2000
Period for collecting information about family members: 1989 -1992 and 1998 – 2000
Adapting pictures for the book:
Koran Bogtrykkeri
Lemvig Bogtrykkeri
Drawings made by:
Grethe Knakkergard
Susanne Aamund
edition, 2001.
PROLOUGE
Mads Gransgaard
This book is a description of the Gransgaard family’s life and biography. It is just as well a description of Karen Marie Pedersen’s ancestors, her life through 82 years, the three men in her life and all her descendants who now are scattered over two continents. The book covers almost 250 years of Danish history centered in the neighborhood around Lemvig.
This book is thought as a source for her descendants on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean to get a better understanding and knowledge about their ancestors and about the time they each and every one lived/lives in.
Has it not been for each and every one of her descendants actively taking part in the genesis of this book, future generations may never have had any knowledge of their ancestors and other family members existence.
It is my hope for the future that present and coming generations will find this book very useful for enhancing the knowledge of one another and hopefully make new strong connections.
A little Danish history about the time when our ancestors lived
The first Danes that are mentioned in European history were inhabitants of the Limfjord country. The merchant adventurer, Pytheas of Marseilles, came to a country that seemed to him disgustingly damp and cold. The inhabitants had barbaric customs, they burned peat to keep warm and threshed their corn indoors. To this sybaritic man of the world they seemed to live in abject poverty at the end of the world.
The change of climate in the last centuries before Christ was probably the direct cause of a shift in culture at home. The stone age peasants had lived in villages in the large forests. Of the Bronze age population we know next to nothing. They were traders and good artisans, but they have not left even the site of a house for the archaeologists to work from.
The climate in the Bronze age had been like that of France in our time, in the Iron age it became like that of Scotland in our time. Rain and fog replaced the sunshine and warmth. So Jutland peasants had to build themselves permanent weatherproof houses. They used peat for these houses whose sunken sites have been found and examined in quantity. We can see which cereals they grew, and how many cows and horses they kept.
The next periods we know very little about. Denmark went into several wars but it did not have much effect on Jutland peasants.
The next big event for Denmark was when Luther’s teaching spread over the country around 1525, the people were divided into Catholics and Protestants and the power of the church was unsettled.
In 1660 the king became absolute ruler, all influence from the people in government ceased for the better part of 200 years. From 1660 till 1849 the people was merely so many subjects.
Absolute monarchy was the legalizing of a development that had taken place long ago. Several rebellions between 1441 and 1534 had taught the common people that it could cost them life and property to have any other opinion than the great and mighty. After the last rebellion in 1534 farmers and peasants were not allowed to have arms. The defense of the realm was the obligation of the nobility, but in practice the wars were conducted with mercenaries who fought for whoever paid most.
This was the state of affairs, when foreign armies three times within thirty years overran Jutland, pillaging the country, making life lawless and leaving everything in chaos. First the German army occupied Jutland from 1627 to 1629. Later came the Swedish troops in 1644.
So the North Jutlanders finally understood that war had become the business of professionals, and that civilians could only be victims. During the last occupation 1657-1658 each stayed passively within his home. People had learned that all soldiers are the enemies of country people and townspeople, no matter whose colors they carry. During this dark century the population decreased in numbers, so that around 1660 it was smaller than in the early Middle Ages and presumably smaller than in the time around the birth of Christ.
Heather spread over deserted fields, woods were cut down by the enemies and by the authorities, both demanding increasing amounts of lumber for fortifications and ships, and by the inhabitants of the country who tried to manage by over cutting the forests. Whole parishes were turned into “black spots”, were overgrown with heather, where cultivation ceased and woods were ravaged. Jutland became the remote province with a long way to God and the king. Civil servants felt that transfer to Jutland meant deportation.
As a legalizing of this long regression came in 1773 aclscription, which left the peasants virtually without legal rights.
This law was a bitter fruit of the decrease in population, and the peasants felt it as a summing up of the injustices of generations done to “the wretched gray peasant” by the “bigwigs of the country”, as the royal civil servants were irrelevantly called.
But whatever one may think of absolute monarchy, it did do one thing which was more important than any other: it brought peace to the country. From 1658 to 1807 no foreign arms were seen in Jutland.
It now turned out that Jutland peasants were so used to want and misery that they could manage and even have a little to spare, if they were only left in peace. The eighteenth century was a period of increase, so slow as to be hardly perceptible within a lifetime, but still real enough to leave the land in a better condition for the children than it had been for their parents.
When the agricultural reforms came from 1782 onward, some farmers in part of Denmark had already started buying estates and parceling them out, and many farmers sons contributed to the “butchering” of the large estates in the following decades. Buying of soil for freeholders increased more rapidly in Northern Jutland than any other place in the country, and the next generation was ready to reap the profit of the new development.
But this happy period was stopped when England declared war on Denmark. That stopped all business activities and forced everybody but mostly the farmers and peasants to fend for themselves and survive by self sufficiency, but the first improvements on the money market encouraged the farmers to new enterprises. Clover and potatoes were introduced as new crops. The population increased. The wars of 1848-1850 and 1864 did not bring any stagnation in the progress of farming.
Establishing of folk high schools had started, a new school law had been passed in 1814, but it had been sabotaged by lack of money. Now it was put into effect and became a new means of progress for the rural population. Daily newspapers were started in practically all the large towns.
The Linfijord people of those times consisted of “tillers of the soil” and “fisher folks”. They were all poor, and for hundreds of years there was little or no development in their state until 1840-50. Up to then, clumsy and inefficient implements were used, and it was impossible to make the soil yield grain-return of more than 3-5 fold as against the 30-40 obtained today.
Information
This book has Karen Marie Gransgaard as the central person. First her ancestors are described as far back as the church books allows.
Then her parents are described and then the father of her first child. After finishing that child and his descendants, the book continues with her and her first husband and their children.
Each child is updated until the year 2000 before the next child is described.
All that repeats itself describing Karen Marie and her second husband and their children. Every stock line is described as fare back as possible. So when a line ends, it means that there are no church book records for that period or the person is not baptized in the parish where he or she had lived and I was not able to track them back to the parish they came from or went to.
It was the priests that recorded all that information and not all priests understood the necessity of being exact and meticulous.
Karen Marie Pedersen
The ancestors of Peder Bjerregaard Knudsen
In the year 1787 Peder Christensen and his wife Mariane Knudsdatter lived on the farm “Solider I-Ijortkjwr” in Ramme parish.
The church book from Fabjerg tells us about their engagement on March 31, 1787. He was 28 years old and she was 19 years old.
At that time it was a very important ceremony. Later on the date of the wedding was added. May 26, 1786.
Mariane was the daughter of a rich farmer, Knud Christensen and his wife Kirsten Hvirriltoft. Her parents have had the big farm “Hvirgeltoft” in Fabjerg parish.
December 26, 1756 she married Knud Christensen and they took over the farm. Less than 9 months later they had a daughter, Mariane, on May 8, 1766. A good guess would be that she was the reason for the marriage. Her parents would rather have that then the shame of having their daughter give birth to a child outside marriage.
After the young couple was married they took over his parents farm “Solider Hjortkjxr”. At the census in 1787 we can see the following:
“Solider Hjortkjxr”, Ramme parish.
Peder Christensen 30 years husband and farmer
Mariane Knudsdatter 22 years his wife
Mette Henriksdatter 82 years the farmers mother
(no servants)
Three years after the wedding Peder and Mariane had a son, who was christened in Ramme church on July 26, 1789. He was named Knud Christian Pedersen (named after Marianes father).
“Solider Hjortkjaar” was a small farm and they both wanted a bigger farm. Between 1790 and 1800 they sold “Solider hjortkjaer” and bought the farm “Bjerregaard” in Ramme parish. It was also a small farm but the land was better.
We find them here at the census in 1801. Peder Christensen is now called Peder Bjerregaard and that name followed him the rest of his life.
“Bjerregaard”, Ramme parish.
Peder Bjerregaard 44 years husband and farmer
Mariane Knudsdatter 35 years his wife
Knud Pedersen 12 years their child
Jens Pedersen 10 years
Mette Kierstine Pedersdatter 5 years
A servant girl 16 years
In 1815 Peder and Mariane bought the small manor “Bwkmark” in Flynder parish. There was copyholders to “Bmkmark”. Mariane must have been pleased with the farm, now they had a farm just as big as her family in Fabjerg parish.
Their son, Knud, was now 27 years of age and fell in love with a young girl from the parish. Her name was Mette Marie and she was born April 15, 1788, daughter of the farmer Niels Raakjmr and his wife Anne Marie Pedersdatter. They lived on the farm “Raakjwr” in Flynder parish.
From the census in 1801 from Flynder parish:
“Raakjmr”, a farm
Niels Andersen 46 years husband and farmer
Anne Marie Pedersdatter 43 years his wife
Anders Nielsen 9 years their child
Karen Marie Nielsdatter 16 years
Mette Marie Nielsedatter 13 years
Knud and Mette Marie became lovers. In the summer of 1816 it was clear to everyone that Mette Marie was pregnant. So they had to get married but it took quite some time before they were married.
The poor peasant girl was not good enough for the rich famers son, I guess, we do not know that for a fact, but what we do know is that they were married 12 days before Mette Marie gave birth.
Her father did not give her away and his father was not the best man even if it was the usual way at that time. It was just some unknown men from the parish.
They were married August 31, 1816 in Flynder church and on September 12, 1816 Mette Marie gave birth to a son in “Raakjmr”. He was privately baptised the same day and got the name Peder.
When he was christened a month later in Flynder church, Peder Bjerregaard from “Bmkmark” was godfather and his daughter Mette Kierstine was godmother. So it seems that Peder had come to terms with reality.
From the church book we can read that the small family lives with her parents because that had nowhere else to go.
Later on we find the young couple in Lomborg parish at the census in 1834. They live in “Moltruphus” a small house in Lomborg. Knud is referred to as smallholder and very poor. The only thing they had plenty of was children, 6 all together. Peder, the oldest, was out working, he was only 17 years old, the others were still at home.
Why did Knud’s family not help out??
Mette Marie’s parents had died without leaving anything. Knud’s parents had gone bankrupt. After a few years on “Bmkmark” they had to move to a small farm “Skovhuus” in Ramme parish.
Mariane Knudsdatter died here August 4, 1835 age 69. Now when Peder was alone it was arranged for Knud and Mette Marie to take over “Skovhuus”. In return Peder was to stay there until he passed away. “Skovhuus” was not a very good farm but it was better then “Moltmphus” where they came from.
Peder Christensen Bjerregaard died December 10, 1842 age 85 as a very poor man. Knud and Mette Marie continued to live in “Skovhuus” for the rest of their lives.
Knud died April 12, 1854 age 64. Mette Marie died 18 years later October 16, 1872 age 84.
The ancestors of Else Godballe Pedersdatter
The ancestors of Karen Marie’s mother, Else Godballe, came from the farm “Kiolhede” in Bovling parish.
In 1719 a boy was born on this farm. Son of Johan Kiolhede and his wife. He was christened November 26, 1719 in Bovling church and got the name Christen.
When he became an adult he took over the farm “Kiolhede” after his parents.
On July 2, 1772 he married Else Pedersdatter in Bovling church, with whom he had 4 children, all boys. Else was 22 years younger then Christen.
In 1787 we find the following in Bovling churchbook:
On Tuesday, May 8, 1787, Christen Kiolhede buried.
Else was now alone with 4 children and a farm. We find them in the census of 1787 (the first one in Denmark).
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“Kiolhede” a farm Else Pedersdatter Johan Christensen Willum Christensen Peder Christensen Ivar Christensen |
45 years farmers wife 12 years her child 10 years – 7 years – 7 years – |
As a 45 years old widow with small children and a large farm, it was not hard finding a new husband. The census in 1801 looks like this:
“Kiolhede”, a farm
Christen Thomasen 52 years married 1. time farmer
Else Pedersdatter 58 years married 2. time his wife
Peder Christensen 21 years
Ivar Christensen 21 years
A few years later the oldest son took over the farm. By then he had become an official performing certain judicical functions in the parish.
Else Pederdatter died February 5, 1825 here age 80/81.
Peder Christensen became later on Karen Marie’s grandfather. He was born May 19, 1780 in “Kiolhede” together with his twin brother Ivar and baptized the same day and introduced in church June 11, 1780.
The next we find about him is when he is engaged to Anne Nielsdatter on June 16, 1804. Anne Nielsdatter is born May 15, 1780 on the farm “Armose” in lomborg parish.
Peder’s brother Johan was best man together with Gravers Willingsgaard.
Between 1801 and 1804 he took over “Vester Willingsgaard” in Bovling after Gravers Willingsgaard and his wife Maren. They must not have had any children themselves. Peder and Anne Nielsdatter had 5 children before she died October 7, 1817 age 37. That left Peder the same way as his mother was left 30 years earlier – with a lot of children and a large farm.
December 29, 1817 he married again. This time with Karen Jensdatter a simple peasant girl it said in the church book.
Both their older brothers were best men at the wedding because both their fathers had died earlier.
Karen Jensdatter came from the farm “Godballe” in Fare, Bovling parish. Out of the church book we can see that she was born February 26, 1789 in “Godballe”.
Census from 1801, Bovling parish:
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“Godballe”, a farm Jens Nielsen 60 years husband and farmer Else Lauridsdatter 56 years his wife Niels Jensen 29 years their child Ole Jensen 22 years Lars Christian jensen 20 years Peder Jensen 17 years Anna Jensdatter 27 years Karen Jensdatter 12 years |
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Out of this we can see that Karen was the youngest in the family.
In Bovling churchbook for 1807 we see:
Jens Nielsen Godballe buried November 11, 1807 age 65 or 66.
Parents of Karen Marie
We have now heard a little about her ancestors. Her father was Peder Bjerregaard Knudsen who was born September 12, 1816 i Flynder parish. October 20, 1849 he married Else Godballe Pedersdatter who was born June 10, 1821 i Bovling parish.
After the wedding they settled on the small farm “Sonder Bak” in Ferring parish.
It was here Karen Marie and her 5 brothers and sisters were born.
| Children | Born | Died | Age | ||
| Mette Marie Pedersen | January 5, | 1852 | February 7, | 1924 | 72 |
| Niels Christian Pedersen | November 16, | 1854 | January 1, | 1928 | 73 |
| Peder Christian Pedersen | May 26, | 1857 | April 17, | 1944 | 86 |
| Karen Marie Pedersen | July 14, | 1859 | April 15, | 1942 | 82 |
| Soren Pedersen | November 7, | 1861 | August 8, | 1929 | 67 |
| Peder Sakskjmr Pedersen | August 31, | 1863 | November 23, | 1926 | 63 |
When Peder Sakskjmr Pedersen was married in 1888 he and his wife moved to his parents farm in Ferring parish. When they took over the farm “Sander Bak” his parents had to move because there was not enough room for two families on the little farm. Peder’s father was at that time 71 years old and his mother 67 years. They had lived in “Sander Bak” for 38 years.
The purchase price was 4.500 kr. (Danish Kroner). Peder Bjerregaard Knudsen left a mortgage bond of 1.000 kr. on the farm. The normal custom at that time was that the person who took over the farm had to accommodate and support the former owner, especially by a son for his parents.
This was not done so Peder and Else bought a little house in Lomborg parish where they moved to shortly after.
It did not agree with Peder Bjerregaard Knudsen in Lomborg parish where he hardly knew anyone. He used to have somthing to do every day now there was nothing.
Peder died in “Hojbjerghus” August 27, 1892, age 75. The year after Else died May 20, 1893, age 71.
Karen Marie’s sister: Mette Marie Pedersen
The oldest of the children, from “Sander Bak”, was Mette Marie, who was born January 5, 1852 in Ferring parish. She died February 7, 1924 in Toning parish age 72.
October 13, 1886 she was married in Lemvig church to Christen Christensen, who was born June 17, 1855 in Gudum parish.
He was 31 years old and she was 34. They never had any children.
In 1888 they became managers for “Toning workhouse” (what we know as a residential home for elderly people). At that time it was for people that did not have any money or any family that could afford to have them. In 1890 there were people from 9 to 83 years of age. These workhouses were run by the goverment.
Mette Marie had predisposition to depression and after a while her mood became more and more fluctuated. They had to give up their job and bought a little farm “Gronhoj” in Toning parish. Mette Marie died here in 1924. Christen continued to live here for almost 12 years.
Karen Marie’s brother: Niels Christian Pedersen
The next child from “Solider Bak”, in Ferring parish, was Niels Christian Pedersen who was born November 16, 1854.
As a young man he worked on different farms and, in 1881, he worked on the farm “Norre Damsgaard” in Ferring parish.
On a farm close by a young girl was working. Her name was Mariane Andersdatter and she was born November 10, 1851 in lbsted parish, on a small island, northeast of Toning parish called “Jegindo”. They were married November 4, 1881, in Ferring church.
After the wedding they moved to a little farm called “Galtmosehus” in Vandborg parish The farmland was very sandy and poor so Niels Christian had to work as a milkman and day-laborer. They both worked as weavers, to survive.
Mariane and Niels Christian Pedersen
They lived here for 30 years and their only son, Harald, was born here June 21, 1892. Marine died April 21, 1922 age 70 and Niels Christian died January 1, 1928 age 73..
Karen Marie’s brother: Peder Christian Pedersen
Peder Christian Pedersen was born May 26, 1857 in “Solider Bak”, in Ferring parish. He married, October 7, 1883, his cousin Maren Lund, in Lomborg church.
Maren was born December 8, 1862 on the farm “Ertbjerg”, in Lomborg parish.
After the wedding they took over her parents farm and their surname became Ertbjerg after the farm.
They lived on the farm for 46 years from 1883 to 1930.
They had 15 children. All of them were born in “Ertbjerg”.
Out of these 15 children six became adults. They all reached an age between 73 and 91 years of age before they died.
1. Else Marie Petersen July 19, 1884 December 16, 1885 16
2. Jens Nicolaj Lund Petersen September 24,1886 August 14, 1891 58
3. Peder Pedersen Febuary 20, 1889 March 12, 1980
4. Kristiane Pedersen January 5, 189 December 31, 1971
5. Jensine Karoline Pedersen May 20, 1893 August 28, 1966
6. Jens Nicolaj Pedersen December 13, 1894 March 23, 1895
7. Else Pedersen January 10, 1896 August 24, 1932
8. Karl Kristian Pedersen April 17, 1898 July 26, 1916
9. Martin Lund Pedersen October 30, 1900 1977
10. Jens Peder Lund Pedersen September 20, 1901 1928
11. Elvina Marie Pedersen April 3, 1903 September 17, 1903
12. Einer Kristian Pedersen May 13, 1904 August 29, 1904
13. Einer Christian Pedersen March 27, 1906 November 13, 1981
14. stillborn girl Pedersen November 30, 1907
15. Krista Pedersen August 23, 1910 June 18, 1990
Maren died April, 12, 1930, age 67 in “Ertbjerg”. Peder moved to a house in Lomborg where lie died April 17, 1944, age 86.
No. 3 Peder Pedersen
Peder was married May 15, 1930 to Emma Ehrenreich, who was born on October 2, 1895 in New York. It was a quiet wedding, because Peder’s mother had died I month earlier..
After the wedding, they took over the farm “Ertbjerg” and they lived there until October I, 1957.
Christian Ehrenreich Ertbjerg Pedersen Febtialy I, 193 I
Marie Ehrenreich Ertbjerg Pedersen March 30, 1932
Maren Ehrenreich Ertbjerg Pedersen September 24, 1993
Ruth Elisabeth Ertbjerg Pedersen March 11, 1936
Lydia Ertbjerg Pedersen July 30, 1938
Later on the three eldest changed their surname to Ertbjerg.
Peder died March 12, 1980 at an age of 91. Emma died October 8, 1991 in a nursing home in Blekinarksbro at an age of 96.
I think it was a big disappointment for my father that I decided to be a teacher, instead of taking over the farm after him.
His wish, to keep the farm in the family, did not go as far as to try to get a daughter and son in law to take over the farm. – The farm was sold to Verner Andersen, from Dybe parish, in the autumn of 1957.
I graduated as a teacher in June 1960. At the college of education I meet Grethe Thastum, who was born May 2, 1936 in ICristrup near Randers.
She was willing to many me but felt that it was immoral to marry a man and get his surname Pedersen and at the same time live with a man who called himself Ertbjerg For that reason I examined the possibility of getting my surname Pedersen removed and only use Ertbjerg as a surname.
A lawyer in Lemvig found out that no one in Denmark used that surname so for the impressive amount of 60 Dkr. Maren, Marie, and I each got a document that gave us the right to use Ertbjerg as a family name.
Grethe and I have, since we married July 9, 1960, lived in Aulum.
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Children Susanne Ertbjerg |
Born | |
| April 10, 1961 May 20, 1962 June 29, 1963 |
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Per, Carsten, and Susanne in 1964
All of our three children were born in Aulum where we lived between 1960 and 1965. From 1965 till 1970 we lived in Kilde school 4 kilometers from Aulum.
I continued to teach in Aulum school while Grethe was the only teacher for the four youngest classes in Kilde school.
Kilde school was abolished in 1970 and the same year we had our house built on Klovervej 2.
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· Susanne Ertbierg August 1967 Susanne started as a 6 year old in Aulum school – we found that it was best for our children to be taught by other teachers. She finished school in 1976 and continued with three years of Highschool in the modern side. Between first and second schoolyear she had a break where she went on a one year studentexchange to the USA. Autumn of 1977 in Crescent City, Cal. and spring of 1978 in Los Angeles. She passed her exam in 1980. |
Since then she has studied ‘A year at a folk high school for women and studied ethnography for one year at Arhus university, for a period of 5 years she worked as a cleaner in a hospital and then as a teachers assistant in various day nurseries and day care centers.
In 1985 she moved together with Morten Lund and November 5 the same year their son Andreas was born.
| Children | Born |
Andreas Lund Ertbjerg November 5, 1985
Thomas Lund Ertbjerg May 5, 1989
September I, 1987 Susanne started studying medicine on Arhus university.
Morten Lund was born March 11, 1959. He started in January 1986 at the College for journalists in Arhus and he is now working as a journalist.
They were married on August 17, 1993.
Per Ertbjern
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was born May 20, 1962 in Aulum. He started to school, in Aulum, August 1969 and graduated in 1979. Three years later he graduated from the mathematical and biology side in highschool. After highschool Per tried to become a pilot in the Danish airforce but did not succeed. Then he worked for a timber merchant for a while. September 1983 lie started studying biology at the Odense University. In the spring of 1986, he took a 1/2 year leave of absence from his studies and travelled through Pakistan, India, Nepal, and Thailand. He graduated from the University in 1991, and in 1996 he got his Ph. D. degree. |
He lives with Cornelia Cohn in Copenhagen and he is doing research at the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural High School of Denmark..
Children Born
Nathalie Chou Ertbjerg October 8, 1991
Nikoline Chon Ertbjerg August 19, 1993
Carsten Ertbjerg was born June 29, 1963 in Aulum parish He started school in Aulum August 1970 and graduated 1979.
Three years later he graduated from the science side in highschool the same year as Per.
He started studying to become an engineer with an academic degree in Lyngby, close to Copenhagen.
He also took IA year leave of absence in the spring of 1986 but he went to stay in a kibbutz in Israel and spent a fortnight in Egypt.
Carsten finished his studies in 1988 and got a degree as Master of Engineering.
He married Tina Wethe June 15, 1991 in Copenhagen. She is also a graduate Engineer.
Children Born
Mikkel Ertbj erg June 5, 1993
Maria and Ruth December 7, 1957
Marie Ehrenreich Ertbjerg
After finishing school, I started studying to become a social worker, helping and advising physically, mentally and socially handicapped persons.
graduated as such June 28, 1961.
December 28, 1971 I married Ole Rasmussen who was born March 22, 1938 in Odense
Ole works at the Museum in Struer.
Children Born
Torsten Ertbjerg Rasmussen July 9, 1973
Viktor Ertbjerg Rasmussen January 29, 1976
We live in Struer at Sodertaljevej 15.
Torsten has studied mathematics at Arhus University and finished in 1996.
Viktor is serving in the army as a lieutenant to become a Reserve officer.
Maren Ehrenreich Ertbjerg
I was born September 24, 1933. When I was 15 years old I started working at a farm which was owned by some very good friends of my parents.
Later on I studied to become a teacher. For 7 years I taught in a small school on the island Jegindo, then I worked as a secretary at the federation of Danish scouts for 6 years. After that I was in the USA for 6 months, and since then, teacher in a school in Cann Djurs,
On October 15, 1988 I married Enok Sorensen. Enok comes from Jegindo and has worked as a fisherman for 40 years.
He worked as a sexton at the church ofJegindo until 1995 and we live near by. He is now retired.
Ruth Maven Marie
Emma Christian Lydia – Peder
Ruth Elisabeth Ertbjerg Pedersen
I got an education as a children’s nurse before I married Jens Nikolaj Kristensen on December 7, 1957. We had a farm for many years..
| Children | Born | |
| Poul Erik Ertbjerg Kristensen Dorthe Ertbjerg Kristensen Annette Ertbjerg Kristensen Bjarne Ertbjerg Kristensen |
Febuary 12, 1959 August 26, 1962 June 15, 1963 March 5, 1970 |
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Silver wedding on December 7, 1982
Annette, Dorte, Bjarne, Mona, Poul Erik
Ruth and Nikolaj
Poul Erik Ertbjerg Kristensen
He runs his own business as a bricklayer and was married on September 13, 1980 to Mona AgArd Andersen, who was born on August 14, 1960 in Mogenstrup, Jutland. She is educated as a clerk. Today she works as a school secretary and in Poul Erik’s business.
Children Born
Ditte Agard Kristensen September 19, 1984
Jeppe Agard Kristensen April 1, 1986
Sine Agard Kristensen December 29, 1990
Dorthe Ertbjerg Kristensen
She is educated as a hairdresser and on April 18, 1987 she married Soren Hornback who was born on March 5, 1956 in Auning.
He is a skilled carpenter and they are living in Aiming.
Dorthe started on her own as a ladies’ hairdresser in 1994. She runs a fine business.
Children Born
Nikolaj Ertbjerg Hornbaek August 25, 1988
Mathias Ertbjerg Hornbwk April 12, 1990
Sofie Ertbjerg Ilornbwk September 6, 1993
Annette Ertbieru Kristensen
Today she is responsible for graphic cases. August 12, 1989 she married Niels Christian Moller, who was born on June 16, 1959 in Allingtibro.
He is educated as a clerk but is working today as a salvage-corps man. The family is living in Fausing close to Allingabro.
Children Born
Christoffer Ertbjerg Moller June S, 1990
Mathilde Ertbjerg Moller December 21, 1992
Stine Ertbjerg Moller January 14, 1995
Bjarne Ertbjerg Kristensen
Bjarne is a skilled salesclerk and today he is working for the Danish dairy group MD Foods. On June 22, 1996 he married Dorthe Lynbeck, who was born on May 20, 1971.
Lydia Ertbjerg Pedersen
Lydia was born July 30, 1938 in Lomborg parish. On May 23, 1958 she married Jeppe Kristensen.
They live on the farm “Hjortkazr” in Fabjerg parish.
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Children Jan Kristensen |
Born | |
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May 8, 1961 September 6, 1964 |
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The Kristensen family on April 13, 1986. The day when Jef was confirmated.
Jeppe – Lydia – Jef – Jan – Ivan
In front of Lydia stands Jane, who is in foster care by the family.
In 1991, Jeppe retired. Lydia worked with children for many years but she did not have an education for it.
She got that education in the late eighties and is now working as a nursery teacher in a school at Lomborg.
Jane still lives with the family.
Jan Kristensen
He is an engineer and is working in Sonderborg where he lives with Alice. They were married on October 28, 1995.
Children Born
Simon Kristensen January 10, 1994
Ivan Kristensen
After he finished school he travelled around the world for two years and wrote articles about his trip for the local newspaper in Lemvig.
When he returned home he started on his education to become a draftsman.
He worked as such in Arhus until he moved to the Faroe islands in the North Atlantic Ocean in 1995 together with his girlfriend, Pia, who got her first job as a high school teacher there.
They returned to Denmark in August 1996. Ivan is now studying athletics at a College.
Children Born
November 2, 1996
Jef Kristensen
When he finished school he got a job in a supermarket in Lemvig. In his sparetime carves different figures out of stone. In 1996 he bought a house in Lemvig.
No 4 Kristiane Pedersen
She was born January 6, 1891 in “Ertbjerg” and she died December 31, 1971, in the town of Grindsted, 79 years old.
Of all the 15 children who was born in “Ertbjerg” only four got to have children and bring up future generations of the Ertbjerg-family.
They were: Peder, Kristiane, Sine and Martin.
Kristiane and Laurids Lange Sorensen, Taken in the late forties.
May 15, 1930 Kristiane married Laurids Lange Sorensen in Lomborg church.
Laurids was born March 5. 1889 on the farm “Vesterhede”, in I–Iejnsvig parish and he died March 8, 1956 in the town of Vorbasse, 67 years old.
The biography of Kristiane is taken from her obituary, which was printed on January 2, 1972, in the newspaper Vejle Amts Folkeblad:
A few days before her 80th birthday Mrs. Kristiane Sorensen passed away in the hospital in Grindsted.
She had started preparing for her birthday before she, a few days ago, was rushed to the hospital. She had been feeling well, living in her own house, when site was struck by sudden illness.
She came from Lomborg parish near Lemvig but the main part of her life she spent in and around Gri ndsted.
She started as a housekeeper for the farmer Laurids Lange Sorensen who just had been left a widower with a small child.
She became both a mother and a housewife on the farm and later she married Laurids Lange Sorensen.
Through many years they lived on the farm “Vesterhede”, where Kristiane took active part in the farmwork.
A few years before Laurids died they sold the farm and moved to the town Vorbasse.
Half a score of years ago Kristiane bought a house in Billund where a daughter is living today.
Here and the other places she had her home she has been busy doing something for people who were close to her.
Therefor many of her friends and family are going to miss her very much.
Kristiane leaves two daughters, Meta who is married to bricklayer Ejner Terp, I-Iegnsvig and Man’ who is married to the farmer Andreas Pedersen, Plougslund.
Mary
She was born on July 17, 1932 on the farm “Vesterhede”.
May 4, 1952 she married Hermann Svends Pedersen, who was born July 18, 1928 in Billund, Greve parish.
