Christensen/Olsen Danish Timeline

My own Danish ancestry centers about my immigrant great-great-grandparents – Hans Christensen and Christiane Rasmusdatter.  They were from the Danish island of Lolland, Christiane born in 1826 in Torslunde and Hans born in 1829 in Tagerup.  They married in 1856 in Torslunde and immigrated to the United States in 1872. I have been able to trace their ancestors two or three generations back on the island of Lolland.  They lived in small hamlets - generally based on agriculture and forestry in the southern part of the island. 

Hans had a sibling, Niels Christensen, who immigrated fifteen years before him and landed in Kansas near Manhattan.  Christiane had seven siblings that lived to adulthood – three remained in Denmark and four immigrated to America – many using her father Rasmus Olsen’s surname of Olsen – and landed primarily in Wisconsin, where Hans and Christiane also lived for a period of time.  Hans’ ancestry can be traced at least two generations further back in nearby Errindlev, not far from Torslunde, where his ancestors worked in local forests.  Christiane’s ancestry can be traced at least two generations further back in the Torslunde and Kronge communities.

This timeline compiles major events for their family members back as far as I can find records – and also forward, with both the family members who immigrated, and also those who remained in Denmark.  The timeline will state where family members were in a given year – based on census, church, military, or other records – as the basis of their location.  It also covers family members – such as Hans’s brother Niels and Christiane’s various siblings – prior to their immigration to the United States.  It is a useful research tool to understand who family members were and where they were in Denmark and America. 

This chronology is presented by date where I have been able to uncover these facts.  I suspect there will always be new facts to add, as well as corrections to make.

1762 – Ole Rasmussen, father of Rasmus Olsen, born.

1767 – Appollone Gregorsdatter, mother of Rasmus Olsen, born.  There is a baptism record for Abelonne Gregersdatter in Engestofte, Maribo on February 8, 1767, with her father listed as Gregers Nielsen.

1769 – Christen Christensen born, prob Errindlev, father of Christen Christensen, father of Hans and Niels.

1771 – Brite Jorgansdatter born, possibly in Errindlev.  She married Christen Christensen ca 1798, was the mother of Christen Christensen, father of Hans and Niels.

1787 – Peder Pedersen, father of Dorthe, shown in Torslunde census

1787 – Peder Pedersen, son of Peder and brother of Dorthe, born about this year probably in Torslunde.

1787 – Graegers Nielsen, 58 is shown in Englesofte in the census, age 58, with Johanne Pedersdatter, 50.  In the entry is Abelone Graegersdatter, 19.

1789 – Karen Pedersdatter dau of Peder Pedersen and Sophie Jensdatter born or baptized June 28 this year in Torslunde; she is not in the 1801 census with the family.

1790 – Ane Pedersdatter, born March 25 this year in Torslunde – sister of Dorthe

1791 – Rasmus Olsen shown in Kronge record, born (apparently November but a little unclear), with parents Ole Ramussen and Apollone Gregorsdatter mentioned.

1792 – Dorthe Christiane Pedersdatter (future wife of Rasmus Oleson) born in Torslunde to Peder Pedersen and Sophie Jensdatter, I believe on May 17.

1793 – Ane Olsdatter, sister of Rasmus Olsen, born approximately this year, probably Kronge.

1795 – Jens, son of Peder Pedersen and Sophie Jensdatter is born on January 28.  The Jens who appeared with them in the 1801 census was two years old that year – indicating this was likely an older child who died before 1799.

1796 – Maren Olsdatter, sister of Rasmus Olsen, born approximately this year, probably in Kronge.

1796 – Maren Pedersdatter, born on Nov 25 this year d of Peder Pedersen and Sophie Jendsdatter.

1799 – Christen Christensen – Brite Jorgansdatter married, November 16, Errindlev

1799 – About this year, Jens Pedersen, son of Peder Pedersen – and brother of Dorthe – was born.

1800 – Christen Christensen born, Errindlev

1800 – Feb 16 Karen Madsdatter born Errindlev

1800 – Peder Olsen, brother of Rasmus, born approximately this year, probably Kronge.

1801 – Peder Pederson, father of Dorthe, shown in the Torslunde census.  He has a new wife, Sophia Jensdatter, age 40 this year.  Four children are with them – Peder Pedersen, 14; Ane Pedersdatter, 11; Dorthe Pedersdatter, 8; and Jens Pederson, 2.

1801 – Rasmus Olsen shown with his parents and siblings in Kronge, Alholm – Ole Rasmussen, 39; Abellone Gregorsdatter, 34; Rasmus, 10; Anne Olsdatter, 8; Maren Olsdatter, 5; Peder Olsen, 1.

