Based upon U.S. Census records and a Citizens Historical Association biography located in departmental files, it appears that the images in this collection are from the Hans Clementsen (Clementson) family of Grand Rapids, Michigan, via his son Harold A. Clementsen and his grandson, also Harold A. Clemetsen.

Hans Clemetsen (b. 1862) was born in Norway, immigrating to the United States in 1883 with his wife, Augusta Berg Clementsen (d. 1896). Initially, they lived, studied and worked in Chicago, where by 1904 Hans was employed by the Commercial Furniture Company. By 1906 they had moved to Grand Rapids, where Hans became Vice President of the Valley City Desk Company. He continued in the furniture industry of Grand Rapids throughout his life. The couple had six children.

Harold A. Clemetsen (1895-1937) was their sixth child. He served in World War I and was unwed at the time of registration. He died in 1937. He and his wife had two children, Harold and Harley.

Little is known about Harold A. Clemetsen, Jr. who, along with his wife Betsy, donated these images to the Grand Rapids Public Library. They were living in East Lansing, Michigan at the time of donation. Betsy died in March of 2001.