When Helge Østensen was born about 1703, in Vestre Bærum, Bærum, Akershus, Norway, his father, Østen Sørensen Ringi, was 33 and his mother, Maren Helgesdatter, was 31. He married Johanne Iversdatter on 31 October 1734, in Asker, Akershus, Norway. They were the parents of at least 4 sons and 6 daughters. He died on 16 July 1763, in his hometown, at the age of 60, and was buried in Vestre Bærum, Bærum, Akershus, Norway.