg, and settled in Cardiff in the 1880s. His mother moved to Wales in 1911. Roald was named after Norwegian polar explorer Roald Amundsen. He spoke Norwegian at the home, and was baptized in the Norwegian Church, Cardiff, established 1868.

Roald was married to film producer Felicity Dahl, until his death. He had five children with his former wife, American actress Patricia Neal, including Olivia Dahl, author and actress Tessa Dahl, social justice and health care advocate Ophelia Dahl, and screenwriter Lucy Dahl. Among their grandchildren are, through Tessa, author and model Sophie Dahl, and through Lucy, fashion designer, philanthropist, and activist Phoebe Dahl. He was an uncle of art dealer Nicholas Logsdail.

Roald’s paternal grandfather was Olavus Trulsen Krosby/Dahl (the son of Truls/Trull Pedersen Bøltorp/Krosby and Kristine Olsdatter Smådal). Olavus was born in Smådal, Eidsberg, Østfold. Truls was the son of Peder Trulsen and Anne Erichsdatter.

Roald’s paternal grandmother was Elen Thorine Andersdatter Langengen (the daughter of Anders Eilertsen Langengen and Birte Olsdatter). Elen was born in Varteig, Rakkestad, Tune, Østfold. Anders was the son of Eilert Arvesen. Birte was the daughter of Ole Thostensen.

Roald’s maternal grandfather was Karl Laurits Hesselberg (the son of Hans Theodor Iversen Hesselberg and Magdalene/Magdalena Cathrine/Catharina Jenssen/Jensen). Karl was born in Nedre Stjørdal, Stjørdal, Nord-Trøndelag. Hans was the son of Sogneprest til Grue Iver Hansen Hesselberg and Alette Birgitte Preüs. Magdalene was the daughter of Anthon Petersen Jenssen/Jensen and Fredrikke Johanne Christiane Støren.

Roald’s maternal grandmother was Elen Wallace (the daughter of George Wallace, Jr. and Sophia/Sophie Bergitha/Bergithe Marie Huun). Elen was born in Bergen, Vestland. George was the son of George Wallace and Elen Michaelsdatter Wallem. The surname Wallace came from his ancestor George Wallace, who was born, c. 1689, in Banff, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Sophia was the daughter of Martin Wahl/Vahl Huun and Inger Sophia Devle.

Sources: Genealogies of Roald Dahl – https://www.geni.com
https://www.wikitree.com