Descendants of Lauritz Christensen

Notes


1. Lauritz Christensen

NOTE: This birth not found at FamilySearch.org, International Genealogical Index (IGI):
< http://www.familysearch.org/ > as of 7/2006.

BIRTH: Letter; 1936; Letter written by Lauritz Christensen to his daughter, Carrie Christensen O'Brien; 30 Nov 1936; in the possession of Patricia (O'Brien) Hellmers;
NOTE: This letter from Lauritz Christensen to his daughter, Carrie Christensen O'Brien, lists his birthdate as 10 Jan 1853, Village of Stobberup Skov [Stobberup Skovgård], Losning [Løsning] sogn, [Hatting herred], Veile [Vejle] amt, Denmark, Europe. He stated he was named Laurs Christensen, the son of Christen Laursen and Karen Jacobsdatter.
LETTER: O-LET-0025 (photocopy number, original with photographs) & DEATH: O-CVD-0005

BIRTH-BAPTISM: Church baptism; 1699-1914; Church records from Løsning Parish [sogn], Hatting District [herred], Vejle County [amt], Denmark; born 10 Jan 1853, baptized 14 Jan 1853, pg 39, #2; FHL microfilm #0053585;
NOTE: Laurs Christensen, born 10 Jan 1853, home baptism 14 Jan 1853, Stobberup Skov, parents Christen Laursen and Karen Jakkobsdatter, age 26. [Contains other information in Danish.]
!NOTE: This record found at a website in Denmark that has online church records. The website address is:
< http://www.arkivalieronline.dk/ >: Løsning Parish [sogn], Hatting District [herred], Vejle County [amt], Denmark, image 43, pg 39, #2.
COMPILED: O-COM-0087a

CONFIRMATION: Church confirmation; 1699-1914; Church records from Løsning Parish [sogn], Hatting District [herred], Vejle County [amt], Denmark; confirmed 14 Apr 1867, pg 252, #5; FHL microfilm #0053585;
NOTE: Laurs Kristensen of Stobberup, born 10 Jan 1853 in Stobberup, confirmed 14 Apr 1867, parents Kristen Laursen and Karen Jakobsdatter. [Contains other information in Danish.]
!NOTE: This record found at a website in Denmark that has online church records. The website address is:
< http://www.arkivalieronline.dk/ >: Løsning Parish [sogn], Hatting District [herred], Vejle County [amt], Denmark, image 173, pg 252, #5.
COMPILED: O-COM-0087j
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EMIGRATION [leaving a country]
Found at The Danish Emigration Archives: < http://www.emiarch.dk/home.php3 >, Emigration Records From Vejle 1879-1887: < http://www.aalborg.dk/borgerportal/applikationer/udvandrer/soegpostEngelsk.asp >.

Christensen, Lauritz, Stubberup [Stobberup], Løsning, 19-04-1880
ID Code: V7984A0618
Last place of residence: Stubberup [Stobberup]
Date of registration: 19-04-1880
Name: Christensen, Lauritz
Parish: Løsning
Contract No.: 33
County: Vejle
Contract litra: Mouritzen C
Residence contract: Stobberup, Løsning Sogn

IMMIGRATION: [entering a country]
Found at Ancestry.com on 2/28/05, by using a 14-day trial subscription to their online Immigration records, including a database called "New York Passenger Lists, 1851-1891. This is assumed to be Lauritz Christensen.

Lamis Christensen
Arrival Date: 5 May 1880
Estimated Birth Year: 1853
Age: 27
Gender: Male
Port of Departure: Hamburg, Germany and Le Havre, France
Destination: United States of America
Place of Origin: Denmark
Ship Name: Fresia [Frisia]
Port of Arrival: New York
Line: 40
Microfilm Roll: 425
List Number: 500

NOTE: The information from the ship Manifest image online includes: Name: Christensen, Lauritz [looked like Lemis to the transcriber, but is Lauritz], Age: 27, Sex: Male, Occupation: Workman, Country of which they severally belong: Denmark, The country to which they intend to become inhabitants: United States, Died on the voyage [blank], Part of the vessel occupied by each passenger during the voyage [blank].

NOTE: The following information was found on the internet about the ship listed above as Fresia [sic, spelled Frisia] at this website:
< http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/descriptions/ShipsF.html >:
FRISIA / TEMERARIO / ARNO 1872
The FRISIA was built by Caird & Co, Greenock in 1872 for Hamburg America Line. She was a 3,256 gross ton ship, length 349.5ft x beam 40.2ft, straight stem, one funnel, two masts (rigged for sail), iron construction, single screw and a speed of 13 knots. There was accommodation for 90-1st, 130-2nd and 600-3rd class passengers. Laid down as the ALSATIA but was launched on 20th Mar.1872 as the FRISIA. She started her maiden voyage on 21st Aug.1872 when she left Hamburg for Havre and New York and stayed on this service until starting her last voyage on 13th Sep.1885. In 1888 she was sold to R.L. Gillcrest of London and resold to Italian owners in 1889 and renamed TEMERARIO. In 1890 she went to Banco di Genova, Genoa and was renamed ARNO and in 1892 came under the ownership of Navigazione Generale Italiana. She commenced a single round voyage between Genoa - Catania - Naples and New York on 6th May 1892 and in 1898 was converted to a coal carrier. In 1901 she became a coal hulk at Genoa and was scrapped in Italy in 1902. [North Atlantic Seaway by N.R.P. Bonsor, vol.1, p.390-1] [Merchant Fleets by Duncan Haws, vol.4, Hamburg America line]
NOTE: A photograph of the Frisia [the one built in 1872] was not found on the internet as of 2/2005.

IMMIGRATION: [entering a country]
NOTE: The Ellis Island immigration online records do not begin until about 1892. Therefore, he would not be listed in these records.
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NATURALIZATION: Naturalization Certificate Lauritz Christensen; 1889; United States Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service, Omaha, Douglas, NE; no known reference numbers; United States Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service, Omaha, Douglas, NE;
NOTE: United States of America, State of Nebraska, County of Douglas. Be it remembered that on the eighth day of November in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and eighty nine, Lauritz Christensen, appeared in the district court, county of Douglas, in the State of Nebraska (the said Court being a Court of Record, having common law jurisdiction, and a Clerk and Seal) and applied to the said Court to be admitted to become a Citizen of the United States of America, pursuant to the provisions of the several Acts of the Congress of the United States of America, for that purpose made and provided. And the said applicant having thereupon produced to the Court such evidence, made such declaration and renunciation, and taken such oaths as are by the said Acts required. Thereupon, it was ordered by the said Court, that the said applicant be admitted, and he was accordingly admitted by the said Court to be a Citizen of the United States. In testimony whereof, The Seal of the said Court, is hereunto affixed this eighth day of November, one thousand eight hundred and eighty nine and in the one hundred and fourteenth year of our Independence, by the Court, Frank E Moores, Clerk;
NOTE: A letter dated 19 Jul 1973, from United States Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service, Omaha, Douglas, NE, stated that they have a record of the above Naturalization, dated 8 Nov 1889, showing his birth or former allegiance as Denmark, and witnessed by H J Rose.
NOTE: Copy of this naturalization certificate received from daughter Anne Christensen DeWitt, per her letter dated 30 Sep 1973, see COMPILED: O-COM-0090.
NOTE: In an email dated 5 Aug 2006 from Nancy Mancuso, lookup person for Omaha, Douglas Co, NE, she stated that Naturalization papers before 1906 were only a certificate such as the one we have for Lauritz Christensen. After 1906, there was more detailed information in a person's record.
NATURALIZATION: O-NAT-0001

LETTER: In a letter to Patricia Hellmers from Anne Christensen DeWitt dated 11 Jun 1973, she stated the following: Her name is Anne Belle Christensen, she was baptized Anna Sophia, but changed her name when she "went to Uni and my Soc Sec and other papers are signed so." Her mother's name was Anine Raun, born 1 Apr 1880, Bisholt, Denmark, married Lauritz Christensen 11 Dec 1908, and that her mother had not been married before. Lauritz came to the US in 1880, entering through New York and that "his wife, Chris, and Annie remained until he earned enough money to send for them." [She mentions Annie, but she was born in Omaha, not Denmark.] Lauritz spent a short time after his immigration in a lumber camp in Wisconsin. He was not a member of the Presbyterian Church, but attended there. "Carrie had a twin sister who died shortly after birth, Annie was 21 and in college when she died, then there was Chris, besides these there were six other children who died, nine children by this marriage." Karen Christensen changed her name to Carrie because as I "she didn't like her name."
She also gave this description of her father: "I wish you might have known your grandfather. He was a small man physically (5 ft 2 in, 127 pounds) but big in every other way. He only had one year of formal education in Denmark yet he was a well self-educated man. He came to this country knowing no English, went to the C B and Q R R Headquarters, and asked for a job. When asked if he knew English, he said he did. He got an Amer Dan dictionary when he was hired and his first bluff kept him working at the headquarters for 46 years. Dad read constantly and he read all kinds of things. He loved the Nat Geo Mag and history and biography. He wrote as good a business letter as I, who am an Eng major. He was a perfectionist. The minister who preached Dad's funeral had been Chris' roommate in college. He told of Dad receiving a letter from Chris written in pencil. He sent it back saying he wouldn't read it until it had been copied in ink. Dad loved a good argument. He baited people to take a stand on some subject and then he chose the opposite side and they were off. This was what he did with me as I grew up to make me think.
COMPILED: O-COM-0090

LETTER: In a letter to Patricia Hellmers from Anne Christensen DeWitt dated 22 Aug 1973, she stated the following: One thing of which I am proud is the fact that he [her Dad, Lauritz] only had one year of formal education but yet was a very learned man. He read constantly, such things as history, biographies, nature studies and such. He wrote a beautiful hand and tho' he was 27 when he came to this country and was self-taught could write as good a business letter as any college graduate. Because he hadn't been educated he believed this a necessity and sent all his children to college. When Carrie and Chris in the later 1800's this was not usual and his neighbors made fun of him because he did this and had to wear trousers that had a shiny seat. You asked how Dad met mother. She came to be his housekeeper. His second wife, Martina, died shortly after they were married leaving a little girl from a previous marriage [Ruby]. Mother came to take care of her. She [Ruby] lived with them until some time after I was born and then an aunt took her.
COMPILED: O-COM-0090

LETTER: In a letter to Patricia Hellmers from Anne Christensen DeWitt dated 30 Sep 1973, she stated the following: [With this letter she sent a copy of the naturalization certificate of Lauritz, a letter sent to her from her father while on her honeymoon, and a snapshot of Lauritz - not sure which one.] Dad worked as mail clerk at the headquarters in Omaha for the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy R R for 46 years, retired at the age of 76! In 1914 he went back to Denmark (alone) to visit his mother who was going blind. Just got back before WWI began. During the 46 yrs Dad was with the R R he worked seven days a week (1/2 days Sun) so until he retired he was not a church goer, but then he was a regular attendant of the Park Forest Presb Church. When Dad came to this country, he first went to Wisc and the lumber camps but this was not for him. I don't know how he happened on Omaha but going to the C B & Q R R and convincing them he could read English he got a job and held on to it by using an English-Danish dictionary. He then sent for his family to come to this country. I found a photo of the old house, Dad, his first wife, Carrie, Chris, and Annie (who died at 21) standing in front. It is dim but will try to get a reproduction. [Did receive this picture later.] Dad did not have a will as I remember it so you may get nothing from that angle. [Probate record found]. He did not have much in the way of savings as he buried two wives, seven of his ten children and my mother was sick much of the time and under doctor's care. However, he had no debts. Dad's folks and brothers and sisters (nine children in family) did not come to this country.
COMPILED: O-COM-0090

CITY DIRECTORIES: City Directories, Omaha, Douglas, NE; various dates 1883-1900; Omaha City Directories, Omaha, Douglas, NE; various pg numbers; Omaha Public Library, Omaha, Douglas, NE;
NOTE: 1883-84, Wolfe's Omaha City Directory, pg 115, Christiansen, Lauritz, laborer Chicago Lumber Co, res cor S 16th and Hickory
NOTE: 1884, Wolfe's Omaha City Directory, pg125, Christensen, Lauritz, messenger B & M R R, res 1362 S 16th
NOTE: 1885, Wolfe's Omaha City and Douglas County Directory, pg 129, Christiansen, Laurits, postal clk B & M R R, res 1318 S 16th, also listed, same page, as Christiansen, Laurits, postal clk B & M R R, res 1318 S 16th
NOTE: 1886, Omaha City Directory, pg 148, Christensen, Lauritz, messenger B & M R R, res 1362 S 16th
NOTE: 1887, Omaha City Directory, pg 126, Christensen, Lauritz, mail clk B & M R R, res 1416 S 18th
NOTE: 1888, Omaha City Directory, pg 166, Christensen, Lauritz, mailing clk B & M R R, res 1316 S 18th
NOTE: 1890, Omaha City Directory, pg 155, Christensen, Lawritz, mail clk B & M R R, res 1316 S 18th
NOTE: 1891, Omaha City Directory, pg 168, Christensen, Lauritz, mail clk B & M R R, res 1316 S 18th
NOTE: 1892, Omaha City Directory, pg 136, Christensen, Lars, postal clk B & M Ry, res 1416 S 18th
NOTE: 1893, Omaha City Directory, pg 209, Christensen, Lauritz, mail clk B & M R R, res 1469 Phelps
NOTE: 1900, Omaha City Directory, pg xxx, Christensen, Lauritz, clerk B & M, 1416 Phelps
NOTE: Mainly these directories are listed to try to match up the addresses with some of the birth and death records for children who died with the last name of Christensen that might fit in this family. As of January 2005 this has not helped much.
DIRECTORY: O-DIR-0014

CITY DIRECTORY: Found at HeritageQuestOnline, Omaha, Neb, Omaha Directory Co, c1910, 1770 pgs:
NOTE: Transcribed from the internet, website listed below, available only with password:
< http://www.heritagequestonline.com/prod/genealogy/index >.
Page 253, Christensen, Lauritz, clk C B & Q R R, r [resides] 1469 Phelps.

CITY DIRECTORY: Found at DistantCousin.org, Omaha, Nebraska 1914 City Directory:
< http://distantcousin.com/Directories/NE/Omaha/1914/Page.asp?Page=208 >.
Page 208, Christensen, Lauritz, clk, r [resides] 1469 Phelps.

OCCUPATION: Letter dated 3 Feb 1975, from Personnel Department, Burlington Northern [Railroad], St Paul, MN, stated: Lauritz Christensen was employed in the year 1883 for the Western Missouri Railroad, later the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad, his record indicates that he died on 18 Aug 1938, and was born 10 Jan 1853. Personal records dating back that far were destroyed in 1958, so this is all the information that is available. [Letter discarded 3/2004.]

OCCUPATION: Letters were written in Oct 1992 to several locations seeking information about the Chicago Lumber Co, mentioned as the employment of Lauritz Christensen in the 1883-84 city directory, Omaha, NE. Research on this company suggests that this firm was involved in logging/lumber operation in at least the period of 1880-1885 and that city directories in Omaha, NE, indicated there was apparently a sales/distribution operation in Omaha. Letters were sent to: Nebraska State Historical Society Library, Lincoln, NE; Newberry Library, Chicago, IL; Omaha Public Library, Omaha, NE; State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Madison, WI; the Chicago Historical Society, Chicago, IL; and the Illinois State Library, Springfield, IL. Replies were either not received or not helpful. [Letters discarded 3/2004.]

OCCUPATION: Letter dated 8 Apr 1996, from United States of America Railroad Retirement Board, Chicago, IL, stated that the Railroad Retirement Board, like the Social Security Administration, was not established until the mid-1930's and it began maintaining its own records of all covered rail service in 1937. They stated that therefore, they would have no records of the railroad service of Lauritz Christensen (retired by 1930). [Letter discarded 3/2004.]