A few months after the wedding on November 16, 1952, Hermann died of polio.
Meta and Mary
The two girls grew up together on the farm “Vesterhede”. The difference in age of the too girls is nine years.
When the picture was taken the girls were 19 and 10 years old.
When Mary and Hermann were married, they bought a small farm in Loft, a small town 4 kilometers from Grindsted.
On the place they grew vegetables which were sold in Grindsted. It gave them a good income and a lot of work.
Children Born
Hahne Svends Pedersen June 10, 1952 in Loft
After Hermann died Mary kept the farm for a short period of time before she sold it and
moved back home to Vorbasse together with her little daughter, Hanne. While they were living there she got a job in Grindsted.
June 2, 1956 Mary married again. This time to Andreas Svends Pedersen, who was a brother of her late husband.
Andreas had a farm in Plougslund 2 or 3 kilometers from Billund.
Mary and Andreas still live there.
The financial profit of the small farm was limited and after five years Andreas got a job in Grindsted.
Hanne Svends Pedersen
August 10, 1974 she married Ole Ornsholt in Billund church. Ole was born on January 24, 1950 in Vonge parish and works as a carpenter.
Children Born
Karina Ornsholt January 11, 1975
Henriette Ornsholt February 11, 1978
No 5 Jensine Karoline Pedersen (Sine)
Jensine was born May 23, 1893 in “Ertbjerg” and died in Lemvig hospital August 28. 1966 age 73.
March 22, 1929 she married Anders Jensen in Lomborg church. He was born June 2. 1899 in Hygum parish.
He died in the same place as she did February 28, 1969.
Sine and Anders Jensen, March 22, 1929
When Sine was young she worked as a servant girl on different farms. She stayed in each place for one or two years.
In between she stayed home at “Ertbjerg” for one year to help out.
During the First World War she spent a summer at a folk high school on the island of Lolland. Her older sister Kristiane had been there too.
In 1919 she must have been home on the farm because she was the one that woke up Krista when the farm house burned down.
After Sine and Anders were married, they moved into his small farm not very far from “Ertbjerg.
The farm was not very big but the soil was good It was claysoil and when the farm was properly taken care of the farm was able to feed 2 horses, 6 cows, some pigs, and some chickens.
Sine and Anders had a very homelike place, where all people were welcome.
Children Born
| Martin Christian Jensen Jenny Jensen |
February 23, 1931 February 23, 1933 |
Martin Christian Jensen
September 24, 1955 Martin married Inger Baek in Orsted church. Inger was born May 24, 1933 in Orsted parish.
Children Born
Tove Baek Jensen June 1, 1959 in Nr. Lem parish
Erilc Beak Jensen March 24, 1965 in Nr. Lem parish
After the wedding they moved to a small farm called “Bakkehave” just outside Lemvig, which they just had recently purchased..
February 11, 1980 they were divorced. Inger still lives at “Bakkehave” and Martin lives in Lemvig. Both were working at Bang & Olufsen factory in Struer. They are now retired.
Tove Baek Jensen
In 1984, Tove finished her degree as Bachelor of Laws. Since December 1, 1986 she has been teaching tradelaw and national economics at Arhus technical college.
She lives together with Hans Westman Jensen who studies B.A. (Econ.) at the Arhus University.
Erik Baek Jensen
Erik also studies B.A. (Econ) at the University of Arhus.
Jenny Jensen
Jenny was born exactly 2 years after her brother, Martin Christian. On November 13, 1954 Jenny married Gerhardt Moller in Lomborg church. Gerhardt was born on April I. 1929 in Overlade parish.
Jenny and Gerhardt are living at “Birkebo” close by Lemvig.
Children Born
Erling Moller April 3, 1956 in Lomborg parish
Bente Moller August 15, 1959 in Lomborg parish
I-Ielge Moller June 17, 1963 in Lemvig
| Helge Moller |
| Helge is educated as an electronics engineer. Finished in 1985. In 1987 he got a job on a loudspeaker factory in Videbaek as a technician. |
Erling Moller
In 1978, he finished as a skilled mechanic. After he finished serving his military service with the civil defense, he got a job in I3anstholm as a skilled mechanic.
In 1985, he moved to Thisted where he is working today.
IIe was married May 23, 1981, in Snedsted church, to Lene Krabbe Jensen. She was born December 9, 1956 in Snedsted parish.
Children Born
Casper Krabbe Moller December 21, 1984 in Thisted
Ann-Sophie Krabbe Moller January 21, 1988 in Thisted
Lene became a nurses aide in 1983 and has worked as such since then.
Bente Moller
February 19, 1983, she married Anders Christian Gisle Larsson in Lomborg Church. Anders was born December 4, 1959 in Copenhagen.
Bente worked for many years in a nursing home. She is now a busdriver in Randers.
Children Born
Joachim Gisle Larsson November 2, 1980 in Aalbog
Died November 8, 1986 in Randers
Pernille Gry Larsson May 24, 1985 in Aalborg
Daniel Gisle Larsson January 2, 1991 in Randers
Anders works as a computer programmer.
Joachim
On Saturday morning November 8, 1986 Joachim was sent to the baker to buy bread for breakfast.
He had a shopping note and a 100 kroner bill in a plastic bag.
When Joachim did not return from the baker, a big search was instituted by police and volunteers.
The plastic bag with the shopping note was found but Joachim had disappeared and no one had seen the little boy. An S. 0. S. message was broardcasted on the radio and in television. All newspapers put pictures of Joachim on the frontpages.
Wednesday a dog patrol found the body in a dense group of trees in a spruce plantation a little way outside Randers, about 50 metres from a public road.
It appeared that Joachim was stabbed to death.
There was no trace of the killer and the police worked very hard for a long time before they finally caught the man who did it.
No 8 Karl Kristian Lund Pedersen
Karl was born April 17, 1898 in “Ertbjerg”.
While working on the farm “Storbjerg” in Bawling parish he drowned, in the summer of 1916, by Ulfsund.
No. 9 Martin Lund Pedersen
Martin was born September 30, 1900 in Ertbjerg. April 19, 1923 he left Denmark on the boat “Hellig Olav” from Copenhagen and arrived in New York May 1, 1923. At that time he was 23 years of age.
Before he left, he had been working on several farms.
In the U. S. A. he got in touch with the bricklayer Niels Johansen who lived in the state of Colorado, where Martin learned the trade.
He worked as a bricklayer for many years.
Sometime in the Thirties he married Lee Ann.
Children Born
Martin Lund Pedersen November 4, 1941
Sometime in the Forties Lee Ann died and later on he married Effie Mae.
They visited Denmark a couple of times.
After Effie Mae’s death and he was older, he was not able to take care of himself in his own home and was therefore moved to a nursinghome.
He died here 1977 and was buried in the U. S. A.
No 10 Jens Peder Lund Pedersen
He was born October 20, 1901. In 1925 he left Denmark heading for America. He died here due to a railroad accident, in Chicago, in 1928.
No 13 Einer Christian Pedersen
Einer was born on March 27, 1906. Einer grew up at home on the farm and was not, as his other brothers and sisters sent out on other farms to work at an age of eight.
It was not until he was confirmed that he had to leave home to earn his living on other farms.
In April 1925, he left with his older brother Jens Peder for the United States. with a few dollars in their pockets and only knowing the words “Yes” and “No”.
They went to Nebraska to work on the farm of their cousin Mads Erik Nielsen the first summer of their stay in America.
After that Einer went to Texas where he, for a short while, worked in a truck garden but before long he got himself a job on a dairy farm with 170 milk cows.
In 1928, he went to Chicago, to work as an unskilled worker. During the crisis, in the thirties, he worked with many things e.g. in a bakery and as a construction worker. In the late thirties Einer started as a taxidriver. After seven years as such the war was over and Einer went out west with the thought to become a farmer.
This time he went to his cousin Mads Nielsen in South Dakota and worked on his farm. A part of his pay consisted of some calves and when they were ready for calving, he bought some land near White River and further rented some land from the Indians. Slowly but surely the farm grew in acres and up to a hundred head of cattle.
In May 1971 (after 46 years in the United States) he sold all of his cattle and personal property by auction and went back home to Denmark.
Over the years he travelled many times back and forth between the United States. and Denmark. often bringing his car and trailerhouse along.
He rented out the farm for a period of three years each time. He then traveled back every third year to rent it out for another three years period.
In 1980, after his return from the States, he was diagnosed with cancer in his stomach. After he had undergone surgery, in the hospital, he went to stay with his sister Krista in Lomborg.
The last few months of his life he spent in a nursing home in Baekmarksbro. He died there November 11, 1981 and was buried at Lomborg cemetary.
No 15 Krista Pedersen
She was born on August 23, 1910 as the youngest child. That fact gave her certain privileges which the other children never had.
She also stayed on the farm, until she was confirmed, before she was sent to other farms to earn a living.
In the winter of 1929/30 her parents bought a house in Lomborg. I-Ier mother died shortly after they had moved.
Krista became a housekeeper for her father until his death. Since then she has lived in the house. When she became older, she started traveling a lot abroad.
Like the rest of the family she was strong in her faith in God and that followed her throughout her life.
After Einer died and she had inherited a sum of money, she had a book made about her family and ancestors. Some of this book is copies taken from that book.
She died June 18, 1990 at an age of 79 and was buried in the family burial place in Lomborg.
Karen Marie’s bother: Soren Pedersen
Karen Marie’s younger brother Soren was born November 7, 1861.
He spent many years in America and when he returned home to Denmark he went to stay with his sister Mette Marie and her husband Christen.
He stayed there until she died in 1924. The last years of her life Soren was good at helping her with the housework, which she did not manage very well because of her hands.
He often went around in the parish and worked as a saddler. It happened when he was someplace and did not have anything planned ahead that he stayed on to help on the farm for a little while.
Soren died five years after his sister on August 8, 1929 at age 67 and was buried in Tarring.
There are four things that you can not do over again: A spent enroll), a spoken word, a wasted opportunity and a long lived life.
Agnes and Jens Bertelsen June 14, 1917
Karen Marie’s brother: Peder Sakskjaer Pedersen
Peder was the youngest of the children from “Sander Bak”, in Ferring parish. He was born August 31, 1863.
November 8, 1888, he married Lucie Moller in Resen church.
Lucie was born August 24, 1865 in Resen.
In 1888 Peder worked on the farm “BloksgArd” in Fabjerg parish. The farm was owned by Ludvig Balk Moller. His niece, Lucie Moller, lived there too.
Peder and Lucie became lovers and Lucie got pregnant. The only solution to that problem was to get married.
Lucies fine family (vicars and landholders) thought of the relationship as a misalliance that Lucie had to marry a simple smallholder’s son.
But because of the circumstances they found it was the best way.
Lucie and Peder moved into his parents house right after the wedding and here the daughter, Else Sakskjaar Pedersen was born.
Children Born
Else Sakskjter Pedersen March 8, 1889
Agnes Sakskjaer Pedersen July 29, 1891
The Sakskjter family lived in “Sander Bak” for 13 years, until 1902 when they moved to a small farm “Groneng” in Gimsing parish.
Their oldest daughter, Else, died when she was young June 10, 1910 at the KgI. Medicinsk Hospital in Copenhagen.
Peder died November 23, 1926, age 61. Lucie continued to live in the house for 18 years before she passed away on April 9, 1944 at age 78.
Agnes and Jens Bertelsen June 14, 1917
Agnes Sakskiwr Pedersen
June 14, 1917 Agnes married Jens Dusinus Bertelsen in Gimsing. Jens was born January 25, 1889 as the son of the smith Niels Bertelsen and his wife Mette Kirstine.
Jens and Agnes took over her parents’ farm a few days after the wedding and Lucie and Peder moved to a small house a few kilometres from the farm.
Children Born
Ester Gunhild Berthelsen March 10, 1918
Oda Elisa Berthelsen June 17, 1919
Gerda Berthelsen November 28, 1923
Peder Wagner Berthelsen December 10, 1925
Irene Berthelsen June 25, 1928
In 1951 Peder Wagner took over the farm. His mother had died May 9, 1951 at age 59 and his father died two years later April 12, 1953 at age 64.
Ester Gunhild Berthelsen
May 13, 1943 she married Kristian Hvidberg who was born March 26, 1913 in 014. Kristian worked as a delivery man for 25 years before he was retired.
For ten years Ester worked in a store. Before that she worked different places. Today they are living in Humlum.
Children Born
Kirsten Hvidberg September 13, 1946 in Sinter
Kirsten Hvidberg
She is educated as a surgical nurse and works as such at Kjellerup hospital,
July 24, 1970 she married Ebbe Munster Hasselris in Humlum church.
He was born May 31, 1945 in Hillerod close by Copenhagen.
Ebbe works as a salesman in a large medical factory and they have become parents to two Korean girls.
Children Born
Jane Munster Hasseiris February 5, 1978
Mia Monster Hasselris February 7, 1983
Oda Elisa Berthelsen
December 2, 1943 she married Kristian Jensen who was born November 6 or 7 in Bur. For some years they were tenants of the meeting house in Struer. Kristian died February 2, 1982 in Struer Oda still lives there.
Children Born
Bente Jensen May 28, 1945 in Bur
Birgit Jensen May 13, 1958 in Mejrup
Kurt Jensen ?? in Struer
Bente Jensen
Bente is educated as a hairdresser but is today (1992) working in a goldsmith store.
May 29, 1966 she married Tommy Jensen in Struer. Tommy was born in 1941 also in Struer.
He works as a tool maker for Bang and Olufsen in Struer.
Children Born
Lisbeth Jensen 1967 in Struer
Martin Jensen January 30, 1970 in Struer
Lisbeth Jensen
She is married to Svend Jensen and they have a son, Simon Jensen born 1990.
Birgit Jensen
She works as a senior bank cleric and in 1971 or 1972 she married Michael Crone in Struer.
Michael is born May 30, 1945 and is working with insurance. They are living in ‘fonder and have no children.
Kurt Jensen
Kurt works as a delivery man at Bang and Olufsen in Struer. In 1978 he married Kirsten They are divorced today.
Children Born
Helle Jensen May 5, 1980
Susanne Jensen 1983
Gerda Berthelsen
November 29, 1944 she married Peter Christensen in Gimsing church. He was born
January 10, 1916 in Nr. Felding.
Peter died June 23, 1981 in Bur.
Children Born
Steen Christensen November 25, 1948 in Bur
died October 11, 1969 age 20
Jens Soren Christensen January 29, 1953 in Bur
Jens Soren Christensen
He is employed by the traffic police in Holstebro. May 28, 1982 he married Else Marie Pedersen in Bur church. Else Marie was born September 4, 1952.
Else Marie has a girl, Inge, who was born October 21, 1974. Together they have. Michael Christensen, born July 1987. Else Marie works as a child care giver.
Peder Wagner Berthelsen
Peder works as a consultant in farm equipment. April 25, 1953 he married Lydia Andersen who was born October 5, 1926.
Children Born
Solveig Berthelsen June 2, 1957
Solveig Berthelsen
She is married to Bendt Nielsen and they are living in Vejrum. They were married June 6, 1981 in Gimsing. Solveig bought the name “Sakskjaar” and now calls herself Solveig Sakskjwr Nielsen.
Children
Anna-Lea Sakskja3r Nielsen Julia Sakskjxr Nielsen Sara Sakskjeer Nielsen Silas Salcslcjar Nielsen
Born
August 8, 1982 in Vejrum February 9, 1986 August ?? 1988 February 14, 1991 –
Solveig works as a teacher, Bendt as a cabinet-maker
Irene Berthelsen
February 17, 1951 she married Johannes Andersen in Gimsing church. Johannes was
born February 9, 1924 in Fousing.
Irene is a housewife and Johannes worked most of his life in a depot.
Children Born
Hans Sakskjter Andersen Struer
Mette Sakskjter Andersen Struer
Lars Sakskjter Andersen Struer
Britta Sakskjter Andersen Struer
Mans Sakskjaer Andersen
He married Ingerlise in Resen church. He works with computers and Ingelise works as a clerk. They live in Hadsten.
Children Born
Chiano Sakskjzer Andersen
Michaela Sakskjmr Andersen
Heine Sakskjaw Andersen
Mette Sakskjxr Andersen
She married Asberg Due Nielsen. She works in a cheesefactory and he is a childcare worker.
Children Born
Dan Due Nielsen
Jan Due Nielsen who are twins
Pia Due Nielsen
Lars Sakskjacr Andersen
He was married to Liselotte Wienblad but they have been divorced. He is educated as a waiter but has the last 10 years, worked as a long-distance truck driver. They have one child.
Children Born
John Wienblad Andersen
Britta Sakskjmr Andersen
She is married to Kaj Simonsen who works in a steel company in Holstebro.
Children Born
Tina Simonsen
Per Simonse
Karen Marie Pedersen
Karen Made was born July 14, 1859 and grew up in a difficult time in a large family. Everyone had at that time, what was called a character book.
This book was used by the vicar to write about when the person was born, christened, vaccinated, confirmed, how the persons behavior have been during perparation for confirmation, and how the person have moved from parish to parish.
Eveiyone had to tell the vicar when they left the parish and tell the vicar in the nets parish that they have arrived. This was only for servants.
If an old person moved to another parish is was not necesarry to report to the vicar. Thai is the reason why many tracks disappear and we can not find out where they have spend their last time before they die.
In Karen Marie’s character book the vicar wrote the following about her confirmation and her christening:
At the Autumn – Exam 1873 in Ferring School, Karen Marie was admitted to preparation for Confirmation. The school test taken before the confirmation gave her the mark, Good +, for statutory knowledge and Good for her diligence during school.
Vandborg Vicarage, April 10, 1874
J. L. Bjerrum
(Page 8 and 9.)
The same Karen Marie Pedersen, daughter of farmer Peder Bjerregaard Knudsen and his wife Else Godballe Pedersen in “Solider Bak”, in Ferring parish, is born here on July 14, 1859, private baptism July 17, introduced in church October 2.
Vaccinated against smallpox July 6, 1861. She was confirmed the first Sunday after Easter, April 12, 1874 with the grading: Good for Religious knowledge and the grading: Good for behavior.
The Sunday after she was in Ferring church as communicant.
Vandborg Vicarage, April 20, 1874
J. L. Bjerrum
A copy of the charater book can be seen on the next pages.
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In her charate book that was from 1867 and cost 12 skilling (old Danish coin) we can see when she started working on other farms.
March 28, 1875, age 15, Karen Marie told the vicar that she went from Ferring parish to Vandborg parish close by. She spent little over a month here before she started working on the farm “Nygaard” close to Lemvig. She spent 21/4 years here before she announced her departure from the parish November 1, 1877. She may have spent the next couple of months at home in “Solider Bak” in Ferring parish before she announced her arrival at Nr. Nissum parish on January 30, 1878. She stayed here 1 year.
Then she moved back to the farm “Nygaard” close to Lemvig, where she had been before, for one year. Then on to Trans parish for a year and back to Toning parish for 11/2 year.
On July 8, 1882 she leaves the parish with the child she is expecting and returns home to “Solider Bak” where she on July 11, 1882 gives birth to a boy, who is given the name: Peder Pedersen named after his grandfather.
We know very little about the father Hans Jensen Godballe. We have found out that he was sentenced to pay childsupport to Karen Marie.
At that time is was bad to have given birth to a illegitimate child but it happend more often then one would think.
The next 4 years after the birth she stays in Ferring parish. What she does there no one knows but we can assume she lives in “Solider Bak” and takes care of Peder.
April 25, 1886 she moves to Tarring parish to become housekeeper for the young farmer Mads Gransgaard.
Peder Pedersen
He was born July 11 1882 in Ferring parish.
We can read the following about his origin in Ferring church book:
Peder Pedersen, born July 11, 1882 in Ferring parish.
Son of single woman Karen Marie Pedersen, living with farmer Peder Knudsen, “Sander Bak” in Ferring parish.
The alleged father of the child, farm labourer Hans Jensen Godballe, Lemvig. The mother lived in Toning parish 10 months before delivery.
We know nothing about Peder’s father. Of Peder we know very little. After finishing his school in Toning he might have been forced to go out and work on other farms or what is more likely stayed home and helped on the farm.
“Gransgaard” was a large farm with servants. The house had 3 chimneys which, at that time, showed that it was a wealthy farm. Try to look carefully at the school picture from Toning school that comes later on in the book and 
you will see that the children from “Gransgaard” wore handmade shoes. Many of the other children wore wooden shoes. April 14, 1903 he joined the military in Viborg to do his military service. First as a lance corporal, June 10, 1904 he was appointed corporal and a year later he was discharged.. July 1, 1905 he got permission to leave Denmark until June 30, 1908, but already September 4 the same year he notified that he had returned.
November 20, 1906 he got permission to leave this time until August 15, 1909. (Erik arrived in the U.S. September 17, 1906)
In the winter of 1909 and 1910 he spends time at Askov Folk high school. From May 10, 1910 until December 31, 1910 he gets permission to leave the country. Again in 1913 he spends time at Askov Folk high school.
At what time he moved to the states no one knows. We presume that he visited his brothers in the States.
In the 30’ties he was married to Alyce Elisabeth Ross, who was born April 24, 1913 in Nebraska.
They moved to Hemet, California where they had 2 children, Franklin Peter and Karen Bastian.
They lived here until Peder died around 1948. Alyce remarried a Nelson of whom we know nothing. She died 20 years after Peder on June 24, 1968.
| d/ 744n/ ez/ |
| Franklin Peter Gransgaard |
Franklin was born around 1934. He served his military service in the marines. He was married a short time but divorced right after and there were no children. He married Patricia Kay Seeley around 1955 They had three girls. |
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Children Born
Michele Gransgaard March 15, 1956.
Christina Louise Gransgaard September 16, 1958
Melissa Gransgaard July 29, 1961
After the time in the military he worked as a policeofficer. He was killed in a car accident April 22, 1970. He was 36
years old.
After Franklin died, Patricia remarried. This time with Mike Devlin. 
They live in Riverside, California
Michele
Christina
Melissa
Christina Louise Gransgaard
I am born September 16, 1958 in Hemet, California. Some years later we moved to Riverside, where I have lived most of my life. My mother and her husband are still living there.
September 19, 1987 I married John Rush who worked for Security Pacific Corporation. We were divorced a couple of years later.
In 1989 I took a degree in physical development and teaching from the California State University in Los Angeles.
In my sparetime I teach Aerobics to children
Michele Gransgaard
She was born March 15, 1956 in Hemet, California. She is not married but had a daughter on February 12, 1974. She is called Jessica Elliott. In 1989 they moved to Seattle, Washington.
Melissa Gransgaard
She was born July 29, 1961. In 1987 she married Stephen Schisatis. They live in Fullerton, California.
Melissa age 13
Karen Bastian Gransgaard
She was born around 1936. She married Mike Reilly. In the beginning of the 70’ties they were divorced. There were 3 children in the marriage.
Children
Jerry, Cheryl and John
Christina says that it was hard on her first to lose her mother, Alyce, and then her brother, Franklin within 2 years. But despite all that she has kept her good sense of humor. That goes for all the members of the Gransgaard-family in California. They all have a well-developed sense of humor.
Karen has remarried a couple of times since than but has lived alone the last many years. In 1989 she worked as a waiter in a hotel in Anaheim.
Alyce Mike Karen 1953
Karen and Mike
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Joseph Poulsen
Christened September 16. 1738 in Toning parish
Died January 30, 1816 in Torring parish (77)
Bodil Marie Madsdatter
Born 1759
Died January 8, 1841 in Torring parish (81/82)
Foul Josephsen
Born 1702
Died March 22, 1784 in Torring parish (81/82)
Birthe/Birgitte Berthelstlatter
Born 1691
Died March 15, 1786 in Torring parish (94/95)
The ancestors of Mads Gransgaard Nielsen
First we take a look back on his grandparents ancestors.
Mads Josephsens ancestors
The earliest we can find about the family is the date, September 16, 1738, where a boy is christened in Toning church.
He was son of Poul Josephsen Gransgaard and his wife Birgitte Berthlesdatter. We can’t be sure about her name because the priest wrote Birthe when the son was christened and Birgitte at her funeral.
The son got his name from his father Joseph Poulsen.
We can not see where his parents came from or if one of them was born in Gransgaard. The church books do not exist hither back in time.
What we do know, is that his father, Poul, was 10 years younger then his mother, Birthe. She was around 47 years old when Joseph was born.
That could mean many things. She could have been married before and she could have inherited the farm from her husband. Anyway, I think she had the farm before she married Poul. It is very seldom at that time that the woman was so much older than the man if she did not own a farm.
Joseph took over the farm around 1770 after his parents. A few years before, lie had married Maren Andersdatter, who was almost 10 years younger.
At the census in 1787 we can see the following:
“Mellem Gransgaard” a farm
Joseph Poulsen 50 farmer
Maren Andersdatter 40 his wife
Poul Josephsen 15 their child
Johanne Josephsdatter 8 their child
Mette Josephsdatter 4 their child
Anders Christian Josephsen 1 their child
Josephs father had died March 22, 1784 in Toning and his mother the year before the first census in Denmark, Marsch 15, 1786.
Times were hard in those days and Joseph and Maren had lost a couple of children when they where young.
February 25, 1793 Joseph had to bury his wife after 3 days with sickness. He was left with a farm and small children so he hired a housekeeper.
That was Bodil Marie Madsdatter, who was 35 years old. They married later in the year on November 8, 1793 in Toning church. She was at that time already 1 month pregnant.
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Census 1801 “Mellem GransE,Taard” Joseph Poulsen Bodil Marie Madsdatter Anders Christian Josephsen Mads Josphsen Mariano Josephsdatter |
63 farmer married 2. time 42 his wife married 1. time 15 the man’s son 7 their child 3 their child |
Their first child Mads Josephsen (named after Bodil’s father) was born July 10, 1794 and he took over the farm a few years before his fathers death, January 30, 1816.
May 31, 1819 Mads married Johanne Laursdatter from Toning parish.
Johanne Laursdatter’s ancestors
Johannes gandparents on her mothers side were Christen Sorensen and his wife Sidsel
Eskildsdatter who owned the big farm “Westergaard” in Toning parish.
Christen had been married 2 times before he married Sidsel.
As a farmer with a large farm he could not do without a wife to care for the household.
They were married November 21, 1771 in Toning parish.
Census 1787 “Westergaard”
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Christen Sorensen Sidsel Eskildsdatter Anne Marie Christensdatter Jens Christensen Jens Chirstnesen Norgaard |
77 farmer married 3. time 46 his wife married 1. time 14 their child 42 unmarried 28 unmarried |
They had lost another daughter January 30, 1787 only 12 years old. Christen died February 18, 1790. Sidsel continued managing the farm with some help from servants until her death July 24, 1798.
Perhaps the mother had protected her daughter against suitors (she was a good match) because not less than 2 months after her mothers death she married Laurs Nielsen who was 10 years older then her.
They were married September 27, 1798 in Toning church.
Another reason could be that she needed a man to run the farm for her. Where he came from and where he had been working before we do not know.
Census 1801 “Westergaard”
Laurs Nielsen 38 farmer and husband
Anne Marie Christensdatter 28 his wife
Jens Mortensen 21 unmarried servant
Ole Madsen 20 unmarried servant
Anne Margrethe Larsdatter 28 unmarried servant
Niels Nielsen 15 unmarried servant
Christen Pedersen 84 farmers uncle
Anne Pedersdatter 10 farmers niece
August 12, 1801 they had a daughter who was named Johanne Laursdatter. She married May 31, 1819 (age 17) Mads Josepsen in Toning church.
Census 1834 “Mellem Gransgaard”
Mads Josephsen Johanne Laursdatter Joseph Madsen
Bodil Marie Madsdatter Ane Marie Madsdatter Bodil Marie Madsdatter Mariane Josephsdatter
40 farmer and husband
34 his wife
5 their child
14 their child
12 their child
76 widow, farmers mother
36 unmarried, farmers sister
Mads Josephsen was an enterprising farmer. In 1819 he bought 11 acres of land on a public auction from a nearby farm for the amount of 420 Rigsdaler.
20 years later in 1839 he bought 9 acres more from the farm “Duusgaard” for the amount of 200 Rigsdaler.
He had gotten the land from the widow that owned “Sander Gransgaard” so cheap on the condition that he had to accomodate and support her for tile rest of her life.
In 1830, Mads bought his tithe from postmaster Arntrup for 60 rigsdaler.
GENEALOGICAL INFORMATIONS.
Relationship referring to the mother of Karen Margrethe Gransgaard.
Johanne Laursdatter
Born August 12, 1810 in Torring parish
Married May 31, 1819 in Torring church
Died March 14, 1881 in Torring parish (79)
Christen Nielsen Christened March 24, 1754 in Torring church Died May 4, 1823 in Torring parish (69)
Else Nielsdatter Christened Ocotber 1, 1753 in Torring church. Died January 11, 1839 in Torring parish (85)
Niels Wendelboe Born 1720 Died April 21, 1800 in Torring parish (79/80)
Kirsten Jensdatter Born 1712 Died March 27, 1802 in Torring parish (89/90)
Niels Madsen Born 1719 Died May 6, 1782 in Torring parish (62/63)
Maren Simonsdatter Born 1716 Died June 4, 1799 in Torring parish (82/83)
The ancestors of Mads Eskebraek Nielsen
Mads comes from Vejrum parish even though all his fathers family comes from Torring parish.
Mads Eskebaek Nielsen’s father’s ancestors
Mads Eskebaek Nielsen’s grandfather, Christen Nielsen, was born in Torring and christened March 24, 1754. His parents were Niels Wendelboe and Kirsten Jensdatter. May 24, 1782 he married Else Nielsdatter, who was born October 1, 1753 in Torring parish. Her parents had the farm “Duusgaard” in Torring parish.
It was a quiet wedding because Else’s father had died 3 weeks before. He died May 6, 1782 from dropsy.
11/2 months after the wedding on July 5, 1782 their son was christened and called Niels Duusgaard Christensen.
Christen Nielsen had bought the farm “Vester Lomforbaek” in Torring parish and here we find them at the first census in Denmark in 1787. Christen Nielsen was known as Christen Wendelboe all his life.
“Vester Lomforbaek” a farm
Christen Wendelboe 34 farmer and husband
Else Nielsdatter 34 his wife
Niels Duusgaard 6 their child
Niels Wendelboe 1 their child
Both their children was named after Christen’s father and Else’s father. That is the reason why they both are called Niels. In 1784 Else gave birth to a boy that died shortly after. He was called Niels Wendelboe.
