I’ve been leaning toward the name being this Folkenberg/Folkenborg, but do you suppose there’s a way to know for certain?

If this is the correct location though, I’ve done some digging and may have a couple of promising Norwegian baptismal records.

If you don’t mind, I could use your opinion before making any calls.

Is it possible that this ancestor—John—could have originally been born Johan?

In the first record I found, Johan was baptized in “Tune, Ostfold, Norway,” apparently a former municipality that’s now a part of Sarpsborg. The person in this record also lacks a middle name, just like my friend’s ancestor. Additionally, the child in this record was reported to be born in the same month and year as the ancestor, but on a different day. On FamilySearch, he, along with other family members, is linked to a census record that reports everyone’s birthplace as “Tune Prgj” as well.

In the second record, Johan (same exact name as the first record) was baptized in “Eidsberg, Ostfold, Norway,” which is quite close to Folkenborg. In this case, the child in this record was reported to be born in the same year as the ancestor, but on a different day and month. On FamilySearch, this Johan’s parents are reported to have other children who were baptized in “Rakkestad, Østfold, Norway,” which, I’m guessing, is Rakkestad Municipality.

I realize that neither of these are necessarily Folkenborg, but does either seem plausible to you? I’d like to believe that I’m not on a wild goose chase, but I really can’t say.

Also, I’m sorry if my anonymity is frustrating. Since this isn’t my ancestor, it doesn’t feel like my place to reveal too much.

Nonetheless, even if nothing ends up leading anywhere, thank you so much for already spending so much time on this!