When Even Østensen was born in 1633, in Sande, Vestfold, Norway, his father, Østen Aschudtsen, was 51 and his mother, Mari Jensdatter, was 46. He married Anne Gundmundsdatter in 1658, in Aker, Akershus, Norway. They were the parents of at least 6 sons and 9 daughters. He died on 15 February 1698, at the age of 65.