MARRIAGE:
(1) - Sophie Nielsen
Church marriage; 1853-1879; Church records from As Parish [sogn], Bjerre District [herred], Vejle County [amt], Denmark; married 11 May 1878, pg 161, #1; FHL microfilm #0053392;
NOTE: Husmand [small farmer] Laurs Christensen, Landpost [postman] in Horsens, age 25-1/4, son of Christen Laursen in Stobberup, Løsning Sogn to Sofie Nielsen age 25-1/2, in Overby, daughter of Niels Sørensen Fisker, married 11 May 1878, in the church in As, witnesses Brudens Fader [the bride's father] og Høker [and shopkeeper] Jens Sørensen Fisker in Horsens.
!NOTE: This record found at a website in Denmark that has online church records. The website address is:
< http://www.arkivalieronline.dk/ >: As Parish [sogn], Bjerre District [herred], Vejle County [amt], Denmark, image 131, pg 161, #1.
NOTE: This marriage not found at FamilySearch.org, International Genealogical Index (IGI):
< http://www.familysearch.org/ > as of 7/2006.
COMPILED: O-COM-0087t

(2) - Martine Knudsen
Civil marriage record; 1902; Clerk of County Court, Douglas Co Omaha, NE; Book 24, p 597; Clerk of County Court, Douglas Co, Omaha NE;
NOTE: Lauritz Christensen, white, residing at Omaha, age 49, born Denmark, father Christin Laursen, mother Karen JacobsDatter, and Martine Knudsen, white, residing at Omaha, age 40, born Denmark, father Knud Christensen, mother Inger Anna Andersen. [Pastor's return] Be it remembered that at Omaha, Neb in said County, on the 6 Nov 1902, Mr Lauritz Christensen residing at Omaha, Neb, age 49, and Miss Martine Knudsen residing at Omaha, age 40, were duly joined in marriage by me, in presence of C A Knudsen residing at Turin, Iowa, and J C Fischer residing at Omaha, Neb, in witness thereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 6 day of Nov 1902, M C Mikkelsen, Pastor Danish Evang Luth Chch.
MARRIAGE: O-CVM-0006
Church marriage Lauritz Christensen to Martine Nielsen; 1902; Vor Frelsers Dansk Evangelisk Luthersk Kirke (Our Saviors Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church), renamed about 1964 to Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Omaha, NE; 6 Nov 1902, Bk xx, pg 166; Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Omaha, NE;
NOTE: Lauritz Christensen, age 49, born Denmark, to Martine Nielsen, age 40, born Denmark, married 6 Nov 1902, no witnesses listed.
NOTE: Martine's last name is given as Nielsen. This is probably a mistake, mixed up with his first wife's maiden name of Nielsen.
MARRIAGE: O-CHM-0001

NOTE: In an email dated 9 Mar 2005, from Judie Howell, (Shlcjudy@aol.com), Office Manager, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Omaha, NE, she stated: "I have looked through the files and I do not find any record of a marriage between Lauritz Christensen and Anine Ruan (Ravn) in 1908. I went through 1912 and back to 1907. The date that I found for Lauritz Christensen and Martine Nielsen was November 6th, 1902. If I can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact me at shlcjudy@aol.com or you may call us at 402-571-7797. Thank you. Judie Howell."

(3) - Anine Raun
!MARRIAGE: Civil marriage record; 1909; Clerk of District Court, Pottawattamie Co, IA; Marriage Record, Book 19, p108, Marriage Register Book 6, p87; Clerk of District Court, Pottawattamie Co, IA;
Marriage Record: #19197, L Christensen to Anine Raun, L Christensen age 56 resident of Omaha, Nebraska, and Annie Raun age 29 resident of Omaha, Nebr, said parties are both unmarried, and free from physical infirmities, and no legal impediment exists to the marriage of said parties, signed L Christensen and H A Reichenbach, subscribed and sworn to before me this 10th day of December 1909. Harry M Brown, Clerk District Court, Roy Hardesty. Certificate of Marriage, Pottawattamie County, Iowa, filed 12 January 1910, This certifies that on the 11 day of December 1909 at Council Bluffs in said county, according to law, and by authority, I duly joined in marriage Mr Lauritz Christensen and Miss Anina [sic] Baun [sic Raun], given under my hand the 11 day of December 1909, H A Reichenbach, Minister of the Gospel.
Marriage Register: #19197, affidavit of H A Reichenbach, groom L Christensen, Omaha, Nebr, mail clerk, age 57, born Denmark, groom's 2nd marriage [sic], groom's father Christin Lauiritzen [sic], mother's maiden name K Jacobsen, bride Anine Raun, Omaha, Nebr, age 30, born Denmark, bride's father Nels Petersen Raun, bride's mother Elsonine [?] Cathrine Hansen, married Council Bluffs, Ia, Dec 11-09 [11 Dec 1909], witness N P Raun, married by Henry A Reichenbach, Min [minister], date of return Jan 12-10 [12 Jan 1910], date registered Jan 18-10 [18 Jan 1910].
NOTE: This record states "number of groom's marriage" as 2nd, when it was his third.
NOTE: The witness, listed as N P Raun, may have been Anine's father.
NOTE: Regarding the minister, in the 1910 census there is a Henry A Reichenbach listed in 2-Wd Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie Co, IA, age 70, born Denmark, occupation minister, immigrated 1862, wife Hannah. In the 1900 census there is a Henry A Richenbach, 6-Wd Omaha, Douglas Co, NE, age 61, born Denmark, immigrated 1863, occupation minister of the Gospel, wife Hannah. In the 1880 census this couple with their children were living in Cook Co, IL. His occupation was listed as Missionary.
MARRIAGE: O-CVM-0052

NOTE: In a letter to Patricia Hellmers from Anne Christensen DeWitt dated 11 Jun 1973, she stated the following: Her mother's name was Anine Raun, born 1 Apr 1880, Bisholt, Denmark, married Lauritz Christensen 11 Dec 1908, and that her mother had not been married before. Lauritz came to the US in 1880, entering through New York and that "his wife, Chris, and Annie remained until he earned enough money to send for them." [She mentions Annie, but she was born in Omaha, not Denmark.] [More data in that letter.]
NOTE: Anne gives the year of this marriage as 1908. The civil marriage record gives the year as 1909.
COMPILED: O-COM-0090

CHILDREN:
NOTE: In a letter to Patricia Hellmers from Anne Christensen DeWitt dated 11 Jun 1973, she stated there were 9 children born to Lauritz and Sophie Christensen, only Chris and Carrie survived into adulthood. And, in the 1900 census, Sophie is listed as having 8 children, 3 living. [Only 8 children are listed at the present time, based on this census information.] On a personal visit to Omaha, NE, in Sep 1982, many records were searched to try to find the rest of the children who died, but none could be found to link any Christensen deaths/burials to this family. Many early records did not give the names of the parents and sometimes the only clue might be the address where the child was living when they died. The research papers from this visit can be found in O-CHO-0002 [Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church] and death/burial records of Prospect Hill Cemetery [O-CMR-0032] and Laurel Hill Cemetery [O-CMR-0034]. The Pella notes have information that eliminates some of Christensen children found in records as not being children of Lauritz. These could be reviewed more closely for possible clues to these missing children. The State of Nebraska did not require that birth and death records be kept until 1904 and any records kept by counties previous to that date are either non-existent or scarce.

NOTE: One website has information about another possible source for early births and deaths, by Cindy Drake, Library Curator, NSHS [Nebraska State Historical Society], she states that some earlier birth and death records for Omaha have been filed with the Bureau of Vital Statistics, and they are: City of Omaha death certificates, 1855-1901, 1873-74, 1890, 1891-1903, and birth certificates, 1890-1914. For these records contact the bureau at 301 Centennial Mail South, Lincoln NE, 68509-5007 to obtain prices and procedures. The Nebraska State Historical Society apparently has the following records: Omaha Birth Registry, 1869-1907 and an Omaha Death Registry, 1873-1915. Cindy's information comes from the Library/Archives Division, Nebraska State Historical Society, P.O. Box 82554, Lincoln NE 68501, their e-mail address is
< lanshs@nebraskahistory.org >. The website stating this is:
< http://www.rootsweb.com/~neresour/NSHS/Gen_Corner/gencor_4.html#51.5 >.
NOTE: The Historical Society of Douglas County Nebraska also lists the following resources on their website < http://www.omahahistory.org/archives.htm >:
Genealogical related materials: Government records such as birth and death registries for Omaha and South Omaha (approx. 1874-1915); marriage licenses for Douglas County (approx. 1854-1912); and naturalization records for Douglas County (approx. 1867-1937).

NOTE: For consideration, the following Christensen names were found in the obituary newspaper index at the Omaha Public Library, Omaha, Douglas, NE, on a personal visit to the library 16-20 Oct 1984 [none of these entries were looked up in the actual newspaper, doing so might reveal some clues:
Christensen, Infant, died 5 Jun 1893, Omaha World Herald
Christensen, Anna, died 8 Jul 1891, Omaha World Herald
Christensen, Christ, died 18 Apr 1893, Omaha World Herald, buried Laurel Hill Cemetery
Christensen, Christina, died 10 Jun 1892, Omaha World Herald
Christensen, Elmer, died 3 May 1891, Omaha World Herald
Christensen, (Miss) Emma, died 4 Feb 1893, Omaha World Herald
Christensen, Harold, died 8 Aug 1892, Omaha World Herald
Christensen, M A, died 6 Jan 1891, Omaha World Herald
NOTE: The above Christ Christensen is listed on the online Laurel Hill Cemetery directory as: Baby Christiansen, died 18 Apr 1893, section 8, row 5, grave 79.

NOTE: Old list [discarded 3/2004] indicated that there may be a death record for a Peter Christensen, died Jul 1885, 1 year old, address 17th and St Mary's, found in the death indexes, Omaha Public Library, Omaha, Douglas, NE, on a personal visit there Oct 1984. This same note listed a Victor Lauritz Christensen, age 3 mos, p47, in death indexes, unknown year, perhaps 1885, address given 2912 Izard or Ozard [map indicates Izard].
NOTE: For further consideration, there is another old cemetery in Omaha, NE, called the Springwell Danish Cemetery, established in 1889, but apparently some burials prior to that date, it is not known if there are any records of this cemetery, see one website regarding this cemetery:
< http://www.ci.omaha.ne.us/landmarks/designated_landmarks/landmarks/123/Default.htm >.

NOTE: Per an email dated 31 Aug 2006, from Anna Grooms < AAJGrooms@aol.com >, she searched the Ancestry.com, database of Morning World Herald, Omaha, Nebraska, 1892-1893, and did not find any mention of Lauritz Christensen (and various spellings) or any deaths for any of his possible children who may have died in 1892-93. She listed the following:

Martin Christensen Nebraska pension Civil War
Carrie Christensen marriage license
C.A. Christensen(Christiansen) squatter (or not)
James Christensen marriage license
O.C. Christensen and wife real estate transfer to Jens Jensen NW corner Hickory Place
Emma Christenson, coroner inquest ruled suicide
Jay Christianson, 22, fell from 3rd floor at Aurora and killed
Andrew divorced Carrie Christiansen
Mary C. wants child support for illegitimate child

RESEARCH: A letter was written on 24 Sep 1992 to Pastor Kenneth Bunnell, Historian, Presbyterian Church, Elkhorn, NE, regarding the location of the records of the Park Forest Presbyterian Church, located at 13th and Phelps Streets in Omaha, NE, now known as the Korean Presbyterian Church. A return letter dated 5 Oct 1992 from Dr Bunnell stated that the records may be housed at the Presbyterian Historical Society, 425 Lombard Street, Philadelphia, PA 19127. No follow-up letter has been sent. [Letters from this correspondence discarded 3/2004 and transcribed above.
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INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL:
NOTE: In a letter to Patricia Hellmers from Anne Christensen DeWitt dated 30 Sep 1973, she stated that her father, Lauritz, returned to Denmark in 1914 to visit his mother who was going blind. This was confirmed by finding him (on his return trip) listed in the 1914 Ellis Island [New York] Immigration Records online at website: < www.ellisisland.org >:

Name: Christensen, Lauritz
Date of Arrival: June 10, 1914
Age on Arrival: 61y
Gender: M
Marital Status: S
Ship of Travel: Oceanic
Port of Departure: Southampton, Southamptonshire, England, UK
Citizenship: US Citizen
NOTE: He is listed as single, but this is incorrect. The enumerator was using ditto marks frequently and apparently neglected to mark Lauritz as married.

Text from Original Manifest:
List of United States Citizens for the Immigration Authorities. S.S. Oceanic sailing from Southampton, 3 Jun 1913 [it is unclear why this date is given as 1913]. Arriving at Port of New York 10 Jun [the year is obscured by a large number 1 [one] in the corner of the page, assumed to be the page number].

[Line 6] Christensen, Lauritz, age 61, male, single [based on ditto marks from entry directly above]. Pa__p___ [passport?] No 23388, Wash [Washington?], Mar 5, 1914. Naturalization information, Douglas Co, Omaha, Nebraska, Nov 8, 1888 [Apparently his naturalization information, but year should be 1889]. Address in United States, 1469 Phelps St, Omaha, Neb.

NOTE: The second page of the Manifest is an Affidavit, which gives the following information:
Affidavit of Surgeon. I, RS French [? cannot read his initials], surgeon of the "Oceanic" sailing therewith, do solemnly, sincerely, and truly swear that I have had twenty-four years' experience as a Physician and Surgeon, and that I am entitled to practice as such by and under the authority of BA MBB Ch B Ch O [? cannot read these letters well, apparently his degree designations, such as PhD and MD in the US], Dublin University, and that I have made a personal examination of each of the aliens named herein, and that the foregoing Lists or Manifest Sheets, 16 in number, are, according to the best of my knowledge and belief full, correct, and true in all particulars, relative to the mental and physical condition of such aliens. Signed RS [?] French. Sworn to before me this 10 day of June, 1914, at New York, J M Williams [?], Immigration Officer.

NOTE: The Ellis Island website gives the following information about the ship Oceanic, includes a photograph:
Built by Harlan & Wolff Limited, Belfast, Northern Ireland, 1899. 17,272 gross tons. 704 (bp) feet long. 63 feet wide. Steam triple expansion engines, twin screw. Service speed 19 knots. 1,710 passengers (410 first class, 300 second class, 1,000 third class). Built for White Star and Dominion Lines, in 1899 and named Oceanic. Liverpool-New York service. World's largest liner 1899-1901. Converted to wartime Aux. Cruiser. Stranded in the Shetland 9/1914. Gradually scrapped on the spot in 1924.
EMIGRATION: O-EMI-0001 (printout of above from internet)

NOTE: It appears that the page that Lauritz is listed on may be some kind of supplemental page. There are only 8 people listed on the page. The columns of the page are different and give less information than the other pages listing passengers. This may also account for the mistake in entering the year as 1913 at the top of the page.
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Will-PROBATE: Will Lauritz Christensen; 1930; County Court, Douglas Co, NE; will dated 12 Jul 1930, probated 23 Sep 1938; Bk 56, Pg 151, file #25821; County Court, Douglas Co, NE;
NOTE: Will of Lauritz Christensen, includes distribution instructions as listed below, plus the following: "I desire my body shall not be cremated. I desire that no more than $250 be taken from my personal property for my burial expenses and I further desire that all my just debts be paid." Lists children as Chris Christensen, a son, now of Wyola, Montana, Carrie Christensen O'Brien, a daughter, now of 918 East 7th Street, Flint, Michigan, and Anna S Christensen, a daughter, now living with me at Omaha, Nebraska. Includes his signature.
NOTE: Decree of Final Account. Lauritz Christensen, 27 Feb 1939, comes Annie Christensen, executrix of will of Lauritz Christensen, in which he gave and bequeathed unto his wife, Anine Christensen, all the monies on deposit in the name of Lauritz Christensen and Anine Christensen in the Omaha Loan and Building Association, of Omaha, Nebraska, under Account No C 27645, that Anine Christensen was devised the home situated at 1469 Phelps Street, Omaha, Nebraska, being Lots 20 and 21 in Oak Hill Addition No 1, to the city of Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska. The testator devised all the remainder of his property, real and personal, share and share alike, to his wife, Anine Christensen, and children, Chris Christensen, a son, Carrie Christensen O'Brien, a daughter, and Anna S Christensen, now married and known as Anna S Christensen DeWitt, a daughter. The executrix will pay the named persons their shares of the cash belonging to said estate, Anine Christensen, widow, proceeds of furniture sold, $50, Anine Christensen, widow, one-fourth, $428.89, Chris Christensen, Carrie Christensen O'Brien, and Anna S Christensen DeWitt, one-fourth [each], $428.89, Anine Christensen, as executrix fee, $182.39, H E Kuppinger, as attorney, balance of $132.29.
PROBATE: O-CTP-0015

NOTE: Letter dated 11 Oct 1938, from the County Court, Douglas Co, NE, to Mrs Carrie C O'Brien, Oakland Mortgage Co, Flint, MI, listed the will of Lauritz Christensen as dated 12 Jul 1930, admitted to probate 23 Sep 1938, by its terms the wife is devised the home and money, the balance to be divided equally between the wife and three children, the inventory schedules cash of $3,850, and real estate valued at $5,100. [Letter discarded 3/2004, transcribed here.]