1801 – Ole Pedersen, brother of Dorthe and son of Peder and Sophie was either born or baptized in Torslunde on April 6 1801

1809 – Birthe Hansdatter, second wife of Rasmus Olsen, born – I show it was in Fuglse

1821 – Anne Kirsten Rasmusdatter, daughter of Rasmus Olsen, born on May 18 1821 in Torslunde (died in 1833)

1823 – Christen Rasmussen, son of Rasmus Olsen, born in Torslunde on Dec 31

1826 – Christiane Rasmussen, d of Rasmus Olsen, born in Torslunde, April 26

1828 – in October, Christen Christensen and Karen Madsdatter were married in Olstrup.

1829 – Jan 24, Hans Christensen born in Tagerup

          - March 12, Hans Rasmussen, son of Rasmus Olsen, born in Torslunde

1830 – June 23, 1830 – Niels Christensen born in Selstofte, son of Christen and Karen Madsdatter.

- April 14, 1830 – Ole Rasmussen, father of Rasmus Olsen, dies in Kronge at age 69; the age appears one year off, but it fits otherwise.

1831 – Niels Christensen interview states that after his birth in Selsofte, his family moved “soon after I was born” to Paiskov, where his father was a “timber watchman”.  He said they lived in a house called “Graverhus”.  He said they moved to a village named Fulgse about 1836.  Since Christen was listed in the 1834 census in Errindlev, it means that Paiskov was likely within the boundaries of Errindlev.

1833 – Rasmus Olsen and Birte Hansdatter marry in Fuglse

1834 – Rasmus Olson family shown in Torslunde in the Danish census – with Rasmus, 43; Birthe, 24; Christen, 11; Christiane, 8; Hans, 5;

-       Christen Christensen, Karen Madsdatter and Niels Christensen shown in Errindlev.  Christen’s occupation is listed as “forest bailiff”.

-       Abelone Gregersdatter is shown in Kronge records as having died on June 25, 1834 – with spouse Ole Rasmussen listed in the record.

1835 – Johane Christensdatter, daughter of Christen and Karen and sister of Hans and Niels, born in Errindlev on March 5, 1835

1836 – Ole Olsen, son of Rasmus, born on Feb 11 in Torslunde (died in 1847)

- This was the year that Niels said his father secured a job as herder on a farm named Hoibygord and lived there about two years.

1837 – Frederick Maasberg, Veronika Gortz marry – prob Torslunde

1838 – Jens Christian Rasmussen, born on May 31 in Torslunde (died in 1869)

- Niels biography said that the family moved to Soebold (Christen and Karen) about this year.  He said he remained here with Henry Meinke until about 1850.

1840 – Fred Rasmussen (Olson in U. S.) born on Sept 19 in Torslunde

-       Hans Christensen, 12, is shown with Frederick Massberg, 32, and Veronika Gortz, 42, in the Torslunde census

-       Rasmus Olsen, 51, is shown in the Torslunde census with Birthe, 30; Christen, 17; Hans, 11; Ole, 4; Jens, 2, Christiane, 14.

-       Kristen Christensen, Maren Madsdatter, Niels and Johana Christensen are shown in the 1840 census in Kronge, in Sohold ?? subheading.

1843 – Peder Rasmussen born on Jan 25 in Torslunde (died in 1843)

1844 – Niels Christensen confirmed in Kronge

1845 – Peder Rasmussen (Oleson in U. S.) born on June 19 in Torslunde

-       Niels Christensen, 15, is shown in the census in Kronge with Henrich Meincke

-       Hans Christensen is 17, with Frederick Maasberg, 36?, and Veronika Gortz, 50, in Torslunde in the 1845 census.

-       Rasmus Olsen, 55, is shown in the census in Torslunde with Birthe, 35; Christen, 19, Christiane, 16; Hans, 9; Ole, 7; and Frederick, 4.

-       Christen Christensen and Karen Madsdatter appear to be living separately in this year.  Karen, 46, a day laborer wife, and Hanne, 9, the daughter, appear to be living in Vaabensted, which is east of Maribo a little bit.  The census shows they were born in Engestofte, an estate east of Maribo – which doesn’t match.  However, she is shown as married.  I believe that the Christen Christensen that might be ours is shown in Maribo in the entry of a merchant, 45, married, a domestic worker of some sort, born in V. Alslev.

1845-46 – Niels Christensen’s interview indicates Christen Christensen and Karen                            Madsdatter, his parents, moved to Maribo about this time.

1846 – Niels Christensen says he returned to Torslunde to learn the weavers trade.  He was with Peter Jorgenson.

