America Letter The danish immigrant museum

® An inTernATionAL CuLTurAL CenTer Winter 2011 • Vol. XXiV, no. 3 2212 WAsHinGTon sTreeT • elK Horn, ioWA 51531 • 712-764-7001 • www.danishmuseum.org

Glædelig Jul og Godt Nytår

insidE: Across oceans, Across Time, Across Generations: Flemming Behrend Announcing the Victor Borge Legacy Award solving a 42-year-old mystery: Who was the Father of Hans George Hansen? Director’s Corner “The Danish Immigrant Museum celebrates Danish roots and American dreams.”

on August 31, The Danish immigrant Thanks to former board member, Gordon Esbeck, Museum ended its twenty-eighth the museum has entered into a relationship fi scal year. Careful control of with the Omaha Community Foundation (OCF). OCF serves as the umbrella organization for spending by the staff and timely community foundations of southwest Iowa, which advice on managing our endowment includes Shelby County, where the museum is funds provided us with earnings located. that allowed us to close the year by Our partnership with OCF allows the museum paying off our operating line of credit to offer a number of investment possibilities and begin the new fi scal year with that may interest members and will benefi t a modest surplus. This is important the museum. Among these are Charitable Gift Annuities, which allows an individual to invest in a time of continued fi nancial a minimum of $10,000 and, depending on uncertainly. it also underscores the age, receive returns of 4% to 5%. (One of our importance of building endowment. members is getting over 8%!) When the owner While personally, I am more interested in the of the annuity passes away, remaining funds are history behind each of the museum’s artifacts paid out to the museum or they can be directed as well as the human stories that I hear from to the newly created Dannebrog Fund, our members and visitors and that are told in our endowment fund managed by OCF. The museum America Letter, I recognize the museum needs will then receive annual earnings from this fund. to maintain a sound fi nancial foundation. In coming months, we will share more information about a number of opportunities that may be of Because of your membership and support and mutual benefi t. the efforts of our staff and board of directors, we have been able to pay our bills, avoid In addition to careful budget management, debt and slowly build our endowment. One continued strategic planning is important. As you reason is that individuals have provided for read in the summer issue of the America Letter, the museum in their estates. In 2009 and the board of directors has adopted a strategic and 2010, the museum was fortunate to receive operational plan that provides direction over the a number of large bequests. Some of the next fi ve years. One of the museum’s goals is to funds were used to support operations; explore cooperating with other organizations and most, however, were directed to endowment institutions with similar interests. Conversations building. I continue to encourage you to have begun with representatives of the Danish consider providing for the museum in your American Heritage Society, the Danish American estate. Should you do so, letting us know Archive and Library, Grand View University, is helpful, as it allows for better planning. and the Rebild National Park Society. The desired outcome is greater vitality for all, even We have been looking for other ways as we pursue the museum’s unique mission of to build the museum’s fi nancial stability celebrating Danish roots and American dreams. while benefi ting individual members.

2 • America Letter Announcing the Victor Borge Legacy Award The Danish Immigrant Museum is essay prize. Watch for more details proud to announce a new program about the fi rst winners and recitals in to support young piano students and the Spring 2012 issue of the America celebrate the legacy of Victor Borge, Letter. Danish entertainer. In partnership Funding for the Victor Borge Legacy with the Omaha Music Teachers Award is provided through a generous Association and the Southwest gift from R. James and Janet Borge Iowa Music Teachers Association, Crowle of Saint Michaels, Maryland. the museum will be offering prizes of $1000 and $500 for piano If you live in the southwest Iowa or performances by talented high school Omaha region and are interested in students in the region. Winning participating, you can fi nd links to performers will then perform in recitals competition details on the museum’s on the museum’s Victor Borge piano website, under the Special Events and be eligible for an additional $500 menu.

America Letter

Published three times annually by Cynthia McKeen, st. Paul, Mn Development Director: Bruce Bro, The danish immigrant museum Carol Jensen Mills, Dubuque, iA [email protected] 2212 Washington street Benedikte ehlers olesen, eugene, or / Bryup, Wall of Honor, Donations, elk Horn, iowa 51531 Denmark Memorial Gifts & Memberships: Marian “Mittie” ostergaard, Mission Debra Christensen larsen, 712-764-7001 800-759-9192 Viejo, CA [email protected] FAX 712-764-7002 Jesper Packert Pedersen, Washington, DC Bookkeeping & Financial eva nielsen, editor Henrik Fogh rasmussen, springfi eld, il Inquiries: Jennifer Winters, www.danishmuseum.org Consul lynette skow rasmussen, [email protected] email: [email protected] Johnston, iA Exhibit Questions: Tova Brandt, Jerry schrader, elk Horn, iA [email protected] Mark strandskov, Mt. Pleasant, Mi Artifact Donations & Museum Loans: Angela Board of Directors Janet M. Thuesen, sausalito, CA stanford, President – Mark Frederiksen, Falcon, Co Ex-Offi cio [email protected] Vice President – Kay esbeck north, Harriet Albertsen spanel, Bellingham, WA Museum Shop: Joni soe-Butts, Ames, iA Marc Petersen, omaha, ne [email protected] Secretary – Flemming “eric” smitsdorff, racine, Wi Kai nyby, laPorte, in Donation of Books & Library Treasurer – Kenneth larsen, Calistoga, CA/Harlan, iA Vern Hunter, Fargo, nD Questions: Michele Mcnabb, Dennis Andersen, Atlanta, GA nils Jensen, Portland, or [email protected] erik Andersen, Croton-on-Hudson, nY Dennis larson, Decorah, iA Genealogical & Translation Inquiries: Jon Borgman, Harlan, iA [email protected] ronald Bro, Cedar Falls, iA FHGC Data Entry: Wanda sornson, dkgen2@ lone Christensen, Brown Deer, Wi Staff metc.net Ane-Grethe Delaney, Wayzata, Mn/university Park, Fl Executive Director: Custodian: Tim Fredericksen Kurt Hansen, rosemount, Mn Dr. John Mark nielsen, Weekend Staff: Beth rasmussen stewart Hansen, West Des Moines, iA [email protected] rodger rasmussen Kenneth “Jake” Jacobsen, seattle, WA General Information, Group Tours, Kristi Planck Johnson, Bethesda, MD Volunteering Opportunities: Terri Johnson, [email protected] America Letter • 3 Across Oceans, Across Time, Across Generations: Flemming Behrend By Eva Nielsen Flemming Behrend describes himself as a troubadour. Troubadour is a term he came to as a fan of the French comic book series The Adventures of Asterix and Obelix. One of the characters in the series is the bard of the fictional Gaulish village where the action is set. His name – in the Danish translations – is Trubadurix. “In all societies, in all communities everyone has a function,” Flemming explains. “I have always felt that my role has been the person that sings – that has a guitar and sings…That is my art. Flemming, the baby in this family photo, says that immigration That is my function.” is probably in his DNA. His mother, Lycke, was born to a half- Flemming has been a troubadour in Danish, half-German family in eastern Germany and immigrated multiple communities since he first to Denmark. Flemming lived in Germany and has been in the United States for thirty years. And now Flemming’s oldest son, started picking at a guitar as a 15-year- Bastian, lives with his wife and two children in Australia. old in Copenhagen. Today, he lives in Olympia, Washington, but – thanks to the Internet, to CDs and to relatively however, he mostly performs and records solo and in easy global travel – this bard’s reach Danish. And that feels like the right fit to him – one that goes far beyond the borders of one took some years to come to. village. Flemming didn’t begin performing publicly until he was Flemming plays folk music. (His well into his twenties – and until he had left Denmark. music, by the way, would provide nice A couple factors motivated him to leave. Flemming was ambience as you read this article. trained as a dental technician and, at the time, he says, Check out some of his songs on his it was normal for people who were educated to work with website: www.samarkandfolk.com.) their hands, to travel around Europe, work, try out other When he was growing up in the cultures. Plus, Flemming was ready to escape Denmark sixties, folk music was everywhere. for a while. Flemming’s older sister, a dancer and actor, Think Arlo and Woody Guthrie, became a star at age ten and Flemming feels he very Peter, Paul and Mary, Joan Baez, much grew up in her shadow. So, when he was offered a Bob Dylan. Flemming names British job in a dental lab in Trier, Germany, he chose to go. folk singer Donovan as one of his In Trier, Flemming quickly connected with some other early influences. He also liked musicians and they formed a trio, playing old German the music of Danish folksinger folk music from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Frode Veddinge, as well as They played in restaurants in exchange for meals and Birgitte Grimstad, who sings drinks and performed at a summer festival in front of both in Norwegian and Danish masses of people, Flemming’s first experience in front of (Flemming still plays a couple of an audience of that size. her songs). Flemming has sung Flemming also met his wife-to-be, Silvia, in Trier. Silvia in various bands throughout was studying languages on an exchange program from his musical life; he has sung in Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Together, different languages (German, the two traveled through France and to Spain, where English, Macedonian – they made several discoveries. First, they found they to name a few). Today, were unable to access their bank accounts as they had 4 • America Letter in a square, surrounded by white fired at the synagogue in Frankfurt buildings, the moon shining above. with machine guns. This was all People were home, windows were the more unsettling because Silvia lit, but the square was empty. Then is Jewish and their child would be Flemming pulled out his guitar and Jewish. Silvia, by the way, was born started playing Donovan songs. in Argentina, a place her Russian People trickled out of the buildings and Hungarian grandparents had into the square, throwing money to immigrated to in the 1920s seeking him. a safer, more tolerant home for “We both felt we were too old to people of the Jewish faith. Argentina be hippies like that,” comments was that place for her grandparents’ Flemming. But busking got Silvia and generation, but the political climate Flemming all the way back to Trier. evolved and by the time her parents’ generation reached adulthood, When Silvia became pregnant with harassment of Jews became their first child, she and Flemming common. When she was nine, started considering a move. They Silvia’s family left Argentina and were, of course, immigrants – a Dane immigrated to the United States. and an American in Trier, expecting a baby with no family nearby to give Another issue for Flemming and support – and that was complicated Silvia in their deliberations about enough. But there was more to it where to make a permanent home than that. Silvia and Flemming were was the tension that rippled across uncomfortable with some of the Eastern Europe and up to the events happening around Germany German border as a result of the at the time. Polish Solidarity Movement. (This Flemming, the teenage troubadour, in the was when a group of Poles, led by Flemming notes that – even in the late 1960s in Denmark. future Polish president Lech Walesa early 1980s, years after World War went on strike in the shipyards in planned. Second, Flemming realized II – there was still an undercurrent of Gdansk, Poland, demanding – he could make money with his music. anti-Semitism present in Germany. among other things – the right to Flemming remembers an evening While Silvia and Flemming were form a union independent from the in an archetypal Spanish village – living in Trier, for example, people sanctioned unions of the Communist party.) This movement troubled Soviet leaders. Choosing to flex their military muscles westward, they sent 300,000 Soviet troops right up against the border with Germany. Flemming says, “There was a sense that World War III could happen and we wanted to get as far away from that as possible.” The couple decided to move to the United States – a place they viewed as more open and hospitable to differences, a safe place for their new baby boy, Bastian. They immigrated to Washington, D.C., and when they arrived, jobless, without much money, music came in handy again. Flemming pulled out his guitar and made his way from restaurant to restaurant in Georgetown, playing