DEATH: Civil death record; 1938; Department of Health, Division of Vital Statistics Omaha NE; #28986; Department of Health, Division of Vital Statistics, Omaha NE;
Personal and Statistical Particulars
Department of Health, Division of Vital Statistics, City of Omaha, Nebraska, #28986, place of death Douglas County, St Joseph's Hospital, address 1469 Phelps, male, white, marr [married], wife Anine Christensen, date of birth 1st month [Jan], 10th day, 1853, age 85 years, 7 months, 9 days, retired R R Mail Clerk, number of years 46, birthplace Denmark, name of father Chris Lauritzen, birthplace of father Denmark, maiden name of mother Karin Jacobsen, birthplace of mother Denmark, informant Mrs Anine Christensen, 1469 Phelps, burial West Lawn, 8-23-38, undertaker N P Swanson, Omaha, Nebr, filed 8-26-38, Jno M Looney, registrar.
Medical Certificate of Death
Date of death 8-19-38, I hereby certify that I attended deceased from 8-12-38 to 8-19-38 and last saw him alive on 8-19-38, death occurred on date stated above at 5 p m, cause of death coronary occlusion date of onset August 12, 1938, no contributory causes of death, autopsy conducted, signed Werner P Jensen, M D, 813 M A B.
NOTE: This Certified Copy of Death obtained 5 Jul 1973.
DEATH: O-CVD-0005

DEATH [Church]: No church death record was found for Lauritz Christensen, on a personal visit to the Omaha, Nebraska, October 16-20, 1994, where the records of the following Church were checked: Vor Frelsers Dansk Evangelisk Luthersk Kirke (Our Saviors Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church), renamed about 1964 to Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church.

DEATH:
NOTE: In a letter to Patricia Hellmers from Anne Christensen DeWitt dated 23 Apr 1974, she stated, "In the family Bible I have Dad's death date as Aug 14, 1938."

OBITUARY: Obituary of Lauritz Christensen; 1938; EVENING WORLD-HERALD, Omaha, Douglas Co, NE; 20 Aug 1938, p14; Omaha Public Library, Omaha, Douglas, NE;
NOTE: Lauritz Christensen, 85, of 1469 Phelps street, retired mail clerk for the Burlington railroad, died Friday at a hospital. In Omaha 58 years, he worked for the railroad 46 years. He was a member of the Burlington Veterans. Survivors: Wife Anine; daughters Mrs Howard DeWitt, Council Bluffs [IA]; and Mrs Carrie C O'Brien, Flint, Mich; son Chris, Wyola, Mont; three sisters in Denmark, three grandchildren, one great-grandchild. Mortuary N P Swanson.
NOTE: The obituary states he died on Friday, which in Aug 1938 was the 19th.
OBITUARY: O-OBT-0070

BURIAL: Burial Lauritz Christensen; 1938; West Lawn-Hillcrest Cemetery, Omaha, NE; died 1938, buried Section 3, Lot 87, Graves 5/6; West Lawn-Hillcrest Cemetery, Omaha, NE;
NOTE: Personal reading of tombstone done in Sep 1992, Christensen [one stone], Anine R 1880-1959, Lauritz 1853-1938, record #8362, Lot 87, Section 3, Graves 5 & 6.
NOTE: Letter received from West Lawn and Hillcrest Memorial Parks, 5701 Center Street, Omaha, NE 68106, dated 11 Jul 1973, stated the following. On 20 Aug 1938 Anine R Christensen bought graves 5 & 6, Lot 87, Section 3, West Lawn Cemetery. Lauritz Christensen was buried 22 Aug 1938 in grave 5, burial #8362. He died 19 Aug 1938 at age 85 from coronary occlusion. On 11 Dec 1959, Anine R Christensen passed away and was buried 14 Dec 1959, died of an arterial vascular accident at age 79, buried grave 6, Section 3, Lot 87, burial #19344. The letter states they have no record of burial of the wives of Lauritz, Sophie or Martina, in their records. Also, no record of any burials of any children of Lauritz Christensen. However, if they had names of these children they could search their records. Signed G J Easley. [This letter transcribed here and then discarded, 2/2005.]
BURIAL: O-CMR-0033

RESEARCH: On the internet at website: < http://www.rootsweb.com/~neresour/OLLibrary/index.html > is listed, among other things, online copies of some history books about Omaha and the state of Nebraska, such as the book "Omaha Illustrated: A History of the Pioneer Period and the Omaha of Today" published Jan 1888. Usually there is no mention of ordinary citizens, but these resources are interesting to read about Omaha and Nebraska at the time the Christensens lived there.

CENSUS:

1860 - Denmark - Listed with parents.

1870 - Denmark - He is not listed with his parents who were living in Vejle County, Denmark and he was not found living there on his own. Not all census records are available online yet, as of 7/2006. He would be about age 17. He was not found searching in two counties, Vejle and Skanderborg using Laurs or Lauritz Christensen. The Dansk Demografisk Database requires that a county be entered in order to search the database.

1880 - Denmark
!NOTE: This record found at a website in Denmark that has online census records. The website address is:
< http://www.arkivalieronline.dk/ >: Horsens, Horsens, Horsens sogn, Nim herred, Skanderborg amt, Denmark, image 104, page 100, family #3, individuals 10-14. [The census was taken in Feb 1880.]
NOTE: Kjælderlejlighed (basement apartment)
10 - Lauritz Christensen, male, age 27, married, Lutheran, born Løsning sogn, Veile Amt, Husfader [head of household], occupations Kjøbmand (storekeeper of a general store) and a Landpost (postman)
11 - Sophie Nielsen Christensen, female, age 28, married, Lutheran, born Assens sogn, Husmoder [mother of the house] Hans Kone [his wife]
12 - Chr. Christensen, male, age under 1 year, unmarried, Lutheran, born Horsens, deres Børn [their child]
13 - Mette Cathrine Nielsen, female, age 22, unmarried, Lutheran, born Assens sogn, Tjenestetyende [servant]
14 - Anthon Lauesen, male, age 26, unmarried, Lutheran, born Korning sogn, Tjenestetyende [servant]

1880 - America - Lauritz traveled from Denmark arriving on 4 May 1880. Following his arrival he spent a short time in Wisconsin before going to Omaha, Nebraska. The 1880 Wisconsin censuses were checked for him, but he was not found there. The 1880 census in the United States was generally taken in June 1880.

1880 - The person listed below in the 1880 census in Omaha, Nebraska, could possibly be Lauritz. However, this person's first name is listed as Lars and, according to Anne Christensen DeWitt, Lauritz apparently never went by that name. Also, the record states that this person was single, which would be incorrect. However, it is commonly known that census records do sometimes contain incorrect information. Also, to consider is that the name Christensen and its various spellings was a common name in Omaha in 1880 and this census entry should be considered tentative. The age is correct for someone born 10 Jan 1853, with the census being taken 12 Jun 1880, calculates to age 27.
T9_0747, Omaha, Douglas Co, NE, ED 9, line 48, page 45D, 12 Jun 1880
NOTE: This person is listed along with a group of about 30 people living at a hotel
Christensen, Lars., male, white, age 27, single, laborer, born Denmark, Denmark, Denmark

1885 - Nebraska State Census, Douglas Co, Omaha City; 1885; Nebraska State Census; 17 Jun 1885, line 24, page 40, enumeration district 248, enumerator H J Kasper; Public Library, Omaha, Douglas Co, NE:
NOTE: This may be the family of Lauritz Christensen, but the names and ages do not match entirely so this is very tentative. No other possible matches were found. The members listed should be Lauritz [age 32], wife Sophie [age 23], son Chris [age 6] and daughter Anna [age 3]:
Address 1456 South 16th Street, dwelling 376, family 508
Kristenson, M, white, male, age 30, [head], married, laborer, Denmark, Denmark, Denmark
Kristenson, Mary, white, female, age 30, wife, married, keeps house, Denmark, Denmark, Denmark
Kristenson, Kristan, white, male, age 6, son, single, attended school within the year, Nebraska, Denmark, Denmark
Kristenson, Anna, white, female, age 4, daughter, single, NE, Denmark, Denmark
CENSUS: O-CEN-0004

NOTE: This census is also found on the internet (Ancestry.com), Nebraska State Census 1885:
Location Omaha, Douglas, Nebraska, 17 Jun 1885, enumerator F J Kasper, enumeration district 248, page 40, locality Midway Borough;
M Kristensson, age 30, born Denmark, race white,
Mary Kristensson, age 30, born Denmark, [other data the same]
Fristan Kristensson, age 6, born Nebraska, [other data the same]
Anna Kristensson, age 4, born Nebraska, [other data the same]

1900 - T623_923, 2-Wd, Omaha, Douglas Co, NE, ED 19, line 40, page 230A (10A), 8 Jun 1900
[Ancestry.com, image 19 of 25]
NOTE: Address 1469 Phelps Street
Christensen, Louis [as indexed by Ancestry.com, smudged, probably spelled Lauritz], head, male, white, born Jun 1853, age 47, married 22 years, Denmark, Denmark, Denmark, to US 1880, 20 years in US, Na [naturalized], mail clerk
Christensen, Sophia, wife, female, white, born Oct 1852, age 47, married 22 years, 8 children, 3 living, Denmark, Denmark, Denmark, to US 1881, 19 years in US
Christensen, Christ, son, male, white, born Jul 1879, age 20, single, Denmark, Denmark, Denmark, to US 1881, 19 years in US, clerk store [gives type of store, but unable to read entry]
Christensen, Annie C, daughter, female, white, born Jan 1882, age 18, single, NE, Denmark, Denmark, high school
Christensen, Carrie, daughter, female, white, born Mar 1888, age 12, single, NE, Denmark, Denmark, at school
NOTE: Indexed by HeritageQuest as Lawis W Christensen.

1910 - T624_843, 2-Wd, Omaha, Douglas Co, NE, ED 10, line 22, page 186A (12A), 25 Apr 1910
[Ancestry.com, image 23 of 25]
NOTE: Address 1469 Phelps Street, listed on supplemental census sheet
Cristensen, Lauritz, head, male, white, age 57, married 3 times, [this marriage] 1 year, Denmark, Denmark, Denmark, mail clerk, railroad
Cristensen, Annie, wife, female, white, age 30 [? looks like 30, but should be about 48, perhaps is 50], married once 1 year, Denmark, Denmark, Denmark
Cristensen, Ruby, daughter, female, white, age 8, single, NE, Denmark, Denmark

1920 - T625_989, 6-Wd, Omaha, Douglas Co, NE, ED 60, line 98, page 25B (13B), 12 Jan 1920
[Ancestry.com, image 26 of 27]
NOTE: Address 1469 Phelps Street
Christensen, Lauritz, head, male, white, age 67, married, to US 1880, Na 1889, Denmark, Denmark, Denmark, mail clerk
Christensen, Anine, wife, female, white, age 39, married, to US 1907, Na [no year given], Denmark, Denmark, Denmark
Christensen, Anna S [?], daughter, female, white, age 9, single, NE, Denmark, Denmark, Denmark

1930 - T626_1275, 6-Wd, Omaha, Omaha Co, NE, ED 65, line 1, page 75A (16A), 9 Apr 1930
[Ancestry.com, image 31 of 50]
NOTE: Address 1469 Phelps Street
Christiansen, Lauritz, head, value of home $5000, male, white, age 77, first married age 24, Denmark, Denmark, Denmark, to US 1880, Na, occupation none
Christiansen, Anine, wife, female, white, age 50, first married age 29, Denmark, Denmark, Denmark, to US 1907, Na
Petersen, Marie C, sister-in-law, female, white, age 65, Wd, Denmark, Denmark, Denmark, to US 1886, Na
Christiansen, Anna, daughter, female, white, age 19, single, NE, Denmark, Denmark, Denmark
NOTE: Marie C Petersen is believed to be Anine (Raun) Christensen's sister, Marie, listed here as age 65 in 1930, calculates to born about 1865, immigrated in 1886.

NOTE: Federal Census records beyond 1930 are not yet available to the public as they are closed to research for 72 years. Therefore, the 1940 census will be available in 2012.


Sophie Nielsen

NOTE: Found on the internet, a website in Denmark [.dk], regarding this family:
< http://www.dyrstad.ougtvig.dk/ >. Instructions: click on "Bente's aner", then click on the letter "J" in the line titled "Efternavne," then on "Jensdatter," then on Ane Kirstine (1832-1893), this brings up the family of Niels Sorensen Fischer and Ane Kirstine Jensdatter, follow the links to other individuals.

FISCHER Sophie Nielsdatter
Birth : 21 October 1852 in Overby As Bjerre
Baptism : 24 October 1852 in As Sogn hjemmedøbt
Gudmor: pigen Maren Lausdatter i Sønderby
pigen Ane Marie Sørensdatter
husm. Rasmus Nielsen Aastrup Kiær
Røgte Jens Sørensen Dige paa Ringholm
ungk. Jørgen Hansen, Do. (samme) Søren Hansen
begge i Overby

kilde: As sogn kirkebog
Death :
Father : FISCHER Niels Sørensen ( 1818 - 1885 )
Mother : JENSDATTER Ane Kirstine ( 1832 - 1893 )
Union : CHRISTENSEN Lauritz Christen ( 1848 - ? )
Marriage : 20 April 1878 in Overby As Bjerre

Children :
CHRISTENSEN Ane Sophie ( 1875 - ? )
CHRISTENSEN Christen J ( 1879 - ? )
CHRISTENSEN Ane Sophie ( 1882 - ? )
CHRISTENSEN Carrie ( 1888 - ? )
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NOTE: Conflicting information: Birthdate of Lauritz, marriage date, child Ane Sophie 1875, child Ane Sophie 1882.
NOTE: gudmor=godmother or sponsor, pigen=girl, husm/husmand=small holder, rogte=[unknown translation], ungk=bachelor, begge=both?, kilde=source, kirkebog=parish register
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NOTE: There is a different person's website in Denmark about this same family at the following website:
< http://fredenslyst.dk/GEDHTanc/fam067xx/fam06761.htm >.
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NOTE: The above website lists a child of Lauritz Christensen and Sophie Nielsen named Ane Sophie born 1875. The birth/baptism records of As sogn, Bjerre herred, Vejle amt where the parents were married was checked for this person's birth, but none was found. She was also searched for in Horsens sogn, Nim herred, Skanderborg where the first known child, Christen, was born, but she was not found there either. It is not known whether there was such a child born to this couple or not.