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Census 1801 “Vester Lomforbaek” Christen Wendelboe Kirsten Jensdatter |
47 farmer and husband 48 his wife 19 their child 14 their child 12 their child 7 their child 89 farmers mother 53 farmers sister |
In 1788 they had lost another son, Christen, that was born sick.
Christen’s father, Niels Wendelboe, died April 21, 1800 after 5 weeks of illness and was
buried April 27, 1800 in Torring parish.
Else’s mother had passed away the year before on June 4, 1799, age 82/83.
Christen’s mother lived with them until her death March 27, 1802 of old age (was
written in the church book). She was buried April 5, 1802 in Torring parish.
Christen and Else lived in “Vester Lomforbaek” until Christen died May 4, 1823. Else moved to her daughter, Maren Kirstine Christensdatter, that lived on the farm “Eskebaek”. Else stayed here until she died January 11, 1839.
Census 1834 “Eskebaek”
Maren Kirstine Christensdatter 40 widow with a farm
Simon Christensen 45 unmarried, managed the farm
Else Nielsdatter 81 widow
Niels Christensen 24 servant
Maren Christensdatter 22 servant
Jens Christian Pedersen 53 widower, tailer
We can see that Maren’s brother, Simon, managed the farm for his sister.
The parents of Mads Eskebaek Nielsen
Christen and Else’s son, Niels Duusgaard Christensen, became a bricklayer and traveled around the different parishs to work.
In Brawling parish he met Maren Madsdatter, who worked as a servant. She had in 1827
moved from Gudum to Bovling parish. That is what we know about her.
Niels and Maren where married in Bovling church April 12, 1830. May 1, 1830 they moved to Vejrum where they settled on the farm “Lyngkrog”.
At the wedding he was 48 years old and she was 31 years old.
Census 1834 “Lyngkrog,” in Vejrum parish.
Niels Christensen 52 farmer and husband
Maren Madsdatter 35 his wife
Else Nielsdatter 3 their child
Mads Eskebaek Nielsen 1 their child
Niels lost his wife January 10, 1836 and was left with 2 small children and a farm. He
married March 20, 1836 Dothea Marie Berthelsdatter, she was 48 years old.
She was born in Naur parish and had been a servant girl at the mansion “Norre
Wosborg” in Vemb parish before she moved to Vejrum parish.
They continued to live in “Lyngkrog” until Niels died January 26, 1852, age 69.
November 2, 1854, Mads Eskebaek Nielsen traveled to Torring. He was 21 years old. Here he met Karen Margrethe Grasngaard and they were married March 22, 1861 in
Torring church. The first 4 years they lived together with Karen Margrethe’s parents in “Mellem Gransgaaard” before Mads bought the farm August 16, 1865.
The purchace price was 1100 Rigsdalere, the value of accommodation and support was 120 Rigsdaler per year. Burial expenses were set to 75 Rigsdaler.
Karen Margrethe’s brother, Joseph Madsen, had bought the farm “Lykkesgaard” in Torring parish a few years earlier. Mads and Joseph had a lifelong friendship where they bought farmland together and Mads bought some farmland from Joseph. It happend December 10, 1859, 2 years before Denmark converted Rigsdaler to Kroner. The value was set to 2 Kroner for 1 Rigsdaler.
In the following census we can see that the surname for a woman no longer was the father’s first name and then -datter (daughter) but have changed into the same as for the male. Their father’s first name with a -sen at the end. Fron then on the surname was not changed anymore and the Gransgaard family’s surname was Nielsen.
If the custom had been followed, the next surname had been Madsen after Mads+sen and Mads Nielsen would have been called Mads Madsen instead after his father’s first name.
Had the changes been done one generation earlier the surname would have been Josephsen.
Census 1870 “Mellum Gransgaard”
Mads Eskebaek Nielsen 36 farmer and husband
Karen Margrethe Madsen 35 wife
Mads Nielsen 6 their child
Mads Josephsen 75 wife’s father
Johanne Lauersen 70 wife’s mother
Louise Madsen 29 wife’s sister, weaver
Ole Olesen 29 roomer
Jens Jensen 25 roomer
Ole Pedersen 43 roomer
Christian Peder Hansen 30 roomer
Mads Josephsen died February 20, 1879, age 84, after 18 tears as a pensioner. He had during the years bought a lot of land and made “Mellem Gransgaard” a very good large farm. Johanne Laursdatterdied 2 years later March 14, 1881, age 79.
Mads Eskebaaek carried on where Mads Josephsen had left and continued to buy more land. He died May 8, 1883, age 49, only 4 years after his father in law had died.
At that time Mads Gransgaard Nielsen was 20 years old and together with his mother he continued to run the farm.
From September 1, 1885 until March 26, 1886 he served his military service in Viborg while his mother ran the farm with some help from some servants..
Right after he returned from Viborg, he marriedbMay 30, 1886 Karen Marie Pedersen. She had 1 month earler moved from Ferring parish to Torring parish.
The history behind the family farm Gransgaard
The first time the name “Gransgaard” is mentioned in Dansih litterature is in 1596, where it is called “Grandtzboel”. Later in 1664 the name was “Grantzgaard” and twenti years later “Grandsgaard”
It was first in 1882 that the farm got the name we know today. In 1683 3 famers were living in “None Gransgaard” and “Solider Gransgaard”. The word “None” means north, “Mellem” means in betwen, and “Sunder” means south. A way to separating the farms from each other by how they where placed.
In 1760 there was to farms and 2 small farms (half farms they were called in the books). Poul Josephsen and his family lived on one of the small farms. Around 1770 the son, Joseph, took over the farm.
July 27, 1793 Joseph Poulsen buys “Halv Mellem Gransgaard” (the other small farm) for the sum of 284 Rigsdaler.That would be around $ 100.
Now we got 3 farms all together. “Solider”, “Mellem”, and “Solider Gransgaard” and Joseph and his family live on “Mellem Gransgaard.
Joseph dies in 1816 and his son, Mads takes over the farm. He is an enterprising farmer and in 1819 he buys a piece of land for 420 Rigsdaler. In 1830 lie buys his tithe for 60 Rigsdaler.
Nine years later on December 11, 1839 he buys yet another piece of land from the same person. It was about the same size as the first piece he bought, but he was only to pay 200 Rigsdaler for it this time. He got the land so cheap because he had to accommodate the previous owner to her death.
He had now increased his farm with 50 %.
His daughter, Karen Margrethe, married Mads Eskebwk in March of 1861 and 8 months later, Mads Josephsen hands over the deed of the farm to Mads Eskebwk for the sum of 1100 Rigsdaler.
The accommodation of Mads Josephsen and his wife is set to 120 Rigsdaler per year and burialexpenses is set to 75 Rigsdaler.
Even though Mads had retired he bought another piece of land on December 17, 1863 for 100 Rigsdaler. That piece of land should today be where the road is.
Mads Eskebmk continues the work his father in law started. In 1865 he buys the church tithe that was set to 1/10 of his income.
He continue to buy land and improve the farm until his death in 1883.
A few months after Mads Gransgaard married in 1886, he took over the farm for the sum af 3650 D. kr. ($ 550).
In 1887 he bought “Solider Gransgaard”. Karen Margrethe had just died and her house in Lemvig was empty. Mads exchanged the house for the farm. The house was set to 2.000 D. kr. and “Solider Gransgaard” was set to 11.600 D. kr. Mads took over a loan in the farm and payed cash 1.600 D. kr.
He took over the farm April 1, 1888. In 1890 the two farms “Mellem Gransgaard” and “Solider Gransgaard” was combined into one farm.
After Mads Gransgaard” death his widow handed over the deed to her now husband, Mads Nielsen in 1891. The purchase price was set to 19.100 D. kr.
around 1907
In 1915 there was 9 cows, 29 cattle and calves, 3 horses, 3 sheep, and pigs. Each year about 70 pigs were sold.
The farm house was built in 1907 and so was the east wing. The west wing was built in 1905 and the barn in 1885. On one of the girders in the barn it says that the barn was paid for by Karen Margrethe Madsdatter. They all had thatched roof.
In 1915 electricity was installed.
April 14, 1920 the family farm for 5 generations was sold to someone outside the family. Maria Gransgaard told me that her father had hoped to take over the farm, but for some reason it did not happen.
The deed was set to 115.000 D. kr. 70.000 D. kr. for the buildings and land and 45.000 D. kr. for the movables.
Since than the east and west wing have been torn down and new ones build. After one of the stormes in the 80″ties the west wing was removed. On the next page you can see a ground plan for the farm house. Almost nothing has been changed since it was build in 1907.
Ground plan for Sunder Gransgaard
The toilet was made out of a room after 1920. Before that they went out in the stables to do what they had to do.
The ground area is ap—proximately 576 square feet.
A window on the east side of the house
in the lumber room.
Karen Marie and Mads Gransgaard
As mentioned earlier Karen Marie became housekeeper in “Sander Gransgaard”.
One month after she announced her arrival to Tarring parish she married Mads Gransgaard in Torring church May 30, 1886.
Mads Erik Karl (1889)
As the only child of Mads Eskelxuk and Karen Margrethe he stayed home and helped on the farm alter he was confirmed.
In his character book (page 102) we can read the following:
Mads Gransgaard Nielsen, a son of farmer Mads Eskebzek Nielsen and his wile Karen Margrethe Madsen of “Mellem Gransgaard”, was born here on April 10, 1863.
Private baptism on April 10, 1863 and introduced in church on June Id, 1863.
Vaccinated against smallpox July 7, 1868. (see page 103) Went to school in Torring-Heldum Hovedskole and graduated March 22 from the school with the following grades:
for Religious knowledge very good +
for Reading very good i-
f:1)r Writing good +
For Arithmetic very good
Thereafter he was confirmed.
Schoolcommission for Torring-Heldum parish
April 10, 1877.
M. Fogle
Mack Gransgaard Nielsen was confirmed in Torring church on the first Sunday after Easter. April 8, 1877 with the grading:
Very good for Religious knowledge
Acceptable for behavior.
The Sunday alter he was in Torring church as a communicant. This is confirmed under
my hand and seal.
Torring vicarage, April 15, 1877
M. Fogle
Priest in Torring-Heldum
His father. Mads Eskebzek Nielsen, died May 8, 18S3, age 49.
Mads joined the military in Viborg on September I. 1885 until March 26, 1886 to do his military service. His mother managed the farm while he was cone.
She moved to a house in Lewitt., when Mads was married. She died here July I88′. age 52.
Children Born
Mads Erik Nielsen June 3, 1887
Karl Sinius Nielsen April 19, 1889
Mads Nielsen May 29, 1891
Mads died December 28, 1890, age 27. Karen Marie was left a widow with 2 children and one on its way. Five months after Mads died the third child, Mads was born.
Karen Marie could not manage the farm on her own and had to hire a man to do it for. That man was Mads Nielsen.
Erik and Carrie’s wedding picture
Mads Erik Nielsen
Mads Erik Nielsen was born June 3, 1887 in Toning parish near Lemvig (Denmark). In the emigration’s record office we can see that he left Denmark September 6, 1906 at 12 noon onboard the ship “Hellig Olav” which left from Copenhagen. He arrived at New York September 17. 1906.
He first lived near St. Edward Nebraska where he attended school and learned the English language.
Later he came to Verdel Nebraska and worked for several years.
He also worked for several summers in Minnesota cutting peat. He married Carrie Christensen who was living about 10 miles from Verdel.
After the marriage on July 27, 1911 they went to Denmark for six months to visit Erik heard that the ship Titanic was going to America about the time he’ wanted to go home He tried to get a ticket to go home on it, but the tickets had already all been sold So they took the same ship “Henig °lay” back, which he came over with S years belOre Erik and Carrie started farming in the spring of 1912 on a farm he had purchased earlier Erik raised hogs and cattle, corn, oats, and barley. He built new buildings I’or the hogs and cattle.
In 1918 he built a new house for the family. In 1926 Erik, Carrie, and their children traveled to Denmark for the summer.
While they were gone Mads Nielsen and Ruth took care of their farm.
In 1948 they made another trip to Denmark of 6 months.
Their family was all grown and the youngest son Delbert had been married and was farming with his father so they looked after the farm this time.
Erik began having a new house built in 1954, on the nearby farm where Delbert was living. In the spring of 1955, Erik and Carrie moved to this new house to retire.
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Erik’s family in 1926 Kristian’s wife Stinne together with Erik in 1961 in Toning
Children Born
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Esther Marie Nielsen April 14, 1912 Pearl Cecelia Nielsen July 4, 1916 (She died May 19, 1929 age 12) Leonard Gransgaard Nielsen November 22, 1918 Delbert Virgil Nielsen April 4, 1924 |
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Delbert and his family then moved to the place where Erik started to Farm.
In 1960 they were able to visit Denmark again. They enjoyed their trips to Denmark very much and told their children much about Denmark and the family Erik had left there.
Erik had a well made part way up a hill about 1918 so they had running water in the watertanks for the hogs and cattle and in the house. He also put a windcharger for 32 volt electricity in the house.
In 1951 the Rural Electric Association organized by the federal goverment brought 110 volt electricity to their farm. Erik and Carrie celebrated their 58 th wedding anniversary in 1969 just a little over a month before Erik passed away. He died September 8, 1969 age 82.
Carrie continued to live in their retirement home for several more years. She died May 16, 1986 age 95.
Esther Nielsen Tonner, Delbert Nielsen, Leonard Nielsen, Carrie Nielsen celebrating Carrie’s 90th birthday in May 1981
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| Delbert | Leonard |
Arthur (Tuffy) Sayler, Maxine Meier Nielsen, Thelma Nielsen Sayler, Esther and Homer Tonner, Leonard and Maxine Nielsen
Esther Marie Nielsen
I was born April 14, 1912, on my parent’s farm near Lynch (Nebraska). December 31, 1936 I married Homer Tonner at Tyndall (South Dakota).
He was born February 16, 1906 at Verdel (Nebraska).
I grew up and attended school in Lynch (Nebraska).
After graduation fron high school at Lynch in 1930, I attended college at Chadron (Nebraska) for 2 summers studying to be a school teacher.
I taught in rural schools around Lynch for seven years.
Homer and Esther’s 50th anniversary
Children Born
Carol Cecelia Tonner February 19, 1940
Gordon Dale Tonner February 9, 1942
Linda Mae Tonner September 7, 1951
After Homer and I were married we started farming Southeast of Lynch where we livedfor 9 years. Then we bought and moved to a farm east of Lynch that had been owned by my mother’s parents, Soren and Kristina Christensen since 1892.
We raised cattle, hogs, and corn, oats, milo, alfalfa, and various other crops on the farm.
We retired from the farm in August 1978 and moved to a house in Lynch.
In 1993 we moved to York, Nebraska to be closer to our daughter, Carol. We celebrated our 60th wedding anniversary in 1996with ou family.
We have 7 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. We enjoy visiting our children and having them visit us whenever they can.
Homer passed away on July 14, 1997 at the age of 91.
716 Cowan Ave
York, NE 68467
Carol Gordon Linda
Esther Homer ( I9S6)
| Carol Cecelia Tonner | |||||
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I was born February 19, 1940 south of Lynch (Nebraska) on my parents farm. August 15, 1959 1 married Robert Tienken who was born August 15, 1933. I attended 12 years of school at Lynch where I graduated in 1958. I took normal training in high school and attended Wayne State Teachers College for 2 summers. I taught a rural school south of Naper (Nebraska) for the next 2 years after graduation. I met Robert (Bob) while I was teaching their school. |
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Children Born
Robin Tienken October 15, 1960
(died August 13, 1974 age 13)
Carla Tienken July 30, 1962
We were married in 1959. We lived the first 6 years of our marriage on the Tienken ranch (south of Naper). Both of our daughters were born while we lived there.
In 1966 we moved to York (Nebraska). Bob has had several jobs and at present is working in maintenance at Walmart. I am the night manager at Chances R restaurant where I have worked for 30 years.
My hobbies are gardening (mostly fowers), knitting, sewing, and crafts. Bob enjoys feeding and watching the birds and reading. We both like to travel (we do not get to do as much as we would like). We both enjoy seeing our 4 granddaughters as much as possible.
522 College Avenue York, NE 68467
Carla Timken
I was born July 30, 1962 in Lynch, Nebraska when my family lived on the family ranch south of Naper (Nebraska). I graduated from York High School, York, Nebraska in 1980, and as a nurse from Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, Hastings, Nebraska in 1983.
May 30, 1981 I married Kevin Douglas Pinneo at the First United Methodist Church in York. He is horn March 2, 1961 in York and is the son of Virgil and Barbara Sanburg Pinneo.
Kevin, Carla, Lundon and Micheala Pinneo Christmas 1987
Children Born
Lundon Ann Pinneo August 20, 1983, Grand Island, Nebraska
Micheala Jade Pinneo May 29, 1985, Hugoton, Kansas
Hanna Elise Pinneo February 25, 1990, Holdrege, Nebraska
Noelle Christine Pinneo February 25, 1990, Holdrege, Nebraska
We live in Holdrege, a small Swedish community in south central Nebraska. I have worked as a Registered Nurse at various locations (following Kevin around) since 1983 First at Memorial Hospital ill Aurora, Nebraska, while living in Grand Island.
After moving to Hugoton, Kansas in 1984, 1 worked at Pioneer Manor Nursing Home. In 1985. after a move to Holdrege, Nebraska, I began working in the Intensive Care Unit at Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege.
Following a move to Lincoln in 1990, I began working in Intensive Care at Lincoln General Hospital, where I am currently the night shift charge nurse.
Kevin has worked mostly in the restaurant industry, owning and managing Godfather’s Pizza Restaurants, then was a manager and Area Supervisor for Happy Chef Restaurants. In 1994, after finally tiring of the long hours involved, he went to work in the office at Crete Carrier Corporation, a trucking company.
We both enjoy fixing up our big old Victorian house. Kevin doing the carpentry, me stenciling, sewing curtains, etc. We also enjoy gardening. I like to sew and cross stitch, Kevin is a great cook. We both spend many hours chaufeuring children to various events, and occasionally we get to hang out with our friends.
Lundon enjoys playing the flute and piano, and hanging out or talking with her friends on the phone. Micheala also enjoys hanging out with friends, playing piano and oboe. Hanna and Noelle are having a great time learning, and making friends so someday they, too, can hang out and talk on the phone with them. Hanna also loves to dance, and takes tap and ballet lessons.
Lundon Noelle Carla
Micheala Kevin Hanna (1997)
(1989)
Gordon Dale Tonner
I was born February 9, 1942 in Lynch (Nebraska). I started school in 1947, graduated in 1960 from Southern State Auto Body School Springfield (South Dakota) as a bodyrepairan.
October 14. 1961 1 married Kathleen Ann Schmidt born July 12, 1942 in Spence, (Nebraska).
Children Born
| Brent Alan Tonner Sheri Lynn Tonner Kristi Kay Tonner |
September 22, 1962 September 22, 1963 October 10, 1964 |
Today we live in Sioux Falls (South Dakota) where I am a traveling salesman in automotive chemicals and travel all over the state. Kathleen (Kathy) is a housewife and enjoys cooking, silk flower arranging, reading, and she does a lot of volunteer work in our community. Kathy also works for the S. D. Dept. of Tourism at the I-90 Information Center near Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She works May to September and enjoys her job very much. We both enjoy traveling and are spending as much time as possible at our cabin and boat close to a river 90 miles from Sioux Falls. But our biggest joy and pride is our 4 grandchildren.
Brent and Tracy are excited as they recently bought 2 1/2 acres in a new housing addition about 20 miles from Duluth. It is in a wooded area with a stream running through the back part. It is a beautiful location. They plan on building in a few years. Brent keeps very busy at work. The company he works for is a fast growing business. I-Ie is on several committees for church & school. He also does a little bodywork for friends. Tracy received a promotion at work this past year & was chosen Volunteer of the Year at the school Katie & Matt attend. She helps serve hot lunch, organized the school library, chaired & served on several committees, Katie is 9 & in 3rd. grade. She is taking violin lessons & playing the piano with Tracy’s help. She loves animals & is doing some “pet sitting” to earn a little money. She is learning to snow ski & loves that. Matt is 6 & in kindergarten. He is a very active boy. He got a b-b gun & helped Brent set up a deer camp. He also is learning to ski. Both kids went to Y camp & loved it. They all enjoy the outdoor life of beautiful northern Minnesota.
Kristi & family are on the go all the time. Besides her job Kris is room mother for Maegan’s 5th. Grade class, volunteers at O’Gorman Jr. High where Ryan is a 7th. grader, is a Girl Scout leader, on the Boy Scout Council, plus all the crafts etc. that she does. Ryan is 12 & loves racing his RC cars. He also played Y basketball, went out for Jr. High cross-country, plays trumpet in the band, & is in Boy Scouts. Last summer he worked a little at a gun club. Maegan is 11. She also plays Y basketball & volleyball, soccer (summer & winter), & is in Girl Scouts. She just started playing flute in the band & serving Mass. She wants to try everything. Both kids went to several camps last summer so keep very busy. We play taxi when Kristi has too much going on. Don is still trucking & gone a lot. The whole family is going with him now and then, & the kids take turns during the summer.
6205 E. 26th Street, Sioux Falls S.D. 57103
Brent Allan Tonner
I was born September 22, 1962. 1 attended 0—Gorman High-school in Sioux Falls (South Dakota). Although I was involved in football and wrestling for a short time I excelled in track lettering 3 years.
After graduating in May of 1981, I went on to complete my training in Auto Body Repair at Jackson Area Vocational Technical Institute at Jackson in May of 1982 For the next 6 years I worked in the auto body repair field in Sioux Falls. In Januat> 1988, I decided to make a career change. I am presently attending Augustana College in Sioux Falls for Math/Engneering which I expect to graduate from in December 19‘); On June 17. 1989, I married Tracy Ann Tunender who was born June 24, 1965.
Children Born
Mal• Kathryn Ann Tonner August 29, 1991 Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Matthew Alan Tonner July 7. 1994 Sioux Falls, South Dakota
In August, of 1992 we moved to Brookings, South Dakota, so I could attend South
Dakota State University to finish my Mechanical engineering degree.
December of 1995, I graduated from college with a Bachelor of Science degree in
Mechanical Engineering.
In January of 1996, we moved to Duluth, Minnesota where I am a Mechanical Engineer
in training at L.H.B. Engineers and Architects.
Tracy is a graduate of Augustana College and has been employed by McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls as a Mental Health Counselor. She is now working at an adult foster care home for people with mental illness.
4213 W. 8th St. Duluth, MN 55807
Don Kristi Gordon Tracy Brent (1997)
Ryan Megan Kathy Matthew Sheri
Katie
Sheri Lynn Tonner
I was born September 22, 1963 in Omaha, Nebraska, and moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota with my family when I was 7 years old.
In May 1981 I graduated from High School in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and then went on to the University of North Dakota where I studied aviation.
I graduated in 1985 and joined the Army and graduated in 1986 as a helicopter pilot.
I have spent most of my time in the Army in various administrative jobs and flying CH-47D (Chinook) heavy-lift helicopters.
After flight
school my
first assign-
ment was a year in Korea. I had lots of opportunities to travel and see the orient while stationed there. I visited Hong Kong, Thailand, Japan and Hawaii in addition to traveling throughout Korea.
My next assignment took me to Savannah, Georgia for almost four years.
Savannah offered lots of sunshine, fishing and boating on the rivers, great seafood and opportunities to travel to places like Florida, Charleston, and Atlanta.
My job as a Flight Platoon leader took me to New York, the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, California, Arizona, Texas, and Saudi Arabia. (Saudi Arab was my least favorite.)
After eight months in school back at Fort Rucker, Alabama, I went to Germany for nearly four years. In Germany I was able to fly helicopters up the Rhein River and down to Bavaria where you could see the incredible castles on the hillsides.
I lived in Worms, Germany. From there I could travel to France, Italy, Belgium, Holland, and Switzerland on the weekends.
I especially enjoyed the flea markets in France and Holland, the mountains in Switzerland, the shopping in Italy, the wine in Germany and the beautiful churches and castles everywhere.
As part of the military exchange program, I flew a UH-1 Huey helicopter to Latvia where we demonstrated the search and rescue capabilities to the Latvians and their Prime Minister. They were very interested as they had no search and rescue capability when the Estonia sunk with so many people on board.
The Latvian people are very interesting, friendly and industrious. While visiting Latvia, Former East Germany and the Czech Republic, I was able to learn first-hand of the
Sheri standing behind a MIG 29 devastating effects of 50 years of communism on the society and the infra-structure of the former east-block countries.
One of the high-lights of my trip was the opportunity to see a real MIG-21 fighter which the Germans now use for boarder security.
For 3 years I was stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska where I was the Operations Officer for the U. S. Army Alaska Helicopter Battalion. Later on I took command of the CH-47D helicopter company.
We went to the field a lot in the winter when the temperatures drop down to – 60. It’s brutal, but Alaska is very interesting and beautiful.
On a clear day you can see Mt. McKinley from Fairbanks. One of the Chinook Company’s missions was to rescue stranded climbers off of the mountain.
We had the greatest altitude and lift capability so we did the mission for the National Park Service.
It is very risky and expensive, but also very political so we kept on doing it. Climbers die on the mountain nearly every year trying to reach the 20.320 foot summit. Alaska is unique because there is so much wilderness and wildlife.
It is not unusual to see a moose in front of your house in the middle of town. The fishing is unmatched anywhere and the Northern lights offer spectacular shows on the long winter nights.
The 24 hours of daylight during the summer gives you time to enjoy the outdoors before the long winter arrives.
I am amazed how many people live in “The Bush” without electricity or running water. July 1998 I went back to an Army School for about a year.
Today I am stationed at Offutt AFB in Omaha with the NAOC program {National Airborne Operations Center} . When the President goes overseas 1 of the 3 planes goes within operations distance.
Kathy tells: “She is on alert every 3rd. week. They usually fly someplace in the world. We usually don’t know where or when she’s gone. It is a very Top Secret operation. She does enjoy it & the Air Force way of life.
Brent
Kristi Sheri (1996)
Kristi Kay Tanner
I was born on October 10, 1964 in Omaha (Nebraska).
June 13, 1987 1 married Donald Nimick who was born November 30, 1961 in Miami Florida.
My husband drives a semitruck cross contry and I work at the South Dakota Air National Guard base doing office work.
Children Born
| Ryan Alan Nimick Maegan Marie Nimick |
August 13, 1988 December 12, 1989 46685 Hwy 38 Sioux Falls |
Kristi Don
Meagan Ryan (1995)
– 113 –
Jennifer Ralph Heath Linda Kern (1989)
Linda Mae Tonner
Born September 7, 1951 in Lynch Nebraska. On Februay 2, 1974, married at Kearno (Nebraska) to Ralph Arthur Hasselquist, (born on August 28, 1951 at Holdrege (Nebraska).
Children Born
Jennifer Marie 1-lasselquist November 30, 1976
Kern Christina Hasselquist October 17, 197S
Heath Aarron Hasselquist October 15, 1981
I met Ralph at The University of Nebraska in Lincoln (Nebraska), while pursuing my major in elementary education. They were married in the Evangelical Free Church. We made our home in Holdrege from 1974 to 1978 while I taught, and Ralph farmed. In 1976 Jennifer Marie, named after Carrie Christina Marie Nielson (Christiansen), was born at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney (Nebraska).
Two years later Kerri Christina was born, named after Carrie Christina Marie Nielson (Christiansen), born at Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney (Nebraska).
The family of four then moved to Lynch (Nebraska), in 1978, and picked up where the Past Generation left off.
In 1980 Heath Aarron was born. He was born with the absence of ears and ear canals, making it difficult to hear without the benefit of hearing aids. Due to his condition the family thought it would be best, in 1986, to move to Omaha (Nebraska) where he would have the best opportunities.
In Omaha the family started out new. Ralph picked up the craft of carpentry, which he had used to get through college and I substitute taught school and worked doing phone work for Greyhound bus company from 6:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.
The Children began new schools and became very involved with many clubs and activities. In 1995 Jennifer graduated from Ralston High School, and went on to pursue a major in Biochemistry. She entered the University of Nebraska at Lincoln (Nebraska) in the fall of 1995. Kerri also graduated from the same High School in 1997. She plans to enter the University of Nebraska in Lincoln in the fall of 1997 and major in the field of Dentistry.
Kerri likes to paint some as a hobby but is very busy with schoolwork and her part time job at a restaurant. Heath attends Ralston High School.
Jennifer is living in Lincoln and is engaged to Trent Jay Heiser, of Lynch (Nebraska). He is a currently working in an electronic and computer repair store and going to school to repair computers part time. Jennifer enjoys cross-stitch when not studying.
Kerri is also living in Lincoln. She enjoys many things and is active in lots of clubs. She stays busy between work and going out with friends.
Heath plays many sports such as: bowling, soccer, tennis, swimming, and basketball. Heath has had surgery to restore hearing in one ear. He has been able to go without a hearing aid since that surgery. Ii has been wonderful for him to hear where the sounds are originating.
Ralph farmed his family farm from 1974 to 1978 near Holdrege. He also taught a farmers education class in the evenings while in Holdre-ge. Then we moved and he began farming the Tonner farm near Lynch (Nebraska) where we lived from 1978 to 1986.
Ralph works for a company during regular business hours and on the weekends co-ordinates and bosses house restoration on different houses that we have purchased around the Omaha area.
At times our family has a weekend of just painting and cleaning up rentals, with a few paint fights thrown in to relieve tension on the kids’ part.
I have helped working remodeling houses and have continued to work on phones for a few hours a week. I talk to people all over the United States and help with managing the farms at Holdrege and Lynch.
(1989)
Leonard Gransgaard Nielsen
I was born November 22, 1918 in Lynch (Nebraska). February 5, 1941 I married Lois Wilson who was born September 2, 1920. (She died September 8, 1983 age 63)
| Children | Born | |
| Deanna Irene Nielsen Colleen Lois Nielsen Rita Ann Nielsen Larry David Nielsen Garry Lin Nielsen |
August 16, 1950 December 2, 1953 August 2, 1955 February 24, 1958 July IS, 1961 |
|
Mier Lois and I were married we lived and raised beef cattle and farmed South of Verde! (Nebraska).
When the children were in high school at Niobrara we moved to the town of Niobrara but continued to farm.
