Jacob Hovaldsen (c.1719-1792) of Rønne, Bornholm, Denmark

[gj05034]

My ancestor Jacob Hovaldsen (c.1719-1792) lived in Rønne on the Danish island of Bornholm. He was a Portrait & Decorative Artist (Portrett & Decorative Kunstner): he painted many of the Bornholmer clocks.

He possibly lived in København before moving to Rønne circa 1743. No birth record can be found for him in any of the København parish registers.

Jacob married Kirstine Poulsdatter (c.1720-1797) on April 20, 1744 in Rønne. They had 6 children:

1) Hovald Jacobsen (1745-1772)
2) Anne Marie Jacobsdatter (1747, died after 1792)
3) Poul Jacobsen (1750-1750)
4) Poul Jacobsen Hovald (1751-1795)
5) Annike Jacobsdatter (1757-1827)
6) Jacob Jacobsen (1760-1760)

Kirstine Poulsdatter's mother was named Annike, so possibly Jacob's mother was named Anne Marie?

The given name Hovald is not a Danish name - I have only ever seen it in Denmark on Bornholm among the descendants of Jacob Hovaldsen!

I have found that the name Hovald can be found with some frequency in Norway (where it is often spelled: Haaval, Haavald, Haavel, Hoval or Hovel). The 1801 census of Norway shows the concentration of this name in the following counties: Oppland [242 people], Buskerud [108], Østfold [88], Hedmark [80], Akershus [55], Vestfold [23], Oslo [8], Nord-Trøndelag [3], Hordaland [1] and Telemark [1].

Possibly Jacob Hovaldsen was from Norway? Any information would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Norman Madsen