– Continued on page 6 Flemming and his group Saitenspinner play at a street fair in Germany in the 1970s. America Letter • 5 Behrend continued from page 5 at tables for money until he got a job in a dental practice. Flemming calls those early days in the U.S. “tough.” Yet the move felt right. Flemming says, “There is a certain openness when you come from a small country and you come to the U.S. and it’s so gigantic and open. And there’s a very easy way people have with each other here – speaking to each other on the street. You certainly don’t have that in Europe.” In D.C., Silvia got connected with the Unitarian church and started a master’s in theology. Meanwhile, wanting more experience playing in front of crowds, Flemming started Playing in Germany in 1979. Flemming met his wife Silvia in Trier, Germany. They chose to leave Germany for the United States. playing at open mic nights at neighborhood bars. was blond and white; it was very Washington. homogenous and clean and orderly.” After ten years in D.C. (where, by As it happened, the move led (And, as Flemming notes, there Flemming back to his Danish roots in the by, their middle and youngest truly are many Danish Americans children, Gabriel and Katrina, were other ways too. Initially in Olympia, in the area. A large influx of Danish Flemming performed with a band, born) Silvia decided to take a job pioneers made their way to Salt Lake as director of religious education singing Eastern European and City during the nineteenth century American music. But he found the at a church in Salt Lake City, Utah. because of the Mormon Church’s When they arrived, Flemming felt organizational logistics of making heavy missionary activity in Denmark music with others both complicated that he had arrived in “Denmark in at that time.) the mountains.” He says, “Everybody and time-consuming. So, Flemming Flemming played regularly in sort of threw up his hands and the church there – in decided, “Maybe I should just sing jazz ensembles, as a my Danish songs. Go back to what I percussionist, a singer know – just sing what I grew up with.” with an acoustic guitar, And that has been something of a all kinds of configurations revelation. Because, as Flemming and styles. And he also discovered, playing in your own had enough time and language is a powerful thing. “I money to buy equipment realized when I started singing only and start recording. Some Danish songs how much passion weekends he would head I could put into it because, even to the Salt Lake City though I’ve been in America for thirty farmers’ market to play years and speak English very well, I and sell CDs. still don’t have the same feeling when As much as Salt Lake I sing in English as when I sing in my City had in common with mother tongue. I can really express to Denmark, however, it was people what I feel; it’s just a different missing something critical feeling.” Today Flemming has returned to his Danish roots and for this Dane: the sea. Soon Flemming developed a mostly sings Danish folk songs. So after fourteen years in repertoire of Danish music and Utah, Silvia and Flemming started singing at a couple venues went west, toward the and his music, says Flemming, “took 6 • America Letter coast, to Olympia, Flemming’s Music Flemming and Silvia with their children, Katrina, Bastian, and Gabriel, in Salt Flemming has recorded a number Lake City in 2002. of CDs—all available on his website, www.samarkandfolk.com. song is featured at the end of each Peters jul (En dansk julehistorie) episode of the show Verdens bedste tv-program. Vi er Ravnen (Danish folk music) Flemming played in Denmark Sangen om Tordenskjold (Danish this past summer and mentions folksongs) that there’s a difference between So Troll’n Wir Uns (German folk performing for Danes and for music) Americans. He says, “If I sing there, Guld på ruderne (original music by all I can expect is a little smile, a Flemming Behrend) little nodding of the head – and that means they really like it…In America people laugh and clap and there will be laughter and it’s very big.” He adds, “As Danish people we on its own life.” sometimes feel that Americans will Here are some specifics. Grammercy show all this enthusiasm over things Records, a record label in Seattle, that aren’t even that good.” Flemming and his sister, actress Washington has shown interest in That said, Flemming confesses that Sonja Oppenhagen, at her home in Flemming. They want to produce the he prefers to perform in America Copenhagen. Flemming was born in CD that he currently has in the works. where audiences “show their Copenhagen and still calls it “the very Flemming has also made ninety enthusiasm right away.” best place in the world.” videos, mostly with Danish folk music, which can be viewed on YouTube. And Flemming is also performing our tribe, while being away from our And, as it happened, the girlfriend of around the northwest U.S. when he tribe.” a Danish television producer, Thomas can (he does still have a day job) Flemming adds that he particularly Skov Gaardsvig, saw these videos and often plays troubadour for his enjoys performing for these and suggested to her boyfriend that fellow immigrants at Scandinavian Scandinavian-American groups. Flemming’s music should be part gatherings. “We are the people who “They get it.” He says. “They of his television program. So, now travel out,” says Flemming. “And we appreciate it. It’s a way I can Flemming is back in Denmark, on leave our country – and we leave it contribute.” It is, in other words, his the TV screen, anyway; a video of for many different reasons – but then function. Flemming performing a Danish folk we seek each other out again and we get together and we celebrate America Letter • 7 Exhibitions on view

Faces of Copenhagen: Photographs by Itzick Lev On view November 25, 2011 through February 26, 2012. The Danish Immigrant Museum is proud to host Faces of Copenhagen, an exhibit of over forty contemporary portraits from the streets of the Danish capital. This exhibition was organized by the Nordic Heritage Museum in Seattle and the installation in Elk Horn marks the final venue in its United States tour. of faces. The idea with the present exhibition is to show In the words of the photographer, Copenhagen’s rich gallery of people to the public, and in Itzick Lev, “Copenhagen today is an this way bring the people of Copenhagen closer to the international metropolis, with many viewer.” culturally different inhabitants and a lot of tourists and foreign businessmen. The installation is supported in part by a grant from The They enrich the culture and the gallery American-Scandinavian Foundation based in New York.

Danish-American Artist Series presents Mia Furlong – Artist with a Danish Spirit On view January 21 through July 8, 2012. Mia Furlong is not a typical lawyer: she works four days a week, so that she has time available to pursue her painting. Artistic expression has always been integrated into her life, whether as a dancer, a poet, or a painter. Her mother is a Danish immigrant and Mia frequently visits family in Denmark. She credits her Danish heritage for the choices and values in her life, such as keeping room in her life for creative arts. Her work reflects a strong interest in color, geometry, and organic forms such as trees, leaves and flowers.