I became more involved in feeding cattle for market, then with operating a grain elevator and a trucking business with several semitrucks.
December 17, 1982 I married Maxine Vesely who was born September 29, 1921 and we live in the town of Niobrara. As the sons and son-in-law took over more of the farm work I devoted more time to the grain elevator and trucking business but I am still involved with cattle feeding even though I am semiretired.
We both have grandchildren whom we love very much. My big hobby is to attend cattle auction sales. Maxine died September 4, 2000, age 78.
Colleen, Gary, Lois, Leonard, Larry, Carrie Corey (Colleen’s oldest son) 1972
Peannn Irene Nielsen
I was born August 16, 1950 outside Niobrara, Nebraska. We lived on a farm south of Verde!, Nebraska. I liked the farm and horses and enjoyed helping my dad. I went to a country school the first 8 years and then to high school in Niobrara. September 16, 196S I married Gary Fritz who is born October 29, 1941. We live at Niobrara on a farm 3.5 miles southwest of town. We raise corn, soybeans, and alfalfa. We also have miles, hogs, and horses.
I am kept busy every day by helping on the farm and we like to attend rodeos, ropings and cattle and horse sales.
Children Born
Dana Lynn Fritz June 20, 1972
Todd Gary Fritz March 13, 1974
In spare time Gary and Todd enjoy roping steers and spend lots of hours at our arena
RR 1
Niobrara NE 68760
Dana Lynn Fritz
I was born June 20, 1972 in Niobrara, Nebraska. I attended school at Niobrara and graduated December 15, 1995 with a major in Ag Business, and a minor in business.
I am now living and working in Tekamah, Nebraska. am employed by Farm Credit as a lending specialist.
still enjoy horses and had one with me all my college years.
| Todd Gary Fritz |
I was born March 13, 1974 in Niobrara, Nebraska. I attended Niobrara school and graduated in 1992. Since then I have been a partner with my Dad on the family farm. On December 8, 1999, Stacey McCardle and I were married. Stacey was born December 17. 1968 in Sioux City, Iowa.. We live on a farm 41/2 miles south west of Niobrara and will continue to farm with my Dad. I am active in the farming operation of rasing crops and livestock. I also enjoy roping steers and attend several ropings and rodeos a year. |
1989
Colleen Lois Nielsen
I was born December 2, 1953 in Lynch (Nebraska). October I, 1971 1 married Stank) D. Fritz who was born June 24, 1949. We both grew up in Nebraska and lived in I ladar. Nebraska before moving to Mesa, a suburb of Phoenix, Arizona in 1985.
|
Children Corey Joe Fritz |
Born February 6, 1972 |
Stan is a licensed contractor and has his own company. He works mainly customer
houses installing doors, wood work and all finish works in and around the Phoenix area
I am busy with our bookwork, housework etc.
I also work 2 days a week at a Medical Clinic here in Mesa.
We are fortunate to have Angie and Corey close and enjoy our 2 little grandchildren. We all enjoy swimming in our pool. It sometimes gets to 115 to 120 F and that is the best way to cool off here.
Corey Joe Fritz
I was born February 6, 1972. After finishing high school I have been working with my
father in the Construction company.
July 26, 1995 my daughter Desirae Fritz was born.
|
Angela Renee Fritz I was born October 3, 1974. July 20, 1996 I married Jason Thompson here in Mesa. We live in Phoenix where Jason works for a graphic design Co. He does layouts and advertiements for magazines. I work parttime at a restaurant and love being a mother. |
Children Born
Haili Thompson September 18, 1996
Casey Leonard Fritz
I was born June 19, 1979. I work for a rock and gravel company in Mesa and live in a
house close by my parents. I enjoy camping when ever I get the chance.
Casey Stan Corey
Tyler Tayler
Tyler Stanley Fritz and Tayler Stanley Fritz
They were born October 6, 1981 and has finished high school and right now are
working in resturants until they figure out what they want to do! They both enjoy sports and wrestling.
Rita Ann Nielsen
I was born August 2, 1955 at my parents farm South of Verdel. October 18, 1975 I married Christopher L. Schulte in Hartington, Nebraska. He was born September 11, 1954 at Sacred Heart – Yankton, South Dakota.
Children Born
Garth Christopher Schulte January 13, 1978
Garett Leo Schulte July 18, 1980
Garnet Lois Schulte January 19, 1984
Grant James Schulte August 30, 1985
For a while we lived in Prairie du Chien (Wisconsin) where my husband Christopher (Chris) was employed by the 3M company as Manufacturing Engineer. Chris received a promotion with the 3M Company a few years ago, which included a move to Amhurst, New York.
I work part-time as a floral de’ signer in a floral shop.
Our four children are our main hobbies. We all enjoy golf and walking as our favorite sport. We are both very active in Church and school.
Since we are both orginally from Nebraska/South Dakota we fly to get back to visit family and friends a couple times a year
669 Kaymar Dr. Amhurst, NY 14228
Garett Garnet Grant Garth Chris Rita (1997)
Garett Garth Chris Rita Garnet Grant
Kirklyn Larry Deborah Kristin (1990)
Larry David Nielsen
I was born February 24, 1958 at Lynch, Nebraska. We lived on a farm close to Niobrara, Nebraska. I graduated from Niobrara high school. I helped with farm work while attending school and after graduation continued to help my father with the farm work. I married Deborah Ann Tonner on May 29, 1977. She was born March 12, 1959.
Children Born
Kirklyn David Nielsen August 18, 1977
Kristin Ann Nielsen April 22, 1980
We live on a farm near Pishelville, Nebraska. We own a farm-ranch type operation next to the Niobrara river. Being next to the river, some of our crops are irrigated by a piror or traveling gun.
We raise beef cattle for butchering and we have around 500 head of stock cows that calf in the spring. Our crops consist of: Soybeans, corn, cane, and alfalfa. Some of the crops are sold and some are used to feed our livestock.
We also have a number of horses.
Our children are our helpers. While attending school they also had their chores and duties that they preformed. Kristin feed orphan calves milk with bottles and did some of the housework.
Kirklyn is a true farmer. He was with me all the time, learning to rake hay and running the irrigation systems. Plus many other jobs arround the farm.
After they finished high school. Kirklyn has worked fulltime with me on the farm. Our family enjoys a number of things year around, for our location provides lots of entertainment. We enjoy swimming and fishing. This is also a got area for hunting. Horses are a big part of our operation also. We use them for work and play. We enjoy rodeo and the sport in roping steers. We like to Rodeo and Jackpot. Kirk and I team rope and Deb and Kris barrel race.
In the winter we like to ice skate and ride snowmobile.
Rt 2 Box 84
Verdigre NE 68783
Gany Teresa Derek
Adele Chance (1996)
Garry Lin Nielsen
I was born July 15, 1961 at Lynch, Nebraka. I was the last child of a family of five. I helped with chores and farm work while I was attending school and after I graduated from high school at Niobrara. I continued to help my father on the farm near Niobrara, Nebraska.
February 6, 1985, I married Teresa Adele Boelter, who was born June 21, 1961.
We live 2 miles east of Niobrara on a farm. We farm and raise cattle and horses. I also drive trucks for my father. My wife Teresa is a housewife and helps with the work
around the farm. In the summer time, the boys and I like to rope steers around the area together with friends of ours.
Children Born
Derek James Nielsen August 9, 1982
Adele Rae Nielsen November 15, 1984
Chance Garry Nielsen January 28, 1987
Derek likes to rope with his dad. Adele likes to work with horses and she barrel races. Chance likes to do everything with his dad.
The children belong to a 4-H club and work all summer long getting things ready for the Knox County fair.
Adele Rae (1996) Chance Garry (1996)
Delbert Virgil Nielsen
He was born April 4, 1924 at the farm home of his parents Erik and Carrie Nielsen in Lynch (Nebraska). October 11, 1947 he married Maxine Mary Meier born April 1, 1929 in Hartington (Nebraska). During the summer of 1926 he, along with his family visited in Denmark.
He was fascinated with his grandfathers (Karen Marie 2nd husband) pipe so he gave Delbert a pipe which we still have. No one have ever used it since it left Denmark. It has a long flexible stern 14 inches long.
At age 5 he started school in a one room, country school about 1 3/4 miles from his home. He attended this school for 8 years, then went for 4 more years to high school in Lynch 6 miles from his home.
(1983)
After this he attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln (Nebraska) for a short time before deciding to come back home to farm.
I was born at the farm home of my parents at Hartington. The first part of my life was spent on the farm, attending a country school, and then high school. I worked one year for a school teacher, in the home, caring for a 3 year old girl and doing some housework. While visiting my sister in the Lynch area in 1946 I met Delbert. We married the year after and spent our entire married life farming, first living on a farm nearby and farming with Delbert’s father. When Erik and Carrie retired in 1955 we moved back to the house where Delbert was born. During his lifetime he saw a great change in farming from using horses and much hand labor to the use of many machines.
Children Born
Norman Eric Nielsen June 3, 1951
Douglas Duane Nielsen August 22, 1953 (died August 29, 1980 age 27)
Richard Dale Nielsen April 1, 1955
Marion Sue Nielsen May 1, 1957
Connie Jean Nielsen December 13, 1958
Robert Alan Nielsen October 5, 1966
On April 20, 1986, at age 62, Delbert died, very unexpectedly from a heart attack. His son Richard, who was farming with his father, continued to operate the farm.
Since my husbands death I have been helping Richard running the farm and doing all the small things that are necessary to run a large farm. In 1989 I, Maxine, had the privelege of visiting Denmark and meeting many of the relatives there. I have also enjoyed visits from several of them who came to the United States. In 1993 when Jens and Paula Gransgaard returned home after a visit here I bought a ticket to go with them on the same plane to Denmark for another 2 week visit.
HC 76 Box 63
Lynch
NE, 68746
Eric Norman Kimberly Nathan
Theresa Matthew Melissa Regina
Norman, Jr. (1996)
Norman Eric Nielsen
I was born June 3, 1951 at Lynch (Nebraska). September I, 1973 I married Theresa Mary Conway who was born December 15, 1950 in O’Neill (Nebraska). She grew up on her parents farm near O’Neill.
Children Born
Eric James Nielsen July 24, 1974
Kimberly Anne Nielsen August 20, 1976
Nathan Edward Nielsen July 14, 1979
Melissa Marie Nielsen April 9, 1982
Regina Marie Nielsen November 14, 1984
Norman Eric Jr. Nielsen August 17, 1987
Matthew John Nielsen January 1, 1990
I attended school at Lynch for 13 years. At about 15 years of age I became interested in two-way radio. I took a correspondence course in two-way radio to become a radio technician.
After high school graduation, in 1969, I combined a two-way radio sales and service career with fanning with my father. In 1975 I decided to devote full time to my radio business and purchased a house on a small acreage at the junction of highways 20 and 275, 14 miles East of O’Neill.
We built a new building for our radio business and now, provide mobile telephone service for about a 90 miles radius of our shop along with the two-way radio.
Theresa is a house wife and she helps me now and then in the the shop.
In resent years we have started working with G.P.S. (Global positioning Sattelite) in addition to the communication business.
In the summer of 1997 I spent some time in Egypt helping and teaching them to install radio systems which they had purchased from the United States
Nathan is in second year of college at Lincoln, Nebraska and is planning to go into some kind of banking.
We enjoy going on trips in our mobile home when we have time.
50196 US Highway 20
Inman, NE 68742
Eric James Nielsen
I was born July 24, 1974, the first child of a family of seven. Parents are Norman and Theresa Nielsen.
I have 3 brothers and 3 sisters. When I as 2 years old, we moved from Lynch to an acreage in the country, near Inman, Nebraska where my father built a building for his electronics business.
I attended school at Inman, for the first 8 years. Then I went to Orchard Public School for my four high school years. I was always interested in my fathers electronics business and enjoyed working with the radios.
When I graduated from high school, I went to Willmar, Minnesota Technical College where I became a radio technician.
After graduation from this school, I came back to Inman, where I am working as a technician, with my father, in our family business.
I have enjoyed being a member of the Civil Air Patrol since 1991. I have gone on several search and rescue missions, I helped with the radio communications on some of the missions. I also enjoy various training camps and helping the younger cadets.
Kimberly Anne Nielsen
I was born August 20, 1976 at Lynch Nebraska. I was the second child and first daughter of Norman and Theresa Nielsen. I went to school at Inman, Nebraska the first 8 years. For my 4 years of high school,
I went to Orchard.
I have been a member of the Civil Air Patrol since the sixth grade. This is a volunteer civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force. The three missions are emergency service, aerospace education and a cadet program. I have enjoyed various training camps and helping with missing plane searches and other emergency situations, like flooding and storms. I am now a state officer
I enjoyed helping my father with his electronics business and licked working with computers. When I enrolled at the University of Nebraska, at Lincoln I started taking computer engineering. I am now studying computer graphics.
While attending the University, I met Matthew Mark Berggren. He graduated from the University, in May of 1997, with a major in physics. After graduation he joined the U.S. Air Force. He was born June 16, 1975, and lived and attended his first 13 years of school at Axtell, Nebraska.
We were married June 20, 1997 at Lincoln, Nebraska. We have lived in Texas and Florida for awhile where Matt received his Air Force training. We are now living in Norfork, Virginia. I have finished 5 years of college and plan on going to medical school to be a pediatrition.
Matt & Kim Berggren
Douglas Duane Nielsen
Douglas was born at Lynch (Nebraska) August 22, 1953. He attended school at Lynch and after his graduation in 1971 he farmed with his father. Douglas enjoyed hunting, fishing, and collecting unusual rocks. He also became an amateur radio operator by studying on his own.
Douglas passed away August 29, 1980 after a 3 years illness with a malignant brain tumor.
Back row: Norman, Douglas
Middel row: Marion, Maxine, Delbert, Richard
Front row: Robert, Connie (1971)
The house that Erik and Carrie built in 1918 and Delbert and Maxine lived in from 1956.
Katie Grant Loree/Ross Stacie Richard (1995) Richard Dale Nielsen
I was born April I, 1955 at Lynch (Nebraska). July 26, 1975, I married Loree Jean Peed who was born April 14, 1957.
|
Children Grant Davis Nielsen |
Born February 16, 1978 |
I attended public school at Lynch (Nebraska) for 13 years.
After high school graduation in 1973 I started working with my father on the family farm. Since my fathers death in 1986 I have farmed the land together with my mother and a couple of hired men.
My wife Loree is a housewife and is kept busy looking after the children, running errands for me, and helping me in the fields.
Today we live in my grandparents (Erik and Carrie) house that was build in 1955.
Grant graduated from high school at Lynch, Nebraska the spring of 1996.
He is attending college at the University of Nebraska Agriculture school at Curtis,
Nebraska, studying Agriculture business managment and Cattle production, medicine
technology. While attending high school he enjoyed sports and was active in football, basketball and track programs.
Stacie is attending college at Vermillion, South Dakota. She is studying accounting, among other things. Katie is a high school senior and Ross in the 8th grade. The girls enjoy vollyball, basketball and track.
Ross also likes sports and plays on the summertime baseball teams.
Lynch – NE 68746
Marion Sue Nielsen
I was born May 1, 1957 at Lynch (Nebraska). July 16, 1977 I married Robert John Cain who was born December 18, 1955.
After graduation from high school in Lynch (Nebraska) I attended nursing school at Marian Health Center at Sioux City (Iowa) and became a registered nurse. In 1977 after I married Robert (Bob) we lived near Tekamah (Nebraska). I worked at Dodge County Memorial Hospital until our first child was born.
Robert started a two-way radio business in our home called BOB’s Two-way.
I assisted him, mainly by doing the bookwork, and worked as a registered nurse. (1996)
As our business grew we moved to Dakota City, Nebraska. In 1985, I worked part-time nursing at Marian Health Center, working as a registered nurse in one of the intensive care units.
|
Children Kristina Anna Cain |
Born August 29, 1979 |
In 1988 I put all my time back to our family and business. We had our business in the basement of our home so I could combine both of my duties at the same time
In 1990, we built a new building in South Sioux City, Nebraska and moved our communications business to this new location and named it Tri State Communications.
Kristina is a Senior in high school this year. She enjoys competitive swimming and had several travel opportunities associated with her swimming. This year she swain in meets in Texas and California.
|
Michael turned 16 years old in 1997 and he was excited about getting his drivers license. He had an old pickup to drive to school and football Bradley likes roller |
Michael Kristina Bradley
Steven Scott Brian (2000)
He plays the trombone and is looking forward to being in pep band and jazz band.
Steven loves playing board games, video games and cards. He playes baseball and likes to go fishing.
Brian is a fast runner and is busy playing and exploring the world around him. One day Steven said to his grandmother, “Do you get slower as you get older”, because Brian is faster then she is.
I enjoy sewing and gardening in my spare time. I like to make clothes for family and friends and have especially enjoyed making wearable art. I help with Sunday School and school activities. I am involved with the sewing Guild organization.
Bob loves to fly and has his instrument license and has a small plane. He is involved with Rotary International, a service group. He assists with community projects with the amateur radio group.
Michael Kristina Bradley
Steven (1989)
|
Back row: Middel row: Front row: |
David,Connie,Theresa,Norman,Marion,Richard,Katie Nathan Bradley Loree Eric, Robert, Maxine, Delbert, Robert Stacie, Kimberly, Melissa, Kristina, Grant, Michael (Dec 1983) |
We fly in a Cessna 421 twin engine airplane. Our average flight time with the patient is about 1 hr. I also do some flights for the VA hospitals which are to Salt Lake City or Seattle. We average about 20 flights per month.
On March 31, 1991 I married Robert Brunelle at Glasgow, Montana. He was born March 6, 1967 in Marion, Indiana
Rob is the assistant general manager of the Cottonwood Inn in Glasgow. It has 92 rooms, a dining room, pool, and lounge with casino. He has been there for about 12 yrs. He is a very good handy man and can fix almost anything.
Brandon just started the 7th grade. He wrestles with U and has gone to state 2 years. He hopes to wrestle in school this year also. He plays the coronet in band, and is quite proud of the fact that he is almost as tall as his Mom.
Dustin is about to start his second year of preschool. He loves to color, play with cars, bugs, grasshoppers, worms, and all those normal little boy things. He has really gotten tall this summer and is a very strong-willed little boy.
We enjoy fishing, hunting, feeding the birds, playing with the boys, and trying to stay on top of the house and lawn work. We miss living close to family, sometimes Montana seems a long way away from Nebraska and Minnesota, where all our families are. We enjoy going back to the farm at Lynch whenever we have time.
Robert Alan Nielsen
I was born October 5, 1966 a Lynch, Nebraska as the youngest of six children.
I attended public school at Lynch for 13 years.
After high school graduation it May of 1984 I worked on the family farm until July 1987 when I went to South East Community College at Milford, Nebraska to study auto mechanics.
I graduated December 1988 and opened a motor rebuilding and auto repair shop in Dorchester, Nebraska, January 1989.
I closed this business in 1990 and moved to Lincoln, Nebraska. I got a job in a machine shop where I did welding and metal work.
I married Anna Marsh on August 17, 1996. Anna was born February 26, 1971 in Chicago, Illinois
Children
Addisen Alyx Nielsen
Adrien Ash Nielsen
(1996)
Born
October 31, 1995
August 15, 1998
While working at the machine shop I attended night school studying computers. Anna
worked with the Department of Labor for the State of Nebraska, at Lincoln.
We now live in Grenada, Mississippi and like it very much.
I work as a computer technician and Anna works at the same place designing web pages for customers. In 2000 I bought the computer business where we worked and we are very busy. We feel happy with the results.
In our sparetime we enjoy the children and like to go with a boat and fish.
|
2218 Pegg St. Grenada, MS 38901 |
||
– 169 –
Ruth Mads
Carrie Erik (1969)
– 171 –
My parents
Karl and Ane Kathrine Gransgaard
by
Maria Gransgaard
My father was born as the second son of Karen Marie and Mads Gransgaard, “Sender Gransgaard”, in Toning parish where he grew up together with five brothers and one sister.
When they grew up three of them went to America where they settled down and got married. They never forgot their homeland. They came to visit before and after the war in 1940-1945 and kept the connection through letters.
Father did not follow his brothers o America but remained in Denmark.
Father was a fanner, a bricklayer, and at last a skilled market gardener. Mother and father met each other in Lemvig where mother was born October 16, 1893 and grew up as the youngest of 4 brothers and sisters.
While she was young she worked as a hat designer in Lemvig but stopped working when she nanried my father on April 30, 1926.
They built a house where they moved to after they where married. Karen Marie and Mads came to live next to them after they sold “Sender Gransgaard” in 1920.
– 172 –
Mother and father started their business by selling flowers from the garden. They helped each other and greenhouses were built and as time went by more greenhouses were built and people were employed.
|
My mothers mother lived with us and helped doing the work in the house. Then came the war and those who had any spare rooms was forced to have Germans or Danish laborers staying with them. |
Karen Marie, Maria, Ane Kathrine (1930)
– 173 –
In 1944 our house and three others with it was confiscated by the German army because they were on some land that the Germans where using as a main command post.
The whole area was encircled by barbed wire and stops.
We now had to find somewhere else to live. My grandmother went to the old people’s home in Lemvig and we moved to a rented summerhouse.
Father got a passport so he could get to his greenhouses and keep up his work. People could phone him and order flowers and he would then bring them out but nobody was allowed in his greenhouses. The business was damaged by that.
Even though my father did not speak German the german soldiers understood very well when he said “dirty pigs” to them in Danish.
At one occasion he had made a handspring in front of the Greman soldiers with his big wooden shoes on and told them that every Danish soldier could do the same with full marching equipment.
We lived in the summerhouse all summer until November when mother and father rented a room in Lernyig. This was where we ate and slept. Mother had to cross a backyard to make dinner in a kitchen that we shared with another family.
– 174 –
We lived here until the first of March the year after when we moved to a summerhouse that my father had built during the winter.
Alter the war in 1945 and after the German soldiers had moved out of our home, all four of us finally could move back there.
In 1948 mother and father built a new house close to the.greenhouses and our old one was sold.
|
We lived here for almost 10 years before the local authority in Lemvig bought the house and land from us. The house was to be demolished and the land was to be used as an extension to the churchyard. |
April 30, 1951
Father thought he would keep the greenhouses and then sell a little at a time. But this was not to happen.
They built a house in the outskirts of Lemvig where we moved to in March of 1959. Father did not live there for very long before he was taken to the hospital in Lemvig where he died March 27, 1959.
Mother continued to live in the house together with me until she died March 12, 1962.
– 175 –
Here is a little summary of the speech Karl’s sister Karen held when Karl and Ane Kathrine celebrated silver anniversary in 1951:
Think, 25 years have now passed since Karl, Tinne as a wife have got
Often I visited them in the evening and a few games of parcheesi we got.
But in the middle of all the fun my mothers whistle sounded and I had to go home.
When Tinne, Tudte and I together on a sale went we loved to inspect the goods without buying
The poor clerk was all confused when Tinne talked about hideous colors.
We painted kitchens with a will it sure helped.
The hob we painted with scrolls and flourish we were sure that we as artists could make a living that we often talked about.
“Sambo”, was the name of the horse the pig was called “Sofus” and the rooster was called “Cornelius”.
That Karl was a skilled farmer was a big plus.
One day on a bazaar we bought a small dog, who we called “Bob”.
Once we walked at the road towards home suddenly a moon fine and new caught Maria’s eye when it went behind a cloud.
Maria knitted her brows “the moon is broken, aunt Karen, please go up there and fix it”.
When Karl in the greenhouse attended his customers every one nearly died laughing he never ran out of fine words.
When we told him to mind his manners he just shooke his head and laughed at us
Our teacher died February 25, 1945 (2 month before the war was over) during his stay in a German concentration camp. Our school was also occupied by the German army so we had to have classes in different houses in Lemvig.
When the alarm sounded each class had to go down between all the books in the cellar of the library. We always had a little to read in while we waited.
As far back as I can remember we have always had some animals such as chickens, ducks, geese, a cow, calves, and a pig. I have a lot of good memories with those.
I do not think that father could ever forget that he had once been a farmer. Near by the summerhouse, that we kept after the war, he had a cow which he milked every morning and evening. There was a small creek nearby where he and others where catching eels. Once when uncle Erik was home they fished together. When there was big eels in between they were salted and put in a suitcase and send to America.
I liked very much to stand in our greenhouses and make flower arrangements which were sold if a customer liked it.
In the greenhouses my father had for instance flowers, tomatoes, cucumbers, and grapes. I loved to be able to go out and pick a tomato or a cucumber and eat it right away.
They were the best you could get.
Our greenhouses was also used for something else. When 3/4 of one of the long greenhouses was cleared and a long table was put in the middel, we could have a party.
It was here my confirmation was celebrated, my parents silver wedding anniversary, and Karen Marie and Mads’s golden wedding anniversary.
A few month after I finished school I started working for the local authorities. The first three years as a pupil later as a clerk. 1 worked here for 18 years.
After we had moved in 1959 we became neighbors to my fbtur husband’s home which he at the time being was farming for his mother.
August I I, 1962 1 married Svend Tage Olsen in Lemvig church. Svend Tage Olsen was born March 3, 1927 in Lemvig
I continued to work until 1965. Four months before I was expecting our daughter, Lisbeth, I resigned from my job because I wanted to be home and take care of her myself
Since then I have stayed home. We had our first home in the house my parents had build in 1959 and Tage continued to farm the land that belonged to his parents.
April I. 1971 we bought a farm in Flynder parish where we have lived since then.
There were 58.5 acres of land in the farm which was owned by an old lady when we bought it.
We had cows and pigs on the farm. We sold the cows and for 7 years Tage was semi retiered and he only farmed the land and raises a 100 pigs per year.
Now that we have sold the pigs and retired, we have rented most of the land out to nearby farmers and we only have a little land left to farm.
Even though we have retired we are kept busy with a big garden full of flowers, fruit and vegetables.
Ringkobingvej 168
7660 Elzekmarksbro
Lisheth Gransgaard Olsen
I was born December 2, 1965 in the house my grandfather built My mother says I was a very independent and self-willed young lady as a child.
I have heard a little about what I did as a child. One day when I was about 3 years of age I was together with my father visiting one of his friends a little ways outside Lemvig.
After a while I must have been bored and started on my way back home along a busy road.
I was picked up by some people that did not know me. On the way to the police station we passed our house and I was able to tell them that I lived their. So I was delivered there to my mothers big surprise.
As a 3 year old I also managed to start our tractor, drive it a little bit and turn it off again before my Father could reach me. Strangely enough after that episode my father remembered to take his key with him every time he left the tractor.
I can remember a lamppost that my father had to wrap in chicken wire to keep me From climbing up plus a lot of other things. I was very far from being a little angel.
Alter 10 years of school and 3 years in business school I thought there needed to be some changes. Therefor I crossed the Alantic Ocean to visit and learn to know the people, I have heard so much about and seen so little..
That trip became, to me, an unforgettable and lovely experience. The planed 2 months became 4 months all together.
After I came home I spent 2 years as a pupil in an office. In 1988 I became a clerk but could not find any work so I left on a 7 month round the world trip.
I stayed 5 months in Australia, where I bought a VW van together with another Danish friend. We lived and traveled in that van for almost 5 months. It brought us to places we thought no one else had been before us.
On my way back I visited America, where I spent 3 weeks with relatives in Arizona Nebraska, and South Dakota.
After I returned back home I have been moving around a bit. I have been workig behind a reception desk in a nice big hotel on Zealand and as a waiter onboard the ferries that sailed between Denmarks two biggest islands Funen and Zealand.
I have lived in a town called Skive where I studyed to be a computer specialist. I graduated in 1992.
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I could not get any work as a computer specialist so I drove a truck from Denmark to Germany for a few months. Then I worked as a bus driver for 1 ‘A year. After 3 months as an exchange student in Germany I finally was employed as a computer specialist in the administration of Ringkjobing County in 1994. In 1993 I met Jan Jensen. We have lived together since 1994. Jan is born September 29, 1957 in Holstebro and has 3 children from a previous marriage. Jan is educatated as a Chef and has worked in various places. He served his military service onboard the Royal Yacht as a Chef for the Queen of Denmark. For the past 15 years he has worked for the Directorate of Veterinary. His works as an inspector in the danish slaughter |
houses, to make sure there are no diseases in the meat.
– 183 –
Children Born
Thomas Hugo Gransgaard Jensen September 24, 1999
Jan likes to play golf and go fishing. I like to participate in a lot of different competitions on the internet, in the stores, and in magazines.
I also like to work in the garden, paint, and be creative with my hands.
Holstebrovej 18, Vind 7500 Holstebro
| Dec. 2000 |
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– 185 –
Mads and Ruth Nielsen
By Thelma Nielsen Sayler and Donna Faye Nielsen Stromer
Mads was born in Lemvig Denmark May 29, 1891. He lived on a farm near Lemvig during his childhood. In 1911 he served in the army in Denmark.
April 20, 1911 he left for America onboard the ship “Hellig Olav”. The ship arrived al New York May 2, 1911.
Erik, who now was an American, helped him find some work. Mads worked on various farms in Nebraska for several years. October 3, 1917 he married Ruth Jensena Christensen of Monowi Nebraska (sister of Erics wife Carrie) in Butte Nebraska.
She had been a teacher for several years. She started teaching in the fall after she finished the 9th grade. At that time in order to teach a country school, all you had to do was pass a teachers exam. Some of her pupils were older than she was.
Mads and Ruth lived for 10 years on a farm south of Monowi Nebraska. It was here that Thelma and Donna Faye was born.
On March 27, 1927 they all moved their belongings in a “Model A” Truck to their new home 5 miles north of White River South Dakota in Mellette County.
This was 150 miles from Monowi. Here they lived in a one room shack for several years until they built on another room. They had no running water or electricty here, which they did have in Nebraska. They had to haul water from the river, which was 3 miles away, until they were able to dig a well.
During the dry years of the 3O’s, since there was nothing to do, Mads bought a big old house on the Big White River about 15 miles northwest, which our father tore down and hauled home in our “Model T” truck piece by piece. We kids went along part of the time to pick up nails. He even hauled the cement foundation home to use. When the load was very heavy, everyone riding except the driver would have to walk up the steep hill from the river, as the truck had poor brakes and might roll back down if it couldn’t make it to the top.
Well, in 1936 we wounded up with a new house. Rural electricity was not available until 1953.