1848 – Ole Rasmussen (Olson in U. S.) born on May 23 1848 in Torslunde

1850 – Christen Christensen, 50, and Karen Madsdatter, 50, are in Maribo in the 1850 census.

-       Niels Christensen said he came to Maribo about this year.  He was apprentice in Thompson’s cotton mill.

-       Hans Christensen, 21, with Frederick Maasberg, 44, Veronica Gortz, 51 – in Torslunde.

-       Rasmus Olsen, 59, is in Torslunde in the 1850 census, with Birth, 40; Christen, 27; Christiane, 23; Hans, 22; Jens, 12; Frederick, 10; Peder, 5; and Ole, 2.

1851 – Niels Chirstensen said he went to Copenhagen to the Weavers Club.  He appears to have been here until he left for America.  He was in three weaving jobs.

1853 – Ane Dorthe Rasmusdatter (Olson in U. S.) born on Jan 16 in Torslunde

1854 – Niels Christensen comes to America.  He arrived in New York on the Constantine on October 2, 1854.

1855  –  There’s a Hans Christensen, single, 29, in Tagerup.  Don’t know it it’s ours.

- Rasmus Olsen, 65, is shown in the 1855 census in Torslunde, with Birte, 45; Christen, 31; Jens Christian, 17; Frederick, 15; Peder, 10; Ole, 7; Christiane, 29; and Anne Dorte, 3.

-  Frederick Maasberg, 49, is shown in the Torslunde census with Veronika Gortz, 57, and three others.  Hans Christensen is not with them this year.

- Christen Christensen, 56, and Karen Madsdatter, 57, were shown in Maribo in the census – with Maren Johanne Christensen, 21, and her daughter, Laura Caroline Bondrup in the same entry.

- In Hillested church records, Maren Johanne Christensdatter marries Otto Willibald.

1856 – Hans Christensen and Christiane Rasmusdatter married in Torslunde on Dec. 20.

- Christen Rasmussen married Inger Magrethe Rasmussen on October 16 in Torslunde. Their first child Elise Dorothea born in December 24 in Torslunde.

1857 – Marie Christensen born on May 16 in Torslunde.

1858 – April 3, Hans Rasmussen, son of Rasmus, married Birte Andersdatter in Fuglse. Their child Dorthe Rasmussen was born on May 8 in Fuglse.

1859 – Jan 7 Anna Jensine Christensen born in Torslunde.

1860 – Otto Kryger (Kruger), future husband of Marie Christensen, is shown at age 8 with his family in Nysted, Adelgade 18.

-   Christen Christensen, 61, and Karen Madsdatter, 61, are shown in the Maribo       census.  In the entry is also Louise C. Brandrup, 6.

-       Frederick Massberg, 54, is with Veronica Gortz, 62, and three others in Tagerup, Torslunde school district;

-       Rasmus Olsen, 69, is shown in Torslunde in the 1860 census; with Birthe, 50; Jens Christian, 22; Frederick, 20; Peder, 15; Ole, 12; and Ane Dorthe, 8.

-       Hans Christensen, 32, is shown in Torslunde with Christiane, 34; and Anna Dorthe Jensince, 2.

-       Hans Rasmussen, son of Rasmus, 31, is shown in the Torslunde census with Birthe Andersdatter, 27, and Dorthe Rasmussen (sic), 2.

-       Frederick Carl Christensen, son of Hans, born in Torslunde on March 17.

-       Christen Christensen, 61; and Karen Madsdatter, 61, are shown in the 1860 census at Maribo, Musse, Maribo Købstad, Maribo Købstad, Torvet, 128. Sidehuset, 138 - F5, FT-1860, D6037

1862 – Rasmus Christensen, known as Charley in the U. S., born in Torslunde on June 1.

1863 – According to a Fond du Lac WI 1912 county history, Peter Oleson (sic) left Denmark in 1863 for the United States.  A 1917 naturalization card shows that Peter arrived in Detroit in July 1863.

- In Copenhagen Church Records, Ludvig Brandrup marries Maren Johanne Christensen.

1864 – Twins Chris Albert and Jorgen Johan (John) born in Torslunde on December 9.

1866 – Fred Rasmussen (Olson in U. S.) married Dorothy “Dora” Hansen on March 28 in Holeby.  Their oldest child, Rasmus, was born on April 30 in Holeby.

1868 – Ida Katrine Christensen born in Torslunde on March 17.

-       Anna B. Olson, daughter of Frederick and Dora, born on December 10 in Denmark, unclear where.

-       Laura Caroline Branstrup confirmed in Copenhagen church records.