“Copper Wall” by Mia Furlong

8 • America Letter Jens Jensen Heritage Path Completed

The Danish Immigrant Museum held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, October 13 to celebrate the completion of the Jens Jensen Heritage Path on the front lawn of the museum. The brick pathway is the first phase of and the entrance to the Jens Jensen Prairie Landscape Park – a vision the museum has for the 20-acre area north of the museum. Jens Jensen (1860-1951) emigrated from Denmark to America in 1884, settled in the Chicago area and pioneered the Prairie School of landscape architecture. The park will represent Jensen’s nature-based approach to landscape design. The newly dedicated path provides an on-going opportunity to honor the memory of loved ones, recognize individual achievements, celebrate an occasion, individual club or business or a special gift. New names will be added to the path throughout the year. If you are interested in purchasing a brick in the Jens Jensen Heritage Path, The original idea for the commemorative brick path came please call Debra Christensen Larsen at 712.764.7001 from former board of directors member Kurt Klarskov Larsen of Oneonta, Alabama. Klarskov Larsen’s idea was brought to or 800.759.9192 or visit the museum’s website at www. reality by board member Mark Nussle and his wife, Lori. Mark danishmuseum.org. and Lori Nussle are pictured here, cutting the ribbon with the oversized scissors.

Admission & Hours

Admission Business Hours Family History & (Includes Bedstemor’s House) Monday-Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Genealogy Center Hours Current Museum Members: May-October: FREE with Membership Card All facilities are closed on New Year’s Tuesday-Friday, 9:00 am-5:00 pm Non-Members: Adults, $5 Day; Easter Sunday; Thanksgiving; Saturday, 10:00 am-5:00 pm Children (ages 8-17), $2 Christmas November-April: (Local weather conditions may cause Tuesday-Friday, Museum Hours: occasional closures.) 10:00 am-4:00 pm Monday-Friday, 9:00 am-5:00 pm Saturday, 10:00 am-5:00 pm Sunday, 12:00 noon-5:00 pm

America Letter • 9 Collection

The Connection C By Angela Stanford, Curator of Collections The collections department is knee- inventory and cataloging project will • All of the supporting deep in a large and long-running be completed during the summer of documentation, or stories, project: the complete inventory and 2013. associated with our collection will cataloging of the objects collection. The project involves recording all be known. This collection is rich and varied and identifying information about every • Every artifact will have an contains around 30,000 artifacts – artifact – including identification electronic record and will require artifacts as different from one another numbers, physical descriptions, less handling, thereby reducing the as a chiffon wedding dress is from a measurements, and the current home risk of further wear and tear. set of hand-made molds for creating location of each piece. Additionally, • Artifacts will be more easily car parts. Many of the pieces are photographs are taken to create a unique. Most support the museum’s accessible to staff when granting a visual record that supports the written donor’s request to see the pieces goal of telling the stories of Danish one. We are also adding all the immigrants and their descendants they donated or when developing exhibitions. • All records will be available online through “View Our Collection” to qualified museum members. • Collections care and management will improve because the needs of specific artifacts are addressed as the project progresses. For example, especially fragile artifacts are given more physical support and boxes are relieved of overcrowding. • Completing the inventory and cataloging project will inform the museum’s long-range plans both for caring for and growing the collection. The museum also has a collection of about 6,000 photographs, 8,000 The museum’s collection contains around 30,000 artifacts, 6,000 photographs, 8,000 pieces of archival material and 7,000 pieces of archival material, and 7,000 library volumes. library volumes. These collections are part of the larger inventory plan and will become the focus of and those of the Danish-American documentary information currently communities that still exist today. the kind of detailed evaluation that maintained in paper files to the the objects collection is currently The project began in the fall of electronic database, so that once undergoing. Already, the library 2006 as a part-time task that our an artifact is fully inventoried and collection is being evaluated for its collections intern and I worked cataloged, everything we know about consistency with the mission of the on together. Since that time, all it is in one place. museum and for duplication within subsequent collections interns and Once finished, the inventory and the museum collections. Additionally, all of the dedicated department cataloging project will have a number volunteers are currently digitizing the volunteers have contributed to the of outcomes, some of which are full collection of photographs, and the project. Thanks to a grant from the highlighted here: archival collection will follow. Historical Resources Development • We will know exactly what artifacts Inventory is a painstaking project, Program, funded through the State one that demands patience and Historical Society of Iowa, this we have and where they are located. attention to detail. But the results are 10 • America Letter invaluable. Do you have an Ant, an Egg, or a Swan?

The museum is planning an exhibition on Danish modern design from the 1950s and 1960s. If you have vintage furniture or decorative arts from that period – especially by a known designer – we would love to talk to you! Ant chairs, Egg chairs, and Swan chairs by Arne Jacobsen are just some of iconic designs that we hope to include. The Danish modern design exhibition will open in Elk Horn in 2013, in time to celebrate the museum’s 30th anniversary. We then hope to share this Do you have “The exhibition with other museums across the country in 2014 and 2015. If you Chair” designed by Hans J. Wegner? have original pieces in good condition that you might consider lending to this Photo from the museum’s multi-year project, please contact curator of exhibitions Tova Brandt at 712- collection, 2007.050.052, gift of 764-7001 or [email protected]. the Royal Danish Embassy. Meet Anna Mullen, Collections Inventory Intern One of the key factors in the success in the paper file and added to the meet other professionals who are of the inventory and cataloging electronic database. as passionate about The Danish of the museum’s object collection Once large objects are complete, Immigrant Museum as I am.” project has been the involvement of a Anna will move on to the framed She also shares, “For the longest number of interns with education and collections where she will work part of my childhood I used to say experience in the museum field. with paintings, photographs, works that when I grew up I wanted to be a Our current collections inventory on paper and some needlework dolphin trainer. While that dream has intern is Anna Mullen of Davenport, samples. These pieces will be changed quite a bit, I have definitely Iowa. In July, Anna began working evaluated in the same way as large transferred the same amount of with large objects, such as furniture, objects, but considerations will also passion into museums.” field plows, trunks, and cabinet be made for reframing needs. Many Specifically, after earning her sewing machines (the latter being of the backing materials used are master’s degree, Anna hopes to her favorite pieces so far). As she acidic cardboard or wood and will work in several different kinds of works with an artifact, Anna records be replaced with acid-free archival museum settings. She would like to the object’s physical characteristics, materials. get involved in professional museum records the home location, and Anna grew up in a family that valued organizations like the Iowa Museum takes a number of photographs. historical and cultural resources Association and the American This information is combined with so she feels the museum field is a Association of Museums and become the written documentary information comfortable fit for her. In her four a contributing author for publications months at The such as Preservation, the magazine Danish Immigrant for the National Trust for Historic Museum, she Preservation. Anna says that down has participated the road she would also be interested in several other in earning her PhD and teaching in a projects and museum studies program. events, one being Anna graduated from Iowa State the recent on-site University in May of this year with meeting of the a dual degree in anthropology and museum’s board history. After completing her one- of directors. Anna year internship here at The Danish says, “Attending Immigrant Museum next summer the board meeting (funded in part by a grant from the exposed me to Historical Resources Development the multiple facets Program through the State Historical of running a Society of Iowa), Anna will begin national museum. courses for her master’s degree in It was also a great museum studies. Intern Anna Mullen has been cataloging the large objects in the opportunity to museum collection. She is particularly fond of the museum’s sewing machine collection. America Letter • 11 Beyond Fairy Tales What else has Hans Christian Andersen given us?

Kristi Planck Johnson is Professor Emerita at Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia, where she taught international education. Her main research interests are in the area of refugee/minority education policy in Scandinavia and biographical research related to Hans Christian Andersen. Kristi’s interest in Andersen began with a curiosity about his education. From there, she moved on to document his travels and life in Italy. Currently, she is exploring Jean Hersholt’s collection of Andersen in the Rare Book Room at the Library of Congress as well as the development of Andersen’s scrapbooks. Kristi is a member of The Danish Immigrant Museum’s Board of Directors.