Here they farmed and also raised Herford cattle. We lived in White River district and since this was before four-wheel drive pickups and snow plows, the roads were narrow and often blocked so we would board in town.
Our father would take us to the highway with a team and wagon and we would walk the two miles farther to town.
Since father was 20 when he came from Denmark, he had parents, brothers, and one sister still living there, so he and mother made several trips back to the old country to visit.
They also traveled over most of the United States together.
They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on October 3, 1967. Mads lived on the farm until he passed away on December 29, 1971. Ruth continued living on the farm until 1983.
She passed away on March 23, 1985. They had a long happy life together in spite of the blizzards, drought in 1935-1936, and fighting grasshoppers through out all the years. Father said the year before he died that if he had his life to live over again he would do the same things over again, and that says a lot.
| (1982) |
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EC ul AliLI 1;11:c I 11:111h. (199ti) |
Thelma Christina Nielsen November 2000
I was born September 3, 1924 on my parents farm South of Monowi Nebraska. March 24, 1945 I married Helmuth Bucholz who was born April 10, 1920. He died September 16, 1966. I taught school for 34 years retiring in May of 1987.
August 12, 1971 I manied Arthur Raymond Sayler who was born October 14, 1927.
Children Born
Karen Ruth Bucholz March 25, 1947
Sharon Faye Bucholz February 22, 1949
We live on a farm 10 miles North of White River South Dakota. Arthur (Tuffy) worked for the State Department of Transportation for 26 years. He retired in October, 1987. Arthur’s hobby is restoring old cars. I like to sew and crochet. We both like to travel, which we have done a lot of during our long marriage.
Rt. 77 Box 501, White River S.D. 57579
| Donna Faye | Thelma (1989) | Mads and Ruth’s house in S.D. where they lived until 1983. |
Karen Ruth Bucholz
I was born March 25, 1947 in Portland, Oregon. When I was 2 years old my parents – Thelma Nielsen Bucholz (Sayler) and Helmuth Bucholz moved to White River
South Dakota, a town of about 600 people, and worked for my grandparents, Ruth and Mads Nielsen, for several years before acquiring their own place.
When I was six, my mother began teaching in country schools in surrounding communities, and over the next 8 years, she was my favorite school teacher. I attended High School in White River, and then went to 4 years of college at BFISU, graduating with a degree in elementary education in Aug of1969.
On December 6, 1965 1 married Danny Craig Sumners of White River, who was born January 15,1947. After 1 finished college we lived in White River where I taught school for several years. We were divorced on June 8, 1978.
Children Born
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Jamie Shuree Sumners Danae Dawn Sumners Christina Ann O’Bryan (stepdaughter) Dustin Craig Sumners Lori Dee O’Bryan |
August 2, 1966 October 30, 1972 December 22,1972 September 20, 1974 May 28, 1979 |
On November 10, 1978 1 married John Lyle O’Bryan who was born August 22, 1953 John grew up 100 miles west of White River on a ranch near Kyle, South Dakota. John’s daughter. Christina Ann, born Dec. 22, 1972, came to live with us in White River, where I continued to teach for several more years, and John, who is a Construction Contractor, established his own company – O’Bryan Construction. On May 28, 1979 our daughter. Lori
Dee O’Bryan was born. All of our children graduated from High School in White River, so we’ve had three generations (my mother, myself and my children) attend this school system. In 1983, we became active in the Bible Baptist church, and accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, and I began teaching Children’s Sunday School there. When that Church closed in 1993 we began attending the Church of the Nazerene, where I have continued to teach Children’s Sunday School and Children’s Church.
A big event for our family, was the move we made in August. 1993. We moved from the trailer house we had lived in for over 20 years into an old four-story house that John renovated. It was built in 1920 and served as a hospital and then residence, but had stood empty for number of years. John completely transformed it and it looks like a new house.
God has been very good to us. I have not taught in the school system since 1990; instead I stay at home and serve as a receptionist for my husbands construction business which is in the lower level of our home. Now that our children are grown, we enjoy traveling to visit them and our grandchildren.
They are all currently living in South Dakota, except for our youngest, Lori, who is attending MidAmerica Nazerene Univ. in Olathe, Kansas. Jamie is a Computer Programmer/analyst, and works for the state. She has one son, Brady James Sumners, born Dec. 22, 1983. Danae is an Audiologist and works at a Veteren’s Medical Center. She has one daughter, Jaide Carrin Larson, born Aug. 3, 1995. Dustin is a Cook in a restaurant. He has three sons: Mitchel Dione O’Brien, born May 21, 1993, Xavier Ty Wright, born Nov. 30, 1995, and Jordan Craig Sumners, born May 22, 1998. Christina was married to Jamie Engelhaupt on Aug 31, 1996. She works in a day care and is expecting their first child in Nov. 2000.
P.O. Box 112
White River, SD. 57579
Left to right – Jamie Sumners, Brady Sumners(Jamie’s son), Lori O’Bryan, Dustin Smilers, Danac Summers, Lloyd Larson (Dane’s significant other)
Front row, left to right: Ty Wright & Jordan Sumners, Karen, Jaide (Dance’s daughter)
From left to right: Bill & Sharon Brooks , John & Karen O’Bryan, Dustin Sumners Front row: Danac Stunners, Lori O’Bryan, Jamie Sumners.
From left to right: Lori O’Bryan, Danac Sumners, Jamic Sumners, Christina O’Bryan
– 195 –
Jamie Shuree Sumners
I was born August 2, 1966 in Belle Fourche, South Dakota. My parents, Dan Sumners and Karen (Bucholz) Sumners, (O’Bryan) lived in Spearfish, South Dakota, where my mother was attending college and my father worked for the gold mine in Lead, South Dakota. When I was three my family moved to White River, South Dakota, a town of about 600 people, where all of my grandparents lived. I grew up in White River attending grade school and high school there along with my three sisters: Danae Sumners, Christina O’Bryan, and Lori O’Bryan, and my brother Dustin Sumners.
Children Born
Brady James Sumners December 22, 1983
My son, Brady James Sumners, was born in Pierre, SD, which has one of the nearest hospitals. The following fall, I went to college in Brookings, South Dakota, about 300 miles from home, and graduated with a 4 year degree in Computer Science in Dec. 1988. Upon graduation, I took a job for an insurance company in Iowa.
My son and I lived in Algona, Iowa for about a year before we moved back to South Dakota. We lived in Pierre for four year, where I worked for South Dakota Housing.
In Dec. 1993 we moved to Custer, a Black Hills community of about 2,000 people. I purchased a house, and went to work for the State Developmental Center as a computer programmer until it closed in Dec. 1995.
Thinking it was time to try something different, I and another couple took over the ownership and management of a quaint cafe/coffee shop/bookstore called Oriana’s. We served sensational food and excellent coffee, and had live entertainment on the weekends – mostly music, but some poetry readings and book signings. My brother, Dustin, discovered his cooking talent and worked for us as head chef. It was a fantastic experience, but the tedious book work and the demands of entrepreneurship, plus a slow tourist year, convinced us to sell in August 1996.
I took a job as a computer programmer/analyst at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology in Rapid City, the 2nd largest city in South Dakota. (about 55,000 people). I commute 50 miles, one way, each day to work and probably will until Brady finishes High School, which will be in 2002, at which time I may be interested in moving closer to my job.
120 S 10th Street
Custer, SD 57730
– 197 –
Danae Dawn Sumners
I was born October 30, 1972 in Winner, South Dakota. My parents, Dan Sumners and Karen (Bucholz) Sumners (O’Bryan) lived in White River, SD., a town of about 600 people. I grew up in White River with my mother and father, and then at 6 years of age, my mother and step-father, John O’Biyan; and three sisters: Jamie Sumners, Christina O’Bryan, and Lori O’Bryan; and one brother, Dustin Sumners. I attended grade school and high school in White River, graduating in 1991, and then went to college in Spearfish SD. I graduated from Black Hills State University in 1995 with a 4 year degree in Psychology and Sociology. That same year, on Aug 3, 1995, my daughter Jaide Carrin Larson was born. That fall I began another 3 years of school, this time at USD in Vermillion, South Dakota. I obtained my Masters in Audiology (hearing disorders) and graduated in July 1998. Upon graduating, I worked for a year as the audiologist at McKennen Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD; and then in June 2000, I began working as an audiologist at the Veteran Medical Center in Sioux Falls. I live in Sioux Falls, which is the largest city in South Dakota, (about 118,000 people) with my daughter, Jaide, and Jaide’s father, Lloyd Larson. We attend the Baptist Church and have trusted Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
Children Born
Jaide Carrin Larson August 3,1995
606 Teal Place
Sioux Falls SD 57107
Dustin Craig Sumners
I was born September 20, 1974 in a hospital in Winner, South Dakota. My parents, Dan Sumners and Karen (Bucholz) Sumners (O’Bryan) lived in White River, South Dakota, which is a small town of about 600 people in south-central South Dakota. I grew up in White River with my mother and father, and then at age four, my mother and step-father, John O’Bryan; and four sisters: Jamie Sumners, Danae Sumners, Lori O’Bryan and Christina O’Bryan. I attended grade school and high school there, graduating from high school in 1993. After experiencing a year of higher education at Mitchell Vo-Tech and Black Hills State University, and another of working various jobs, I moved to Custer, South Dakota, and worked as a cook in the restaurant that my sister, Jamie had invested in. In January of 1997 I went back to school full-time at the Western Vo-Tec in Rapid City, South Dakota, with the intentions of becoming an electrician. I graduated from their 2 year program in December 1998, and worked as an apprentice in Rapid City, until deciding to go back to being a cook. I am currently the kitchen-manager of Hara’s, a sports restaurant and bar in Rapid City, South Dakota (the 2nd largest city in South Dakota with a population of about 55,000 people). I have three sons: Mitchel O’Brien, born May 21, 1993 who lives in Belle Fourche, SD with his mother, Nikki O’Brien; Ty Wright, born November 30, 1995, who lives in White River with his mother, Chidawn Becker Wright; and Jordan Sumners, born April 22, 1998 who lives in Rapid City with his mother, Sadie Bjerke part of the time and with me part of the time.
Children Born
| Mitchel Dione O’Brien Xavier Ty Wright Jordan Craig Sumners |
May 21, 1993 November 30, 1995 April 22, 1998 2780 143rd Ave. Lot 74 Rapid City, SD 57701 |
Mads and Ruth’s golden Anniversary in 1967 The three couples besides Mads and Ruth is from the left:
Brother Clemen Sister Carrie and Sister Julie and
and his wife Faye her husband Erik her husband
Sharon Faye Bucholz
I was born February 22, 1949 at White River, South Dakota. October 27, 1970 I married William Charles Brooks who was born May 29, 1949 in Spokane, Washington..
Children Born
Scot Matthew Brooks February 23, 1976
Olivia Kristin Brooks January 3, 1978
In the tradition of Grandma Nielson and my mother I am a teacher by profession. Bill was in the Army for 21 years, so we have lived many different places: Missouri, Idaho, Germany, Alaska, and New Jersey. After he retired we settled in Washington State. We have two children, Scot, 24, whom works in computer networking in Seattle, Washington, and Olivia, 22, who will be completing a 4 year college degree in biology and chemistry in May of 2001.
Bill and I enjoy traveling and
The picture is taken in Maria and Tage’s garden in 1974
Lisbeth, Maria, Karen, Magnus, Tage, Kristian, Ruth, Thelma, Arthur
Sharon
In 1952 we bought some land about three miles North of White River. After building a house we moved there not far from where I grew up.
We run about 350 head of cattle and have several saddle horses. We water the cattle with an artisian well when the water is too low in the dams. We have fish in the darns and deer for hunting in our pastures. We plant alfalfa and cane to feed the cattle in the winter.
There are many Indian people living in this area of South Dakota and we rent some land from them. Part of our pastures are where my parents lived.
Every now and then I am a secretary at the local court in White River.
I I CR 77 Box 500
White River, SD 57579
Donna Faye Betty Candy Herman (1988)
Betty Joan Stonier
I was born June 7, 1946 in White River South Dakota.
June 12, 1964 I married Kenneth Wayne Risseeuw who was born February 22, 1943, at Valentine, Nebraska.
Children
Shawn LaRay Risseeuw
Cory Wayne Risseeuw
We are living in White River about 10 miles from my grandfathers ( Mads Nielsen ) home ranch which we still operate.
We are both teachers; Kenneth (Ken) a business teacher in high school and I am a middle school teacher. We live on a 20 acre place about 2 miles from town where we raise Brangus cattle.
Cory is now (1989) junior in high school with science and math as his strongest subject. In his spare time he play football and basketball.
Born
November 26, 1965
January 29,1973
Shawn, Betty, Cory, Kenneth (1989)
Box 18
White River S.D. 57579
Shawn LaRay Risseeuw
I was born November 26, 1965 in White River (South Dakota). August 20, 1988 I married Sara Jo Sparrow who was born December 2, 1966, at Santa Monica, California. She works at a pre school center
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Children Rogin LaRay Risseeuw After my graduation from high school in White River I went to Rapid City (South Dakota) to study to be a mechanical Engineer. At this school (The School of Mines) I met my wife who also was studying to be a Mechanical Engineer. We are enjoying the challenge of raising our son and are looking forward to the day in December 1989 where I graduate. Cory Wayne Risseeuw |
Born January 31, 1989 |
I am born January 29, 1973. June 12, 1993 I married Tina Vaughn. She is born January 27, 1971.
| Children | Born |
Brennen Risseeuw April 27, 1990
Meagan Marie Risseeuw February 20, 1994
– 209 –
Candy Jo Stromer
I was born October 16, 1953 on the family farm near White River (South Dakota). March 21, 1977 I married Guy Albertus who is born July 6, 1954.
Children
Cody Ferdinand Albertus
Alonna Faye Albertus
Clay Paul Albertus
We live in Apple Vally (Minnesota) which is a suburb of Minneapolis/St. Paul.
The twin city area has a population of about 2 million.
Guy works as a service man fixing large commercial air conditioners. I work in the school as an aide to a handiccapped child.
The kids like to play baseball, basketball, and soccer.
In our free time we enjoy fishing, swimming, camping, hiking, and skiing.
Born
December 28, 1978
January 3, 1981
August 23, 1982
4541 152 St.
Apple Vally
Minnesota 55124
Alonna 1989
Karen Marie and Mads Nielsen
Mads Nielsen came to “Sender Gransgaard” in 1891 to manage the farm for Karen Marie. September 22, 1891 they were married in Torring church.
In their 50 years of marriage they had 3 children
| Children |
Born April 28, 1893 |
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| Christian Gransgaard Magnus Gransgaard Karen Gransgaard |
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One the next page is a picture taken in 1901 of the pupils in Torring school. The crosses marks where Mads, Erik, Carl, and Kristian are.
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GENEALOGICAL INFORMATIONS. Relationship referring to the father of Niels Christian Nielsen
Niels Nielsen
Christened between July 23 and November 12, 1780
in I-Iumlum parish
Married October 20, 1814 in Resen church
Died November 26 1840 in Humlum parish (60)
– 215 –
The ancestors of Niels Nielsen
Mads Nielsen’s great grandfather, Niels Nielsen, was born in 1747 in “Nxrgaardshuus” in Humlum. He was educated as a carpenter and worked as such for several years. October 4, 1778 he married Cathrine Paskedatter in Humlum church. Her parents, Paske Madsen and Maren Pedersdatter, had the big farm “Aunsbjerg” in Humlum.
After the wedding they took over the farm and Cathrine’s parents retired. “Aunsbjerg” 1787, I-Iumlum parish
Niels Nielsen 39 farmer with land
Cathrine Paskedatter 45 his wife
Niels Nielsen 7
Paske Nielsen 6 their children
Morten Nielsen 2
Maren Pedersdatter 86 wife’s mother
Niels and Cathrine continued to farm the land until 1811 when Niels died.
The son, Niels, who also had become a carpenter as his father, took over the farm while his mother managed the household.
Three years later Niels met Else Nielsdatter from Gudum parish. They were married October 20, 1814 in Resen church.
Else Nielsdatter had been a foster child on the farm “Kjmrgaardsliig” in Resen parish since childhood.
“Aunsbjerg” 1834. I-Iumlum parish
Niels Nielsen 55 farmer and carpenter
Else Nielsdatter 46 his wife
Niels Nielsen 12
Mads Nielsen 9
Niels Christian Nielsen 3
Maren Nielsdatter 16 their children
Karen Nielsdatter 11
Ane Dusine Nielsdatter
Niels Nielsen died in 1840 and his widow continued to live on the farm until after 1850, when I presume that she moved to one of her other children to retire.
After their youngest son, Niels Christian, was confirmed, he worked on different farms. One of them was in Dybe parish where he met Maren Christensen. They later on became parents to Mads Nielsen.
The ancestors of Maren Christensen
Maren’s grandfather, Jens Jespersen, was born i❑ 1758 in Hygum parish. He married Anne Poulsdatter on November 2, 1792 in I-Iygum church. Her father, Poul Stokbro had the farm “Stokbro” in Dybe parish.
“Sonderbye” 1801, I-Iygum parish
Jens Jespersen 43 smallholder
Anne Poulsdatter 33 his wife
Poul Jensen 9
Jesper Jensen 6 their children
Chresten Jensen 3
Kirsten Jensdatter 70 wife’s aunt
‘they had 9 children where Chresten was the youngest. After the son was confirmed he became a tailor and moved to “Trelborghus” in Dybe parish.
Here he met Inger Graversdatter, who was born November 4, 1804 in Vandborg parish. They were married September 10, 1826 in Vandborg church.
His parents, Tens Jespersen and Anne Poulsdatter, moved to “Klosterhus” in Hygum where they retired.
Here, Jens Jespersen died February 3, 1830, age 71/72 as a very poor man. Anne Pouls-datter continued to live there as a widow for 19 years. She died November 12, 1849, age 80/81.
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Inger Graversdatter’s grandfather on her fathers side, had “Brogaard” in Bovling parish and here her father, Gravers Christensen, was born March 25, 1772.
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“Brogaard” 1787 Bovling Parish Christen Pedersen Maren Nielsdatter Gravers Christensen Else Kirstine Christensdatter Else Christensdatter |
50 farmer 51 his wife 10 their children |
In 1801 we find Gravers Christensen in “Brxndgaard” in Vandborg parish, where he worked as a farmhand.
“Brxndgaard” 1801 Vandborg parish
Peder Lauersen 57 farmer
Kirsten Gregerdatter 58 his wife
Peder Kristian Nielsen 9 the man’s brother’s son
Macon Nielsdatter 21 the man’s brother’s daughter
Kirstine Olufdatter 3 her illegitimate child
Gravers Christensen 28 farmhand
Maren Nielsdatter came from Lyngs parish, where her parents, Niels Lauersen and Kirsten Olesdatter, had the farm “Agergaard”.
Maren Nielsdatter was born October 1, 1780 and the year after her mother died.
As we see very often at that time, her father remarried soon after. Niels Lauersen died in 1795.
During the census in 1787, Maren is 7 years and still lives on “Agergard” in Lyngs parish. Between 1787 and 1793 she moves to her childless uncle and aunt in Vandborg parish. She is cornfirmated in Vandborg church.
As you can see out of the census in 1801 in “Brxndgaard”, Maren had given birth to an illegitimate child at age 18.
October 27, 1798 we can read the following in Vandborg churchbook:
Maren Nielsdatter, Brxnclgaard was delivered of a illegitimate daughter It was baptised at home and named Kirsten. The alleged father was Oluf Christensen working as a farmhand in Badgaard.
Gravers and Maren were married September 9, 1801 in Vandborg church. They took over the farm “Bra3ndgaard” after her uncle and aunt who retired.
“Badgaard” 1834 Vandborg parish
Gravers Christensen 62 farmer
Maren Nielsdatter 55 his wife
Kirsten Marie Badgaard 27
Else Bramdgaard 25
Christine Badgaard 22 their children
Niels Christian Badgaard 17
Else Marie Brxndgaard 12
Maren Brmndgaard 11 fosterchild
Peder Christian Jensen 23 farmhand
They had 10 children and Inger Graversdatter was number 2. Inger had left the home in
1826 where she married Chresten Jensen.
They moved to the house that Chresten had. He worked as a tailor and had a little land that he farmed.
Inger’s parents sold “Brxndgaard” after 1840 and moved to I-tone parish where they bought “Store HOrland”. Gravers died here December 27, 1844 and the son, Niels Christian, took over the place.
“Stor I-Iorlaud” 1845 Houe parish
Niels Christian Graversen 28 farmer
Nicoline Ankersen 31 his wife
Marie Nielsen 4
Rasmine Nielsen 2 their children
Maren Nielsdatter 65 retiree
Christine Graversen 33 unmarried, man’s sister
Else Marie Graversen 22 unmarried, man’s sister
Maren Nielsdatter lived here until her death April 20, 1852, age 71. Inger and Chresten stayed in Dybe parish the rest of their lives.
“Trelborghus” 1845 Dybe parish
Chresten Jensen 48 tailor and smallholder
Inger Graversdatter 41 his wife
Gravers Christensen 18
Ane Christensen 16
Maren Christensen 13 their children
Jensine Christensen 11
Else Christensen 7
Sidsel Christensen 5
Mads Nielsen and his parents
about 1897
Niels Christian Nielsen and Maren Christensen met in Dybe parish and were married December 1858. Probably because Maren at the time was 6 months pregnant.
They lived on the small farm “m Moen” in Ramme parish. Here their 10 children were born.
Mads Nielsen was number 8 and was born November 4, 1869.
A summary of Niels Molgaard’s book “Culturepictures from part of Jutland” which brings an interview with:
Mads Gransgaard
A distinctive farmer, strong in Christian faith and widely traveled.
The 84 years old Mads Gransgaard tells:
I was born November 4, 1869 on a small farm (8 tdr) one mile outside the town, Ramme. We were very poor. When I was about 9 years old I had to go out on other farms to bring home a little money for my family. Through the next 10 years I worked myself up from being a herdsboy to becoming a farm-hand. In those years I heard and learned a lot about farming. In 1890 I served my military service in the infantry. In 1891 I was employed as bailiff for the widow Karen Marie Gransgaard Nielsen in “Solider Gransgaard” in Toning parish.
Her husband had died the year before.
Now he made use of all the things he had seen and heard and in no time he brought the farm back in operation. One of the first tasks he undertook was beet growing. This was a plant that was unknown to most people at that time. But together with an increase in milk production, it became more and more popular from 1880 and up through the next centry.
Mads Nielsen married Karen Marie September 22, 1891 and in the following years he continued to improve the farm. Particularly gardening was a big interest of his and a large and beautiful garden was laid out. This was a rare thing in those parts of the country at that time.
Since he was very young he had been affected by an evangelical branch of the Church of Denmark and soon Karen Marie became the same. This marked them and their home for the rest of their lives. Mads became involved in many activities in the parish througout the many years they spent on the farm.
One of them was as a Sunday scbool teacher around the parish. When Mads was about 30 years he grew a large beard which he kept all his life. Many people still remember that beard.
– 223 –
Change of name: By royal concession of May 12, 1917 Mads Nielsen was allowed
to use the name Gransgaard instead of Nielsen for him and his family and those only.
about 1897
Later after they sold the farm and had a house built in Lemvig, he devoted all his time to the Christian faith. Together with his daughter Karen he went on a journey to the Holy Land, Israel and Egypt in 1928. To Mads it was the journey of his life to be able to visit the places that he had read about in the Bible. In those days it was a very long journey. In the following years he traveled around Denmark to tell about all the trips he had made (Norway, Sweden, Germany, Israel, and Egypt).
Throughout his whole life he led a very active life. Many others did the same but he was probably one of the most distinctive of them all.
An eye disease made him almost blind in his last years. After Karen Marie died he got a housekeeper and she took good care of him the last years of his life.
Karen Marie Gransgaard died April 15, 1942, age 82.
Mads Gransgaard died April 7, 1957, age 87.
Last row: Karl, Mads. Axel, Kristian
Middle row: Magnus. Ane Kathrine, Mads Gransgaard, Marie Pedersen, Maria
Front row: Bente, Karen, Mette ICirstine. Ruth. Karen (1946)
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_ 979 _
Karen Carl Aksel
Kristian Magnus
Maria Ane Katrine Inge Karen Bente
Melte Kirstine (about 1956)
Holger, Jens Christian, Mads, Leonard, Delbert (1926)
Karen and Magnus about 1908
– 231 –
My parents
Niels Kristian and Kirstine Gransgaard
told by
Karen Marie Gransgaard
Father was born April 28, 1893 in “Sander Gransgaard” and baptished 2 days later in Toning church April 30, 1893 as the oldest son of Karen Marie and Mads Gransgaard Nielsen.
He had 4 other half brothers that were older and got a brother and a sister more.
Father helped at home some years before he, from April 15, 1913 to April 12, 1914 and again August 1, 1914 to August 15, 1915, became a soldier in Copenhagen.
After that he worked on several farms in Toning.
In the winter 1920-21, he attended an agricultural school.
April 1, 1921 he became a tenant of “Toning Prwstegaard” and was married to my mother Mette Kirstine Pedersen Kloster April 13, 1921 in I-Iarboere Church.
Mother was born in Harboore parish April 10, 1901 and baptished April 21, 1901.
Mother, who always was called Stinne, was the oldest daughter out of 10 brothers and sisters of Mette and Jens Christian Kloster in I-larbo-are. Jens Christian was born in Toning.
Mother had told me that she started working at age 9. She had a day off every other Sunday afternoon and then she walked to Harboore and back again.
My parents were tenants of “Toning Pimstegaard” for 7 years. First we lived in a small tenanthouse where Mads and Jens were born. About 1923 a new tenanthouse was build and it was here that I-lolger and I were born.
Our parents wanted, after 7 years of being tenants, to have their own farm and April 1, 1928 they bought the farm “Nybo” in Tarring parish.
The farm was on about 13.5 acres plus about 5 acres of meadow. We had 4-6 cows, 2 horses, 3-4 groups of pigs, chickens, and ducks.
That was too little to feed a big family so father had to work for others. For many years he drove milk to the dairy plant in Lemvig. In the early thirties he bought himself a threshing machine and a petrol engine on ironwheels which he drove with most of the 12 months of the year in Toning parish and the surrounding parishes.
He transported the motor and threshing machine on a flat wagon pulled by our two horses. Father used to go next to the wagon and he spent many hours on the road to get from one place to another. It was hard work, especially in autumn and winter when people would have their crops threshed.
We got a telephone in the early thirties. That was a big event for us children, also when we got elctricity. I can remember very well the paraffin lamps which had to be cleaned every day to give just a fairly light in the evening. In this light we patched, mended, sewed, knitted, did homework, and played. There was no television at that time.
May 25, 1933 we had a little brother who got the name Karsten. I-Ie was sick most of his short life and died September 13. 1933 only 4 month old that was a big loss for us.
Children Born
|
Mads Gransgaard Jens Christian Gransgaard Holger Gransgaard Karen Marie Gransgaard Karsten Gransgaard (died September 13, 1933) Karsten Gransgaard Anna Mette Gransgaard Willy Gransgaard |
March 3, 1922 March 31, 1923 June 15, 1924 October 29, 1925 May 25, 1933October 15, 1934 July 14, 1937 July 14, 1938 |
– 233 –
The picture is taken at Holger’s wedding December 27, 1947
Back row: Karen Marie, Holger, Jens
Front row: Anna Mette, Kirstine, Willy, Karsten, Kristian, Mads
Taken April 28, 1968
All the children had different chores to do at home because father was not home very often – mostly Sundays. I was most of the time nanny for my brothers and sisters. After we finished school and were confirmed we got jobs on other farms. .A lot of people came to our home, we were a big family and had a lot of friends i❑ all ages. In the summer time we had an • incredibly lot of visitors partly family and friends but also children on holiday. There were sometimes 10 or more people that slept in the hayloft.
We had a girl from Copenhagen that came and stayed with us every year for 8 or 9 years.
Mother and father continued to live here after we children had left our home and they had more time to enjoy life.
April 28, 1968 we celebrated my fathers 75 birthday. Later in the year my mother became sick and died December 27, 1968 at age 67.
Mads
Holger Jens
Karen Marie
They had dreamed about selling the cows so they could have more time for each other
but that was not to happen.
When my father got older he got more time to grow flowers which was his big interest.
– 235 –
His picture was in the local newspaper at July 13, 1970 where he is together with his cactus that had 7 flowers.
Again July 9, 1973 he had one of his cactuses in the paper, this time with 11 flowers, which is very rare.
Two years after my mother died we bought “Nybo” from my father and he continued to live with us through almost 14 years before he in May 1984 moved to a nursing home in Klinkby.
I-Ie became more and more weak and August 25, 1985 he died in his sleep. Old trees are hard to move. Father had a very good sense of humor and he kept it throughout his life.
At his 90 birthday the local paper wrote the following:
Kristian Gransgaard acknowledge that the many years in “Nybo” were hard years and there was no time for anything else when the family – a wife and seven children had to be provided for. Kristian Gransgaard lives today with his daughter and son-in-law in “Nybo”. His birthday is going to be celebrated in Klinkby. I-Ie has 7 children, 7 daughter-in- laws and son-in-laws, 22 grandchildren and 15 greatgrandchildren.
Here is a little summary of the speech Kristian’s sister Karen read when Kristian and Stinne celebrated silver anniversary:
See, Kristian is my big brother noone better you can have, I think
Magnus and Kristian were often on the warpath, of boyish tricks we had plenty.
I remember that I always skeptical was when you nice were.
“Sweet little friend….”
When it sounded like that, I right away knew that my dear brothers would get me out on thin ice.
On the other hand, did it not make me nervous when I was called Ko’rn and stupid girl.
With the boys in “None Gransgaard” you were often in war, but it ended always with a settlement.
Around New Year you were even more naughty a thing or two I have not forgotten.
When a ram you let in the farmhands’ room where it Erik and Peder butted.
I would have liked to know what Erik said when you blackberry twigs under his sheet laid.
“Uhh, it is sure cold” he said when you hosed him down.
Mads Gransgaard
I was born March 3, 1922 in “Tarring Prat.stegaard” and lived there until I was 6 years of age. Then my parents bought “Nybo” which had been subdivided from “Tarring Prwste-gaard”.
There were 5 boys and 2 girls in our family. We had a lovely childhood and some lovely parents.
