Denmark

I think about my family story like a wheel.  I am in the center and there are many spokes that radiate out to make me... me.  Each story is unique and wonderfully tragic. I am beginning this blog with my father.  We both think about the world in the same "glass half full" way.  In many ways he is just like his dad.  My grandpa Del was quiet and kind.  He had his strong ideas about the world and loved my grandmother deeply; they were childhood sweethearts who married young.

My grandfather's story begins in Denmark.  His grandparents were named Hans and Kristine Knudsen.  They immigrated to the United States in 1897 from Copenhagen.  The newlyweds boarded a ship that took them to Ellis Island, New York.  The passenger list showed their destination as Osage, Iowa.  They lived there for about a year before taking a covered wagon to Minnesota.

I learned that Danish immigrants in Minnesota represented practically every region of of Denmark!  I do not know much about my great-great grandparents.  I with I would have thought to ask him while he was alive....  I do know that Han's branch goes back to Fyn, Denmark. 

Here is a description of it. " Funen (Fyn) is Denmark's second largest island, situated between the island of Zealand and mainland Denmark (Jutland). It is a fantastic place to go if you want a holiday in Denmark. You can instantly see why it is called Denmark’s garden island, with its gently rolling hills, orchards, hedgerows and thatched, half-timbered farmhouses. The South Funen Archipelago, just south of Funen, is a great place to explore, with islands of many sizes and beautiful straits, bays and inlets. You can drive to Funen over the Great Belt Bridge from Zealand and the Little Belt Bridge from Jutland. Small bridges and ferry routes link you to the South Funen Archipelago. The city of Odense, as well as being the largest on Funen,  is the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen, one of Denmark’s best loved authors. If you’re planning a holiday to Denmark, make sure you see Funen."

Makes me want to go!  Hans Christen Anderson was born there and he actually lived around the same time as my "three greats" Grandfather Christen Hansen Knudsen.  Similar names don't you think?? 

My great-great grandmother, Kristine Rasmussen, was also born in the same area.  Her father was Rasmus Henrikson.  He was born in 1838! 

  I know that this branch of our family could very well stretch back to the time of the vikings. Maybe this prayer was said at a one of my viking ancestor's funeral! How amazing would that be?

My great-grandparents were Harry and Ella (Ruth) Knudsen.  I remember my great-grandpa as a tall man.  That could be because I was a small child when he passed on.  I know my grandpa was a farmer.  I was able to visit my grandpa Del's childhood home in Minnesota.  At the time is was a run-down ghost house.  The wall paper was peeling off the walls and the stairs were crooked and scary.  I learned that electricity wasn't even put into the house until the 50's.  I still have a brick that I took from the foundation and a peeling of wallpaper from the room my grandpa used as a child.

More about my great grandma Ruth's branch coming up next.  It will be a long one!