By Kristi Planck Johnson adults and hard for children to understand. Yes, once upon a time, there was a From this platform, Andersen became an author young gentleman, born in Denmark, widely known in his own time, not least because who lived a life filled with fairy tales he traveled widely in Europe and his works were translated into more than one hundred he created all by himself (or almost: languages. In addition, his letters and his he did borrow ideas from others personal diaries are voluminous, published, and on more than one occasion!) and a source of much insight into his life. Popular in a myriad of other literary creations Germany and in England, Andersen became a that are seldom recognized outside huge success partly because of the extensive of Scandinavia. The gentleman’s availability of his works. name was Hans Christian Andersen Scholars have done much research into (1805-1875). While many know him Andersen’s literary style and translations. At the only because his fairy tales were Second International Hans Christian Andersen Conference in 1996, one of the five major translated into many languages, sessions was devoted to “Language, Style, he was also a writer of diaries, and Translation.” At the third such international autobiographies, plays, song lyrics, conference, Frank Hugus from the University poems, travel memoirs, novels, and of Massachusetts referred to Andersen as “an short stories. Through each of these accomplished translator,” who translated eight genres, he taught us about the theatrical works from the German and the ordinary things in life and how our French into Danish. Ironically, Andersen himself is not easy to translate. His writing is replete with imaginations can serve as jumping unusual circumstances and vocabulary. Many of off points for expanding our minds. his stories were meant to be read aloud, which Andersen grew up enjoying writer Ludvig he did, and his style was close to the spoken Holberg, the Arabian Nights, and puppet colloquial language. shows. His father made sure he had a Published first in Denmark in 1822, Andersen’s theatrical upbringing and foundation in first book was the play Youthful Attempts the classics despite a meager home published under the name William Christian environment where little formal education Walter – “William” because of his love of William was available. Andersen borrowed Shakespeare; “Christian,” his own given name; ideas from this classical training and “Walter” from his fondness for Sir Walter and incorporated them into his own Scott. philosophy, thus creating his unique works of art. He was also briefly a From teenage theatrical writing, Andersen singer and an actor and so knew how moved to writing poetry and, then, in 1828/1829 to connect with an audience. The a comical piece called A Walking Tour of morals in his stories were mostly for Copenhagen! 12 • America Letter – Continued on next page Andersen loved traveling. We read centerpiece or main character in the in his diary, “To Travel is to Live.” His work. Recommended Books travels took him, among other places, Nora Seton wrote in the Houston by or about Hans to Italy, France, Germany, England, Chronicle in May 2005 as follows: Christian Andersen Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Scotland, “In the 1830s children were not and the Balkans. By Hans Christian taken seriously and very few adults Andersen A very unusual Andersen piece is respected the child for his own an unpublished manuscript located nature or for the emotional and • The Diaries of Hans Christian in the Jean Hersholt collection at imaginative life that Andersen allows Andersen. Selected and the Library of Congress, “Eduard to blossom.” Seton went on to say: translated by Patricia Conroy and Kunigunde.” This dramatic “Hans Christian Andersen was and Sven Rossel. piece is a signed holograph perfectly tuned to a child’s mind. He • Fairy Tales. Translated by Tiina probably written between 1833 glorified the idea of being “childishly Nunnally and 1836. It is a parody based on pure,” which makes excellent sense • Hans Christian Andersen on J. N. Nestroy’s aria, “Eduard and for a man seemingly unable to grow Copenhagen. Johan de Mylius, Kunigunde” (from Nestroy’s comedy, up. When telling his stories aloud he Editor. Lumpacivagamunduss). “Eduard inhabited the imagined world of his • Seven Poems. Translated by R. and Kunigunde” is a burlesque about characters. He riddled his tales with P. Keigwin. two young lovers and a heartless a child’s patois, “plenty of prattle, • Travels. Translated and edited father. The father sends Kunigunde nonsense, and unaesthetic words like by Anastazia Little. to a cloister. Kunigunde and Eduard `baa’ and `boo’ in his pockets. What grieve so severely that they die. an assault was about to commence About Hans Christian When Kunigunde’s father learns on the royal palaces of art!” Andersen of this tragedy, he is saddened When Andersen’s tales were first • Hans Christian Andersen: The and ends up erecting a monument published, Jens Andersen (author Story of His Life and Work on their grave. The manuscript and biographer of Hans Christian 1805-1875 by Elias Bredsdorff includes music and stage direction. Andersen: A New Life, translated • The Amazing Paper Cuttings Niels Peter Moeller, a school pal of by Tiina Nunnally in 2005) notes of Hans Christian Andersen by Andersen’s, was the recipient of this that they were criticized for their Beth Wagner Brust. piece. The story goes, as read in the naturalism: “In the 1830s, to write the • That Land I Saw: Hans Collin family collection of papers, way that people talked was regarded Christian Andersen’s Sketches that Moeller asked Andersen to lend as a means of undermining the true During His Travels in Italy it to him for use among a group of and beautiful values of literature. – 1833-34 by Hans Edvard friends. Moeller, a contemporary of It was unheard of to replace the Nørregård-Nielsen Andersen’s, left Denmark as a ship’s standard written language with • Hans Christian Andersen and doctor and moved to Chile, where he the free language of thoughts – to His World by Reginald Spink was a vice-consul for Denmark. grumble, hum, sob, and plainly speak • Hans Christian Andersen: Throughout his life, Andersen your mind as Andersen did in these His Fairy Tale Life by Hjørdis seemed to write on topics of interest tales intended for children.” Indeed, Varmer and Lilian Brøgger to ordinary citizens: transportation, in a poem from the 1830s, Andersen (translated by Tiina Nunnally.) birds, a darning needle, clothes, writes: “A child myself, I would rather • Hans Christian Andersen: The family, trees, pigs, cows, shoes, play with the young. They are best Life of a Storyteller by Jackie elves, frogs, professors, fleas, able to know my magic world.” Wullschlager chimneys. One of the last stories Beyond fairy tales, Andersen has left he wrote was an autobiographical • Hans Christian Andersen a legacy of much literary variety; we tale of a toothache. Indeed, a list of and Music: The Nightingale enjoy and rejoice in his interest in Revealed by Anna Harwell his writings follows closely with the writing for children of all ages. Celenza experiences he had along his life’s journey. Andersen himself is often the

America Letter • 13 From the Development Director Join our Tivoli Fest Tour in May 2012

In recent years, I have visited Farms. After an enjoyable day, many Danish festivals around followed by an evening dinner at the country. All are rich in Danish the classic Iowa Machine Shed culture and tradition, but one of my Restaurant, we will spend the night favorites continues to be Elk Horn’s at the Comfort Suites Living History own Tivoli Fest held each year on Farms in Urbandale. Memorial Day weekend. The next morning the group departs This coming year will be extra special for a short visit to Grand View as The Danish Immigrant Museum University and coffee with Kent is inviting you to participate in a Henning, Grand View President. We midwestern museum and sightseeing will leave Grand View for the next tour during Tivoli Fest week. Not only stop and lunch at the enchanting Amana Colonies. The can you participate in all the Tivoli Fest afternoon and evening will be spent touring the colonies, activities including the parade, the food, concluding with a family style dinner at one of Amana’s the fireworks and all the events in and charming restaurants and overnight in Amana. around Elk Horn, but we will be taking Friday is another exciting day with a tour of the Bridges of you, by luxury coach, to several other Madison County and a stop at the John Wayne Museum museums and attractions around the in Winterset. Friday evening, we will arrive back in Elk area. Horn for a restful night before the Tivoli Fest celebration Our tour will begin on Monday, May 21, on Saturday. 2012 as guests arrive at Eppley Airfield Sunday, our coach will provide transportation back to the in Omaha and are shuttled to the Hilton airport for flights home. Garden Inn in downtown Omaha for an evening welcome reception. Mittie Ostergaard, of the museum board of directors, and I are organizing the tour and will serve as your hosts. If Then on Tuesday we will visit the you are interested or have any questions please call the fascinating Strategic Air and Space museum, or contact me directly. We anticipate a lot of Museum in west Omaha. In the interest, so please make your reservations as soon as afternoon we will travel to Elk Horn for possible. We believe this will be a wonderful tour and a tour of our museum followed by a hope you can be a part of it! group dinner there. Glædelig Jul og Godt Nytår! After spending the night at the Bruce Bro AmericInn in Elk Horn, we will depart [email protected] Wednesday morning for Des Moines 515-314-2190 (cell) to visit the wonderful Living History