I was sent out to work at age 14 on the farm “Noire Gransgaard” in Tarring. After I had worked on different farms for some years I moved back home to “Nybo” in 1948. where I, together with my father started to run a machine pool.
The machine pool changed more and more into contractor work with excavators and loader tractors which I am still working with.
April 13, 1956 I married Gudrun Sonderby, who was born August 24, 1933 in Fjaltring parish. We were divorced in 1980.
Children Born
Hemming Gransgaard November 3, 1956
Erling Gransgaard March 4, 1961
Lisbeth Gransgaard April 23, 1964
I now live together with Ingrid Sogaard. We love very much to go out dancing and to travel.
As a member of a machine pool union, we travel abroad with it every year. We have been many places for instance the North Cape. England, Norway, the Harz, Switzerland. and Italy.
I love to go walking in nature and go for long walks with my dog.
Sogaardvej 15 7620 Leinvig
Flemming$ngisaard
| I | |||
I was born November 3. 1956 and was (as far as I know) Gudrun and Mads Gransgaarcl’s first child in a lively family of 5.
The first day of school I cried my eyes out but very quickly I became one of my teatcher’s faithful pupils. In 1965 I moved 4o another school in Klinkby with a younger teaching staff who tried to keep up the good work from my first school with more or less good luck.
Never the less I graduaded in 1973 and went straight on to high school, where I “plodded” through to a D in biology in 1976.
Despite this parting shot I still had the whole world at my feet, so I traveled to the Western part of France to improve my French in the local gymnasium. Instead, to a considerable extent, I learned about loneliness and fled after 6 months to London, where I worked at a hotel together with my childhoodfriends Elin and Lene.
After I had carried my share of dirty bedding down to the hotel laundry I returned to Denmark to sell lug worms and the German newspaper “Das Bild” to the German tourists. It was not the most fun period of my life!
In February 1978, I made the wisest decision I have ever made and moved to Copenhagen where I have lived ever since.
For 10 years I worked full time as well as part time in a children’s home for mentally handicapped children, but most of my time was used in becomming a person with Arts graduate qualifications in English from the Universaty of Copenhagen.
Since 1983, 1 have taught English in an Evning school for adults. My students have primarly been retired persons and we still enjoy a “Gammel Dansk” (Danish snaps) every Tuesday and Wednesday.
I do not have any education in the field of exercise but never the less it has become my main interest and source of income.
I teach over 30 hours a week in Aerobic and Jazz gymnastics and I am very proud of my nickname ”The city’s best bumtrainer”.
The people that stood by me, in my stressed life are my 3 childhood friends Elin, Bitten and Lene who also have moved to Copenhagen, and Martin Schreck, who have been my boyfriend since 1980. The differences are many but the passion for traveling is common interest. In 1986, we went together on a 6 months trip around the world.
– –
Erling Gransgaard
I was born March 4, 1961 on my parents farm “Vesterbirk” in Toning parish. I remember a lot about my grandmother and grandfather who I grew up as neighbor to and with whom I spent a lot of time. I also remember that we played a lot in “Toning Przstegaard” and down on the beach that was not that far from where we lived.
For nine years I went to school in Klinkby and after that I started working because the school work did not have my bigest interest.
I worked as a forest worker for 4 years and then at a building company for one year. Now I am working with repairing roads and have done that since I left the building company.
In 1988 I met Lene Grubbe Nielsen and we live together in Holstebro. Lene works for the Danish phone company in Holstebro.
|
Children Maja Grubbe Gransgaard |
Born |
| January 23, 1989 February 16. 1992 |
My biggest hobby is fishing, which I spend a lot of my spare time doing. Enjoying nature and caring for the animals also takes a lot of my time.
– 245 –
Lisbeth Gransgaard
I was born April 23, 1964 in “Vesterbirk” in Toning parish. After 9 years in Klinkby school I worked for one year as a nanny in Lemvig,
Then I spent a year at the Business school in Lemvig and a year as a kitchen aid in a hotel. in Lemvig.
The next 6 years I had many different jobs but in that period I found out what kind of job I liked working with.
I like working with elderly people and have now done that for many years in a Nursing home in Ramme. August 12, 1995, I married Jorgen Skovgaard in I-Ioue church. We live on the farm “Over Kirkeby” in Houe parish.
Children Born
Kristine Skovgaard October 31, 1994
Laura Skovgaard August 20, 1999
Astrid Skovgaard Augsut 20, 1999
Jorgen is a farmer and has a machine pool. That and the children takes all our time.
– 4,l) –
Verner og Lisbeth
– 247 –
| Mads | |
| Jens Christian |
– Alm,’ –
— Lsit –
Laulund 1960
– 249 –
Jens Christian Grans aard
I was born March 31, 1923 in “Toning Prwstegaard” and was baptished April 15, 1923 in Toning church. I went to school in Toning and was confirmed in 1937. November 1, 1937. I was sent out to work. I worked on different farms until November 1, 1945, when I did my military service in the Royal Life Guards in Copenhagen. I finished there October 1, 1946 and moved back to Torring. The next two years I worked on different farms. February 13, 1948, I traveled to my father’s brother, Mads Nielsen, in White River South Dakota.
After I came back from America, I joined my brother Mads in his machine pool business.
I was married January 21, 1956 in Ansgar church in the city Odense on the Island Funen (where Hans Chr. Andersen was born) to Paula Lindis Ludvigsen Mundt Andersen, who is born January 22, 1933 in Odense.
– 2JU –
Children Born
Laila Gransgaard August 10, 1957
Torben Gransgaard February 5, 1960
Erik Gransgaard April 13, 1969
We lived first on the farm “Mollehor in Torring. In 1957 we bought the farm Mankind” in Heldum parish which lies next to Torring parish. It was here our three children was born.
Paula has worked for many years as a cleaning lady in schools and banks. Today she enjoys her retirement together with me and she also has time to paint porcelain which she enjoys very much.
I continued to work with my brother Mads until 1979, when I got a job at another machine pool in Bovling parish. December 15, 1987, I retired.
I have an old computer at home that I enjoy very much. Twice a week I take a computer course, in Lemvig, to learn more about it.
– 251 –
Laila Gransgaard
I was born August 10, 1957. The first year of school I went to Toning and the remaining 9 years in Klinkby school.
My parents gave us children a good and safe childhood. After school I was a nanny for one year in Gudum parish.
I worked at a factory in Rom a small town outside of Lemvig and in a shop that sold cheese in Lemvig.
May 13, 1978 I married Leo During Jensen in Toning church. Leo is born December 21, 1953 in the town Bovling-bjerg.
Since 1982 I have worked in our firm, “Bovlingbjerg Machine pool, Auto- and Tractor work shop”, doing the book work.
Children
Steffen During Jensen
Sanne During Jensen
Born
April 21, 1979
May 4, 1982
For many years, I have worked as a teacher’s aid in kindergarten but have now started
studying to become a certified nursery school teacher.
Our son, Steffen, is studying to be a farmer and will be finished in 2001. Our daughter,
Sanne is studying at the gymnasium in Lemvig. After that she plans to become a teacher
of the deaf. Her hobbies are gymnastics and being a girl scout.
My husband and I go into Lemvig several times a week, for body building exercise.
We live in a house in Bovling
Kwrvej 38
7650 Bovlingbjerg
– 253 –
Torben Gransgaard
was born Febuary 4, 1960 in “Laulund” i❑ Toning parish and was baptished March 13 in Toning church.
In 1973, I worked on the neighbor’s farm after school and in May 1974 I was confirmed in Houe church. In 1976, I finished the 9th grade in Klinkby school and started working full time as a farmer.
In November, the same year, I worked on a farm in Lomborg until 1978, when I studied 3 months at an argicultural school in the city Holstebro, the first step to become a farmer.
I continued to work in Lomborg parish until 1980, when I served my 9 months of military service in and around the city Fredericia. In 1981, I finished my education as a farmer at a school in the city of Viborg. In 1982, I moved to Lomborg town together with Else Marie Nielsen (called Mie) where we bought a house. Mie was born February 22, 1962. I had met her in the summer of 1977. We lived there until September 10, 1990, when we bought the big farm “Norregaard” in Vandborg parish.
February 16, 1991 we married in Vandborg church.
Mie works as a computer programmer for the coast guard in Lemvig.
Children Born
Jens Gransgaard February 22, 1998
Christian Gransgaard February 6, 2000
– 255 –
Erik Gransgaard
I was born April 13, 1969 in Lemvig and was baptished May 25, in Taring church. I went to school in Klinkby for 10 years.
When I finished school I became a boy at an auto repair shop in the town of Torringhuse. Febuary 28, 1990, I finished my education as a mechanic and continued to work there until May I. Then I applied to be accepted into the Royal Life guard in Copenhagen but I did not succeed.
Since then I have worked as a mechanic. In 1991 I bought a house in Vandborg together with my girl friend, Lene Juul Bjerg.
Lene was born October 30, 1971, in Lemvig. She is educated and works as a nursery school teacher. We were married August 21, 1999, in Vandborg.
Rabjergvej 24
Vandborg
– 257 –
Holger Gransgaard
I was born June 15, 1924 in Toning parish as the third child out of 7. I went to Toning school, a little village school, where we were 2 classes. Each class took 3 V/ year.
I was confirmed May 10, 1938 in Touring church and left school when I was 13 years old. In defiance of the hard times in the thirties I have a lot of good memeroies from my childhood. We had a small farm with cows, horses, pigs, chickens, and some loving parents.
We each had small chores to do by taking care of the animals because our father had to work for others.
But there was always time to play in the fields, wood, meadow, and home in the barn in the hay and straw.
After I was confirmed I started working on different farms. Because of the second world war, I did not have a very happy youth. But even though there was a war the young
people understood to make the best out of everything and enjoy life by just being toget-
her.
I worked on different farms until the summer of 1947, when I met my future wife, Irene
Sonja Kottal, who was born July 15, 1926 in Odense city on the island of Funen. I married her December 27, 1947.
After we were married I worked as a bricklayer’s assistant until I became a bricklayer’s apprentice in 1951 and became a bricklayer April 1, 1955.
Children . Born
Solveig Kirstine Gransgaard June 3, 1948
Kirsten Gransgaarcl August 26, 1949
Kristian Rudolf Gransgaard December 16, 1952
Bente Gransgaard May 7, 1961
I worked as a bricklayer until June 1, 1985, when I semi reteired after some illness.
The first 11/2 years we were married we lived in a small building on a farm in
Tarring parish.
November I, 1955, we bought a little house in Vandborg town where we lived for a
couple of years.
We sold it in August 1958 and bought a little dilapidated thatched farmhouse on 6 acres
of land in Tarring.
We sold the land in 1965 and have rebuilt the
whole farmhouse to a homelike little house containing everything we needed.
We had a large ornamental- and vegetable garden which we cultivate biodynamic.
Today I have a lot of time for my hobbies. One of them is my carrier pigeons which I get a lot of amusement from. I have used a lot of time to breed the best carrier pigeons for racing. In the last part of April and the first part of May I drive many miles with my
– 259 –
pigeons to train them for the big flying contests which start the last part of May. They
finish in the middle of August.
The rest of the time we enjoy our reteirment.
October 1. 2000 we sold our house to Karen Marie Gransgaard and moved to a small
apartment in Lemvig.
5 generations:Jorn with Jonas, Solveig, Irene and her mother
LVti
Kirsten Solveig
I /ilk( e
“tea I. .n•s
.4p
r\.
-261 –
Solveig Kirstinc Gransgaard
1 was born June 3 1948 in Tarring. My first years I went to school in Torring. Then we moved to Vandborg where we lived for about 3 years. Then we moved back to Toning again and I continued in the school in Torring until the 7th grade, when I left school. After the school I became a maid for one year. While I was a child I liked to draw. Later I became interested in sewing, so I went to a sewing and cutting out school in 1965. I married Jens Christian Agger on Febuary 25, 1967, in Torring church. He was born April 3, 1946, in Hygum parish.
Children Born
Jorn Gransgaard Agger May 11, 1966
Lars Gransgaard Agger June 23, 1971
Ole Gransgaard Agger June 22, 1976
I got some work as a dressmaker in Bovlingbjerg town and Jens Christian finished his education as a car painter.
– LUG –
In 1969 we bought “Skodba& Mejeri” (a dairy factory which just had been closed) and January 25, 1970, we started a business painting cars etc.
I continued to sew at a ready-made clothing factory in Lemvig but became a housewife at home when we expected our second child. In 1988, I got a job as a supervisor at the ready-made clothing factory in Lemvig which unfortunately had to close in 1990 because of bad times for ready-made clothing.
Lars is an apprentice of a blacksmith the same place as Jorn was some years ago. He became a blacksmith in 1992 and works as such today for Mads ,Torgen, Kirsten’s husband.
Ole is very interested in music and has played the electric organ and the drums for the last 10 years. In his spare time he goes in for sports, mostly ball games. I-Ie has also started his apprenticeship to become a blacksmith.
Fabjergvej 68
7620 Lemvig
– 263 –
Joni Gransgaard Auer
I was born May 11, 1966 and after the 9th grade I started as an apprentice to become a mechanic. I finished the education in 1986, after which I was drafted to the civil defense, in Herning city, from May 1 to November 1986.
In December 1986, 1 moved to a house in Gudum together with HeIle Fonsberg Frandsen, who was born September 22. 1966 in Gudum parish. We were married August 8. 1992, in Fabjerg church.
Children Born
Jonas Agger March 3. 1988
Anne Louise Agger April 16, 1993
Freja Agger July 21, 1996
– 1.04 –
Afier 1 left the military, I returned to the mechanic that I had apprenticed with. I was with him for about one year, until December 1987. After that I started on some welding courses in Lemvig.
For a couple of years I worked for a firm making large driers for the fishing factories. My work took me to many different places. Sometimes I traveled to Canada where I spent 4 months there in 1990. Before that 1 have gone to Skagen (on the top of Denmark) for 7 – 8 weeks the last couple of years.
Now I work as a blacksmith in a big company in Thyboron.
Ilene left the school after 10 years and took Higher Preparatory Examination 3 years later. Helle works as a nursery school teacher.
– 265 –
Kirsten Gransgaard
I was born August 26, 1949 in Torring as the second out of 4 children. I left school in 1964 and worked as a nanny for some years. In the years 1967 – 1968 1 attended a Folkhighschool. After that I got a job as a maid in a nursing home where I was a year. Here I got interested in the nursing work. I traveled to Oslo, Sweden for 6 months where I also worked in a nursing home until 1 was admitted to the school for nursing aid in Copenhagen.
– 200 –
When I was finished there in 1970 there was a vacant job at a nursing home in Lemvig, which I got. I have worked here since.
March 29, 1974 I married Mads Jorgen Nederby Madsen who is born in Lemvig March 29, 1948.
Children Born
Christina Gransgaard Madsen September 20, 1975
Karsten Gransgaard Madsen March 18, 1980
In November 1986, we bought a maschin factory in Lemvig. Once in a while I help out
in the office.
Christina is educated as a graphic designer and studied in Arhus in a superimposed
course.
Karsten has started apprenticeship as a blacksmith in Nr. Nissum.
All 4 of us are very interested in sports and have all tried different things.
Gronningen 37
7620 Lemvig
‘Ca
– 267 –
Kristian Rudolf Grans lard
I was born December 16, 1952 as the third and only boy out of 4 children. When I was three years old we moved to Vandborg town and when I was 6 years old we moved back to Torring parish where my parents bought “Torring Melte” where they have lived until now..
There I had a good and secure childhood despite the lack of money.
I got the opportunity to stay at home until I had graduaded from school and had taken an education as a tool maker at my uncle Karsten’s tool factory in Lemvig.
Because I always am looking for challenges in my work I got a job as a DANIDA-counsler in 1981 at a tool center in Calcutta in India. (DANIDA is a Danish organisation, that help the poor people around the world). That became two very facina-ting and eventful years for Anette Thyme. who I met one year earlier, and myself. The
– zoo –
problems we were used to became insignificant problems in a very poor large city with 15-18 million people.
Lt 1982 we were home on a visit in Denmark and August 7, 1982 I married Annette who was born May 19, 1959 in Holstebro city.
After we had returned to India we ourself contributed to the increase in population when Anette gave birth to our oldest son, Reno, at a private hospital, an experience which especially Anette never forgets.
Children Born
Rene Thyme Gransgaard October 9, 1982
Karin Thyme Gransgaard July 18, 1984
Peder Thyme Gransgaard June 5, 1989
When we returned back to Denmark in 1983 I started my own tool factory and I had 7 employees. In 1993 we moved the tool factory to Skals, a small town close to Viborg city because I could not get skilled labor in Lemvig. Today we produce metal forms for the plastic industry. They can easily weigh 2 tons a piece.
We live on a farm where we have cattle and horses.Anette works in an office in Skals. Rene has started in apprenticeship as a tool maker in my company. The other two children are still in school.
01
Id4
– 269 –
Bente Grans acrd
I was born May 7, 1961 in Toning as the youngest out of four children.
Before I left school I met Erik with whom I am now married.
After I graduated from school, I worked as a nanny and Erik served his millitary service.
After three years as a nanny, I started working at a hotel in Lemvig for a while.
Then I worked in a sewing factory. Today I work as a cleaning lady at a school. Erik works at a big electronic factory in Struer where he takes care of the machines.
August 20, 1988 we were married in Toning churh.
Children Born
Camilla Gransgaard Andersen December 12, 1992
Tobias Gransgaard Andersen November 2, 1995
Mimersvej 50 7620 Lemvig
– 271 –
Karen Marie Gransgaard
I was born October 29, 1925 as the fourth child in “Tarring Prmstegaard”. 1 do not remember anything from there because I was only about 21/4 years old when we moved to our new home “Nybo”. Because the farm was too small to feed the whole family father had to drive around and pick up milk from the farmers and drive it to the dairy factory and he went out to thresh other peoples crops.
We had a good and secure childhood. We went to school in Tarring for four days a week in the winter time from 9 am to 3 pin and two days a week in the summer time from 7 am to I pm.
Once a year a school commision that consisted of 3-4 men together with the priest came and examined us.
We went to Sunday school, which was held by different people. among them was my grandfather Mads Gransgaard Nielsen.
The Christmas tree at Sunday school was a big event where we had hot chocolate brought up in big milk cans. Because there was no kitchen in the building the chocolate was made by the neighbors.
1 was sick for about 6 months when I was 12 years old and was not able to go to school. At that time there were a lot of young people in the parish. On a normal Sunday evening about 30-35 children and young people got together on the sidewalk outside the church in Tarring and had a lot of fun.
Nybo
I was confirmed March 31, 1940 – 10 clays before Denmark was occupied by the German army. Those were some very ominous days – with heavy loaded and low flying airplanes on their way to Norway which was occupied at the same time we were.
It was during these years I grew up. We could feel it in many ways. Curfew: we had to be home before 11 pm or wait until the next morning. Rationing: lack of most provisions.
– 2’73 –
We who lived at the farms did not feel the war as much as the people in the cities. We did not have to get up in the middle of the night to go clown to the air-raid shelter when there was an air-raid warning because we did not have any.
We also had other advantages. I can remember that we made coffee out of roasted barley. It did not taste very good though. We also made syrup out of sugar beets and potato flour out of potatoes. We grew our own vegetables.
At the end of the war we had German refugees staying with us. First a mother with 3 children. After them we had two old people staying who came form East Germany or Austria. We became very fond of the two old people.
They were so happy for every little thing we did for them. They were very frugal. When they were peeling potatoes they helped each other. They peeled the potatoes so thin that even a potato parting knife of today can not do it as thin as they did.
They had each brought with them a knife, a spoon, and a fork made out of silver which they used every day. They told us that they had buried the rest of their silverwear and planted strawberries on top of it before they left their home.
On a field next to our farm a team handball ground was made during the war. Suddenly it was where the young people met in the evenings.
May 4, 1945 at 8.30 pm, when the famous words came on the BBC radio about the Liberation, our father came out and told us about it.
Suddenly our living room was filled with happy young people who sang and played. We had coffee, everybody was happy, we had to celebrate the good news.
Mother went out and told the two German refugees, who already had gone to bed. They cried for joy.
Some clays later they were moved to a reception camp outside Lemvig. We felt sorry for them. Some weeks later they came walking up here and visited us. They had lost a lot of weight and they told us that they missed us.
Sltiffe was their name and I suppose they were in their late seventies and early eighties. We never heard from them again.
After I was confirmed, I worked at different places in the parish. In the summer of 1947, I went to school. It became a unforgettable summer with nice weather and many good friendships. I still write to one of them from 1947.
In 1948 I got to work outside the parish and in the autumn and winter of 1948 I was hospitalized on a rheumatism sanitarium for 5 month.
In the autumn of 1951 I got a job on the farm “Sonder Kjwr” in Torring. Svend Aage Jensen had bought the farm February 1 the same year and after a short while we decided to get married. It happened September 24, 1952 in Toning church. Svend Aage comes from Vandborg parish and was born there June 1, 1922.
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Children Niels Kristian Gransgaard Jensen Tove Kirstine Gransgaard Jensen Elfin Gransgaard Jensen Verner Gransgaard Jensen |
Born April 12, 1953 |
We lived in “Sender Kjwr” from 1951-1970 and farmed the land with 2 horses. We also
had 8-10 cows with calves and raised pigs to fatten for market.
After my mother’s death in 1968, we agreed to buy “Nybo” from my father and April 1,
1970 we took possession of the farm.
In 1973 we bought additional 29 acres of farmland.
Elfin, Tove, Svend Aage
Verner, Niels Kristian, Karen Marie (winter 1973)
We ran the farm with cows, hogs, and small pigs until 1979 when we sold the cows. For some years we had many hogs and small pigs that we sold.
– 275 –
Svend Aage suffered from asthma and bronchitis and could not work with the animals anymore so we sold them all. For awhile we only had a dog left and farmed the land and grew some potatoes, on a sandy piece of land, that we sold by the road as self service to the tourists in the summer months.
We had a little piece of land outside the house where we grew vegetables and a lot of flowers.
In the autumn of 1989 Svend Aage started to carve some wood to make different things. He has used a lot of time doing that.
It all started when he joined a senior club where they met a couple of times a week to make dinners for the school children. Svend Aage passed away November 3, 1997, age 75
I have, the last 18-20 years, spent a great deal of time on the local history here in the parish and those close to it.
I have cut articles out of newspapers and put them in albums etc..
Futher more I am very interested in the history behind the church in Torring parish that dates back to around 1100 and it’s restorations through time and it’s priests back to 1537. In 1984 I was on the parochial church council and from 1988 as the president. It has given me a lot but a very interesting work together with many other people.
October 1, 2000 I bought Holger and Irene’s old house. Verner and his wife have taken over the farm and have started remodeling it.
fim• 0 …..
– 277 –
Niels Kristian Gransgaard Jensen
I was born April 12. 1953 in Toning parish and from my childhood where I grew up at a farm together with my brothers and sisters I remember that Tove (my sister) and I had got that idea that we should try and smoke a cigar. We got a hold on two pieces and went out into the stable where we started smoking them. The result was that I became sick and was put to bed but what caused my illness I could not tell anyone.
After I had finished school I became apprenticed as a tool maker. That took four years. After that I served my military service for 9 month after which I returned to my old job with my uncle Karsten.
I worked there the next 11 years until December 1986. Then I tried 1 year at the firm run by my cousin Kristian Rudolf Gransgaaard before I started my own firm in 1988.
When I was a soldier I met my wife Anna Elisabeth Bjerg KorsgArd (also called Lisbeth).
She was born September 3, 1953 in Moborg parish. We were married June 3, 1978 in Madum church. Shortly after we were married we bought a small farm which lies about 5 miles west of Lemvig in I-Ioue parish.
– 279 –
| Tove Kirstine Gransgaard Jensen | |
| 1977 |
I was born March 22, 1954 in “Sender Kjwr” in Toning parish. After 9 years I graduated from school and went on a one year business course. Then I worked a year in the kitchen at a trade school. Then the next 10 years I worked at a fish factory.
October 29, 1975 I married Svend Erik Rasmussen who was born February 3,1954 in Nykobing Mors.
Children Born
Mona Gransgaard August 30, 1973
Anj a G ran sgaarcl August 29, 1977
Lars Gransgaard October 8, 1981
In 1987 we were divorced. I am now trying to get some more education, among other
things I can mention computers, so I have a better possibility of getting a job.
For the time being we are living in the town Erslev on the Island of Mors.
Mona Gransgaard
Mona works as a nursery teacher.
Anj a Gransgaard
Anja has served her apprenticeship in a delicatessen but now works in the canteen in a
big slaughter house in Nykobing Mors.
Children Born
Julie Gransgaard Salquist December 6. 1998
Lars Gransgaard
Lars works on farms and plans on being a farmer one day.
-281 –
tin Gransgaard Jensen
was born July 2, 1959 on the farm “Sander Kjwr” in Toning.
We lived there until I was 11 years old and moved to my grandfathers farm. I graduated after 10 years and went to London, Englang as a nanny for 6 months. I lived in the rich and snobbish part of the town where they, despite their having a Rolls Royce, 3 color TVs, swimming pool etc, only gave me $10 per week.
After 6 months I got another job as a maid on a Hotel where I got £18 per week.
After I returned from England I had different jobs which lasted 6 months to be able to get some points for an education.
Among other things, I was 4 months on a folk high school. In 1979 I moved to Copenhagen where I have lived ever since. I moved in with a girlfriend of mine and Flemming Gransgaard in a 2 room flat where I lived the 2 first years.
After that I lived on my own for a year or so until I moved together with another girlfriend from back home in 1984 and we have lived together ever since.
In 1983 I finished an education as a social worker which is helping and advising physically, mentally, and socially handicapped persons.
I have worked in different clay nurseries. The last two years I have been working on a residential home (an assessment center) for children between 0 an 6 years of age.
My biggest interest is mainly to travel. I started out when I was 15 years old by going on an Inter Rail tour (a sort of travel for young people going by railways all over Europe).
I continued to do that every summer until I was too old to get that offer. On my last trip I got so depressed that it was going to be my last trip until I was 60 years and could get the special offer again so I planned, right away a round the world trip by airplane.
You do not need to look at your age to be traveling that way because you pay the full price every time.
My girl friend and I traveled around for one year in 1986-1987. The first 4 months we traveled around in Australia and worked.
Then we went to New Zealand for 5 month where we picked apples the first 3 months.
It was hard earned money and just enough for 2 months of traveling in New Zealand. The last 3 months were spend in Asia, Bali, Malaysia, and Thailand.
It was hard to get back and start daily life again. I can not promise that I will not do it again if I get the chance.
Right now we have bought an apartment next to our own and combined the two. We want to be “do it yourself’ girls and it takes both time and money.
For one year I am staying in Ireland and working as a social education worker. I work in a residential home for families in crisis.
– 283 –
| Verner Gransgaard Jensen |
I was born May 21, 1966 as the youngest out of 4 children. I was a latecomer because there are 7 years between me and my youngest sister. I do not remember anything from where we lived first. It was when we first moved to “Nybo” in Toning parish that I remember we had a small number of cows and pigs but there was always enough of love. My cousin, Lisbeth Gransgaard, (Mads’s daughter) who lived as our neighbor is proberly the one I have played the most with when we were children and we were not always well behaved. Kristian Gransgaard (my grandfather) lived with us almost until he died and that became many good years which I very reluctantly would |
have missed.
I graduated after 10 years and became apprenticed as a tool maker at my uncle Karsten’s tool factory in Lemvig. It took 3 V2 years and after that there was a slow period where I had different kinds of jobs until 1989 when I spent 5 months at a sports high school. When I came home I moved in with a friend in Toning.
I love to go on long walks with my dog. We go out hunting in the autumn. In the summertime I play soccer and in the winter I play badminton.
March 1990 I traveled to America partly as family visit and partly because of the experience.
After a memorable time I returned back home and September 1, 1992 I got a job in a heat and power station near Holste-bro.
It is a combined heat and power station in which two bio fuels, waste, straw and wood chips represent the bulk of the fuel input. The station has two waste boilers and one straw/wood chip boiler. The steam leaves the boilers and enters the turbine which drives the generator, thus producing electricity.From the turbines the steam is led into two heat exchangers which transfer the energy in the steam to the district heating water in Holstebro and Struer.
I have lived together with Tove Sovndal for many years now in Holstebro. She was born November 10, 1965 in Nees parish. She has for many years worked as a sales clerk in different stores.
We were married July 6, 1996 in Toning church.
Children Born
Alexander Kjar Sovndal Gransgaarcl May 20, 1995
Christspoher Kjwr Sovndal Gransgaard June 5, 1997
Benjamin Kjwr Sovndal Gransgaarcl April 11, 2000
In 1994 I bought my parents farm but they continued to live there. June 2000 my mother moved temporarily into Mads’s house next door until October I, when she could move into Holger and Irenes old house which she has bought.
We have started to rebuild the whole house and stable and plan on moving in around December 2000.
– 285 –
Karsten Gransgaard
I was born October 1934 in “Nybo” in Torring parish close to Lemvig. First I went to school in Toning but because of the war and the German soldiers taking over the school, we continued on different farms and finished after the war in Torring school. November 1, 1949 I started at a tool factory in Lemvig as a boy. One year after this I became an apprentice as a tool maker. 4 years later in 1954 I became a tool maker of profession.
After that I served my military service in Arhus for nine months. While I was with the military I took a test in telegraphy with the Morse alphabet. When I got the result it showed that I was not suited for it so I was instead trained in driving a truck which suited me just fine.
After I finished my military service in 1956 I sailed for some years as a machine assistant for the shipping company A. P. Moller.
The first ship was a cargo ship which sailed around the world in 5 months. I was on that ship for 20 months. After 2 months of holiday here in Denmark, I went on a tanker that sailed from the Persian Gulf to Aden in the Red Sea. We also sailed a couble of trips to Australia after which I was transfered to a third ship. After approximatly 3 years of sailing, I desieded to stop.
In the summer of 1959 I met my wife, Grethe, and got, at the same time, a job at a combine factory in Lemvig. Later I was appointed as foreman for one of it’s branches. April 13, 1961 (the day my parents celebrated their fortieth wedding anniversary) I married Ane Grethe Skov Sorensen, who was born August 11, 1940 in Houe parish. We bought a small house in Lemvig and in 1962 our first daughter was born.
Children Born
Lene Gransgaard August 5, 1962
Thorkil Gransgaard March 19, 1965
Birthe Gransgaard October 22, 1967
We lived in Lemvig until January 1964 when we moved to a small town called Lind close to the city called Herring because I had got a job as a foreman at a plow factory there.