BIRTH: Letter; 1936; Letter written by Lauritz Christensen to his daughter, Carrie Christensen O'Brien; 30 Nov 1936; Photocopy in the possession of Patricia O'Brien Hellmers;
NOTE: This letter from Lauritz Christensen to Carrie Christensen O'Brien [his daughter], lists Carrie's mother's birthdate as 21 Oct 1852, Village of Overbye, Assens Sogn, Bjerge [Bjerre] Herred, Veile [Vejle] Amt, Denmark, Europe. He stated she was named Sophie Nielsen, the daughter of Niels Sorensen Fischer and Ane Kirstine Jensdatter.
LETTER: O-LET-0025

BIRTH-BAPTISM: E-mail message dated 3 Jan 2002, from Carsten Pedersen, regarding church records of As Church, Overbye, Denmark:
NOTE: Sophie Nielsdatter (the daughter of Niels), born 21 Oct 1852, bapt 24 Oct 1852 at home, bapt announced in As Church 26 Dec 1852, parents Husmand (owner of a little house) og Hjulmand (man who makes wooden wheels) Niels Sorensen Fischer og hustru (wife) Ane Kirstine Jensdatter (the daughter of Jens) in Obergye.
COMPILED: O-COM-0085 & O-COM-0088

BAPTISM: Church baptism; 1815-1854; Church records from As Parish [sogn], Bjerre District [herred], Vejle County [amt], Denmark; born 21 Oct 1852, baptized 24 Oct 1852, pg 85, #9; FHL microfilm #0053391;
NOTE: Sophie Nielsdatter, born 21 Oct 1852, home baptism 24 Oct 1852, born Overby, parents Niels Sørensen Fischer and Ane Kirstine Jensdatter. [Contains other information in Danish.]
!NOTE: This record found at a website in Denmark that has online church records. The website address is:
< http://www.arkivalieronline.dk/ >: As Parish [sogn], Bjerre District [herred], Vejle County [amt], Denmark, image 77, pg 85, #9.
COMPILED: O-COM-0085a

CONFIRMATION: Church confirmation; 1853-1879; Church records from As Parish [sogn], Bjerre District [herred], Vejle County [amt], Denmark; born 21 Oct 1852, confirmed Easter 1867 [21 Apr 1867], pg 134, #5; FHL microfilm #0053392;
NOTE: Sophie Nielsdatter in Overby, born 21 Oct 1852 in Overby, confirmed Easter 1867 [21 Apr 1867], in As, father Niels Sørensen (Fisker). [Contains other information in Danish.]
!NOTE: This record found at a website in Denmark that has online church records. The website address is:
< http://www.arkivalieronline.dk/ >: As Parish [sogn], Bjerre District [herred], Vejle County [amt], Denmark, image 108, pg 134, #5.
COMPILED: O-COM-0085j

MARRIAGE: Church marriage; 1853-1879; Church records from As Parish [sogn], Bjerre District [herred], Vejle County [amt], Denmark; married 11 May 1878, pg 161, #1; FHL microfilm #0053392;
NOTE: Husmand [small farmer] Laurs Christensen, Landpost [postman] in Horsens, age 25-1/4, son of Christen Laursen in Stobberup, Løsning Sogn to Sofie Nielsen age 25-1/2, in Overby, daughter of Niels Sørensen Fisker, married 11 May 1878, in the church in As, witnesses Brudens Fader [the bride's father] og Høker [and shopkeeper] Jens Sørensen Fisker in Horsens.
!NOTE: This record found at a website in Denmark that has online church records. The website address is:
< http://www.arkivalieronline.dk/ >: As Parish [sogn], Bjerre District [herred], Vejle County [amt], Denmark, image 131, pg 161, #1.
NOTE: This marriage not found at FamilySearch.org, International Genealogical Index (IGI):
< http://www.familysearch.org/ > as of 7/2006.
COMPILED: O-COM-0087t
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EMIGRATION [leaving a country]:
NOTE: Sophie's husband, Lauritz Christensen, emigrated to the US in 1880, see his notes. According to Anne (Christensen) DeWitt, his wife Sophie and son Chris came to the US in 1881. The Danish Emigration Archives, was searched for Sophie and Chris, but they were not found. There are 53 entries for Sophie Nielsen. There are no entries for Sophie Fischer. There are 36 entries for Sophie Christensen. There are 950 entries for Chris (and various extensions of Chris) Christensen, none seemed possible for him. There are 911 entries for Kristensen, two named Sophie, no match. Since Chris was born in Horsens, it is assumed that they were living there before they immigrated, but this is not known for sure. The website of the Danish Emigration Archives is: < http://www.emiarch.dk/home.php3?l=en >. The database for Vejle registrations, Emigration records from Vejle 1879-1887, was also checked and Sophie and Chris were not found.

IMMIGRATION: She was not found at Ancestry.com on 2/28/05, by using a 14-day trial subscription to their online Immigration records, including a database called "New York Passenger Lists, 1851-1891. Her son, Chris, was also searched for and not found. Of course, it would be helpful to know the name of the ship. More information is needed to find them in this database.

IMMIGRATION: [entering a country]
NOTE: The Ellis Island immigration online records do not begin until about 1892. Therefore, she would not be listed in these records.
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FAMILY: In a letter dated 26 Feb 1974 to Patricia Hellmers from Anne Christensen DeWitt, she stated the following: There were many of Sophia's brothers and sisters here. They were good friends of the family when I was a child and I called them Uncles and Aunts.
COMPILED: O-COM-0090

FAMILY: In a letter to Patricia Hellmers from Anne Christensen DeWitt dated 23 Apr 1974, she stated the following: As to Sophia's sisters, one was Fischer and lived on our street when I was a kid. They had two older girls and married and lived close. They were always so good to me, taking me everywhere and when my mother was in the hospital I stayed with them. Another sister was a Jensen and lived in Harlan, Iowa. I spent some of my vacations there. They had a married daughter who had two girls around my age. Then there was a Trine (last name?) who lived in Chadron, Nebr after Howard and I moved to Hay Springs. We visited her a few times (she was in her 90's). I know of no brothers and I know of none of the members of the family now.
NOTE: It is unknown what sister of Sophie was referred to as Trine, as of 7/2006.
COMPILED: O-COM-0090

FAMILY: In an email dated 31 Aug 2006 from Lois Roark < lroark@oz.net >, she included scanned images of letters from two Nielsen daughters giving their permission for their mother to live in a house or on certain land following the death of their father. The two daughters were Sophie (Nielsen) Christensen and Mette Cathrine "Trine" (Nielsen) Michaelsen. Sophie's letter stated:
NOTE: To Niels Sørrensen Fischer's widow in Overby, Bjerre Herred [district] Danmark
We the below signing Lauritz Christensen and wife hereby give you our permission, that you can stay in the undivided estate. Omaha Nebraska, North America the 20th of July 1886. Lauritz Christensen and wife
Sophie Christensen.
NOTE: A copy of the scanned image and a transcription and translation are saved in the Christensen computer folder.

CHURCH: Per an email dated 2 Aug 2006 from Joel Thoreson of ELCA < Joel.Thoreson@elca.org > he gave the following information about Lutheran Churches in Omaha, NE:
Hello Ms. Hellmers,
According to the history "Seventy-Fifth Anniversary, Our Savior's Lutheran, 1875-1950, Omaha, Neb." the Our Savior Lutheran at 30th and Izard St. was reorganized in 1881 after an earlier start in 1875. Originally
a member of the Norwegian-Danish Conference, the congregation incorporated as the Norwegian equivalent of Our Savior's Norwegian-Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church of Omaha. In 1886 it transferred to the Norwegian Synod. In 1898 relocated from 26th St. between Hamilton and Caldwell Streets to a new facility at 26th and Hamilton. In 1921 it moved to Oregon Trail and Lincoln Boulevard, which also apparently was the same as 30th and Izard St. That facility was expanded in 1957. The congregation dissolved in 1972, but the members were invited to be the core of a new mission congregation at 105th and Fort Sts., while the building was turned over to the Division of American Missions of The American Lutheran Church. We have possession of Our Savior's records, as well as microfilm copies with ministerial records from 1881-1918 available on film #166 and 1945-1972 on #799.

Lord of Love was the mission congregation at 105th and Fort, organized in 1972. It is active and should have its records.

Shepherd of the Hills was founded as Our Savior's Danish Lutheran Church in 1874 by the Norwegian-Danish Conference, but may have also been known as the Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church of Omaha. The congregation was located at 18th and St. Mary's Ave. It later transferred its membership to the Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church. The 1953 All-Lutheran directory lists it as 819 S. 19th St. Around 1961 the congregation relocated to 819 S. 22nd St. and changed its name to Central. In 1964, it relocated again to 6201 N 60th St. and changed its name to Shepherd of the Hills. The congregation should have possession of all record books.

Please let me know if you have any questions. Sincerely,

Joel Thoreson
Chief Archivist for Management, Reference, and Technology
Archives of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
321 Bonnie Lane
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
(847) 690-9410
Fax: (847) 690-9502
Email: Joel.Thoreson@elca.org
Web page: http://www.elca.org/archives

DEATH: Civil death record; 1902; Omaha-Douglas County Health Department, Division of Vital Statistics, Omaha NE; RG 230, #3 [microfilm references], pg 33A & B; Omaha-Douglas County Health Department, Division of Vital Statistics, Omaha NE;
NOTE: Omaha-Douglas County Health Department, Division of Vital Statistics, Certificate of Death, Federal Security Agency, United States Public Health Service, Sophia Christensen, died Douglas County, City of Omaha, at 1469 Phelps, female, white, married, age 49 years, 2 months, 15 days, birthplace Denmark, housewife, [information on parents blank], burial 1-9-1902, Laurel Hill, residence of deceased Nebraska, Douglas County, Omaha, 1469 Phelps, date of death January 6, 1902, cause of death asthma, signed by Lucke (MD or other).
NOTE: This Certified Copy of Death obtained 5 Jul 1973.
DEATH: O-CVD-0006

DEATH: Church death Sophie Christensen; 1902; Vor Frelsers Dansk Evangelisk Luthersk Kirke (Our Saviors Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church), renamed about 1964 to Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Omaha, NE; buried 9 Jan 1902, Bk xx, pg 122; Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Omaha, NE;
NOTE: Sophie Christensen, 49 years, Oak Hill [address], Omaha, buried 9 Jan 1902, buried Krkg, Syd Omaha.
NOTE: The abbreviation Krkg stands for the Danish word for cemetery which is Kirkegaard. The location is abbreviated as Syd, which is the abbreviation in Danish for South, i.e., she was buried in the Cemetery in South Omaha.
DEATH: O-CHD-0001

OBITUARY: On a personal visit to the Omaha Public Library, Omaha, Douglas, NE, on 25 Mar 1982, the newspapers were checked for an obituary of Sophie Christensen from 10-12 Jan 1902, and none was found. Not many were listed and irregular pattern for location in newspaper.

BURIAL: Burial Sophie C Christensen; 1902; Laurel Hill Cemetery Burial Cards [two microfilm reels], Omaha Public Library, Omaha, Douglas, NE; buried 9 Jan 1902; Laurel Hill Cemetery Burial Cards, Omaha Public Library, Omaha, Douglas, NE;
NOTE: Burial Card #26, Sophie C Christensen, 49 years, B6 [block 6], R4 [row 4], G29 [grave 29], "Nielsen Fischer died 6 Jan 1902," [this refers to her maiden name as Sophie Nielsen Fischer].
NOTE: A personal reading of the tombstone in Sep 1982, recorded Sophie, wife of L Christensen, born 21 Oct 1852, died 6 Jan 1902, [block 6, row 4, grave 29].
NOTE: An old listing [discarded 3/2004] gave her burial as Sophie Christensen, #4212, Lot 593, 1st Addition, this has unknown source, but "sounds" like the burial cards that Mrs Helen Lentz had when she was researching the cemetery, see O-CMR-0034.
BURIAL: O-CMR-0034

BURIAL: Found on the internet at < www.FindAGrave.com >:
< http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSmpid=46855850&GRid=7072760& >.
Name: Sophia C Christensen
Birth: Oct. 21, 1852
Death: Jan. 6, 1902
Cemetery: Laurel Hill Cemetery, Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska
Plot: section 6, row 4, grave 29
Record added: Jan 11 2003
By: Betty Orme
NOTE: Includes a photograph of the tombstone submitted by Norm Hellmers.

NOTE: Letter dated 1 Dec 1973, from The Laurel Hill Cemetery Association, Omaha, NE, from Mrs Helen Lentz, president, stated she had a cemetery card showing Sophie Christensen, buried 1902. She required payment for more complete lookup, with fees toward restoration of cemetery. [Letter discarded 3/2004.]

NOTE: Found on the internet at website: < http://www.rootsweb.com/~nedougla/html/cemlist.htm >.
Information concerning a publication, "Laurel Hill Cemetery Records, Omaha, Nebraska, 1867-1990 (Polk St. & S. 21st)" Compiled by Margie Sobotka (1990).
Section 1: Alpha listing of name, burial location and burial date.
Section 2: Douglas Co. Death Records 1876-1886 for those buried at Laurel Hill Cemetery. Entries in alpha. order and include name, age, date of death, burial date, residence, occupation, place of birth, length of illness, and cause of death.
Section 3: Abstracts of obituaries from newspapers for some of those buried at Laurel Hill Cemetery. Arranged alphabetically. Wide range of dates. Information varies. Every name index for entire book.
NOTE: This is apparently available at the Omaha Public Library, Omaha, NE, but not online as of 2/2005.


2. Christen "Chris" Christensen

NOTE: This birth not found at FamilySearch.org, International Genealogical Index (IGI):
< http://www.familysearch.org/ > as of 7/2006.

BIRTH: Letter from father, Lauritz Christensen to son Chris Christensen; 1927; Letter from Lauritz Christensen, Omaha, NE, 23 Feb 1927, to Chris Christensen, unknown address; original in possession of Patricia Hellmers, 3/2004;
NOTE: Omaha, Neb, 2-23-27, Dear Chris, Carrie wrote me something about sending you, your citizenship papers. You were born in the City of Horsens, Denmark, Europe, July 22nd 1879. The fact that I took out my papers before you were twenty one automatically makes you an American Citizen. I enclose herewith my Naturalization Certificate, if you want to have it verified. You can have copy made of it out there, then you always have something to prove your Citizenship. Be sure to send my paper back when you are through with it. Anine is still very sick, one day she seems a little better and the next day she will have a relapse again. With kind regards to you both. Sincerely, Dad.
LETTER: O-LET-0099

BIRTH/BAPTISM: Church baptism; 1630-1914; Church records from Horsens Vor Frelser Parish [sogn], Nim District [herred], Skanderborg County [amt], Denmark; born 22 Jul 1879, baptized 24 Aug 1879, pg 82, #124; FHL microfilm #0409336;
NOTE: Christen Christensen, born 22 Jul 1879, [city of Horsens], church baptism 24 Aug 1879, parents Laurits Christensen and Sophie Nielsen, age 26. Witnesses: Madam Stine Petersen, Pige [unmarried] Ane Cathrine Christensen, Husmand [small farmer] Christen Larsen of Løsning Sogn, Husmand [small farmer] Niels Sørensen Fischer of Overby, ____ __. Schreiber.
!NOTE: This record found at a website in Denmark that has online church records. The website address is:
< http://www.arkivalieronline.dk/ >: Church Baptisms 1876-1881, Horsens Vor Frelser Parish [sogn], Nim District [herred], Skanderborg County [amt], Denmark, image 85, pg 82, #124.
NOTE: In 1970 as part of a boundary reform, Skanderborg amt was divided between Vejle amt Aarhus.
COMPILED: O-COM-0086
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EMIGRATION [leaving a country]: Lauritz Christensen's emigration to the US in 1880 has been found, see his notes. His wife Sophie and son Chris came to the US in 1881. The same database that Lauritz was found in was searched for Sophie and Chris, but they were not found: [< http://www.emiarch.dk/home.php3 >]. Since Chris was born in Horsens, it is assumed that they were living there before they immigrated, but this is not known for sure.

IMMIGRATION: [entering a country] He was not found at Ancestry.com on 2/28/05, by using a 14-day trial subscription to their online Immigration records, including a database called "New York Passenger Lists, 1851-1891. More information is needed to find him in this database.