Tivoli Fest Tour Itinerary Price: Day 1 • Monday, May 21 Grand View University. Late morning arrival at • $1,100 Individual Morning departure from your local airport. Amana Colonies. Lunch on your own at Amana • $1,500 Couple Afternoon arrival in Omaha. Evening Meet and Colonies. Evening dinner in Amana Colonies ($200 deposit per person Greet cocktail reception. Meals on your own. featuring “Family style” dinner. Overnight in reserves your place) Overnight in Omaha. Amana. Price includes: Day 2 • Tuesday, May 22 Day 5 • Friday, May 25 • All bus transportation Breakfast included at hotel. 9:30am Leave Breakfast at hotel. Morning departure for • 6 nights hotel Omaha hotel. 10:00am arrival at Strategic Air tour of Bridges of Madison County. Lunch on • 6 Breakfasts & Space Museum. Lunch on your own at the your own in Winterset. Afternoon visit to John • Opening night cocktail SAC Museum. 2:30pm Departure from SAC Wayne Birthplace. Afternoon return to Elk Horn. party Museum for AmericInn - Elk Horn. 4:30pm Tour Dinner on your own. Overnight at AmericInn - • Admission to four of The Danish Immigrant Museum and catered Elk Horn. museums dinner. Overnight at AmericInn in Elk Horn. Day 6 • Saturday, May 26 • Group dinners on Day 3 • Wednesday, May 23 Breakfast included at hotel. Tivoli Fest in Elk Tuesday, Wednesday Breakfast included at hotel. 8:30am Leave Elk Horn all day and evening. Lunch and dinner and Thursday Horn for Living History Farms, Des Moines. on your own. Evening fireworks in Elk Horn. evenings • 1-Year Lunch on your own at Living History Farms. Overnight at AmericInn in Elk Horn. membership to The Evening Dinner at Machine Shed Restaurant. Day 7 • Sunday, May 27 Danish Immigrant Day 4 • Thursday, May 24 Breakfast included at hotel. Mid-morning Museum Breakfast included at hotel. 8:30am Leave for departure for Omaha Airport. 14 • America Letter Museum Board Meets in Elk Horn, Iowa The Danish Immigrant Museum’s Our mission statement: The Danish to support other local communities Board of Directors held its 89th Immigrant Museum celebrates featuring Danish-American history. regular board meeting and 28th Danish roots and American dreams. • To be widely recognized as a annual meeting in Elk Horn, Iowa Our core values thought leader and trendsetter in from October 13 through 15. Public We are: the international museum industry, events surrounding the meeting constantly featuring new and included a ribbon cutting on Thursday • Inspirational: We honor the inspiring experiences for worldwide evening, opening the first phase of vision, ambition and diligence audiences through innovative The Jens Jensen Heritage Path. of Danish-American achievers, exhibits, events, publications and This was followed by a dinner and we seek to inspire future online media tools. generations by telling their stories. in the Bro Dining Room and a During the 28th annual meeting on presentation by Jens Jensen, great- • Deeply rooted: We treasure Saturday morning, October 15, new great-grandson and namesake of our Danish heritage, and we are board members were welcomed. the Danish immigrant landscape deeply committed to our local They are: Erik Andersen (Croton- designer who pioneered the Prairie American communities. on-Hudson, NY), Ron Bro (Cedar School of landscape architecture. • Focused on the future: We Falls, IA), Stew Hansen (West Des The younger Jensen works for realize that to keep the past alive, Moines, IA), Ken Jacobsen (Seattle, Cardno JFNew, a firm specializing we must always remain part of the WA), Jesper Packert Pedersen in ecological restoration. Jensen future. (Washington, DC) and Jerry Schrader presented plans for the Jens Jensen (Elk Horn, IA). Election of new Our greater vision: Prairie Landscape Park, which is officers was held. New officers are: being developed on the thirty acres • To be widely recognized as the president, Mark Frederiksen (Falcon, surrounding the museum. world’s leading compiler and CO); vice president, Kay Esbeck An important issue at the 89th regular communicator of the history and North (Ames, IA); secretary, Eric meeting was a spirited, thoughtful inspirational achievements of Smitsdorff (Racine, WI); treasurer, discussion about and adoption Danish-Americans. Kenneth Larsen (Calistoga, CA). of values and vision statements • To turn the museum and the As the meetings closed, members to accompany the new mission Danish villages of Elk Horn and leaving the board were thanked. statement approved at the Denver Kimballton into one of Iowa’s top These were Harriet Spanel, president meeting in June. They are as follows: destinations for tourists, educators (Bellingham, WA); Mark Nussle, and local family excursions – and vice-president (Palos Park, IL); Clark Mathisen, treasurer (Omaha, NE) and Stephen Lund (Yuma, AZ).

Vacation in Denmark and Support The Danish Immigrant Museum Benedikte Ehlers Olesen, a member of The Danish Immigrant Museum’s Board of Directors, and her husband Poul Olesen are offering their Danish summer home for rental at a reduced price–and all proceeds will be donated to The Danish Immigrant Museum. • Located in the middle of Jutland, a 10-minute drive from Viborg, two hours to Skagen to the north, two hours to the German border to the south, one hour to the North Sea on the west, and one hour to the Kattegat on the east.

• 45-minute drive to Århus, and 40-minutes to Aalborg. • Views of the Limfjord from most rooms in the house. • Three bedrooms–two with queen-sized beds and one with two bunk beds. It sleeps six adults comfortably, but can sleep a total of eight. • Two bathrooms with showers and one has a hot tub. • Kitchen with refrigerator, oven, and microwave. Interested individuals should contact the museum at 1-800-759-9192. America Letter • 15 Thank You Businesses and Organizations

June 1, 2011—October 23, 2011 Elk Horn-Kimballton Community School District, Elk Horn, IA Elk Horn-Kimballton Optimist Club, Elk Horn, IA These businesses and organizations have contributed annual Elverhoj Museum of History and Art, Solvang, CA memberships of at least $100. We recognize their generosity Eric & Joan Norgaard Charitable Trust, Crystal Lake, IL and support in each newsletter during their membership. Faith, Family, Freedom Foundation (Kenneth & Marlene A & A Framing (Annette Andersen), Kimballton, IA Larsen), Calistoga, CA Andersen Windows (Sarah Andersen), Bayport, MN Hall Hudson, P.C., Attorneys at Law (Robert Hall), Harlan, IA Answers (Frank R. Tighe), Atlantic, IA Harboe Architects, PC (Thomas “Gunny” Harboe), Chicago, IL Atlantic Friends of The Danish Immigrant Museum, Atlantic, IA Harlan Newspapers (Steve & Alan Mores), Harlan, IA Audubon Family Chiropractic (Douglas & Nichole Olsen), Heartland District of the D.S.O.A., Johnston, IA Audubon, IA Heartland District of the D.B.I.A., Des Moines, Iowa Carroll Control Systems, Inc., Carroll, IA House of Denmark, San Diego, CA Cedar Valley Danes, Cedar Falls area, IA Jensen World Travel, Ltd. (Tor & Jeanette Jensen), Wilmette, IL Danish American Club in Orange County, Huntington Beach, CA King of Kings Fishing Guide Service & Lodge (Richard & Danish Brotherhood Lodge #1, Omaha, NE Bonnie Andersen), Anchor Point, AK Danish Brotherhood Lodge #14, Kenosha, WI Knudsen Old Timers, Glendale, CA Danish Brotherhood Lodge #15, Des Moines, IA Liberty Labs, Inc., Kimballton, IA Danish Brotherhood Lodge #35, Homewood, IL Los Angeles Naver Club, Los Angeles, CA Danish Brotherhood Lodge #56, Overland Park, KS Marge’s Hair Hut (Kent & Marge Ingerslev), Elk Horn, IA Danish Brotherhood Lodge #75, Albert Lea, MN Marne & Elk Horn Telephone Co., Elk Horn, IA Danish Brotherhood Lodge #126, Los Angeles, CA NE Gen Comm Danish Brotherhood, Omaha, NE Danish Brotherhood Lodge #144, Dike, IA Nelsen and Nelsen, Attorneys at Law, Cozad, NE Danish Brotherhood Lodge #161, Superior, NE O & H Danish Bakery (Eric Olesen), Racine, WI Danish Brotherhood Lodge #186, Luck, WI Olsen, Muhlbauer & Co., L.L.P., Carroll, IA Danish Brotherhood Lodge #211, Cairo, NE Outlook Study Club, Elk Horn, IA Danish Brotherhood Lodge #268, Junction City, OR Pacific NW District Lodges of D.B.I.A., Eugene, OR Danish Brotherhood Lodge #283, Dagmar, MT Proongily (Cynthia McKeen), St. Paul, MN Danish Brotherhood Lodge #341, Kimballton-Elk Horn, IA Rebild National Park Society, Southern California Chapter, Danish Brotherhood Lodge #348, Eugene, OR Glendale, CA Danish Lutheran Church & Cultural Center, Yorba Linda, CA Red River Danes, Fargo, ND Danish Mutual Insurance Association, Elk Horn, IA Ringsted Danish American Fellowship, Ringsted, IA Danish Sisterhood Dagmar Lodge #4, Chicago, IL scan|design foundation BY INGER & JENS BRUUN, Seattle, WA Danish Sisterhood Lodge #102, Des Moines, IA Shelby County State Bank, Elk Horn, IA Danish Sisterhood Lodge #176, Dike, IA Symra Literary Society, Decorah, IA Danish Vennelyst Park, Omaha, NE The Danish American Archive and Library, Blair, NE Den Danske Pioneer, Hoffman Estates, IL The Danish Inn, Elk Horn, IA Denver Danes, Denver, CO The Rasmussen Group, Inc., Des Moines, IA

Memorials June 1, 2011 – October 23, 2011

Memorials have been received in loving memory of the Dorothy Ann Frederick Hansen following individuals: Larry Ingvert Hansen Lee Anna Marie Jessen Adams, my sister Marion Mathilda Hanson Jørn G. Andersen, Hellerup, Denmark Verner Jensen Darlene Blakely Ila Knudsen Howard Bro Wendell Larsen Manville & Marjorie Bro Ross H. Mardesen Manville I. “Whitey” Bro H.C. (Matt) Mathison Gurli Christensen Lillian M. Nielsen Gertrude Christiansen Marlin (Dale) Peterson Harald L. Dinesen, son of Laurits D.S. Dinesen, Danish Virginia Rasmussen immigrant and inventor of the milking machine Phillip Sorensen Elie Steffensen