10 months later I started my own tool factory in Lemvig. The first 6 months we lived in rented rooms, then we bought a house in Lemvig and moved the business into the garage. We had it there for 5 years. In 1969 I got a joint owner and at the same time the firm was made into a partnership.
The production of shredding, punching, and bending tools (a combination a these) was extended.
January 1, 1970 we moved to something larger. Through the years we have made construction hardware and contractor work for other firms. In the recent years we have spent a great deal of time making form tools. November 1, 1999, Thorkild took over the business and I retired.
Normakrsvej 12
7620 Lemvig
– 287 –
| Lene Grans acrd |
I was born August 5, 1962 in Lemvig. Between 1969 – 1979 I went to school in Lemvig. When I graduated from the 10th grade I spent 6 months at a home economics school. After this I worked some months at a clothing factory before I started on a 2 years Higher Preparatory Course close to Lemvig. After I had finished my education I traveled to California for one year where I was a nanny in Santa Barbara. When I came home I worked for 6 weeks at a hotel on one of the southern Islands in Denmark. I worked here as a “handy girl”. Later |
I was a “boy” at my father’s tool factory.
In the winter 1983 – 1984 I worked in Switzerland as a waitress in a hotel.
When I came home, I moved to Copenhagen where I lived with a girl friend I had met in America. hr the late summer I got a job as a telephone girl in an office and another girl friend I had met in America moved i❑ with us. In the following year the three of us lived on 144 square feet – and we had a lot of fun.
In the summer of 1985. I started as an assistant in a day nursery in Copenhagen. At the same time one of my girl friends and I moved to a bigger apartment which we could share.
I had applied for admission to the nursing school and was admitted in September 1986. Febuary 1990 I had finished my education as a nurse and started one month later as a substitute on Gentofte Amts hospital in Copenhagen. Then as a nurse and now as the charge nurse.
August 28, 1999 I married Jacob Schjott in Copenhagen. He was born September 8, 1969 in Vesterbro in Copenhagen. Jacob is educated as a lawyer and was such for an insurance company.
Children Born
Casper Gransgaard Schlott January 30, 1998
Katrine Gransgaard Schott October 11, 2000
Rolfsvej.30 4. tv 2000 Frederiksberg
– 289 –
Thorkil Gransgaard
I was born March 19, 1965 in Houe parish. After I graduated from the 9th grade I became an apprentice as a tool maker in my fathers tool factory in Lemvig.
In 1984 I finished my education and after some weeks of summer holiday I started an education in the town of Skive as a tool constructor. I finished this in December 1986.
Then I went to Switzerland for 6 months to work at a factory down there. When I came home in the summer of 1987 I started at my father’s tool factory where I have been ever since only interrupted by 4 months when I traveled around the world to Thailand, Nepal, Australia, Fiji Islands, and Canada.
November 1, I took over my fathers tool factory.
June 28, 1997 I was married in Nr. Lem church by Lemvig to Helle Welling Dalgaard. Belle was born July 20 1966 in Bonnet parish.
Children Born
Simone Gransgaard May 27, 1994
Nicoline Gransgaard May 18, 1999
I-Ielle is educated as a sales clerk selling clothes. She and a colleague bought a store in
Lemvig in 1997, where they are selling clothes.
Skodbkvej 11, Fabjerg
7620 Lemvig
Birthe Gransgaard
|
I was born October 22, 1967 in the town of Lemvig. I graduated in 1984 and started on a 3 years business course in Lemvig. After I had finished this in 1987, I went to America for one year as a nanny in Santa Monica in California. In autumn of 1988, I worked for some months at a radio and television factory in Lemvig before I, in December the same year, started an education to become an office clerk. I finished this November 30, 1990. Afterwards I studied foreign trade at the Aarhus School of Business for three years. Here in Arhus I met Morten Leth, who studied to be a mechanical |
engineer.
We were married May 2, 1998 in Lemvig. Morten was born in Skanderborg November
13, 1967.
Children Born
Anton Gransgaard November 13, 1997
Morten started working, as a designer at Bang & Olufsen in Struer, designing their future televisions and radios, October 1, 2000. Later on he is going to work as a coordinator the same place.
I started working as a teacher in the Business college in Lemvig in August 1999. I teach economics and marketing.
Emilialystvej 5, 7620 Lemvig
Anna Mette Gransgaard
I was born July 14, 1937 in Toning parish and had a lovely childhood. Even though we very early had small jobs to do there was always time for play. My parents were very hospitable so there was always a lot of people at our home especially in the summer time. What I remember from my earliest childhood is during the war but I was too young to take it serious.
I remember we had some German refugees. A mother and her three children I remember very well. The oldest of the children were on my own age. We played a lot together and understood each other even though I can not recall that I knew a single word in German. I first started school when I was almost 8 years old because the German soldiers had occupied the school. Therefore, I started in the vicarage of the priest. He had all classes there. The first classes, that I was in, used his study where his daughter taught us the ABC.
I was confirmed March 31, 1952 and the year after, I went to a boarding school for 6 months together with 82 other girls. It was a good time where we learned a lot.
After that I had different jobs, among other things, in Copenhagen. In 1957 I worked on the Seamen’s hostel in Lemvig where I met my husband, Jens Peter Dalgaard Poulsen, who was born April 23, 1934 in the town Harbooer. We were married in Toning church January 17, 1959.
The first while we lived home by my parents.
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Children Steen Gransgaard Poulsen Dorthe Gransgaard Poulsen (died May 15, 1978, age 15) Hanne Gransgaard Poulsen |
Born August 1, 1959 October 14, 1967 |
March 1, the same year, we bought a house in Lemvig where Steen was born. My husband is a fisherman and is often away from home 14 days at a time. Then I often went home to my parents and helped them. My mother was not that well anymore.
After one and a half years we sold our house and bought a new one also in Lemvig. Here Dorthe was born in 1962. It was a good time when I was at home taking care of the children and the house. I was still coming home to my parents in Toning frequently. I-Ianne was born in 1967 and our happiness was completed. But the year after my mother became sick and died during Christmas time. It was a hard period for all of us but especially for my father. That is why we went home to him every week end but the children had to go to school so it was a hard time then. In 1970 my sister and her family moved home to my father.
In 1972 we sold our old house and bought a new one in Lemvig and we are still living here. It is a nice big house with room for everyone. Peter, my husband, bought his own ship in 1976 and we had some good years.
In 1973 I joined Heldum parochial church council. That has resulted in that I have been in Copenhagen twice to see the Minister of Ecclesiastical Affairs and that we have been engaging 5 priests.
In 1978 we had the awful grief to lose our big girl, Dorthe, in a road accident, almost 16 years old.
The same year in August I began attending the nursing aid school. That was good for me so I did not have very much time for sad thoughts.
– 293 –
When I had finished my education I was employed in a nursing home in Lemvig where I have been since.
About my hobbies I can tell that I have been going to English classes for several years at the business school in Lemvig and I have taken the exam for the 10th grade. My home and my garden are some of my other hobbies.
In 1980 my husband and I were in America together with our children Hanne and Steen. We were over there for a month. It was an incredible lovely experience to meet all the cousins I have heard so much about had never met. Carrie and Ruth were still living at that time so it was a journey we never will forget.
Peter sold his fishing boat in 1992 and has since then helped out in the harbor. I retired in 1998 from my job. We both enjoy our retirement,
Falkevej 5 7620 Lemvig
– 295 –
Steen Gransgaard Poulsen
I was born August 1, 1959 in Lemvig. After I graduaded from the 10th grade I started. July 1, 1976, as a steward on my fathers cutter.
In the period 1977 – 1978, I was at a shipper school where I took the examination for the master’s certificate. In 1979 1 served my military service in the Danish Navy. In all of 1980, I sailed with another cutter but since 1981 I sailed with my father on “Laura Kiistine”.
I bought a house in Lemvig in 1981 but sold it again May, 1986, when I moved to Zealand together with Connie Hansen who was born May 6, 1959 and her son Jesper. We live in a six-room apartment in Frederikssund (a city close to Copenhagen).
We were married August 3, 1996 in Islebjerg church in Frederikssund.
Children Born
Pernille Gransgaard Poulsen May 7, 1987
Christina Gransgaard Poulsen May 7, 1987
Andreas Gransgaard Poulsen May 21, 1992
August 1991 Connie took a Higher Preparatory Course. Before she had worked at a dentist clinic for some years, taken care of children, and has been employed in a day nursing. Today she works as a substitute in a daycare center in Frederikssund.
I traveled back and fort between Frederikssund and Lemvig to work on my fathers cutter for 6 years. It took me about 5 hours each way.
Since 1999 1 have worked as a blacksmith for a company that does work for Carlsberg breweries.
| Christina Andreas |
Jesper Pernille (1996) |
– 297 –
| }Janne Gransgaard Poulscn |
I was born on October 14, 1967, on a rainy day. In 1973 came my first turning point in my secure life when we moved to a new house. That meant that I had to say good bye to my dearest friend but when I started school in 1974 I got a lot of new friends. The best I knew after school was to walk home and find my grandfathers green car in the driveway and there was always something good in grandfathers pockets. In October 1980 I had the greate experince to visit America together with Steen, father, mother, and Einar. It was a big event for me to meet some relatives of ours so fare from home. |
In 1984 I graduaded from the 10th grade and had to plan my future. I wanted to become a hairdresser but unfortunatly I was not admitted to the school.
Therefore, I spent 6 months at a home economics school. After 6 months here I got enough courage to travel away from home for a bit. I spent 6 months as a nanny in Oslo in Norway.
In 1986, I succeeded in being admitted to the hairdressser school.
March 1. 1987, I started with a hairdresser in Lemvig, as a pupil. I finished my education as a hairdresser here January 31, 1990 and worked until October when I went to a guide school on Mallorca (an Island in the Mediterranean).
For the moment I am working as an air guide for a big travel company in Denmark. That means that I am bringing a group of people from Denmark to another destination and stay with them until they are back home again in Denmark. It is a very facinating and varied job.
Afterwards I have become a stewardess in a Danish aircraft company and I just love my job. I am presently living in Arhus.
– 299 –
Willy Gransgaard
When I was born July 14, 1938 my earliest memories are from the occupation of Denmark. The war itself I remember nothing about only that our home was used for housing soldiers and later German refugees.
The war meant shortages of everything. When I was about 5 or 6 years old I was going to have some new shoes. I am the youngest of 7 children so until then I had been using their castoffs.
My mother had heard that there was a place in the town Holstebro where we could buy a pair of shoes so she took me shopping. We bought the shoes. I remember I thought they were very stiff but was told that I just had to walk in them for a while so I was very proud of them. Unfortunately we had some rain when we had to walk 2 to 3 miles back home from Lemvig. It turned out that the soles of the shoes were made out of cardboard and something that looked like cement in between. So before we came home I was
walking in my stocking feet. This shows very well what you could buy at that time. There was hardly any money to buy anything; so to earn a little extra to provide for his family my father went out threshing other people’s crops.
It was a very laborious living father had, so it often was late before he came back.
One night I remember my father as he sat, filthy of dust from the threshing, and ate. Suddenly he got up and went to the door frame and squeezed his back against it. It was when the mouse, which had crawled under his clothes, started to move about. Then he continued to eat. The mouse could always be removed when he took his clothes off. Even though the time was filled with need for material things I feel that we children had a secure childhood. There was no lack of love and care.
I spend the first four years of school in Tarring but after I had a new teacher 4 times my mother thought that it was time for me to move to another school where I got a very good teacher. That helped a bit on the knowledge acquired at school.
After I graduaded from school I stayed at home and was regarded by many people as being a mother’s boy and very spoiled.
It was quite a change when I got my first job on the farm “Vester Kallesee”. It was a place where you learned to do all things at a regular, organized time, which I have never been used to before and it was all clone punctually.
I was very nervous the first time when I was sent out in the fields with a team of four horses to harrow. It was hard but I learned a lot.
We had a room on top of the pig sty without any kind of heating. The only toilet facility we had was a wash bowl in a rack in the stable for the horses.
Later I have often thought about that we must have spread some peculiar odors when we visited our friends in the evening.
After I had been here a year, I went to a boarding school to improve the knowledge acquired at school. It was a Christian school, where I heard, for the first time, about myths and legends. It was also here I learned something about youth clubs. Later it became very important for me.
After I finished school I moved to Fjaltring parish where I worked on the farm “Oster Icker” for almost 3 years. Here I got a lot of friends in connection with gymnastics, youth meetings, and dances. After a couple of years with some wild living, I met a nice girl from Bovling parish at one of the dances and that became a very important event in my life.
– 301 –
First though, I had to serve my military service for 9 months in a town close to Alborg city. After these 9 months I went to Dybe parish as a herdsman on the farm “Veiling”. It was a very instructive experience.
I also learned how it was to be on a board for a gymnastic club. After 17 months here I started to an agricultural school. Once again a whole lot of new friends but is was a disapointment that the time table only had room for pracital subjects.
Because of my future father-in-law’s illness I came to his farm “Mellem Krogshede” as a farmhand right after I finished the agricultural school. It was in 1961.
It became a busy summer, because we were building a stable and barn.-
After 4 years of engagement, Solveig Krogshede and I were married August 12, 1961 in Bovling church. Our first home was 2 small rooms at Solveig’s sister and brother-in-law in the town Bovling.
We lived here for almost a year and worked as farmhands in “Mellem Krogshede”. When we were expecting our first child we moved out on the farm, where we lived in one of the living rooms and gust rooms and shared household with my parents-in-law. We lived here for 31/4. years, until July 1965, when we bought the farm and my parents-in-law bought a house in Bovling.
It was nice after 4 years of marriage to get a home of our own though I only remember the time together with Anna and Ejner Krogshede as very positive.
Children Born
Jesper Krogshede Gransgaard May 8, 1962
Mette Krogshede Gransgaard August 18, 1964
Martin Krogshede Gransgaard August 31, 1970
Even though I knew that the soil was very sandy on the farm we had bought, I had never imagined how difficult it would be to run the farm but with much help from my parents-in-law and hard work ourselves we managed the first hard years.
When the children were old enough for school, there was no doubt about that they were going to go to the free school in Bovling, where Solveig had been a member of the school board for many years. I also was involved in committee work before long first in a youth club, later in the local co-operative society, the animal feed committee, the milk recording committee, church committee, the committee for the village hall, and last but
not least the committee for the lee school in Bevling, where I had the experience to be part of the setting up of an athletic school in Bevling.
t was a very fascinating period with a lot of challanges, where we also made a lot of new fiends.
Unfortuantly, I had to stop my committee work when I did not have enough time and strength to take part in it together with running the farm singel-handedly with milkcows.
The farm has been in Solveig’s family since 1700 and maybe even further back, so it is with a little bit of sadness that we realized that none of our children were interested in running the farm after us.
Solveig has beside the committee
ork, also played a lot on the piano in her younger days and gone in for gymnastic a lot. But because of some troubles with her back she had to quit the gymnastic. For many years she has been playing the piano for folk dances and gymnastic. She has been a organist in Bovling church for several years now, but was forced to stop because of her health.
We retired in 1992, sold the milk cows and rented the land out. In 1997 we sold most of the land and I just now and then work for another farmer. I have in recent years become involved in recording the history about Bovling parish. That and my computer take up most of my time.
Krogshedevej 13, 7650 Bovlingbj erg
– 303 –
Jesper Krogshede Gransgaard
I was born May 8, 1962 in “MeIlem Krogshede” in Bovling. After I finished school I
helped my father on the farm for 6 months. Then I started an education to become a farmer.
During that period I met Anna Lise Josefsen, who was born February 16, 1972 in Ramme. Today we live close by my parents and have 3 girls.
Children Born
I-Ielle Gransgaard January 27, 1987
Trine Gransgaard March 24, 1989
Ida Gransgaard February 20, 1996
Since I finished the education, I have worked at Bovling machine pool. Anna Lise works
as a spray painter in a maschin shop in Bovling. We were married June 22, 1996 in Bovling.
– 305 –
Mette Krogshede Gransgaard
I was born August 18, 1964 and raised in “Menem Krogshede”. After I finished school, I spent 1 year as a maid in Ramme. Then I served my apprenticeship as a cleric.
Then I spent 4 months in Switzerland working at a hotel.
For 11/4 years I traveled the world with the organization I.A.E.A. (International Argicul-tural Exchange Association). During that period, I shipped oranges in Floriada and worked on farms in New Zealand and Canada.
After that. I worked as a stewardess onboard the ferries that sail between Denmark and England. During one of these trips I met Robert Slator, who also happened to work onboard. Robert was born September 5, 1968 in Harwich, England.
We were married August 8, 1992 in Bovling church.
Robert worked for some years as a bartender in Ilolstebro and Fleming but is now employed as a postman. I work as a social education worker and work with criminals in I-Ierning.
Children Born
Sebastian Slator October 26, 1994
Kasper Slator January 25, 1998
We live in Tarring, a suburb to Hartung.
Sebastian Kasper
– 307 –
Martin Krogshede Gransgaard
I was born August 31, 1970 in “Menem Krogshede”. After I finished school, I started as a boy with a carpenter in Fare. I became a carpenter myself.
Today I work as a lumberjack in a agroforestry. In 1998, I met Christina Ytting. She was born April 4, 1976.
She has tried a lot of things in her life. For 4 years she worked with Iceland ponies on Iceland.
She has just started to become a social education worker and she would like to work with physically and mentally handicapped persons.
Her great passion, in her spare time, is Iceland ponies. I spend a lot of time canoeing in the Sea.
Martin, Christina, Jesper, Robert
Trine, Ida, Sebastian, Helle Anne Lise, Mette, Kasper (1999)
ro
– 309 –
Here is a little summary of the speech Magnus’s sister Karen held when Magnus and Karen were married:
Magnus was the apple of his mother’s eye
he was his father’s pride and comfort.
But the boy grew older and time went by
and it happend that the boy the measles got
He laid in his bed and was wailing
this elegy time after time
“I am so sick what shall I do??
Is there no one that can help me
go to the doctor and get some medicine??
There is nothing fun about it here.
But the boy grew older and time went by
until that day when he an idea got
when father not at home was.
Magnus went and lifted
about half a pound of gunpowder
There sounded a loud crash and our mother went pale
“Our farm is on fire” she shouted in fear.
Magnus was not proud of what he had done
suddenly the sheep needed to be moved right away
when he came home the anger had gone away
lie never got a beating even though he deserved it.
– u –
– 311 –
My parents
Magnus and Karen Cr ransgnard
by
Bente Gransgaard
My father and mother were married on a beautiful September 1, 1941. Much later my father told me that since their wedding day there had always been sunshine on that day except for three times.
They married late. Both were born in 1898 so they had lived the first 43 years of their lives as free birds. My father was born January 26, 1898 and my mother July 8, 1898. My mother was a free school teacher and very devoted to her work in the Christian faith, which meant verything to her.
“1 have had a rich life” she often told me. Every place she had worked before she met my father she had met people that became important to her and her thoughts.
Father had tried a lot of things. for instance as farm hand, horse dealer, clerk, mole hunter – but the clerk probably had his biggest interest and not by chance he lived the rest of his life as a storekeeper.
After father had worked some time in his sister Karen and her husband’s store, he bought a small store in the small town Norlem in 1940 – later that year, my mother got a job at the free school which was in the house next door. They were married in Mejrup – where Christian and l was married 29 years later,
– 313 –
My big sister was born 21/4 years before me Ida Lilian. Father has told me that he took the back of his bicycle and it crashed into h She lies – or more correct laid – on Norlem on the grave and I found the stone with the December 23, 1944 – the busiest day of the in the evning.
Father and mother had in their daily evening prayer asked God if they could get a healthy girl – and if it was not too much trouble – one with shining curls. The last was meant as a confidential and affectionate jocularity to God but they received a girl with shining curls as an affectionated answer.
Once in a while, they traveled with the storekeeper’s union and saw a lot of Europe that way. In 1964 they sold their store and moved to the larger town Holstebro where they bought a house.
They lived here until mother died March after he had spent a year in a nursing home.
– i 1 4 –
-.315 –
Bente Gransgaard
I have been raised with love, trust, and care in the small store which contained far more things than there was room for. I have often wondered about things like slippers with soles made out of bicycle tires, chicken feed, kerosene, ladies underwear with shaggy reverse sides and a lot of other things. My fathers favorite sentence was “If we do not have we can get it!”.
My girl friends envied me the store they enjoyed it when they were allowed to help weighing out things.
I did not understand
them completly, with
flour, sugar, and hulled
grain I could understand
but Saturday morning
when we were most
busy I tried to avoid
orders as prunes (they
had to be fetched from
the loft and were sticky),
syrup (had to be tapped
in the back hall and it
smelled), soda (which was hard to get on the spoon and the drawer was heavy to get out).
It was only on a busy Saturday it could happen:
You did not have time to wait for the thin jet of syrup to fill the glass. Vs/hen the lightning struck it was already too late: Syrup in thick brown heaps evenly spread over several square feet. It always was quite a while before that happened again
We didn’t get television, refrigerator, central heating, a bathroom, or a washing machine. But instead we got a car – a tall, old Chevrolet from 1929. I cried ! When father drove me to school in bad weather I sat in the bottom of the car when we reached Lemvig, so I would not be seen by my friends.
What T remember the best –from the first grade was that we wrote with a slate pencil on a small tablet – from 1 to 100 – and when we were finished we started all over again.
– I 0 –
Our teacher sat behind his desk and read his paper and did not react when we asked, in our best dialect “May we go out and put a fresh point on our pencil ?” – So we did it anyway – on the doorstep.
At recess we played the boys after the girls – or the other way round. A boy called Holger always chased me and that was tiresome because I rather would have Hans to chase me but he only chased Lilli !
After the fourth grade, I went the school in Lemvig. There they spoke proper Danish so I had to give up my dialect.
The worst was when I would, now and then, spend the night at my girl friend Kirsten’s house, then I had to speak proper Danish all day long !
Kirsten was crazy about Pat Boone and Palle Lykke (a Danish pop star) so even today I remember Palle Lykke’s birthday November 4 – the same day as my grandfather.
My three years in high school were the best ones in my school period. Every day I took the bus to Struer at 7 o’clock. My father was up to make sure that I got my breakfast and to send me along.
Every morning the light over the inlet was different. The most beautiful sunrises gave my history classes a redeeming gleam.
My father was, strangely enough, set on the idea that after I graduated I should go abroad for a year. I think it was his joy for traveling and seeing other countries that won over his worry of sending his daughter away.
I went to Switzerland and it was and it was a very educational year in many ways. I longed for home a lot but got letters, letters – on the best days I was receiving five !
My “madam” said that I had decided to be a trilingual secretary: ” I would rather have been a petrol pump attendant than a trilingual secretary”.
– 317 –
I knew that I wanted to be someone that had something to do with langauge. But I did not do good enough reseach: I had not thought about that half of the language was business language at the school for becoming a trilingual secretary. Those two years where the most boring ones in my life.
The things we had to learn bored me, there were only girls in the class, we all sat on our fanny the whole day long – also during the break – and we didn’t get to know anybody. On the other hand I lived in a residence hall. That was another world. I loved to be here because here I had my friends. I even felt a little bit sorry for those that belonged to the world outside.
My favorite girl friend, Anne, and I made our meals together and spent all the time together we could when we were not doing home work. My jealousy was great when Niels came along and claimed her for himself.
In the middle of my exsams we got a message that said that we could apply for a trainee job in Finland, Norway, or Switzerland. I thosed Finland as number one, Switzerland as number two, and Norway as the third and got Stavanger in Norway.
It could not have been more close to Denmark. It appeared to be the three best months in my life. I worked on the “Stavanger Evening paper” which was a fascinating place to work. Stavanger was a very interesting city because I was taken care of by several persons that became very near friends of mine.
I tasted crabs for the first time in my life, sat behind on a motorcycle for the first time too. I went to a midsummer party on a little island in the skerries in the middle of the Stavanger fiord and sailed back home later in the evening. For the first time I wished I had been born some where else then Denmark.
It was quite a change for me to get back home and get a job as a secretary. I was so sad about it that I hoped for someone to kidnap me. Nobody did so I had to do something myself.
6 months later, I got a job at Arhus Universaty. I would start in April. I felt I floated a few inches over the ground when I walked through the park. I had returned to my favorite city.
January 1970 I met Christian. The first I saw of him was a pair of big brown eyes and a white shirt in a dark corridor.
A couple of girl friends and I were invited to a party where he – a teacher from the town Vildbjerg – had come as a driver (we felt a bit sorry for the poor thing that he had to be alone with a lot of girls) but before the party was over nothing was quite the same anymore.
June 20, 1970, we were married in Mejrup church – a beautiful summer day where the bridal veil fluttered in the wind and the church was decorated with flowers from my grandfathers garden in Lemvig.
– 319 –
The rest of my life since then, where have they gone ?
– Well, we have got two boys:
|
Children Rune Gransgaard Hogsberg |
Born | |
| March 7, 1974 Febuary 26, 1976 |
||
While they were small I was afraid for them to grow up. Now that they have, I have never had so much pleasure with them as now.
Unfortunatly my father and mother did not get the joy to see them grow up. Mother died the year after Simon was born and father a couple of years later. On the other hand it gave their last years light and meaning.
I could not have wished for some better parents-in-law. I care for them a lot. All together I – we – have a good life, worklife, and private life. Christian is doing fine with his job as a teacher at a school here in Arhus and has been doing that for many years – all the time trying out some new ideas – lectures about co-operation between teacher and parents, publishing books together with his class – which he has say goodbye to after nine years.
hi the last 18 years, I have been working at a school of journalism which runs in-service courses for journalists, about 75 courses a year in all kinds of subjects.
Once in a while I am allowed to go abroad with a group of journalists when there is a course in languages.
Rune works as a graphic designer for a factory and Simon is in his second year out of 3 years in London learning to become a photographer.
For many years Christian has been painting pictures and in the last 4 years I have started painting too.
;21
1992
Maria Bcnte Inge (1989)
Here is a little summary of Karen Flondergaard’s memoirs:
I recall a time where we all sat down
around the dinner table – eating our warm meal.
The telephone rang and my father
went in the living room to answer it.
I-Ie picked up the phone and said “Hello”
it was the neighbor that told my father:
“There are three small calves here by my farm
and it sure is not mine
then I thought they might be yours.”
When father returned to the table and sat down
he looked at me and said: “You have to go
to send the boys is no use
then the calves will run away.”
I ran out the door
swift-footed in bare feet.
When the calves saw me,
they came towards me right away
I turned around and went back home,
with the calves following me.
On our way we passed another farm.
The owner stood in the doorway
and held his stomach with laughter
when he saw the four of us–
a girl, that ran all she could
and the three calves following her.
When all of us were home again
I quickly locked them in their barn.
The reason why the calves had followed me
was because I was the one who took care of them.
– 323 –
Karen Gransgaard
The youngest of Karen Marie’s children was Karen Gransgaard, who was born in “Sunder Gransgaard” August 22, 1900.
When she was young Karen went with her father. Mads Gransgaard, on a journey to The Holy Land, Israel in 1928. Karen was 27 years old and Mads was 58 years old.
At that time it was unusual for a farmer to go on such a long journey.
This was long before package holiday and so on. Later on, Karen went several times to Israel. Her visit in 1982 was to be her last.
After they returned home in 1928, Mads and Karen traveled around the countryside to tell about their journey and showing slides, especially in Sunday schools.
children
Frank Flondergaard
Inge Flondergaard
Karen loved very much to write poetry, the words just poured out of her pen.
For family parties and birthdays she wrote countless numbers of songs and speeches.
A couple of years before she died she published 2 collections of poems.
She also had a lot of talent for painting and some of her paintings hang in many homes today. She was married May 12, 1933 in Lomborg church to Axel Flondergaard. He was born April 15, 1905 in Voldtofte in Flemlose.
During their marriage they could not have any children of their own so they adopted 2 children.
Born
May 12, 1938
June 18, 1940
Karen and Axel Flondergaard had a grocery in Lomborg for many years. Both Axel and Karen were active members of an evangelical wing of the Church of Denmark.
After many years in Lomborg Karen and Axel moved to Alderslyst, which is a suburb to Si I keborg.
For some years they had a grocery department in a large department store on a corner. Then they moved to Arhus where they also had a small store for a few years.
For many years Axel was a secretary for the “Christian work among blind people” and Since Karen was young girl, she has been active in YWCA in Lemvig and other Chritian organizations.
Ruth Melte Mads Karen
Kirsitne
Inge Frank Kristian
At Axel and her 25 Wedding Anniversary she wrote the following:
Now our thoughts og back i❑ time
over the past 25 years
It all started on a stormy night in November
my old bicycle broke clown
when Axel started pleading his case
and Cupid stood there on the road and laughed
when he the first kiss or two got.
A lovely winter we had together
and long walks we together went on
between Rom and Lemvig.
We often had to pass a road roller.
Sheltered by that, we could stand
when the frost was sharp and the wind hard
and it does not tell anything
about hugging and loving words.
But now and then other saw us there
in the shelter of the old road roller
and thereby came the rumor in the parish
that Axel was struck by Cupid’s arrows.
That winter ended all too quickly
and we got other things on our mind
In the beautiful May when the beech start getting leaves
Axel took home his bride.
Axel died in Arhus April 15, 1968 and Karen became a widow for 14 years.
When Karen retired she lived in a small apartment in Arhus.
She often went back to Israel and in 1982 she was there again. April 24 she died while
swimming in The Dead Sea. It was the place on earth that she loved the most. Isreal
became her second homeland.
She could speak about Israel in a way that you felt you were there yourself.
In a memorial park in Israel is a memorial tablet of silver with her name on it and a tree
is planted in her honor.
– 327 –
– 329 –
| Frank Flondergaard |
Frank was born May 12, 1938 in Arhus and was, shortly after adopted by Karen and Axel Flondergaard. July 29, 1961 he married Ane Elise Hedegfird in Sundby church on the Island of Mors. Ane Elise was born April 13, 1938 on Mors. Among other things Frank worked as a sales representative for a Herb company before he died August 21, 1979 in Arhus. |
Children Born Died
Rudin Flondergaard October 10, 1963 April 17, 1987
I-Ians Flondergaard November 16, 1967 May 2, 1992
He suffered, with diabetes, for many years and was, at the time of his death, waiting for
a new kidney.