1870 – Hans Christensen is in Torslunde in this census with Hans Nikolai, 41; Christiane                 Rasmussen, 43; Frederick Carl, 9; Rasmus, 7; Jorgen John, 5; Kristin, 5; Ida Katrine, 1.

-       Frederick Maasberg, 63, is shown in Torslunde with Veronika Gortz, 71; Anna Jensine Christensen, 11; and Kristine Rasmussen, 20.

-       Christen Rasmussen, 46, is shown in Torslunde, with Inger Magrethe Rasmussen, 34; Elise Christensen, 13; Anton Nielsen, 19; Peder Pedersen, 17; and Karen Marie Christensen, 16.

-       Fritz Christian Christensen, son of Christen Rasmussen and Inger Magrethe Rasmussen, born on April 29 in Torslunde.

-       Hansina “Sina” Olson, daughter of Frederick and Dora, born on April 13 in Holeby.

-       Laura Brandrup is shown in the Copehagen census at age 15, in the entry of Niels Peter Severin Kirkemann, 50, and family.

-       Ludvig Brandrup, 36, and Maren Johanne Brandrup, 34, his wife, are shown in the Copenhagen census.

1871 – Rasmus Olsen died in Torslunde on August 12.

1872 – Ole Olson, son of Rasmus Olson, immigrated to the United States.  Future census entries list his immigration year as 1872.  There is an immigration document in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin in 1874 that states he arrived in New York in May, 1872.  He would have left Denmark in April or May, 1872.

-       Hans Christensen, Christiane Rasmusdatter, and family arrived in Quebec Canada on July 25, 1872 on the S. S. Prussian from Liverpool, and that there was a thirty day trip from Liverpool.  That means that there was a trip by boat from Copenhagen to Liverpool, and the odds are that they left Copenhagen in mid to late June sometime.  Anna was with them, but appeared to return.  Marie remained in Lolland.  Youngest child Henry was born on the voyage.

-       Copenhagen police records show “Christen Mosberg” and “Christiane Mosberg” registered on July 20, 1872, residents of Maribo, and leaving with the destination of “Manhattan, Kansas, USA”.

-       Martha Benedicte Christensen, child of Christen Rasmussen and Inger Magrethe Rasmussen, born in Nysted on March 30.

-       James Christian Olson, son of Frederick and Dora, born on August 8 in Holeby.

1873 – Anna Olson was shown as immigrated this year.

1874 – Fred Olson immigrates to the United States.  His son James C. Olson applied for citizenship in 1913 and states that he arrived on a vessel from Copenhagen Denmark to New York on April 10, 1874.  I have checked passenger records April 7 through April 20 of that year for New York and have not found them.  It is quite likely they left Copenhagen this year sometime.  I found them in the Copenhagen police records, leaving April 13, 1874 for New York on the ship Franklin.

1877 - Veronika Gortz, Frederick Maasberg’s wife, is buried in Nysted.

1879 – Otto Ferdinand Kruger and Marie Christensen are married in Nysted on Oct. 24.

1880 – Hans Rasmussen, 51, is shown in the 1880 census in Bandholm, with Bertha Andersen, 43; and Rasmine Rasmussen, 17.

-       Christen Rasmussen is shown in “Nysted Kobstad, Nysted Mark, Matr. 208, FT 1880, C8344” in the 1880 census, 56; with Inger Magrethe, 44; Fritz Christian Christensen, 10; Martha Bendikte Christensen, 8; Sine Hansen, 33; and Peder Olsen, 16.

-       I have not found Frederick Maasberg or Veronika Gortz.  They appear to have sold property in Torslunde in 1877.

-       Hilda Auguste Marie Kruger, born in Nysted on August 8.

-       Ludvig Brandrup, 46, and Marie (sic) Johanne Brandrup, 45 are shown in the census in Copenhagen.

-       In the Nysted 1880 census is Otto Ferdinand Kruger, 28, a butcher born in Nysted, and Marie Birgett Sophie Christensen, 22, born in Torslunde. The overall census is dated February 1.

1881 – Ida Catherine Caroline Kruger – born in Nysted on November 24.

- Oscar Henrik Johannes Moller and Anna Jensine D. Moller are registered with the Copenhagen police records as Copenhagen residents bound for Weyauwega, Wisconsin.

1883 – Anna Jensine Frederikke Kruger – born in Nysted on May 25.

1884 – Hans Wilhem Quist Kruger – born in Nysted on September 10.

1889 – Joaquim Quist Kruger – born in Nysted on March 13.

1893 - Frederick Maasberg, Hans Christensen’s “foster father”, is buried in Nysted.

1902 – Christiane returns to Denmark to live with Marie.