16 • America Letter new Additions to the Wall of Honor June 1, 2011 – October 23, 2011 The Danish Immigrant Museum’s Wall of Honor provides families and friends with a means of preserving the memory of or honoring those who emigrated from Denmark to America. Over 4,500 immigrants are currently recognized on the Wall. Their stories and the stories of their families contribute to the growing repository of family histories at the museum’s Family History and Genealogy Center. riCHArD lArsen & KAren Jensen lArsen (1911 KATHerine JuHl ToFT (1888) oelwein, iA – Phyllis & 1912) omaha, ne – Heather Thomas, Steilacoom, WA Lentz, Aurora, IA GeorGe MorTensen (1921) elk Horn, iowa – Margo nels PeTerson ToFT (1882) oelwein, iowa – Phyllis Larsen, Elk Horn, IA Lentz, Aurora, IA

new members June 1, 2011 – October 23, 2011 The Danish Immigrant Ruth Connett, Pasadena, CA Robert & Lois Jorgenson, Kenneth & Karen Jacobsen is pleased to identify Jerry & Judith Danielsen, Englewood, CO Putt, Jr., Red Lion, PA the following individuals Bruce, SD Amy Kardel, South Los Bob & Martha Rasmussen, and organizations as its Danish Brotherhood Lodge Angeles, CA Fairfi eld, IA newest members. Museum #186, Luck, WI Anna Kaarsberg-Puggaard, Jim & Deb Rodenburg, membership is achieved in Denver Danes, Littleton, CO Copenhagen, Denmark Glenwood, IA various ways—through gifts, Donna Easton, Macedonia, IA Warren & Brenda Kelloway, Richard & Sonja Rollins, complimentary or annual Sam & Pia Edgar, Aurora, CO Adair, IA Summerfi eld, FL gifting. Jeff & Sue Edwards, Vinton, IA Eda Keltner, Colfax, WI Solveig Sedlet, LaCross, WI Ronald & Patricia Andersen, David & Ethel Evans, Parker, CO Shirley Kuhlman, Denver, CO Daniel & Jessica Sellner, Council Bluffs, IA Ardis Grace, Blair, NE Marti Laney, Pacifi c Palisades, CA Charlotte, NC Jillayne Arena, Cedar Rapids, IA Larry Hansen, Norwalk, CA Margo Larsen, Elk Horn, IA Charles Silet, Ames, IA Kim Aronson, Berkeley, CA Michelle Hansen, Mt. William Lauritsen, Arlington, VA Brenda Silva-Taylor, Tacoma, WA Jay Atwood, Las Vegas, NV Pleasant, IA David & Sandra Lingard, Van Randall & Marie Smith, Birthe Baekgaard, Santa Morry & Sandy Hansen, Horne, IA Lincoln, NE Rosa, CA Johnston, IA Ole Lyngklip, New York, NY Dennis & Betty Sorg, Steffen & Sherri Balegno, Heartland District of the Dan & Cheryl Miller, Coralville, IA Coal City, IL Danish Sisterhood of Bennington, NE Greg & Susan Strottman, Karen Bernard, Janesville, WI America, Johnston, IA Pamm Minden, St. Cloud, MN Sumner, IA Aleeta Bice, Brandon, FL Michael Heinlein, Fairhaven, NJ Carl & Norma Mortensen, Gene & Carole Svebakken, Helle Bonaparte, Highlands Kathleen Hendricks, De Smet, Roseville, CA Three Oaks, MI Ranch, CO SD Ronald Mullen, Davenport, IA Donald & Phyllis Swanson, Bruce & Tamara Bonnicksen, Allen & Roberta Hye, Spring Carl Nielsen, Hyattsville, MD Hudson, IA Rochester, MN Valley, OH Terry & Carole Nissen, Scott & Amy Swanson, Park Byron & Diana Boysen, Gordon Jensen, Oak Brook, IL Council Bluffs, IA Ridge, IL Argyle, WI Victor Jensen, Finlayson, MN Agnes Nussle, Bonney Lake, WA Heather Thomas, Steilacoom, WA Bridget Capo, West Richard & Raita Jergensen, Burt Olsson, Park Ridge, IL Judith Walden, Des Moines, IA Bloomfi eld, MI Arvada, CO Russell & Mary Olsson, Johan Windmuller, Blair, NE John & Jean Christensen, Fort Inger Jessen, Bailey, CO Wilmette, IL Jennifer Worl, Omaha, NE Dodge, IA Alice Johnson, Tucson, IA Andreas & Angela Perrigo, Debra Yurosek, Bakersfi eld, CA Larry & Debra Christensen, Bruce Johnson, Lincolnshire, IL Ankeny, IA Long Island City, NY Elisabeth Johnson Holod, St. Judith Pieper, Camano Island, WA Paul, MN Hannah Powell, Middlebury, VT in Honor June 1, 2011 – October 23, 2011 Through various funds, gifts have been received in honor of people or special events: Kjesten Christensen Harriet Jorgensen Michele Mcnabb & Wanda sandra rasmussen William & Martha Hansen Philip Jorgenson sornson’s professional suzanne rasmussen’s kind Celebrating rhoda Kelloway genealogy research efforts help with family genealogy their lives! Paul J. lund’s 80th birthday nielsen Family research Doris & Peder Hoy’s 50th steven lund’s Danish Consul lynette rasmussen anniversary Immigrant Museum board speaking to the Cedar term Valley Danes America Letter • 17 Stamtræ – Danish Roots, American Branches News from the Museum’s Family History & Genealogy Center By Michele McNabb, librarian [email protected]; [email protected] Solving a 42-year-old Mystery Who was the Father of Hans George Hansen?

Some time ago South Dakota Hanson, Caroline, age 16, born in Denmark archivist Virginia Hanson visited Hanson, George, age 15, born in Denmark the museum’s FHGC with a Hanson, James, age 11, born in Wisconsin thorny research problem that Hanson, Mary A, age 9, born in Wisconsin had stymied her family for over Hanson, Frances S., age 6, born in Wisconsin four decades. It concerned her ancestor Hans George Hansen This record suggested that the family had immigrated between 1855 and 1859 and that Hans George’s mother (1855-1939) who purportedly had died some time between 1864 and 1870, possibly arrived in the U.S. at the age in Wisconsin, where the family should be found in the of two with his parents – Niels prior census. A search of the 1860 federal census Hansen (later, Nels Hanson) and for Wisconsin found the family residing in Raymond wife Caroline – and several older Township, an area of rural Racine County heavily settled by Danes. Here the family constellation looked like this: siblings. The family settled in Steele County, Minnesota, where Nels died around 1880/81. Hans George married in Minnesota, and later moved to Potter County, South Dakota, where The fi rst census showing Hans George Hansen’s family in America the 1900 census records his found them in Racine County, Wisconsin, in 1860. birth as occurring in March of Nels Hansen, 50, born in Denmark [ca. 1810] 1855. Virginia had been trying Caroline Hansen, 42, born in Denmark [ca. 1818] for some time without success Margaret Hansen, 12, born in Denmark [ca. 1848] to “break the ocean barrier” – Caroline Hansen, 7, born in Denmark [ca. 1853] to fi nd the family’s passenger Hans Hansen, 5, born in Denmark [ca. 1855] arrival records so that the Lars Hansen, 2, born in Wisconsin [ca. 1858] family could be traced back Jens Hansen, age 10 months, born in Wisconsin [1859] in Denmark – and wondered This record provided the names of the mother in the if we could help. household and as well as an additional older child, giving fi ve searchable names in the immigration group and The 1870 federal census for the also narrowed the likely year of immigration to between family in Steele County listed 1855 and 1858. Knowing the approximate birth years of the following individuals: the individuals involved can be helpful in distinguishing Hanson, Nils, age 61, born in between individuals with the same or similar names. Denmark