Ane Elise, also called Lis, continued to stay in Arhus with the boys, because it was
Frank’s wish that Karen have her family close by so she would not feel lonely in her old age. Lis worked as a nurses aide most of her life.
After Karen died Lis and her family moved to a little town outside Arhus called Menke. Lis lived here until she died December 9, 1994. She had fought with cancer, for several years, as if she had not had enough personal tragedies. In less than 15 years, a whole family, their hopes and dreams were gone.
JJV –
First she lost her husband in 1979. Then April 17, 1987, her eldest son committed suicide in prison, due to his participation in a rocker gang and their environment.
Then 5 years later, May 2, 1992, her youngest son presumably died of an accidental shot. He had also been involved in rocker activities and even though he wanted to quit the gang he was not allowed. In the last years he lived, he worked together with the police and went around Denmark to warn other young people about getting invovled with rocker gangs.
The night between August 21, and August 22 Karen wrote the following:
At my son’s death
My beloved son, you fought well
and the fight was hard and long
now you lie blessed in the Lord’s peace
back home among angels singing.
You were a jewel so precious
who the Lord cut and ground to
a glowing jewel, sparkling clear
in the crown of Jesus our Lord you became.
The more precious the jewel is
the more it needs grinding
until we all the fine facets see
as a perfect beauty.
As the gold purifies in the fire of the forge
under the skilled hand of the Lord.
In the eyes of the Lord so precious
is his righteous dead
therefore he has promised us
after our struggle, the rest so sweet.
– 331 –
Hans with Alija ( Jan and Laila’s daughter)
August 1990.
– 333 –
Flondergaard
hrge was born June 18, 1940 in Arhus and adopted shortly after by Karen and Axel
Flendergaard.
Inge is working as a nurses aide, on the night shift at Arhus Hospital.
May 26, 1960 she married Jorn Kaldahl in Arhus. They were divorced in 1971. They
had two children in their marriage.
September 16, 1972 she married Jorn Eriksen, who was born December 15, 1939 in
Arhus.
Children Born
Jan Kaldahl May 1, 1962
Jette Kaldahl January 27, 1966
Anne Birgitte Eriksen November 15. 1973
Among many things, Jorn worked as an assistant general manager in a Steel company until the company was insolvent.
JJt
Jorn liked to do family history research and worked mostly with his own ancestors. Both Inge and Jorn like to go for walks in the nature. Jorn passed away
Skovdalsvej 14 8260 Viby J
– 335 –
Jan Kaldahl
I was born May 1, 1962 in Viby a suburb to Arhus. After I finished school I have worked in many different places.
I have been employed at the Oil refinery here in Arhus, the CWS, an asphalt company and lately I have worked as a janitor.
Together with Laila Solveig Sloth, who was born July 26, 1965 in Nykobing Falster, I have 2 children.
Children Born
Anja May Kaldahl July 18, 1990
Line Mia Kaldahl June 6, 1992
– 330 –
– 337 –
Jette Kaldahl
I was born January 27, 1966 in Viby, a suburb to Arhus, and baptised Jette Kaldahl. Later on I have taken the surname Eriksen.
During my school years, I also played the trumpet in Arhus drum majorettes. I played in the band until I was too old.
After I finished school I worked one year as a maid in England and I have had several cleaning jobs.
For many years I worked in a bakery. Now I am employed with the Danish telephon company.
In 1989, 1 moved in with Jan Erik Lind. He was born May 23, 1967, in Arhus. When we were children we went to school together.
Children Born
Christina Louise Lind August 10, 1989
Camilla Helene Lind August 25, 1991
Jan Erik served his apprenticeship as a mechanic. He finished in 1988 and since 1989 he has worked as such in a factory here in Arhus.
Jan and Jette (1979)
– 339 –
Anne Birgitte Eriksen
I was born November 15, 1973 in Arhus. Today (2000) I live together with Frank Frandsen, who was born January 14, 1968 in Arhus. We live on a farm, a little ways outside
Arhus, where we have a lot of animals which I take care of and Frank works as a windowcleaner.
Children Born
Nadia Maigen Eriksen March 9, 1994
Martin Frank Eriksen May 2, 1995
Karen Marie Gransgaard
Now after having described all of her children and decentants we return to Karen Marie herself.
Karen Marie who during her long life managed to celebrate her 50th wedding anniver-say with her second husband, experienced many radical changes both here in Denmark but also abroad.
For instance she lived through 3 wars, among them 2 world wars, 4 ruling kings, that Denmark went from animal production to becoming an industrialized community, that the big gap between the middle classes and farmers and servant were reduced.
When she became old she became infirmed, you have to remember that tiresome existence she had all her life by raising 7 children and take care of a large household with both servants and roomers in a time where they had no modern machinery as we know them today.
In her old age, they moved to Lemvig and bought a house right next to Karl and his family.
Often she went over to talk or to have a cup of coffee.
She often visited with her other children and grandchildren, Kristian fetched her with carriage and horses. A chair was put on the carriage and off they went to Tarring. Someone told me that the chair and Karen Marie on it, at one time, had fallen over. The rides were not as pleasant as we know them today.
Karen Marie died April 15, 1942 in Lemvig, age 82 years old.
April 16, 1942 we find a death notice in the local paper.
| Our dear wife and mother Karen Marie Gransgaard was taken home today by the Lord Lemvig, April 15, 1942 Mads Gransgaard Children, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law and grandchildrenThe funeral will be held on Tuesday April 21, at 2.30 PM from the chapel of rest. |
||
|
t Vor Irre Hustru og Moder, Karen Marie Gransgaard, fik i Dag Hjemlov. Lemvig, den 15. April 1942. Mads Gransgaard. Born, Svigerbsrn og Borneborn. Begravelsen er bestemt til Tirs-dag den 21. ds. KI. 14,30 fra Ka-pellet. |
||
– 341 –
EPILOUGE
As conclusion to the history of 10 generations are some statistic facts about the GRANSGAARD family in the year 2000:
Karen Marie Pedersen became ancestress to least 205 decentdants of which 187 are living today. These numbers cover up for:
7 (0) children, 21 (15) grandchildren, 55 (51) great grandchildren, least 108 (105) great great grandchildren and 23 great great great grandchildren.
If we look at Karen Marie’s first huband, Mads Gransgaard Nielsen we find that he became the ancestor of now less then 106 decentdants of whom 99 are living today. It is quite an achievement for a man who died when he was 27 years old. These numbers cover up for:
3 (0) children, 7 (5) grandchildren, 19 (18) great grandchildren,
56 (55) great great grandchildren and 19 great great great grandchildren.
If we look at Karen Marie’s second husband, Mads Nielsen, we find that he became the ancestor of 99 decentdants of whom 88 are living today. These numbers cover up for:
3 (0) children, 12 (9) grandchildren, 30 (27) great grandchildren,
49 (47) great great grandchildren and 4 great great great grandchildren.
The numbers in () shows how many family members that are living today. On the next page you will find the statistical information in a survey.
All the dates in this book meight not be correct because much of the book is built on facts of human memory.
| Children: Now: |
7 0 |
Peder | Erik |
Karen Marie Pedersen Carl Mads |
Christian A |
Magnus | Karen | ||||
| Grandchildren: | 21 | *F K | E L *D | M | T DF | M JC I-1 KM K AM W | B | *F | |||
| Now: | 15 | ||||||||||
| Died: | 3 | *p | *IL | ||||||||
| Great grandchildren: | 55 | 3 3 | 3 5 *6 | I | 2 | 2 | 3 3 4 | 4 | 3 *3 3 | 2 | no 3 |
| Now: | 51 | ||||||||||
| Great great grandchildren: | 108 | I ? | *8 16 20 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 5 5 10 | 9 | 4 3 **7 | 6 | |
| Now: | 105 | ||||||||||
| Great great great grandchildren | 23 | 8 / | 5 | 4 | 3 | I | |||||
| Decendants total: | 205 | 10 | 106 | 99 | |||||||
| Now living total | 187 | 8 | 99 | 88 | |||||||
symbolize dead family members
– 343 –
Facts and dates concering
the parents of Carrie and Ruth
Christine Christensen and Soren Kristensen
As we all know, Mads and Eric married 2 sisters, Carrie and Ruth. Both their parents came from Denmark. The ancestors on their mothers side even came from the area in and around Lemvig.
In the process of making this book, I thought the book would be more complete for futur generations in America if I also recorded the history of Carrie and Ruth.
On the following pages I have tried to reconstruct the facts about their ancestors.
– 345 –
GENEALOGICAL INFORMATIONS.
Relationship •eferring to Christine Christensen.
Christine Christensen
Born January 4, 1859 in Lemvig
Married July 7, 1889 in Lemvig to Soren Kristensen
Died April 9, 1944 in Nebraska (85)
GENEALOGICAL INFORMATIONS.
Relationship referring to the mother of Ellen Marg .ethe Nielsdatter.
Christiane Michelsclatter
Christened June 12, 1774 in Gudum parish
Married October 2, 1794 in Gudum church
Ancestors for Christine Christensen’s father
Christine’s mother’s family had the farm, Tangsgaard, in Gudum parish. The churchbook for Gudum parish starts in 1744. Here we find the name Jacob Jensen Tangsgaard which means that Jacob Jensen had the farm “Tangsgaard”. The date is March 21, 1744 where the priest wrote: Jacob Jensen Tangsgaard’s wife died, age 41. This is as much as we know about her. A few days earlier she had given birth of a healthy baby boy. They also had a son, Michel Jacobsen, who was born 1734.
Jacob Jensen died October 15, 1754, age 61. I persume that his son, Michel, took over the farm. He was then 20 years old.
Michel lost his 1. wife November 3, 1761, age 38 together with a 19 days old child. Michel remarried soon after Maren Christensdatter, who was born around 1742. June 12, 1774 their daughter, Christiane Micheldatter, was christened in Gudum church.
|
The first census in 1787 shows: “Tangsgaard” 1787 a farm in Gudum parish |
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| Michel Jacbsen | 53 | 2. marriage | farmer |
| Maren Christensdatter | 45 | 1. marriage | his wife |
| Karen Michelsdatter | 14 | ||
| Jacob Michelsen | 13 | ||
| Christiane Michelsdatter | 10 | their children | |
| Anne Michelsdatter | 8 | ||
| Ole Michelsdatter | 6 | ||
| Jacob Sorensen | 24 | ||
| Lars Pedersen | 18 | servants | |
| Anders Nielsen | 12 |
October 2, 1794 Christiane Michelsdatter is married to Niels Graversen Klinkbye in Gudum church. They had been bethrothed September 12, 1794 in Gudum church. October 30, 1796 their daughter, Ellen Margrethe Nielsdatter, is christened in Gudum church. Shortly after they must have moved out of the parish because I can not see them during the census of 1801.
Ellen Margrethe’s brother, Jacob, have taken over the farm and his parents, Michel Jacobsen and his wife Maren Christensdatter, are nowhere to be found.
– 349 –
Ellen Margrethe is married January 25, 1817 in Vandborg parish to Christen Jensen. Christen was a farmhand in Torring parish prior to the wedding.
By that time her parents had the farm “Norre Munksgaard” in Vandborg parish.
Somewhere between 1820 and 1824 they sell the farm and for a while they were lodgers in “HummelIskr” i❑ Vandborg parish. Niels Graversen and Christiane Michelsdatter stayed on in “Norre Munksgaard” as retired.
In 1834, Christen and Ellen Margrethe, lives on the farm “Osterskov” in Vandborg parish.
“Osterskov” 1834 in Vandborg parish
Christen Jensen Munksgaard 61 farmer
Ellen Margrethe Nielsdatter 39 his wife
Jens Christensen Munksgaard 14
Christiane Christensdatter 11 their children
Niels Christian Munksgaard 1 a fosterchild
“Osterskov” 1845 in Vandborg parish
Christen Jensen 70 farmer
Ellen Margrethe Nielsdatter 50 his wife
Christine Christensdatter 11 their daughter
Mette Kirstine Klinkbye 2 fosterchild
In those days you could bid on having a fosterchild. The one that had the lowest bid got the child. That means that the family that could host the child for the least amount of money from the parish got the child.
June 24, 1820 they had a son called Jens Christensen Munksgaard. He worked as a farmhand in Lemvig, when he met Jensine Munksgaard Pedersdatter, who also was was
working in Lemvig as a maid.
January 15, 1856, Jens’s father, Christen Jensen, died in Vandborg parish. Ellen Margre-
the was 60 years old and must have moved to one of her children outside the parish.
Ancestors for Christine Christensen’s mother
We know very little about Ane Jensen’s ancestores. In 1787 we find both families in Haboore parish.
| 7. farm of Stausholm | |||
| Soren Christensen | 50 | famer | 1. marriage |
| Ane Christensdatter | 54 | his wife | 1. marriage |
| Ane Sorensdatter | 77 | ||
| Christen Sorensen | 19 | ||
| Christen Sorenen | 16 | their children | |
| Barbara Sorensdatter | 13 | ||
| Margrethe Sorensdatter | 10 | ||
| Kirsten Pedersdatter | 28 | servantgirl | |
| 26. farm of Stausholm | 67 | farmer | |
| Anders Jensen Sandholm | |||
| Anna Christensdatter | 59 | his wife | |
| Jens Andersen | 15 | their son | |
| Poul Jensen | 25 | farmhand | |
| Margrethe Madsdatter | 27 | servantgirl |
At the next census in 1801 we find that Jens and Barbara are married and have taken over his parents farm after his fathers death in 1799.
| Jens Andersen Sandholm Barbara Sorensdatter Andreas Jensen Anne Jensdatter Anna Christensdatter Katrine Olesdatter Kristian Jacobsen |
29 farmer 25 his wife 5 1 73 widow and farmers mother 23 servantgirl 32 farmhand |
There is no trace of her family in the parish.
– 351 –
Peder Jensen and Ane Jensdatter were married and settled in Vandborg on the farm “Ostergaard”. For some reason they sold the farm and moved to the smaller farm “Fuglsanghuus”
“Fuglsanghuus” 1834, Vandborg parish
Peder Jensen 43 farmer and day-labourer
Ane Jensdatter 34 his wife
Christiane Pedersen 12
Ane Kirstine Pedersen 10
Bodil Katrine Pedersen 8 their children
Jensine Munksgaard Pedersen 5
Jens Pedersen 1
The year after, August 21, 1835, they lost their small son Jens and April 12, 1836 Peder dies, age 45. Ane remarried shortly after.
“Fuglsanghuus” 1840, Vandborg parish
Lars Nielsen 39 day-labourer
Ane Jensdatter 40 his wife
Jens Peter Larsen 3 their child
Ane Kirstine Pedersen 16
Bodil Catrine Pedersen 14 wifes children of 1. marriage
Jensine Munksgaard Pedersen 11
Jensine is still living at home in 1845. Ane Jensdatter died in “Fuglsanghuus” April 29, 1874, age 73.
Jens and Jensine were married May 6, 1857 in Lemvig church. They settled clown in a small house on “Lemvig Bymark” were they remained all their lives.
Of the census in 1880, we can see the following:
“Stuehuset” 1880 in Lemvig
Jens Christensen Munksgaard 60 farmhand
Jensine Munksgaard Pedersdatter 50 his wife
Ane Christensen Munksgaard 18
Caroline Christensen Munksgaard 12
Peder Christensen Munksgaard 9 their children
Jens Christensen Balleby Christensen 4
Christine was born January 4, 1865 in Lemvig and July 7, 1889 she married Soren
Kristensen in Lemvig church. Soren had worked in Norlem parish as a farmhand before he was married.
Her father, Jens, died November 30, 1898 in Lemvig, age 78. Her mother, Jensine, died January 28, 1914 in a nursing home in Lemvig, age 84.
| Soren Rasmussen |
Kirsten Ottesdatter’s father (railer) Michel Sorensen |
||||
| Born: Where: Married: Where: | Homum | ||||
| Died: | Born: | 1683 | |||
| Where: | Where: | ||||
| Married: | November 17, 1715 | ||||
| Where: | Homborg church | ||||
| Born: | Died: | November 14, 1770 | |||
| Where: | Where: | Hornum (87) | |||
| Died: | Peder Mikkelsen | ||||
| Where: | Christened: | February 9, 1721 | |||
| Where: | Honum, Hvirring parish | ||||
| Peder Jorgensen | Married: | September 23, 1750 | |||
| Born: | Where: | Homborg chrurch | |||
| Where: | Homum | Died: | November 4, 1787 | ||
| Married: | Where: | Homborg (67) | |||
| Where: | Johanne Pedersdatter | ||||
| Died: | Born: | 1690 | |||
| Where: | Where: | ||||
| Buried: | August 26, 1753 | ||||
| Where: | Hornum (63) | ||||
| Born: | (Parish executive officer) | ||||
| Where: | Otte Christian Pedersen | ||||
| Died: | Christened: | February 9, 1766 | |||
| Where: | Where: | Hornborg church | |||
| Married: | June 22, 1798 | ||||
| Jens | Where: | Homborg chruch | |||
| Born: | Died: | August 11, 1835 | |||
| Where: | Where: | Stubberup, Loaning parish (69) | |||
| Married: | (Corporal) | ||||
| Where: | Ofto Christian Jensen | ||||
| Died: | Born: | ||||
| Where: | Where: | ||||
| Married: | November 23, 1729 | ||||
| Where: | Homborg parish | ||||
| Born: | Died: | 1753 | |||
| Where: | Where: | ||||
| Died: | Maren Ottosdatter | ||||
| Where: | Born: | ||||
| (Corporal) | Where: | ||||
| Jens Moller Jensen | Died: | June 1, 1768 | |||
| Born: | Where: | Homborg (47) | |||
| Where: | |||||
| Married: | |||||
| Where: | Kirsten Jensdatter | ||||
| Died: | Bom: | ||||
| Where: | Where: | ||||
| Buried: | March 14, 1758 | ||||
| Where: | Homborg | ||||
| Born: | |||||
| Where: | |||||
| Died: | |||||
| Where: | |||||
| Rasmus | |||||
| Born: | |||||
| Where: | Boering | ||||
| Married: | (coporal) | ||||
| Where: | Hans Rasmussen | ||||
| Died: | Born: | ||||
| Where: | Where: | ||||
| Married: | November 17, 1719 | ||||
| Where: | Boering church | ||||
| Born: | Died: | June 29, 1749 | |||
| Where: | Where: | Hvirring parish | |||
| Died: | Rasmus Hansen | ||||
| Where: | Christened: | July 27, 1720 | |||
| Where: | Hornborg | ||||
| Henrik | Married: | ||||
| Born: | Where: | ||||
| Where: | Boering | Died: | January 28, 1797 | ||
| Married: | Where: | Hornborg (80) | |||
| Where: | Ane Margrethe Henriksdatter | ||||
| Died: | Born: | ||||
| Where: | Where: | Boering | |||
| Died: | August 4, 1765 | ||||
| Where: | Hvirring parish | ||||
| Born: | |||||
| Where: | Maren Rasmusdatter | ||||
| Died: | Born: | November 29, 1777 | |||
| Where: | Where: | Hornborg | |||
| Married: | June 22, 1798 | ||||
| Jorgen | Where: | Hornborg church | |||
| Born: | Died: | 1864 | |||
| Where: | Kalvehauge | Where: | Stubberup (87) | ||
| Married: | |||||
| Where: | Jesper Jorgensen | ||||
| Died: | Born: | ||||
| Where: | Where: | Kalvehauge | |||
| Married: | March 9, 1732 | ||||
| Where: | Hornborg church | ||||
| Born: | Died: | November 30, 1755 | |||
| Where: | Where: | Hornborg parish | |||
| Died: | Anna Jespersdatter | ||||
| Where: | Born: | 1740 | |||
| Where: | Hornborg | ||||
| Christen | Died: | April 4, 1814 | |||
| Born: | Where: | Hornborg (73) | |||
| Where: | Kalvehauge | ||||
| Married: | |||||
| Where: | Maren Christensdatter | ||||
| Died: | Born: | May 15, 1740 | |||
| Where: | Where: | Kalvehauge | |||
| Died: | 1742 | ||||
| Where: | Hornborg parish | ||||
| Born: | |||||
| Where: | |||||
| Died: | |||||
| Where: | |||||
| Stephan Rasmussen Rasmus Stefansen |
Soren Kristensen’s father Christen Rasmussen |
|||
|
Born: 1708 Where: Solskov Married: October 12, 1742 Where: Oster snede church |
||||
|
Died: 1771 Where: Oster Snede parish Karen Mortensdatter |
Born: Where: Married: Where: Died: Where: | 1757 SolskovMarch 7, 1810Oster Snede parsih (67) |
||
| Born: Where: |
||||
| Died: | Christen Christensen | |||
| Where: | Christened: | April 1795 | ||
| Where: | Oster Snede parish (Solskov) | |||
| Married: | ||||
| Born: | Where: | |||
| Where: | Died: | January 29, 1849 | ||
| Married: | Where: | Korning parish (53) | ||
| Where: | Anne Christensdatter | |||
| Died: | Born: | 1766 | ||
| Where: | Where: | Solskov | ||
| Died: | July 18, 1843 | |||
| Where: | Oster Snede parsih (77) | |||
| Born: | ||||
| Where: | Clemen Christensen | |||
| Died: | Christened: | June 11, 1833 | ||
| Where: | Where: | Korning parish | ||
| Married: | July 25, 1863 | |||
| Where: | Losning parish | |||
| Born: | Died: | |||
| Where: | Where: | |||
| Married: | ||||
| Where: | Clemen Hansen | |||
| Died: | Born: | 1765 | ||
| Where: | Where: | Orum parish | ||
| Married: | ||||
| Where: | ||||
| Born: Died: | December 27, 1839 | |||
| Where: Where: | Uldum parish (76) | |||
| Died: | Ane Catrine Clemensdatter | |||
| Where: | Christened: | September 22, 1805 | ||
| Where: | Uldum parish | |||
| Died: | ||||
| Born: | Where: | |||
| Where: | ||||
| Married: | ||||
| Where: | Mette Marie Jensdatter | |||
| Died: | Born: | 1782 | ||
| Where: | Where: | Oster Snede parish | ||
| Died: | March 17, 1850 | |||
| Where: | Uldum parish (68) | |||
| Born: | ||||
| Where: | ||||
| Died: | ||||
| Where: | ||||
– 353 –
GENEALOGICAL INFORMATIONS.
Relationship referring to Soren Kristensen.
|
r Jeppe Nielsen o cn 5′ Born 1752 r21.. cp. Died August 7, 1814 in Losning parish (62) rz• _____________________________________ 0 t-) Else Knudsdatter Christened June 16, 1767 in Koming parish c Died February 7, 1826 in Losning parish (58) |
Otte Pedersen Born 1764 Died August 11, 1835 in Losning parish (69) Maren Rasmusdatter Christened November 29, 1777 in Hornborg parish (86) |
||||||||
|
en c …. cn o -a C o 0 00 — e reC 5, a, = G 0 ,,, ””‘D “ —r, E · •-• 0 Married |
c ,„ r, co — c; tri ti –2 a t) · ch -72. ti .&.’ Nove |
,—c il. .7-: 7 0- en E nber 24, 1827 |
.E -cr o I… 00 Q +.• ./.1 ini Pal ••-c: 0J tty E 0 -ID o = Ls., in Losning |
L c .a, –Qi a, bl) -1 chi rch |
|||||
| Clemen Kristensen Born 1833 | Married July 25, 1863 | Sorine Born |
Metteline Nielsen January 17, 1841 in Losning parish November 26, 1863 in Losning (22) church in Losning |
||||||
| Died | Died | ||||||||
Soren Kristensen
Born November 26, 1863 in Limning parish
Married July 7, 1889 in Lemvig to Christine Christensen
Died July 14, 1936 in Nebraska (72)
All of Soren Kristensen’s ancestors came from an area west of the big city, Vejle, on the eastcoast of Jutland.
Ancestors for Sorine Metteline Nielsen’s parents
In the census from 1787 in I-Iornborg parish, we find Macon Rasmusdatter on a farm . Maren was christened November 29, 1777 in I-Iornborg parish.
Census of 1787 in Hornborg parish, a farm
Rasmus Hansen 64 farmer
Anne Jespersdatter 45 his wife
Anne Lisbet Rasmusdatter 21
Jesper Rasmussen 18 their children
I-Ians Rasmussen 12
Maren Rasmusdatter 8
Michel Jensen 24 farmhand
I can not find where she married Otte Pedersen but finds them in 1834 in Losning parish.
Census of 1834 in Losning parish. a farm
Otte Pedersen 69 farmer and bailiff in the parish
Maren Rasmusdatter 57 his wife
Ane Elisabeth Ottesdatter 34
Hans Christian Ulrik Bartolin Ottesen 23 their children
Ane Margrete Ottesdatter 20
Jens Ottesen 18
Laurs Mortense❑ 21 farmhand
At that time their daughter, Kirsten Ottesdatter, had been married 7 years to Niels Jeppe-sen. Kirsten was born February 5, 1804 in Losning parish.
Otte Pedersen was the bailiff in Losning parish. His son, Hans Christian, became bailiff after his father and took over the farm. Maren Rasmusdatter continued to live here until her death, February 25, 1864, age 86. She had then been a widow for almost 30 years.
– 355 –
Niels Jeppesen’s parents were Jeppe Nielsen and Else Knudsdatter, who lived on a small farm in Lesning parish.
Census of 1801 in Limning parish, a farm
Jeppe Nielsen 49 smallholder
Else Knudsdatter 35 his wife
Marie Kirsten Jeppesdatter 4
Niels Jeppsen 7
Jeppe Nielsen and Else Knudsdatter were married June 21, 1793 in Lesning. Jeppe was 41 and Else was 27. Else was christened June 14, 1767 in Lesning Church. Her fathers name was Knud Jorgensen and he was most likely a farmer in an area called Stoberup. January 3, 1800, Niels Jeppesen was born in Limning parish. 14 years of age his father, Jeppe Nielsen, dies August 7, 1814 in Lesning parish, age 62. February 7, 1826, Else Knudsdatter dies in Losning parish, age 59.
When Niels Jeppesen married Kirsten Ottesdatter, he had been working as a weaver. They were betrothaled September 2, 1827 and married November 24, 1827 in Uniting church. Otte Pedersen (brides father) and Rasmus Christensen (?) were witnesses. They settled on a farm where they are found in the census of 1845.
Census of 1845 in Losning parish, a farm
In 1860, 3 families are living on the farm. Niels and Kirsten and their 2 sons and their wifes.
Census of 1860 in Losning parish. a farm
Niels Jeppesen 61 farmer
Kirsten Ottesdatter 56 his wife
Sorine Metteline Nielsen 20
Johanne Chathrine Nielsen 13
Rasmus Nielsen 28 farmhand for father
- Ane Jensen 25 his wife
Jeppe Nielsen 26 carpenter
Ane Marie Eskildsen 18 his wife
Between 1860 and 1862 Clemen Kristensen was employed as a farmhand on the farm. In 1863 Sorine became pregnant and there is no other way than to get married.
July 25, 1863 Clemen and Sorine are married in Losning church. Hans Christian Ottesen (Sorine’s uncle) and S. A. Allestrup from Vejle (?) were witnesses. After the wedding they moved in with her parents. November 26, 1863, Soren Kristensen was born but the birth has been too hard on Sorine and she died the same day.
In January 1864, Clemen leaves the parish without the child heading to Vejle. Here we loos track of him. I-Iis relationship to the parents-M-law must not have been the best. Soren is most likely raised on the farm by his mother’s family.
Niels Jeppesen died September 30, 1872 in Jelling parish, while visiting his daughter
and son-in-law. His wife, Kirsten Ottesdatter, moves out of the parish – most likely to one of her children. I have not been able to find her anywhere.
How Soren ended up working in Nr. Lem parish by Lemvig is a mystery. At that time people did not travel very far from where they were born. Between Losning parish and Nr. Lem parish are about 100 miles.
Soren Kristensen met Christine Christensen in Lemvig where she was working as a maid.
The clay after the wedding, July 8, 1889 they signed a contract to sail by ship from a port outside Denmark to West Point, Nebraska. The port could be Hamburg.
Harald Pedersen
Harald was born June 21, 1892, on the longest day of the year. When he grew up, he became a good helper for his parents and at the age of 16, he sold his first box of fish. He was so good at it that he could buy his first car in 1923. In 1929 he got a brand new Ford. He used it until 1959. During the war, he used a horse-drawn carriage.
In the early twenties he had earned so much money that he could buy himself a house in Bonnet. His parents sold their farm and moved in with him. His mother did not have very much time there. She died as mentioned before, in 1922.
Across the street, a young girl worked as a housekeeper. Her name was Karen Margrethe Kaalund and she was born May 17, 1896, in Moue parish. She became housekeeper for Harald and his father. In May 1928 Harald and Karen Margrethe were married.
Children Born
Niels Christian Kaalund Pedersen August 4, 1930
Soren Kaalund Pedersen June 16, 1932
Harald died, in his house June 5, 1968 age 75.
Niels Christian Kaalund Pedersen (N.C.)
N.C. has a butcher shop in Thyboron. He married Jutta Berg March 29, 1958. She was
born June 15, 1933 in Fjaltring parish.
They had three children all girls:
Niels Christian KsPlund Pedersen (N.C.)
N.C. has a butcher shop in Thyboron. He married Jutta Berg March 29, 1958. She was
born June 15, 1933 in Fjahring parish.
They had three children all girls:
- Anette, born April 14, 1960. She is a butcher and have worked with her father. She is now working as a child-minder. She is married to Jimmy Bundgaard who was born June 27, 1958 in Thyboron.
They live in Thyboron and have four children:
Ditte Bundgaard, born July 11, 1983, Janne Bundgaard, born September 12, 1984, Sisse Bundgaard, born August 29, 1991, and Jeppe Bundgaard, born December 5, 1995. Jimmy has been a fisherman but is now studing to become a teacher.
- Lone, born September 16, 1964. Graduated from highschool in 1983 and helps in her parents shop.
- born December 17, 1971. Educated as a storekeeper and a gut cleaner. Lives together with Flemming Nygard Christensen, who was born July 4, 1965 in Thyboron
Soren Kanlured Pedersen
Soren became a carpenter and worked as a journeyman carpenter for many years before he, together with’ another man, started his own business. That lasted only five years because Soren became sick with asthma and had to give up his business. Since then he has worked now and then. S0ren has never married.