IMMIGRATION: [entering a country]
NOTE: The Ellis Island immigration online records do not begin until about 1892. Therefore, he would not be listed in these records.
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CONFIRMATION: No confirmation record was found for Chris Christensen, on a personal visit to the Omaha, Nebraska, October 16-20, 1994, where the records of the following Church were checked: Vor Frelsers Dansk Evangelisk Luthersk Kirke (Our Saviors Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church), renamed about 1964 to Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church.

HIGH SCHOOL: In an email dated 1 Aug 2006, from the Local History Department of the Omaha Public Library, Omaha, Douglas County, NE, stating they have no High School yearbooks from 1896-1898. [This was regarding trying to find information on Chris Christensen from a high school yearbook.]

COLLEGE: College Alumni and Former Student Information of Chris Christensen; unknown date; Hastings College, Hastings, Adams Co, NE; no reference numbers; Hastings College, Hastings, Adams Co, NE;
NOTE: Alumni Information includes Chris Christensen, post office while in college, Omaha, NE, class of 1901, present address, Wyola, MT, present business, Proprietor Wyola Mercantile Co, number of years in Hastings College, 4, If married, date of marriage, 1904, place of marriage, Sheridan, WY, name of spouse, Vinnie Foster, no children.
SCHOOL: O-SCH-0005

COLLEGE: In a letter to Patricia Hellmers from Anne Christensen DeWitt dated 26 Feb 1974, she stated the following: Chris went to Hastings College in Nebr. Annie went to Bellevue College and Carrie went to both Bellevue and Hastings.
SCHOOL: O-COM-0090

COLLEGE: Sep 2006, received materials from The Office of Archives, Hastings College, Hastings, Nebraska regarding Chris Christensen as follows [transcribed here, papers discarded]:
1897 - Oct 15, The Hastings Collegian, Wray Porter and Chris Christensen took a trip overland on wheels to Nelson and spent Sabbath at the home of Mr Porter, two weeks ago.
1898 - Apr, The Hastings Collegian, Athletics, [track] half-mile, 2nd place, Christensen.
1898 - May, The Hastings Collegian, Athletics, Osborne has challenged Christensen for the half-mile run. This will run off on the 11th.
1898 - Nov, The Hastings Collegian, Mr Wray Porter and Mr Chris Christensen visited their friends, the Barrows boys, of Hansen, Sunday.
1898 - Nov, The Hastings Collegian, Athletics, [football], tie game 2 Oct at Harvard, Christensen kicked [the] goal, the ball went to center and the half ended with the ball on Harvard's forty yard line, Brown, Christensen and Porter played an especially good game making good runs and bucks, Christensen, L H [left halfback].
1899 - Jan, The Hastings Collegian, Chris Christensen, captain of the second team [football] for the next year.
1899 - Mar, The Hastings Collegian, Most of our athletes have already gone into training. Bushnell, the long distance man has given up his Bicycle; Webster who holds the running and standing broad-jump records contents himself with very light dinners and suppers; and Christensen has had to part with his happy smiles.
1899 - May 27, The Hastings Collegian, state track meet in Crete, NE, mile run, second place, Christensen, winning run 5:09-1/2.
1899 - Oct, The Hastings Collegian, Editor, Chris Christensen.
1900 - Mar, The Hastings Collegian, Editor-in-Chief and Business Manager, Chris Christensen.
1900 - Mar, The Hastings Collegian, Chris Christensen and Bernard Brinkema spent Sunday with their friend, Fred Wales, at his home in Aurora, a couple of weeks ago.
1900 - Mar, The Hastings Collegian, Bernard Brinkema and Chris Christensen made a flying trip to Rosemont, on their wheels, one Saturday. As the wind blew a gale from the north on the following Monday, they did not make a flying trip coming back.
1900 - Apr, The Hastings Collegian, The new athletic board consists of Messrs Osborne, Christensen and Iugalsbe of the students. Saturday, April 15th, [baseball], Christensen assisted as umpire.
1901 - Jun, The Hastings Collegian, Athletics Notes, track meet against Doane, one hundred yard dash, Christensen, second place and Christensen, after running a fine race, won both the half mile and one mile runs by about two feet, Christensen 13 points.
1897-98 through 1900-1901 - Hastings College Catalogue, Chris Christensen, sc [science], Omaha, Class of 1901.
1900 - Directory, Hastings College Athletic Association, C Christensen, '01 secretary.
1901-1921 - Alumni Association Catalogue, Chris Christensen, Sc. B. [Bachelor of Science], Surveyor, Sheridan, Wyo, Class of 1901.
1922-1933 - Alumni Association Catalogue, Chris Christensen, B. S. [Bachelor of Science], Business, Wyola, Montana.

MARRIAGE: On a personal visit to Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library, Sheridan, WY, Jul 2003, no marriage was found in their records for Chris Christensen and Vinnie Foster. These records are also online at: < http://www.rootsweb.com/~wysherid/marriages/marriages1.htm >.
NOTE: Date and place of marriage from Hastings College Alumni Information as listed above.

NOTE: Per an email dated 7 Aug 2006, from Jane Rader < jbrader@bresnan.net > a Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness (RAOGK) researcher, Sheridan, WY, she stated:
Pat, I did not have luck finding a marriage record for Christen Christensen and Vinnie Foster. We only have indexes but I did find a marriage that was a bit similar of a Chris Christenson to Julia A. Joy on May 28th 1904. Jane.

MARRIAGE: In an email dated 4 Aug 2006, from Crystal Berig, First Presbyterian Church, Sheridan, WY, she stated:
NOTE: I was able to look through the first membership book of First Presbyterian Church (which begins with member #1 in 1905) this morning and I did not find any of your folks in the membership. While I can certainly verify that M DeWitt Long was the Pastor at First Presbyterian, that's about all I can do. He may very well have performed the O'Brien / Christensen wedding, but the church only keeps records of members who were married, not necessarily every wedding the pastor performs. It may be that they were members elsewhere and for some reason wanted Long to marry them or maybe they weren't really church-goers and just liked the FPC building... who knows? I wish I could have found them for you.
NOTE: Records she checked for were to have been (but not sure she checked for the actual record): Marriage Ellery Foster to Maud McClure 24 Dec 1896, Marriage Raymond O'Brien to Carrie Christensen 5 Mar 1908, Marriage Chris Christensen to Vinnie Foster about 1904, Baptism Harold O'Brien born 17 Jun 1910, Death Inez Foster died 11 Oct 1900, Death Chris Christensen died 19 Jan 1942, Death Vinnie Christensen died 15 Feb 1961. None of these records were found, or at least she checked to see if they were members, this is unclear.

MILITARY: Found Ancestry.com, Library Edition, World War I Draft Registrations:
Chris Christensen, serial #1935, order #462, address E3 Keenan Apts, Sheridan, Sheridan County, Wyo [Wyoming], age 37, born July 22, 1879, white, citizen by father's naturalization, occupation manager New York Store, Stevens Fryberger & Co, place of employment 35 N Main, Sheridan, Sheridan County, Wyo [Wyoming], nearest relative Vinnie Christensen, address E3 Keenan Apts, Sheridan, Sheridan County, Wyo [Wyoming], signed Chris Christensen, dated Sept 12, 1918, Local Board for County of Sheridan, State of Wyoming, Sheridan, Wyo [Wyoming].
NOTE: The date of this registration is difficult to read, but the form matches those used for Sept 12, 1918.
NOTE: Image saved.

DEEDS: Various notes on deed indexes, Chris and Vinnie Christensen, Hardin, Big Horn Co, MT, including lots that they owned in Wyola, Big Horn Co, MT, includes maps showing those lots. More review of these indexes may indicate if any of the records include the "cabin" property listed in the probate records of Chris Christensen [see below].
DEED: O-DEE-0018

DIRECTORY: City Directory; 1907; R L Polk & Co's Sheridan City and Sheridan Co Directory, Wyoming 1907; pp 84; Sheridan Co Fulmer Public Library, Sheridan, WY;
NOTE: Christensen, Carrie, clk C B & Q Ry Co, r 122 Heald.
NOTE: Christensen, Chris, clk C B & Q Ry Co, r 122 Heald.
NOTE: Chris and his sister Carrie are living at the same address.
DIRECTORY: O-DIR-0001

DIRECTORY: City Directory; 1908-09; R L Polk & Co's Sheridan City and Sheridan Co Directory, Wyoming 1908-09; p 65; Sheridan Co Fulmer Public Library, Sheridan, WY;
NOTE: Christensen, Chris, solr Sheridan Post, r 440 W Brundage.
NOTE: solr = solicitor
DIRECTORY: O-DIR-0002

DIRECTORY: City Directory; 1910-11; R L Polk & Co's Sheridan City and Sheridan Co Directory, Wyoming 1910-11; p 65; Sheridan Co Fulmer Public Library, Sheridan, WY;
NOTE: Christensen, Chris, solr Sher Enterprise, r 440 W Brundage.
NOTE: solr = solicitor
DIRECTORY: O-DIR-0003

DIRECTORY: City Directory; 1915; R L Polk & Co's Sheridan City and Sheridan Co Directory, Wyoming 1915; p 59; Sheridan Co Fulmer Public Library, Sheridan, WY;
NOTE: Christensen, Chris, bkpr New York Store, r 440 W Brundage.
DIRECTORY: O-DIR-0004

DIRECTORY: City Directory; 1916-17; R L Polk & Co's Sheridan City and Sheridan Co Directory, Wyoming 1916-17; p 57; Sheridan Co Fulmer Public Library, Sheridan, WY;
NOTE: Christensen, Chris, with N Y Store, r 440 W Brundage.
DIRECTORY: O-DIR-0005

DIRECTORY: City Directory; 1919; R L Polk & Co's Sheridan City and Sheridan Co Directory, Wyoming 1919; p 50; Sheridan Co Fulmer Public Library, Sheridan, WY;
NOTE: Christensen, Christ mngr The New York Store, r Keenan apts.
DIRECTORY: O-DIR-0006

HISTORY: On a personal visit to Hardin, Big Horn Co, MT, staying overnight at the Historic Hotel Becker, saw a copy of the book "One Hundred Years Under the Big Sky in Montana 1864-1964," O'Neil Printers, MT, no publication information, no date, no page numbers. This publication contains a photograph of the Wyola Mercantile, but no date for the photograph was noted and no page number. No copy was made of this as no copy machine was available and no photograph was taken of it with a camera.
HISTORY: O-HIS-0029.

WILL: Will of Chris Christensen; written 10 Jun 1941, probated 16 Feb 1942; Clerk of District Court, Hardin, Big Horn Co, MT; Wills 1941, unknown references; Clerk of District Court, Hardin, Big Horn Co, MT;
NOTE: Will written 10 Jun 1941, bequeathing all to wife, Vinnie Christensen, probate states Chris Christensen died 14 Jan 1942, Crofton, NE, personal property included Lots 15-18, Block 15, Wyola, Big Horn Co, MT, valued at approximately $4100, subject to Mortgage of approximately $1500, fixtures valued at $1300. Goods, wares, and merchandise valued at $3,373.15, accounts receivable, approximately $3500. And a cabin "in the Little Horn Canyon" valued at approximately $1500. Heirs Mrs Vinnie Christensen, wife, adult, Wyola, MT, Mrs Carrie O'Brien, sister, adult, Flint, MI, Mrs Howard DeWitt, half-sister, adult, 623 Roosevelt Avenue, Council Bluffs, IA. Probated 16 Feb 1942, documents states "after the payment of creditor's claims and costs of administration there is nothing left. The accounts receivable were appraised at $5,000, while only some $893.67 [?] was collected, which left this estate in a hopelessly bankrupt condition. The accounts receivable will be distributed to the widow herein, but whether she will realize anything from them is doubtful."
PROBATE: O-CTP-0013

DEATH: Civil death record; 1942; Nebraska State Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, Lincoln, NE; #N12125; Nebraska State Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics, Lincoln, NE;
State of Nebraska, Bureau of Health, Division of Vital Statistics, Certificate of Death, place of death Knox County, city Crofton, Chris Christensen, residence Wyola, Montana.
Personal and Statistical Particulars:
Male, White, Married, born July 22, 1879, age 62 years 5 months 22 days, occupation merchant, birthplace Denmark, name of father Luther Christensen, birthplace of father Denmark, maiden name of mother Christina Jensen, birthplace of mother Denmark, [body] removal to Sheridan, Wyo, undertaker G O Whistler, Crofton, Nebr, filed 1-14, 1942, L S Ross.
Medical Certificate of Death:
Died Jan 14, 1942, I certify that I attended the deceased from Dec 29, 1941 to Jan 14, 1942 and last saw him alive on Jan 14, 1942, death is said to have occurred on date above at 12:30pm, cause of death cardiovascular-renal hypertensive disease, date of onset unknown, contributory cause of death epilepsy, date of onset unknown, signed P D Baker, DO [doctor of osteopathic medicine], Crofton, Nebr.
NOTE: The birthdate of 22 Jul 1879 listed on death certificate is correct, but the age is off by one day as the age at death of 62 years 5 months 22 days calculates to born 23 Jul 1879.
NOTE: The names of his parents in this record are incorrect.
DEATH: O-CVD-0011

DEATH: In a letter to Patricia Hellmers from Anne Christensen DeWitt dated 30 Sep 1973, she stated the following: Chris went to some quack doctor in Crofton where he died under peculiar circumstances. He was buried in Sheridan because that is where he and Vinnie had been living.
COMPILED: O-COM-0090

HISTORY:
NOTE: In an email dated 4 Aug 2006 from Judy Carlson < glover@bloomnet.com > request sent to Knox Co, NE, USGenWeb, to Peg Ebel < psebel@gpcom.net > and, Jacquelyn Romberg < gromberg@wyoming.com >, but response from Judy Carlson.
Judy sent the following report about the Meridian Sanitarium in Crofton, NE:

Your request was passed to me. There was a Meridian Sanitarium in Crofton. Many people died while there. It was a sanitarium that claimed to have healing secrets. Many people who were already terminal came there, some from long distances, with the hope of being healed of their ailments. Unfortunately many were terminal when they came, so many died. It is now a restored hotel and restaurant. The basement was refurnished about 5 years ago, and now many ghost sightings have taken place. The story goes that the operators of the Sanitarium didn't want the public to know how many people actually died there because it would give the place a bad name, so they would take the bodies to the basement and keep them there until they could be carried out at night and placed on a train to where ever. The basement is where most of the sightings are.

She further stated: Here is what the Crofton History Book says:

ARGO HOTEL/NEW MERIDIAN SANATORIUM
Construction of a brick hotel was started in the fall of 1911. It was known as the Argo Hotel, and Nick Michaelis was the proprietor. Mr. E.A. Hoig purchased the Argo Hotel in 1923 and managed it for many years under the name of The New Meridian Hotel. In 1935 Joseph and Maria Wiebelhaus purchased the hotel and remodeled it into a health clinic and named it The New Meridian Sanatorium. Patients came from near and far to be treated in this facility with board and room offered to everyone. The first medical advisor, Dr. Paul Baker, was hired in 1943. At its peak, 42 people were employed to care for the patients. After 27 years at this location, the building was sold to Mr. Keith Everton in 1962. Dr. Charles Swift bought it the same year. He lived there and maintained his medical practice there for many years. About 12 years ago, Jerry Bogner and his sister Sandra McDonald bought the run down building that had stood empty and restored it into the beautiful Argo Hotel, currently under ownership and management of Sandra McDonald. It features hotel lodging and some of the finest dinning in Northeast Nebraska.