18 • America Letter departure was somewhat carelessly listed in the church register: “April 7, 1857: Lars Hansen & wife, with 8 [sic] children, age 50 and 49 (they were actually closer to 42 and 41), farmer in Stubberup, to America.” Lars and Karen were found living in Herritslev parish in the 1840, 1845 and 1850 censuses, where their family constellation, closely matching the passenger arrival record, was as follows: The 1857 passenger list of the Sir Robert Peel showing the arrival Lars Hansen, born ca. 1815 in Fuglse parish of Hans Jørgen Hansen, his siblings and parents, and the man who became his future step-father, Niels Hansen. Karen Jørgensdatter, born ca. 1817 in Errindlev parish Anne Sophie Amalie Larsdatter, born ca. 1839 in The search then turned to the passenger list records in Herritslev parish the AncestryLE™ database at the FHGC. Searches by Bodil Kirstine Larsdatter, born ca. 1841, Herritslev the parents’ names were unproductive, as were those for parish some of the immigrant children. It was only when Hans Dorthe Larsdatter, born ca. 1843, Herritslev George was turned into the Danish variant Hans Jørgen Anna Larsdatter, born ca. 1845, Herritslev that a likely result came to light. Listed as a passenger Margrethe Larsdatter, born 26 July, 1847, Herritslev on the packet ship Sir Robert Peel out of Hamburg that Karen Margr. Larsen, born 1 January 1853, Herritslev arrived in New York Harbor on May 29, 1857, was infant Hans Jørgen Larsen, born 23 March 1855, Herritslev Hans Jørgen, the youngest child in a family group (named for both his grandparents) headed for Ohio. Also listed were siblings Karen (age Following the rural naming tradition of the day, the 4), and Margaretha (8), which matched the data on the children’s surname was a patronymic – their father’s 1860 census, as did the mother’s name (Karen, often given name with a suffix denoting gender. No surnames a variant of Caroline) and age (40). In the family were other than Lars Hansen’s were listed on the passenger four previously unidentified older siblings: Anna (18), list, but the family that started out for America in the Bertha (15), Dorothea (14), and Anna (9). Heading this spring of 1857 closely matches the one that arrived in family, however, was Lars Hansen, age 42, a name New York in May of that year, minus a husband and and age that did not fit the family living in Wisconsin and father. And Hans Jørgen’s birth information agrees with Minnesota. Why the discrepancy? that given for Hans George in the 1900 census. Thus, A closer scrutiny of the passenger list provided an answer Hans Jørgen Larsen became Hans George Hansen, and to the conundrum: in the last column of Lars Hansen’s the sad fate of his father was discovered. entry was the unemotional notation, “died May 18.” In other words, the father of this immigrant family did not make it to America. Moreover, two lines down from Hans Jørgen’s entry one finds a listing for 47-year-old farmer Niels Hansen, who was headed for Wisconsin, an age and destination that match the 1860 census record perfectly. Whether they were acquainted before the voyage is unknown. Perhaps this unattached fellow- traveler took pity on the widowed immigrant mother with her large flock of children and proposed that they join forces in the New World. The fact that the first-born child in Wisconsin was named Lars Hansen supports this theory. But the age of the Hans Jørgen Hansen who arrived in 1857 was not firmly established. Was he indeed 2-years The baptismal record of Hans Jørgen Larsen from the parish register of age (in other words, born in 1855)? It took further of Herritslev parish, Maribo County, Denmark. searching, but the Lars Hansen family was eventually tracked back to Herritslev parish on the southern shore of the island of Lolland in Maribo County. Here the family’s

America Letter • 19 Stamtræ Activities and News our next set of Danish genealogy workshops immigrants married at least 60 years. Further details will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Foster and a photograph submission form will be available on City-San Mateo from February 9 till 11, 2012. the museum webpage under “Library & Genealogy” toward the end of 2011. See the museum webpage under Library & Genealogy for further details and a registration Thanks to the many individuals who have volunteered to be obituary clippers in various parts of the country. form or contact Michele McNabb at 712-764- Keep them coming! 7008 or [email protected]. And thanks to members who have provided information intern Maria Beisheim has been working hard reviewing, on rural cemeteries in various parts of the country. We updating, rearranging and creating various pages on are continuing to compile lists of cemeteries and the the museum webpage related to the FHGC. Among following other subjects to assist with research and other things there is a new photo gallery in the Danish- your input is appreciated. American Baptist section along with an expanded • Danish-born individuals who served in the American bibliography of materials on the subject, and an Civil War. overview of and statistics about Danish immigration under Danish Culture. A new section, “Online Media,” • Danish immigrant midwives (see list of known provides ready access to the museum’s video library midwives on the next page). and Facebook pages. • iooF (International Order of Odd Fellows) lodges The 2012 FHGC photo exhibit will be “Long-term with large numbers of Danish immigrants (we know at Lovers,” and will feature Danish immigrants who were least one was organized in Omaha, NE, but have no married for at least 50 years and descendants of information about it).

Meet the Museum’s Newest Scan|Design by Inger & Jens Bruun Foundation Interns Maria Beisheim (left) was born in Charlottenlund outside Copenhagen, by the seaside overlooking the coast of Sweden. While studying for her degree in archaeology at the University of Copenhagen, she lived in a small town outside Rome for many years, working at an archaeological excavation. After returning to Copenhagen, she completed a degree in museum studies. This is her fi rst visit to America and she is looking forward to seeing as much of the U.S. as she can before going home in January. Maria works four days at the museum and one day at the museum’s Family History & Genealogy Center focusing on updating our website and social media and working on translations. rené Christiansen was born and raised in Hjørring, in the northern part of Jutland. He is working on a master’s degree in history with specialization in museum work at Ålborg University. As part of the course work, a semester as an intern is required. He has always wanted to experience America, so when he heard about the internship opportunity at The Danish Immigrant Museum he was hooked. Here he will get the opportunity to learn about museum work, to experience a whole new world at the same time, and to watch Monday Night Football live—earlier than he could in Denmark! Rene is assisting in the curatorial department with the installation and de-installation of exhibits and also generating on-line content through video and website applications, particularly his blog “Dana Danavang.”

20 • America Letter Does anyone have any information about these women?

Danish Immigrant Midwives (source: Danish Police Emigration Database) Name Born last Residence Immigration Destination Activities and News (Birthplace) Yr Christiansen, Christiane...... 1869/70...... Østerild, Thisted...... 1897...... New York Møller, Emilie Stahfest...... 1864/65...... Kolding (Svendborg)...... 1906...... Spokane WA Laursen, Serine...... 1834/35...... Copenhagen...... 1893...... Racine WI Kamph, Maren Christine...... 1848/49...... Præstø (Stubberup)...... 1906...... New York Aubræcht, Caroline...... 1836/37...... Nakskov...... 1875...... New York Nielsen, Nicoline...... 1837/38...... Aarup, Thisted...... 1888...... New York Hansen, Doris...... 1832/33...... Copenhagen...... 1892...... New York Jensen, Johanne Nielsen...... 1839/40...... Vrejlev (Ugilt)...... 1904...... Chicago IL Petersen, Ane K...... 1849/50...... Varde...... 1883...... Chicago IL Amundsen, Oline...... 1828/29...... Norway...... 1872...... New York Mikkelsen, Ane K...... 1817/18...... Rårup/Rærup, Vejle ...... 1882...... Rochester MN Hansen, Anna...... 1847/48...... Næstved...... 1883...... St. Paul NE Berthelsen, Mathilda...... 1876/77...... Copenhagen...... 1893...... Racine WI Nielsen, Hansine...... 1838/39...... Ulsted, Aalborg (Magleby)..... 1902...... Blairstown IA Hansen, Margrethe...... 1874/75...... Ringsted, Sorø...... 1902...... St. Paul MN Falk, Ane Cathrine...... 1836/37...... Esbjerg, Ribe...... 1894...... Boston MA Lange, Ane Marie...... 1843/44...... Egtved, Vejle...... 1889...... Plumbrook NE

The story of one Danish-born midwife: Maren Kirstine Nielsen Olesen (later Andersen) Born 1850 in (Ørum, Thisted), Immigrated 1882/83 to Omaha & Nysted NE Before hospitals and maternity the Department of Midwifery at the wards were widespread, University of Copenhagen on June children were born at home, 30, 1879. After practicing in Denmark for three years Maren Kirstine brought into the world by immigrated to Omaha, where she midwives. Often these were worked for two years before being neighborhood “grannies” invited to settle in the heavily Danish experienced with the birthing community of Nysted, Nebraska. Danish midwife’s ‘shingle,’ Danish National process, but sometimes the Arriving there in July 1884, over Archives the course of the following thirty- person on the receiving end After several years in Nysted, eight years she delivered 1,040 was a professionally trained Maren sent for her two children by a babies in Nysted and surrounding previous marriage in Denmark, Oline birth attendant, or jordemoder. communities before her retirement K. and Niels C. Olesen, who resided In Denmark these women— in October 1922. When called out with her for several years. Oline often referred to as “Madam”— on a confinement case Maren would married and had six children of her either drive out by horse and buggy were allowed to hang out a own, all delivered by her mother. In or, when winter snows were too deep, shingle to advertise their craft Nysted Maren also found a second bobsled (usually a lumber wagon like practitioners of other skilled spouse, a local farmer named Jens converted with runners) to deliver the Andersen. They lived together trades and were respected baby, cook the meals and care for until Jens’ death in 1920. Maren members of the communities in mother and child until a hired girl or died in 1929; both are buried in the other help could be found. For over which they lived. Nysted Cemetery in Howard County, two decades her standard fee for One of several Danish jordemødre Nebraska. known to have immigrated to these services was five dollars; only in 1908 was this raised to eight to From biographical material submitted by America in the nineteenth century grandson Emil Andy Dwehus, Dannebrog, NE was Maren Kirstine Nielsen Olesen ten. In 1917 her records listed her Andersen, a native of Thisted largest fee ever—thirty dollars—for County, who received a diploma from delivering her own grandchild! America Letter • 21 Stamtræ Of Genealogical Interest

See the “Library & Genealogy” • Former intern Julie Andersen There are several video tutorials section of the museum webpage suggested http://ordnet.dk as a to assist researchers in using the for a full listing of websites we fi nd source of meanings of Danish database. particularly useful. terms. The Danish-language site • The new URL for Danish church • Those with Norwegian as well as contains the Dictionary of Modern pictures is www.slaegtogdata.dk/ Danish ancestors will want to look Danish Usage; the huge Dictionary kilder/kirkebilleder. The look of at http://digitalarkivet.uib.no, which of the Danish Language, 1700- the webpage is different, but the contains scans of the original 1950, and KorpusDK, which results are the same. Norwegian church books (i.e., the covers colloquial usage and new language and terminology. Used in • Searchable PDF fi les with indexes equivalent of the Danish www. and biographical information on arkivalieronline.dk). conjunction with gramtrans.com or a translation site such as Google, Danish lawyers between 1869 and • North Dakota death records you might get a decent English 1919, persons receiving Danish may be found online at http:// translation of a Danish word. law degrees from 1736-1936, and recordsproject.com/death/north- Danish Lutheran ministers may be dakota.asp. One of two types of • http://stass.dk/ordbog/stillinger.asp found at www.rosekamp.dk. copies of the death certifi cates, is a dictionary of archaic Danish occupations and titles, which • www.fi ndagrave.com has over 66 depending on the relationship to million grave records, so is one the deceased person, may be could also be useful along with a translation site. general source for searching by obtained. name or cemetery location. • www.shipindex.org is a free • To fi nd out the genealogy of a particular parish, especially • www.dearphotograph.com is an listing of 140,000+ references interactive website which allows to ships in various books, and a those in Copenhagen or other urban areas, try http:// viewers to upload photos of subscription index to over 1 million old snapshots held against the entries. Possibly a useful site for www.denjyskekirkebog.dk/. Divided up into Jutland (Jyske), background of the same setting in researching information on the the present – very interesting! ship your ancestor arrived on, Funen (Fynske) and Zealand particularly if it was early or not part (Sjællandske) sections, click • The 1885 census for Copenhagen of the major passenger lines that on ‘Sognehistorie’ to get an and parts of Hellerup is now ran in the late 19th and early 20th alphabetical listing of parishes and searchable at http://ddd.dda.dk. centuries. when they were formed. • The digitizing staff at • A useful overview of naturalization • The subscription database Arkivalieronline is hard at work legislation may be found at the Footnote.com has changed its digitizing church books up to 1960 following site: www.rootsweb. name and direction to www.Fold3. as part of the move of the Eastern ancestry.com/~bifhsusa/natrec. com. Its future focus will be on DK Provincial Archives to new html. military records, although older, quarters at the National Archives. non-military databases will still The consolidation means that • www.FamilyTreeTemplates.net is be available on the site. Recent additional materials are being a site for fi nding more than 60 additions include War of 1812 prepared for digitization, including tree designs for pedigree and pension fi les, Mexican War service the 1930 census for market towns, ancestor charts, ranging from ones records, and, more importantly probate records from 1850-1919 appropriate for children to more for us: WWII “Old Man’s Draft” and another set going up to 1936, sophisticated designs. There are registration cards from 1942, which the Copenhagen probate index, also versions for stepfamilies, covered men between the ages of 1731-1970, civil marriage records adoptive families, and more. The 45 and 64 to create an inventory for Copenhagen, Frederiksberg site is part of the larger www. of persons who could provide and Gentofte, 1936-1961, and freeprintable.net, which has essential skills to the home front indexes to Copenhagen insurance templates for all occasions. during the Second World War. and tax records. These are 22 • America Letter anticipated to be done by the first • Google Alerts will monitor almost • http://tombstones.nesgs.org/index. half of 2012 anything on Google that you php has Nebraska tombstone • Lisa Petersen has put up an specify, by subject, type of content, images that may be searched in informative page on Danish and how often to alert you to various ways. Civil Registrations of Deaths something new (daily, weekly or • An easy way to improve your (Dødsattester og Dødeblade) at “as it happens”). This means that overall genealogical knowledge is www.kinquest.com. Most date from one could ask for alerts for a topic through a Tip of the Day, available 1840-1933 and, while not online, such as “Danish Immigrants” or at http://genealogytipoftheday. are available on microfilm loan “Kinnerup family.” To create your blogspot.com. from Salt Lake City. own Google Alerts, go to www. google.com/alerts.

• A name index to a Danish-language website with I 1924 døde Rs. Aarup og hans broder, P. Aarup (f. information taken from a volume on the oldest 1874, d. 1942) indtrådte i hans sted i direktionen. I businesses in Denmark prior to 1910 may be found 1932 udtrådte direktør Messerschmidt, og P. Aarup at http://www.coneliand.dk/personregistersider/ var enedirektør indtil 1940, i hvilket år Laurits Møller (f. person_register_a.html. Here is a sample page 1867, d. 1945) indtrådte i direktionen. [with translation] to show the type of information one Translation: might find: Iron-works on Mors, machine-works and enameling Danmarks ældste forretninger, m.m. factory; purveyor to the Royal Court. Founded April Side 96 28, 1853 by Niels Andreas Christensen (born 1830 Chri - Chri in Stauning, near Ringkøbing, died 1914). That same N. A. Christensen & Co. year he partnered with manufacturer W. Bonne of A/S, Morsø-jernstø­beri, Thisted, but the latter left the following year. In 1887 maskinfabrik og emaillefabrik, K. E. Messerschmidt (b. 1857, d. 1939) became - kgl. hof­leverandør. Grundl. technical head of the firm, and later, a partner, and d. 28. april 1853 af Niels in 1893 Rasmus Aarup (b. 1867, d. 1924) started as Andreas Christensen (f. 1830 i Stauning ved business head. In 1897 the firm was incorporated with Ringkøbing, d. 1914) N. A. Christensen as president of the board and K. E. N. A. Christensen Messerschmidt and Rs. Aarup as directors. Upon N. som samme år optog fabrikant W. Bonne fra Thisted A. Christensen’s death in 1914, his son, pharmacist som kompag­non; sidstnævnte ud­trådte dog allerede and consul James Watt Christensen, of Stege (born året efter. I 1887 optoges K. E. Messerschmidt (f. 1862, d. 1932), was named board president in his 1857, d. 1939) i forret­ningen som teknisk le­der, senere place. In 1924 Rs. Aarup died and his brother, P. Aarup parthaver, og i 1893 indtrådte Rasmus Aarup (f. 1867, (b. 1874, d. 1942) replaced him. In 1932 director d. 1924) som merkantil leder. Messerschmidt left and P. Aarup was the firm’s sole I 1897 omdannedes virksomheden til et aktieselskab director until 1940, when Laurits Møller (b. 1867, d. med N. A. Christensen som for­mand i bestyrelsen og 1945) came on board. K. E. Messerschmidt og Rs. Aarup som direktører. • The above webpage also has a link to ‘Criminals Ved N. A. Christen­sens død i 1914 blev hans søn, in Denmark through the Ages,’ so if you have one apoteker, kon­sul James Watt Christensen, Stege (f. of those ancestors, you might look to see if his/her 1862, d. 1932), formand i hans sted. name is mentioned.

Wish List – Books we’d like to add to the FHGC Collection English-language: My Dear, Dear Rigmor: Helga’s Danish language: Holy Dane – Happy Dane: My letters written during World Straffelejren. Fårhus, landssvigerne Indomitable Grandfathers, by Avis War II, by Joan C. Brock (978- og retsopgøret (Fårhus, traitors E. Jorgensen. (ISBN 978-1-257- 1456868413). $15.00 through and their judicial reckoning), 82509-7). Available through www. www.amazon.com. by Henrik Skov Kristensen. lulu/com. Lars’ and Dorthe’s Kith and Kin, by Available from Landsarkivet for Sylvia D. Neilson. North Conway, Sønderjylland. NH: The Reporter Press, 1977. Out of print. America Letter • 23 The Danish Immigrant Museum 2212 Washington Street Elk Horn Ia 51531

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The Museum Shop Fjord Hurricane Lamp; globe crafted of glass, base crafted of aluminum, holds a 3” x 3” candle or taller pillar candle. Fjord 3-piece Salad Serving Set crafted of aluminum. Wood/Metal Chip ‘n’ Dip; platter crafted of wood, bowl crafted of metal. Candlesticks in metal and wood will coordinate with any décor. Crafted of aluminum and acacia wood.

For information on these and all of our unique gifts visit The Museum Shop or online at www.danishmuseum.org