Hope this info helps you. Judy Carlson

OBITUARY: Obituary Chris Christensen; 1942; SHERIDAN PRESS, Sheridan, WY; 16 Jan 1942, p 1, c 8; Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library, Sheridan, WY;
NOTE: Prominent Wyola, Mont, business man was Chris Christensen, 62, shown below [photo], who died January 14 in Crawford, Neb. A Masonic funeral service will be held Monday at 2 p m from, 19 Jan, from the Champion Drawing Room.
NOTE: The death record states he died in Crofton, NE, which is apparently correct. His obituary states he died in Crawford, NE.
NOTE: Monday in this record refers to January 19. The photocopy of this obituary contains a very poor photograph of Chris Christensen, but it is a portrait-type picture and he is wearing a light-colored shirt, a tie, and a suit jacket, he is perhaps middle-aged.
OBITUARY: O-OBT-0032

OBITUARY: Obituary Chris Christensen; 1942; HARDIN TRIBUNE HERALD, Hardin MT; 22 Jan 1942; Big Horn Co Genealogical Society, Hardin MT;
LAST RITES HELD MONDAY. Long Time Resident Of Wyola Succumbs At Crawford, Nebr.
Masonic funeral services were held Monday afternoon in Sheridan for Chris Christensen, 62, prominent Wyola merchant who died last week in the Meridian sanitarium at Crawford, Nebr. He had been in ill health for some time, but continued to operate the Wyola Mercantile company, his business there since 1919. He had been a patient at the Nebraska sanitarum [sic] only several weeks. Mr Christensen was born in Denmark and was brought to the United States at the age of one year. After graduating from Hastings college, he came to Sheridan, Wyo, and was employed in the engineering department of the Burlington railroad. While a resident of Sheridan he was also credit manager of a department store and was associated with a newspaper there. Surviving are his widow, Mrs Vinnie Christensen; a sister, Mrs Carrie O'Brien, and two nephews, Harold O'Brien of Flint, Mich, and Herbert Reed, and a half-sister, Mrs Howard DeWitt of Council Bluffs, Ia. Mr Christensen was deeply concerned with every project that wuold [sic] improve conditions in his community and was well known throughout southern Montana and northern Wyom.
NOTE: Herbert Reed, mentioned in this obituary, was apparently a relative of his wife's, see her notes where a Thelma Reed of Seattle is mentioned in the obituary of her brother, Ellery Foster.
OBITUARY: O-OBT-0047

FUNERAL: Record of funeral Chris Christensen; 1942; Champion Funeral Home, Sheridan WY; page 256, 11th burial January 1942; Champion Funeral Home, Sheridan WY;
NOTE: Chris Christensen resides Wyola MT for 22 years, wife Vinnie, charge to estate, occupation general store merchant, self employed, died 14 Jan 1942 Crofton NE, born 22 Jul 1879 Denmark, age 65 years 5 months 22 days, funeral 19 Jan 1942, 2 pm, Sheridan Lodge #8 AF & AM, cause of death cardiovascular, renal disease, PD Baker, DO [doctor of osteopathic medicine], Crofton NE, father Lauritz Christensen born Denmark, mother Sophia Fisher born Denmark, buried Sheridan Municipal Cemetery, Masonic Circle.
MORTUARY: O-MOR-0001

BURIAL: Per funeral record, buried Sheridan Municipal Cemetery, [Sheridan, Sheridan, WY].

CENSUS:

1880 - Denmark - Listed with parents.

1900 - Listed with parents.

1910 - T624_1747, 2-Wd Sheridan, Sheridan Co, WY, ED 104, line 43, page 176A (3A or 5A), 16th & 18th Apr 1910
[Ancestry.com, image 5 of 46]
NOTE: Address 440 West Brundage [?] Street
Christiansen, Chris, head, male, white, age 31, married once 5 years, born NE, parents born Sweden, bookkeeper, Post Prentice [?] Co
Christiansen, Vinnie, wife, female, white, age 24, married once 5 years, 0 children, 0 living, born WY, parents born unknown [crossed out and US written above]
Trudel, Casselda M, roomer, female, white, age 20, single, born NH, parents born Canada, photographer, studio
Heedt, Frederick C, roomer, male, white, age 23, single, born Germany, parents born Germany, cigar man, _____ [difficult to read]

1920 - T625_967, Wyola, Big Horn Co, MT, ED 5, line 3, page 35A (165A), Feb 1920 [no day given]
[Ancestry.com, image 9 of 11]
NOTE: Wyola Crow Indian Reservation, School District 29, no street address
Christensen, Chris, head, male, white, age 40, married, 1881, Na, 1885, born Denmark, parents born Denmark, merchant, general mdse store
Christensen, Vinnie, wife, female, white, age 33, married, born WY, father born MO, mother born ID

1930 - T626_2624, Sheridan Twp, Sheridan Co, WY, ED 4, line 2, page 17A (151A), 17 Apr 1930
[Ancestry.com, image 33 of 35]
NOTE: Address 24 S. Gould Street, Foster House, Wd 4. There are 4 other people besides the Christensen's living in this Foster House on page 17A. On the previous page at the bottom are found an Ellery D Foster and wife and 9 other individuals living in this same Foster House. This is apparently the "brother" of Vinnie Christensen. It is believed that she was adopted, so it is unclear whether or not this is a "real" brother or not. See notes in her PAF regarding other census data.

[line 90, pg 16B] Foster, Ellery D, head, $50,000, male, white, age 55, first married age 21, born ID, father born OH, mother born IN, hotel man, Foster House
Foster, Maude G, wife, female, white, age 52, first married age 18, born IL, parents born IL [crossed out and IN written above]
[9 lodgers are listed next]
[next page]
[line 1], Logan, Thelma F, daughter, female, white, age 27, D [div], first married age 23, born WY, father born ID, mother born IL
[line 2]
Christensen, Chris, brother-in-law, male, white, age 50, first married age 24, born Denmark, parents born Denmark, 1881 [or 1880 or 1882, immigrated], yes [naturalized], merchant, general store
Christensen, Vinnie, sister, female, white, age 44, first married age 18, born WY, parents born unknown [crossed out and US written above]

NOTE: For further consideration, the above Ellery D Foster is found in the 1920 census in Sheridan, Sheridan Co, WY, age 45, born ID, ED 109, page 24A, wife Maude, daughter Thelma. And, in 1910, living with his father, Thomas J Foster, 4-Wd Sheridan, Sheridan Co, WY, page 211, as Ellory D, wife Maude, daughter Thelma.


Vinnie Foster [adopted name]

BIRTH: Vinnie was adopted by Thomas and Alice Foster and she is living with them by the 1900 census. They also adopted another child named Inez. They may have been "real" sisters as census records indicate they were both born in WY father born Sweden, mother born IA. In the cemetery record of Inez she is listed as Inez M Cray [actually McCray] Foster, so there may be some connection with the name Cray.
NOTE: Vinnie's birth date is from her funeral record, 6 Jul 1886 and her birth place is from census records. However, the 1900 census gives her birth date as Feb 1886.

RESEARCH: In an email dated 6 Sep 2006, from Karen Woinoski, Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library, Sheridan, WY, she stated:
Subject: Foster girls

Pat,

By a rather circuitous route your request for information on the two little girls adopted by Thomas Jefferson Foster and Alice Davidson has come to the Wyoming Room at the Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library. I am afraid we don't really have the full story yet, but let me share what I have uncovered so far.

The cemetery record from Mount Hope Cemetery here in Sheridan that you referenced is a photocopy of the original record. Although we have an earlier generation of that copy, our copy is pretty much unreadable too, so I went to the original record and the heading there is "Inez McCray-Foster." This put me on a search for McCrays in the area and surprisingly enough I discovered two additional McCray girls on the 1900 Johnson County census. Rassie/Rossie, 16, and Martha, 15, were living in the household of Hugh and Mary Dalzell (Step daughters).

I did locate a birth announcement in the Big Horn Sentinel, p.2 column 2, April 9, 1887, of the birth of a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. A. J. McCray "last Wednesday" (April 6). Unfortunately, we are missing the issues from February 1 until sometime in September 1886, so I can't check for a comparable mention of Vinnie's birth.

I do not know at this point if the four girls were sisters, cousins, no relation. So far the only McCrays I find in Johnson County are A. J. and wife Vinnie. A. J. McCray and Charles Buell started the Occidental Hotel. Mr. Buell sold his interest to the McCrays around 1886. The McCrays continued running the hotel until June 1890 when they sold it.

I have turned all this info over to Nancy Jennings at the Johnson County Library to run another check through Johnson County, so we shall see what else turns up. So far I have turned up nothing after 1890 of A. J. and wife Vinnie or before 1881 when one article says he came to Buffalo. I did discover that in 1887 when his daughter was born he was serving as one of three county commissioners of Johnson County, so I would think anything involving him would be covered in Buffalo newspapers.
Karen

Karen Woinoski
Wyoming Room Manager
Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library
335 West Alger
Sheridan, WY 82801
307 674-8585 ext.7

NOTE: This email may indicate that the parents of Vinnie Foster were the same as Inez Foster, listed in the birth announcement as Mr. and Mrs. A. J. McCray. This birth apparently took place in Johnson Co, WY, reported in the Big Horn Sentinel newspaper. More research is needed, as of 9/7/2006.

NOTE: The following marriage found at FamilySearch.org:
ALVIN J. MCCRAY
Spouse: VINNIE M. KEELER
Marriage: 28 FEB 1886, Johnson, Wyoming
Messages: Extracted marriage record for locality listed in the record. The source records are usually arranged chronologically by the marriage date.

NOTE: There are no listings in any census records on HeritageQuest.com for the last name McCray, born Sweden. There are no listings for an Alvin McCray born anywhere. There are no listings for an A McCray born anywhere that would seem to match.

NOTE: There is no Alvin McCray in the 1880 census at FamilySearch.org, there is an Elvin McCree born 1869, AL. Possible is an A J Mc Kay, age 29, born NY, school teacher, father born NY, mother born WI, living in Buffalo, Carbon Co, WY. There is no Inez or Vinnie McCray in FamilySearch.org birth records that matches their birth dates.

RESEARCH: As o 8/2006, there is ongoing research regarding the possibility of A. J. McCray and his wife, Vinnie, being the possible parents of Vinnie Foster.

MARRIAGE: On a personal visit to Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library, Sheridan, WY, Jul 2003, no marriage was found in their records for Chris Christensen and Vinnie Foster. The marriage of Vinnie's brother was found, see his notes. These records are also online at:
< http://www.rootsweb.com/~wysherid/marriages/marriages1.htm >.

MARRIAGE: In an email dated 4 Aug 2006, from Crystal Berig, First Presbyterian Church, Sheridan, WY, she stated:
NOTE: I was able to look through the first membership book of First Presbyterian Church (which begins with member #1 in 1905) this morning and I did not find any of your folks in the membership. While I can certainly verify that M DeWitt Long was the Pastor at First Presbyterian, that's about all I can do. He may very well have performed the O'Brien / Christensen wedding, but the church only keeps records of members who were married, not necessarily every wedding the pastor performs. It may be that they were members elsewhere and for some reason wanted Long to marry them or maybe they weren't really church-goers and just liked the FPC building... who knows? I wish I could have found them for you.

NOTE: Per an email dated 7 Aug 2006, from Jane Rader < jbrader@bresnan.net > a Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness (RAOGK) researcher, Sheridan, WY, she stated:
Pat, I did not have luck finding a marriage record for Christen Christensen and Vinnie Foster. We only have indexes but I did find a marriage that was a bit similar of a Chris Christenson to Julia A. Joy on May 28th 1904. Jane.

MARRIAGE: In an email dated 4 Aug 2006, from Crystal Berig, First Presbyterian Church, Sheridan, WY, she stated:
NOTE: I was able to look through the first membership book of First Presbyterian Church (which begins with member #1 in 1905) and I did not find any of your folks in the membership. I wish I could have found them for you.
NOTE: Records she checked for were to have been (but not sure she checked for the actual record): Marriage Ellery Foster to Maud McClure 24 Dec 1896, Marriage Raymond O'Brien to Carrie Christensen 5 Mar 1908, Marriage Chris Christensen to Vinnie Foster about 1904, Baptism Harold O'Brien born 17 Jun 1910, Death Inez Foster died 11 Oct 1900, Death Chris Christensen died 19 Jan 1942, Death Vinnie Christensen died 15 Feb 1961. None of these records were found, or at least she checked to see if they were members, this is unclear.

DEATH: Date and place per funeral record. She was not found in SSDI.

OBITUARY: Obituary Vinnie Christensen; 1961; SHERIDAN PRESS, Sheridan WY; 15 Feb 1961, p 2, c 7; Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library, Sheridan WY;
NOTE: Rites for Matron will be Friday. Funeral services will be Friday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock from Stevens Memorial Chapel for Mrs Vinnie Christens, 75, a Sheridan resident for several years, who died at the Reimelt Nursing Home this morning. A Christian Science service will be read. She is survived by a sister-in-law, Mrs Carrie O'Brien, Standish Mich. Burial will be in the Sheridan Municipal Cemetery.
Funeral Notice: 16 Feb 1961, p 2, col 1. Christensen, Mrs Vinnie - services Friday 1:30 pm from Stevens Memorial chapel, Stevens Memorial Chapel, Ph OR4 6329, formerly Reed Mortuary [now Ferries Funeral Home].
OBITUARY: O-OBT-0048

FUNERAL: Record of Funeral Vinnie Christensen; 1961; Ferries Funeral Home, Sheridan WY; total #60, yearly #9, date of entry 16 Feb 1961; Ferries Funeral Home, Sheridan WY;
NOTE: Vinnie Christensen, housewife, resident Reimelt Nursing Home died 15 Feb 1961, born 6 Jul 1886, services at Stevens Memorial Chapel, Clergyman Mrs Pauline Kamerzell, religion Christian Science, resided in state 30 years, physician Dr Pete Sch_____, birthplace unknown, parents' names and birthplaces unknown, funeral 17 Feb 1961, 1:30 pm, cemetery Sheridan Municipal, Masonic Circle, husband Chris, cost $355.14, charge to estate, order given by welfare.
MORTUARY: O-MOR-0002

BURIAL: Per funeral record, buried in the Masonic Circle of Sheridan Municipal Cemetery, [Sheridan, Sheridan, WY].

CENSUS:

1900 - T623_1827 - Sheridan City, Sheridan Co, WY, ED 48, line 11, page 5A (246A), 5 Jun 1900
[Ancestry.com, image 9 of 32]
NOTE: Side of sheet says Gould Street
Foster, Alice D, head, female, white, born Mar 1855, age 45, married 26 years, 1 child, 1 living, born IA, father born OH, mother born IN
Foster, Vinnie, adopted daughter, female, white, born Feb 1886, age 14, single, born WY, father born Sweden, mother born IA, at school
Foster, Ines, adopted D, female, white, born Apr 1887, age 13, single, born WY, father born Sweden, mother born IA


3. Anna "Annie" Kirstine Christensen

BIRTH: Birth Record Card, [no first name] Christiansen; 1882; Birth Record Cards, Omaha, NE, Library and Archives Center, Historical Society of Douglas County, Omaha, NE; 29 Jan 1882; Library and Archives Center, Historical Society of Douglas County, Omaha, NE;
NOTE: [no first name] Christiansen, female, born 29 Jan 1882, father Lauritz Christensen and Mrs Christensen, address S 16th St.
BIRTH: O-CVB-0013

BAPTISM: Church baptism Anne Kirstine Christensen; 1882; Vor Frelsers Dansk Evangelisk Luthersk Kirke (Our Saviors Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church), renamed about 1964 to Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Omaha, NE; 22 Oct 1882, Bk II, pg 28, #65; Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Omaha, NE;
NOTE: Anne Kirstine Christensen, born 29 Jan 1882, baptized 22 Oct 1882, parents Lauritz Christensen, Sophie of Omaha, witnesses Cathrine Nielsen, Jacob Jacobsen, baptized at home.
NOTE: It is unknown who Cathrine Nielsen was. Perhaps she was related to her mother in some way. Perhaps her mother's sister, Mette Cathrine Nielsen. It is not known if this sister came to the United States or not.
BAPTISM: O-CHB-0001

CONFIRMATION: No confirmation record was found for Anna Christensen, on a personal visit to the Omaha, Nebraska, October 16-20, 1994, where the records of the following Church were checked: Vor Frelsers Dansk Evangelisk Luthersk Kirke (Our Saviors Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church), renamed about 1964 to Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church.

EDUCATION:
NOTE: Letter dated about 19 Dec 1981, from Registrar, Hastings College, Hastings, NE, stated they could not find any records on Carrie or Karen Christensen or Anna or Annie Christensen. [Letter discarded 3/2004.]

DEATH: Civil death record; 1906; Omaha-Douglas County Health Department, Division of Vital Statistics, Omaha NE;; Omaha-Douglas County Health Department, Division of Vital Statistics, Omaha NE;
NOTE: Omaha-Douglas County Health Department, Division of Vital Statistics, Certificate of Death, Federal Security Agency, United States Public Health Service, card ref [reference], place of death Douglas county, city Omaha, Immanuel Hosp, name Anna Christensen, female, white, single, born 1882, age 24, birthplace Omaha, father's name Lars Christense, father's birthplace Denmark, mother's name Sophie Fisher, mother's birthplace Denmark, burial 11-11-1906, Laurel Hill Cem, funeral director N P Swanson, date received local register prior to 12-31-1906, usual residence of deceased Nebraska, Douglas county, Omaha city, 1469 Phelps, date of death Nov 6, 1906, cause of death heart lesion, secondary kidney lesion, signature A C Hull [MD].
DEATH: O-CVD-0009

Church death Anna Christensen; 1906; Vor Frelsers Dansk Evangelisk Luthersk Kirke (Our Saviors Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church), renamed about 1964 to Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Omaha, NE; died 6 Nov 1906, buried 11 Nov 1906, Bk III, pg 129, #17; Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Omaha, NE;
NOTE: Anna Christensen, 24 years, born Omaha, Neb, died Omaha 6 Nov 1906, buried in South Omaha Kirkegaard [Cemetery] on 11 Nov 1906;
NOTE: Danish word for cemetery is kirkegaard.
DEATH: O-CHD-0002

OBITUARY: Personal visit to the Omaha Public Library, Omaha, Douglas, NE, on 25 Mar 1982, checked newspapers for an obituary for Anine Christensen from 6 Nov 1906 to 10 Nov 1906, and none was found, not many were listed and irregular pattern for location in newspaper.

BURIAL: Burial Annie Christensen; 1906; Laurel Hill Cemetery Burial Cards, Omaha Public Library, Omaha, Douglas, NE; died 6 Nov 1906;
NOTE: Burial Card #59 Annie Christensen, 24 yrs, B6 [block 6] R12 [row 12] G20 [grave 20], 11 Nov 1906, stone: daughter of L & S Christensen, 29 Jan 1882, 6 Nov 1906;
NOTE: This information agrees with a personal reading of the tombstone in Sep 1982, transcribed for this file.
BURIAL: O-CMR-0034

BURIAL: Found on the internet at FindAGrave.com:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=christensen&GScid=100886&GRid=7072743&pt=Annie%20Christensen&.
Annie Christensen
Birth: Jan. 29, 1882
Death: Nov. 6, 1906
Inscription: Daughter of L & S Christensen b. 26 Jan 1882 d. 6 Nov 1906
Burial: Laurel Hill Cemetery, Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska, USA
Plot: Section 6, row 12, grave 20
Record added: Jan 11 2003
By: Betty Orme
NOTE: Includes a photograph of the tombstone submitted by Norm Hellmers.

NOTE: The records of the Laurel Hill Cemetery at the Omaha Public Library, Omaha, NE, contain 2 reels of microfilm.

NOTE: Found on the internet at website: < http://www.rootsweb.com/~nedougla/html/cemlist.htm >.
"Laurel Hill Cemetery Records, Omaha, Nebraska, 1867-1990" (Polk St. & S. 21st)"
Compiled by Margie Sobotka (1990) Section 1: Alpha listing of name, burial location and burial date. Section 2: Douglas Co. Death Records 1876-1886 for those buried at Laurel Hill Cemetery. Entries in alpha. order and include name, age, date of death, burial date, residence, occupation, place of birth, length of illness, and cause of death. Section 3: Abstracts of obituaries from newspapers for some of those buried at Laurel Hill Cemetery. Arranged alphabetically. Wide range of dates. Information varies. Every name index for entire book.
NOTE: This website does not have actual burial listings.


4. Sophie Christensen

BIRTH: Birth Record Card, [no first name] Christensen; 1884; Birth Record Cards, Omaha, NE, Library and Archives Center, Historical Society of Douglas County, Omaha, NE; 11 Feb 1884; Library and Archives Center, Historical Society of Douglas County, Omaha, NE;
NOTE: [no first name] Christensen, female, born 11 Feb 1884, father Lauritz Christensen, mother Mrs Christensen, address 16th and Hickory. [When we asked about researching the early birth records of Omaha, NE, we were told that the Historical Society had these records. It is not known if there is any other Civil Birth Record for this birth or what records were used to prepare these birth cards.]
NOTE: This is confusing as the birthdate of 11 Feb 1884, does not match death records which indicate that she was 6 months at the time of death. Perhaps she was six weeks old instead and that would better match this birth date. Since only her age seems to be in question, a decision has been made to enter her birth as 11 Feb 1884 and her death as 24 Mar 1884.
BIRTH: O-CVB-0013

BAPTISM: No baptism was found for Sophie Christensen, born 11 Feb 1884, on a personal visit to the Omaha, Nebraska, October 16-20, 1994, where the records of the following Church were checked: Vor Frelsers Dansk Evangelisk Luthersk Kirke (Our Saviors Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church), renamed about 1964 to Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church.

MARRIAGE: Unmarried, died as an infant.

DEATH: No church death record found for Sophie Christensen, on a personal visit to the Omaha, Nebraska, October 16-20, 1994, where the records of the following Church were checked: Vor Frelsers Dansk Evangelisk Luthersk Kirke (Our Saviors Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church), renamed about 1964 to Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church.

DEATH: Civil death record; 1884, County Offices, Douglas Co, Omaha NE; died 24 Mar 1884; Public Library, Omaha NE, microfilm death records;
NOTE: Record lists only the last name, Christiansen, age 6 months, address 16 & Hickory, buried Prospect Hill [Cemetery, Omaha, NE], died of convulsions and supticaeium (sp?) [septicemia?]. Based on this information and data from the cemetery records, it is felt that this is Sophia Christensen, daughter of Lauritz and Sophia (Nielsen) Christensen. The record indicates that this child was a male, but this is believed to be a mistake, see burial record below.
NOTE: See comment regarding her age above in the birth information.
DEATH: O-CVD-0014

NOTE: This death record found on the internet at USGenWeb, Douglas Co, NE, "Omaha Death Registry, Douglas Co, NE 1873-1886 at < http://www.rootsweb.com/~nedodge/omahadeathregister/ >.
Name: Christensen, Sophia
Age - Yrs: Months: 6 Days: Sex: M Race: W
Nativity: U.S. Occupation: Marital Status:
Residence: 16 & Hickory
Cause of Death: Convulsions
Date of Death: Mar. 24, 1884 Duration of Illness:
Former Residence: 16 & Hickory
Date of Interment: Mch. 25, 1884 Place of Interment: Prospect Hill
Notes: Luretz Christensen
NOTE: See comment regarding her age above in the birth information.
NOTE: The record indicates that this child was a male, but this is believed to be a mistake, see burial record below, see burial record below.

BURIAL: Burial record Sophie Christensen; 1884; Prospect Hill Cemetery Burial Records From Earliest Known to Dec 31, 1975, The Greater Omaha Genealogical Society, 1977, Omaha, NE; printed index, unknown pg number, 25 Mar 1884, #4212; Omaha Public Library, Omaha, NE;
NOTE: Sophia Christensen, 25 Mar 1884, #4212, Lot 593, 1st Addition, 6 m, Lauretz Christensen, 593, 7E W-1/2 1st.
NOTE: The records of the Prospect Hill Cemetery at the Omaha Public Library, Omaha, NE, contain 18 reels of microfilm containing index to lot owners, interment register, miscellaneous disinterment permits, etc.
NOTE: Letter dated about 1992 from a volunteer regarding the Prospect Hill Cemetery records, she stated "no stone" in regard to the burial of Sophie Christensen.
This website has some information and photographs of the Prospect Hill Cemetery. Someone is currently photographing every stone, as of 3/2004, no Sophia Christensen photograph listed:
< http://www.steveandmarta.com/graveyards/prospect_hill/prospect_main.htm >.
NOTE: She is also listed in O-CMR-0034, which contains burials of Laurel Hill Cemetery, the entry is from Death Record Cards, Laurel Hill Burials, 1873-1907, [no first name] Christiansen, male [believed to be in error], died 24 Mar 1884, 6 mos, convulsions, address 16th and Hickory, buried 25 Mar 1884, Prospect Hill.
NOTE: See comment regarding her age above in the birth information.
BURIAL: O-CMR-0032

NOTE: Found on the internet at website: < http://www.rootsweb.com/~nedougla/html/cemlist.htm >.
"Omaha's Historic Prospect Hill Cemetery: A History of Prospect Hill Cemetery with Biographical Notes on Over 1400 People Interred Therein"
By Louise Bloom Baumann, Charles W. Martin, S. Jane Simpson; (copyright 1990 Prospect Hill Cemetery Historical Development Foundation). Information on those buried at Prospect Hill Cemetery and some historical information about the cemetery. Entries arranged alphabetically by surname. Entries include the burial date and location and MAY include birthdate, marriage date, and biographical notes. Surname index.
NOTE: This website does not have actual cemetery listings.


5. [name unknown] Christensen

BIRTH - The possible existence of additional children in this family is based on the following:
NOTE: According to a letter from Anne Christensen DeWitt dated 11 Jun 1973, there were 9 children born to Lauritz and Sophie Christensen and only Chris and Carrie survived into adulthood. And, in the 1900 census, Sophie is listed as having 8 children, 3 living. [Therefore, only 8 children are listed based on this census information.]
NOTE: The birthdate of this possible child is only estimated based on space in the family for other children.

BAPTISM: No baptism was found for any of the unknown children of Lauritz Christensen and Sophie Nielsen, on a personal visit to the Omaha, Nebraska, October 16-20, 1994, where the records of the following Church were checked: Vor Frelsers Dansk Evangelisk Luthersk Kirke (Our Saviors Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church), renamed about 1964 to Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church.

MARRIAGE:

DEATH:

BURIAL:

LETTER: In a letter to Patricia Hellmers from Anne Christensen DeWitt dated 30 Sep 1973, she stated the following: I have Dad's death recorded in our family Bible, Aug 14, 1938. Yes, he is buried in Westlawn, in Omaha. His other wives and children are buried in Laurel Hill.
LETTER: O-COM-0090

NOTE: According to information about Laurel Hill Cemetery, the records were destroyed by fire in 1910 and an attempt has been made to reconstruct burials there. The following website gives some information regarding that: < http://www.steveandmarta.com/graveyards/laurel_hill/laurel_1.htm >:

According to the Greater Omaha Genealogical Society book, "Graveyards of Douglas County," the cemetery was begun in 1866 by Christian Sautter on his farm in South Omaha. Mrs. Sautter gave the cemetery to the lot owners in 1936. All the early records were destroyed by fire in 1910. Mr. Sautter attempted to reconstruct the records from memory. Helen Zentz, the past-President of the Laurel Hill Cemetery Association, was working to put together a card file of all extant records in the 1970's-80's. These were eventually collected into book form in 1990 by Margie Sobotka, called, appropriately enough, "The Laurel Hill Cemetery Book." At this time the book is out-of-print, but if there is enough demand it's possible they might do another printing. The Omaha Public Library Main Branch has all the known records on microfilm, as well as a copy of the book.
NOTE: The Omaha Public Library website has the following information:
< http://www.rootsweb.com/~nedougla/html/cemlist.htm >.
"Laurel Hill Cemetery Records, Omaha, Nebraska, 1867-1990" (Polk St. & S. 21st)
Compiled by Margie Sobotka (1990) Section 1: Alpha listing of name, burial location and burial date. Section 2: Douglas Co. Death Records 1876-1886 for those buried at Laurel Hill Cemetery. Entries in alpha. order and include name, age, date of death, burial date, residence, occupation, place of birth, length of illness, and cause of death. Section 3: Abstracts of obituaries from newspapers for some of those buried at Laurel Hill Cemetery. Arranged alphabetically. Wide range of dates. Information varies. Every name index for entire book.


7. Twin with Carrie Christensen

BIRTH:

BAPTISM: No baptism was found for a twin of Karen Christensen, born 11 Mar 1888, on a personal visit to the Omaha, Nebraska, October 16-20, 1994, where the records of the following Church were checked: Vor Frelsers Dansk Evangelisk Luthersk Kirke (Our Saviors Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church), renamed about 1964 to Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church.

LETTER: In a letter to Patricia Hellmers from Anne Christensen DeWitt dated 11 Jun 1973, she stated the following: "Carrie had a twin sister who died shortly after birth, Annie was 21 and in college when she died, then there was Chris, besides these there were six other children who died, nine children by this marriage." Karen Christensen changed her name to Carrie because as I "she didn't like her name." [More data in letter.]
LETTER: O-COM-0090

BIRTH:
NOTE: A letter dated 15 Nov 1971 and another letter dated 23 Apr 1973 and 19 Dec 1981, from the Omaha-Douglas County Health Department, Omaha, NE, stated that they searched their files and did not locate a birth record of Carrie, Caroline, or Carolyn Christensen, etc. They further stated that births in the 1800s and early 1900s were very incomplete. [Letters discarded 3/2004, only this transcription note kept.]
NOTE: Tradition, from Carrie (Christensen) O'Brien was that Carrie had a twin that died. The above letter dated 19 Dec 1981 also searched for this twin birth, but none was found.

MARRIAGE: Unmarried, died as an infant.

DEATH:

BURIAL:

LETTER: In a letter to Patricia Hellmers from Anne Christensen DeWitt dated 30 Sep 1973, she stated the following: I have Dad's death recorded in our family Bible, Aug 14, 1938. Yes, he is buried in Westlawn, in Omaha. His other wives and children are buried in Laurel Hill. [See Christensen child estimated birth 1886 for additional information on Laurel Hill Cemetery.]
LETTER: O-COM-0090


8. [name unknown] Christensen

BIRTH - The possible existence of additional children in this family is based on the following:
NOTE: According to a letter from Anne Christensen DeWitt dated 11 Jun 1973, there were 9 children born to Lauritz and Sophie Christensen and only Chris and Carrie survived into adulthood. And, in the 1900 census, Sophie is listed as having 8 children, 3 living. [Therefore, only 8 children are listed based on this census information.]
NOTE: The birthdate of this possible child is only estimated based on space in the family for other children.

BAPTISM: No baptism was found for any of the unknown children of Lauritz Christensen and Sophie Nielsen, on a personal visit to the Omaha, Nebraska, October 16-20, 1994, where the records of the following Church were checked: Vor Frelsers Dansk Evangelisk Luthersk Kirke (Our Saviors Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church), renamed about 1964 to Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church.

MARRIAGE:

DEATH:

BURIAL:

LETTER: In a letter to Patricia Hellmers from Anne Christensen DeWitt dated 30 Sep 1973, she stated the following: I have Dad's death recorded in our family Bible, Aug 14, 1938. Yes, he is buried in Westlawn, in Omaha. His other wives and children are buried in Laurel Hill. [See Christensen child estimated birth 1886 for additional information on Laurel Hill Cemetery.]


9. [name unknown] Christensen

BIRTH - The possible existence of additional children in this family is based on the following:
NOTE: According to a letter from Anne Christensen DeWitt dated 11 Jun 1973, there were 9 children born to Lauritz and Sophie Christensen and only Chris and Carrie survived into adulthood. And, in the 1900 census, Sophie is listed as having 8 children, 3 living. [Therefore, only 8 children are listed based on this census information.]
NOTE: The birthdate of this possible child is only estimated based on space in the family for other children.

BAPTISM: No baptism was found for any of the unknown children of Lauritz Christensen and Sophie Nielsen, on a personal visit to the Omaha, Nebraska, October 16-20, 1994, where the records of the following Church were checked: Vor Frelsers Dansk Evangelisk Luthersk Kirke (Our Saviors Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church), renamed about 1964 to Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church.

MARRIAGE:

DEATH:

BURIAL:

LETTER: In a letter to Patricia Hellmers from Anne Christensen DeWitt dated 30 Sep 1973, she stated the following: I have Dad's death recorded in our family Bible, Aug 14, 1938. Yes, he is buried in Westlawn, in Omaha. His other wives and children are buried in Laurel Hill. [See Christensen child estimated birth 1886 for additional information on Laurel Hill Cemetery.]
LETTER: O-COM-0090


Martine Knudsen

NOTE: Found at FamilySearch.org, International Genealogical Index (IGI): < http://www.familysearch.org/ >
MARTINE KNUDSEN, female
Birth: 01 JUN 1862
Christening: 13 JUL 1862, Mygdal, Hjørring, Denmark
Parents:
Father: KNUD CHRISTENSEN
Mother: INGER MARIE ANDERSEN

Extracted birth or christening record for the locality listed in the record. The source records are usually arranged chronologically by the birth or christening date.
Source Information: Batch No.: C202152, Dates: 1840 - 1875, Source Call No.: 0048950, Type: Film
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BIRTH-BAPTISM: Found at a website in Denmark that has some online databases of church records, website: < http://www.arkivalieronline.dk/ >: Baptism Records 1858-1883, Mygdal Parish [sogn], Vennebjerg District [herred], Hjørring County [amt], Denmark, image 59, page 61, #6 in 1862 baptisms:
NOTE: Martine Knudsen, born 1 Jun 1862, church baptism 13 Jul 1862, parents Knud Kristensen and Inger Marie Andersen, age 23-1/2, of Dalsgaard Mk. [Mark], ____ [witnesses, difficult to read].

CONFIRMATION: Found at a website in Denmark that has some online databases of church records, website: < http://www.arkivalieronline.dk >: Confirmation Records 1858-1883, [see note below for Parish], Vennebjerg District [herred], Hjørring County [amt], Denmark.
NOTE: For an unknown reason, there are two confirmation entries for Martine Knudsen, each in a different parish. The information for each is given below.
(1) Bjergby Parish [sogn], Image 131, page 135, #2 in 1876 confirmations:
NOTE: Martine Knudsen, Mygdal, confirmed 1 Oct 1876, parents Knud Christensen and Inger Marie Andersen, Gjødgaards Mk. [Mark], 1 Jun 1862, baptized 13 Jul 1862.

(2) Mygdal Parish [sogn], Image 132, page 136, #2 in 1877 confirmations:
NOTE: Martine Knudsen, Mygdal, confirmed 8 Apr 1877, parents Knud Christensen and Inger Marie Andersen, Mygdal, born 1 Jun 1862, baptized 13 Jul 1862.
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EMIGRATION: [leaving a country]
NOTE: The following was found on The Danish Emigration Archives website. The age is about right, the name and location of her residence in Denmark matches and her destination is the same as listed on the immigration record of her two brothers Chris and Fred. This seems likely that it could be her.
NOTE: Found at the Danish Emigration Archives: < http://www.emiarch.dk/home.php3?l=en >

Name: Knudsen, Martine
Occupation: Mejerske
Age: 26
Destination: Onava, Iowa
Contract no.: 213200
Registration date: 4/6/1889
Last res. parish: Mygdal
Last res. county: Hjørring
Last residence: Mygdal, Hjørring
Destination country: USA
Destination city: Onawa Junction
Destination state: Iowa
Name of ship: Indirekte [This is not the name of the ship, this word means travel was indirect.]
IDcode: I8889K1911
NOTE: Regarding the Danish word Mejerske, according to information on the internet, the word may mean Dairymaid.
NOTE: It is believed that the destination should be spelled Onawa, not Onava. Also to consider is that Onawa, Iowa, is in Monona County, IA. Onawa Junction is apparently in Cherokee County, IA.
NOTE: She is apparently listed at RootsWeb.com, a listing of persons from the Copenhagen police records, emigrating from Denmark to towns in Cherokee County. She is listed there because her emigration record lists Onawa Junction as her destination. The website is:
< http://www.rootsweb.com/~iacherok/Emigrants/DanishEmigrants.html >.
Danish/Swedish Emigrants, Cherokee County, Iowa.
"The following database was taken from the Copenhagen police records of people emigrating from Denmark to towns in Cherokee County. The date is that of the emigrant's registration, not necessarily the day he/she sailed, although departure usually occurred with a couple weeks from the registration date. There are both Danish and Swedish citizens in this database, as evidently many Swedes used Copenhagen as their point of departure to the New World. This is by no means a list of all those who left Copenhagen to come to Cherokee County. Some may have listed their destination as such places as Chicago or New York and later came to Cherokee County."
Name: Knudsen, Martine, Age: 26, Destination: Onawa Junction, Registration: 4/6/1889, Residence: Mygdal, Hjørring, Ship: not given.

IMMIGRATION: [entering a country] A "matching" immigration record was found or the above record at Ancestry.com by using a 14-day trial subscription to their online Immigration records, including a database called "New York Passenger Lists, 1851-1891. The following entry was found:

Name: Martine Knudson
Arrival Date: 29 Apr 1889
Estimated Birth Year: 1863
Age: 26
Gender: Female
Port of Departure: Liverpool, England and Queenstown, Ireland
Destination: Indiana
Ship Name: Aurania
Port of Arrival: New York
Nativity: Denmark
Line: 16
Microfilm Roll: 532
List Number: 51

Text from Original Manifest:
I, H. McKay, Master of the R.M.S. "Aurania" do solemnly, sincerely, and truly swear that the following List or Manifest subscribed by me, and now delivered by me to the Collector of Customs of the District of the City of New York, is a full and perfect list of all the passengers taken on board said vessel at Liverpool and Queenstown from which port or port the said vessel has now arrived, and that on said list is truly designated the age, sex, calling, country of citizenship, native country, location of compartment or space occupied, intended destination or location, number of pieces of baggage, and date and cause of death of passengers, as required by the Passenger Act of 1882; also a true statement, so far as it can be ascertained, with reference to the intention of each alien passenger as to a protracted sojourn in this country. So help me God (signed) H. McKay. Sworn to this Apl [sic] 29, 1889, before me Thomas J Dunn, Deputy Collector, List or manifest of all the passengers taken on board the R M S Aurania whereof H McKay is master from Liverpool, burthen 4029 tons.

No.: 618 [line 16], Name: Martine Knudsen, Age Years Months: 26, Sex: female, Calling [occupation]: Spinster, The country of which they are citizens: Denmark, Native Country: Denmark, , Location of compartment or space occupied, specify whether forward, midship or aft: 6, Intended destination or location: Indiana, Citizens, visitors, or immigrants: [blank], Number of pieces of baggage: 1, Date and cause of death: [blank]
NOTE: The destination of Indiana is one piece of information in this record that does not fit, but since it is believed that this is the "matching" record to the emigration above, which gives her destination as Iowa, it is believed that this is the correct immigration record.
NOTE: The ship, Aurania, is the same ship that her brother Chris traveled on in 1888.

NOTE: Found information about the ship Aurania on the following website:
< http://www.norwayheritage.com/p_ship.asp?sh=auran >.
The Aurania had a tonnage of 7,269 tons gross, 3,468 under deck and 4,030 net. Forecastle 102 tons. She had a single screw and was powered by a compound engine with 3 inverted cylinders, 1 of 68 in. & 2 of 91 in. diameter respectively; stroke 72 inches. The engine delivered 1,500 horsepower, which gave the ship a speed of 16 knots. The engine was built by the same company as the hull. She had 3 masts and was rigged as a bark. This came in handy on her maiden voyage when her engine failed due to overheating. The voyage was completed under sail. The Aurania was known as a badly rolling ship, and was never very popular. Call sign: HRGW. Official registration #: 87839 Owners: Cunard Steam Ships Co. Ltd. Port of registry: Liverpool
NOTE: The following website has a picture of the Aurania:
< http://www.clydesite.co.uk/clydebuilt/viewship.asp?id=505 >.

IMMIGRATION: [entering a country]
NOTE: The Ellis Island immigration online records do not begin until about 1892.
NOTE: The 1900 census would record her immigration year, but she has not yet been found in that census, as of 2/2005.
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MARRIAGE:
(1) - Martin Wood?
NOTE: At one time it was thought that perhaps Martine had married a person with the last name of Nielsen since her name was listed as Martine Nielsen in her church marriage record to Lauritz Christensen. But the civil marriage record for the same marriage gives her name as Martine Knudsen. The "Nielsen" entry in the church record may have been confused with the maiden name of the first wife of Lauritz. A birth record of Martine's daughter, Ruby has apparently been found, with the father listed as Martin Wood and the mother listed as Martine ____, born Denmark. Therefore, Martine's first marriage was probably to a Martin Wood, although no marriage record has been found as of 7/2006. Or, they may not have been married. She is listed as "Miss" Martine Knudsen in the pastor's portion of the civil marriage to Lauritz Christensen. [No marriage of a Martine Knudsen was found to anyone with the last name of Nielsen.]

(2) - Lauritz Christensen
Civil marriage record; 1902; Clerk of County Court, Douglas Co Omaha, NE; Book 24, p 597; Clerk of County Court, Douglas Co, Omaha NE;
NOTE: Lauritz Christensen, white, residing at Omaha, age 49, born Denmark, father Christin Laursen, mother Karen JacobsDatter, and Martine Knudsen, white, residing at Omaha, age 40, born Denmark, father Knud Christensen, mother Inger Anna Andersen. [Pastor's return] Be it remembered that at Omaha, Neb in said County, on the 6 Nov 1902, Mr Lauritz Christensen residing at Omaha, Neb, age 49, and Miss Martine Knudsen residing at Omaha, age 40, were duly joined in marriage by me, in presence of C A Knudsen residing at Turin, Iowa, and J C Fischer residing at Omaha, Neb, in witness thereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 6 day of Nov 1902, M C Mikkelsen, Pastor Danish Evang Luth Chch.
MARRIAGE: O-CVM-0006
Church marriage Lauritz Christensen to Martine Nielsen; 1902; Vor Frelsers Dansk Evangelisk Luthersk Kirke (Our Saviors Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church), renamed about 1964 to Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Omaha, NE; 6 Nov 1902, Bk xx, pg 166; Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Omaha, NE;
NOTE: Lauritz Christensen, age 49, born Denmark, to Martine Nielsen, age 40, born Denmark, married 6 Nov 1902, no witnesses listed.
NOTE: Martine's last name is given as Nielsen. This is probably a mistake, mixed up with his first wife's maiden name of Nielsen.
MARRIAGE: O-CHM-0001

RESIDENCE: Martine may have lived at one time in Turin, Iowa [Monona County] as her two brothers lived there. Also, her daughter, Ruby, was later adopted by her brother Fred after Martine's death. They lived in Turin, Iowa.

RESIDENCE: 1889-90 - Searched at Ancestry.com, Omaha, Nebraska Directories, 1889-90, but she was not found, but not many females were listed in this type of directory.

DEATH: Church death Martine Christensen; 1908; Vor Frelsers Dansk Evangelisk Luthersk Kirke (Our Saviors Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church), renamed about 1964 to Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Omaha, NE; died 22 Dec 1908, buried 26 Dec 1908, Bk III, pg 135, #16; Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Omaha, NE;
NOTE: Martine Christensen born Knudsen, born Hjørring, 46 years old, died Omaha, 22 Dec 1908, buried 26 Dec 1908, in South Omaha Kirkegaard [Cemetery].
DEATH: O-CHD-0003

DEATH: No civil death record was found for Martine Christensen, died 22 Dec 1908, at the Public Library, Omaha, Douglas, NE, on a personal visit there Oct 1984, using their death index resources. One may be available in the public records of Douglas County, Nebraska.
NOTE: Per email from person in Omaha who tried to find her death record, it was also not found in 2006, see obituary below.
DEATH: O-CHD-0001

OBITUARY: She was not found in the obituary card index of newspaper obituaries at the Omaha Public Library, Omaha, NE, on a personal visit to the library in 16-20 Oct 1994.

OBITUARY: Evening World Herald, Omaha, NE, Wednesday, 23 Dec 1908, page 8:
Per an email from Kathleen Mullin < kmullin@cox.net >, Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness (RAOGK), lookup volunteer Omaha, NE, dated 26 Jul 2006:
Hi Pat, Went to the library this evening. Looked in death records but was not able to find Martine Christensen. However, They don't have many years on microfilm and they seem to be incomplete. I did find her in the obits in newspaper. See attachment. It was on page 8 of the Evening World Herald, Omaha on Wednesday Dec 23, 1908. The obit does give her 2nd husband's first name and address. It also gives where she is buried--Laurel Hill Cemetery. I just looked up that cemetery online. It says that the Omaha library has records for this cemetery on microfilm. It also said that Fred Astaire's grandmother is buried there. They are trying to get volunteers to help maintain the place because it is going 'downhill'. Hope this info helps a little.
Kathleen.
NOTE: The email included a scan of the obituary (saved with the email message), transcribed below:
Died. Christensen - Mrs Martine, beloved wife of Lauritz Christensen, aged 46 years. Funeral Saturday afternoon, December 26, at 1 o'clock, from the family residence, 1469 Phelps street. Interment Laurel Hill cemetery.

BURIAL: Burial Martine Christensen; 1908; Laurel Hill Cemetery Burial Cards, Omaha Public Library, Omaha, Douglas, NE; buried 26 Dec 1908; Laurel Hill Cemetery Burial Cards, Omaha Public Library, Omaha, Douglas, NE;
NOTE: Burial Card #72 Martine Christensen, 46 yrs, B6 [block 6] R16 [row 16] G9 [grave 9], 26 Dec 1908. [The card does not record what is actually on the tombstone.]
NOTE: A personal reading of the tombstone in Sep 1982, recorded Martine, wife of L Christensen, born 1 Jun 1862, died 22 Dec 1908, [block 6, row 16, grave 9].
BURIAL: O-CMR-0034

BURIAL: Found on the internet at FindAGrave.com:
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=christensen&GScid=100886&GRid=7072754&pt=Martine%20Christensen&.
Name: Martine Christensen
Birth: Jun. 1, 1862
Death: Dec. 22, 1908
Buried: Laurel Hill Cemetery, Omaha, Douglas Co, Nebraska
Plot: Section 5, row 16, grave 9
Recorded: Jan 11 2003
By: Betty Orme
NOTE: Includes a photograph of the tombstone submitted by Norm Hellmers.

NOTE: The records of the Laurel Hill Cemetery at the Omaha Public Library, Omaha, NE, contain 2 reels of microfilm.

CENSUS:

NOTE: Avlskarl=farm hand, Daglejer=day laborer, Gaardejer=farmer, Husbonde=master, Husjomfru=housekeeper, Røgter=cowherd [?], Tjenestepige=servant girl, Ugift=unmarried,

1870 - Denmark - There are no indexes, and maybe no census records, for this year for Mygdal, Vennebjerg, Hjørring, as of 7/2006. During this time period they have 1850, 1880, and 1890. Internet website:
< http://ddd.dda.dk/kiplink_en.htm >.

1880 - Denmark - She is not listed with her parents. Listed below is an entry that might be her, but it is in a different location than where she lived, the census is for Morild, Klarup place name, Taars Parish [sogn], Børglum District [herred], Hjørring County [amt]:
NOTE: Found at Dansk Demografisk Database: < http://ddd.dda.dk/kiplink_en.htm >.

Source: FT-1880
Name: Martine Knudsen Sex: K
Age: 17 Marital status: Ugift
Birth place: Mygdal Sogn Hjørring Amt
Parish: Taars District: Børglum
County: Hjørring Place name: Morild, Klarup.
Household-/family no: 17 Title no/address: Skæggesholt Gaard
Source entry no: C3310 Record no.: 1296

Following fields are shown:
Name, Age, Marital status, Position in household, Occupation, Birth place

Anders George Qvistgaard, 28, Ugift, Husbonde Gaardejer, , Kjøbenhavn
Lars Christensen, 45, Ugift, Avlskarl, , Hellum Sogn Hjørring Amt
Simon Sørensen, 59, Gift, Røgter, , Dronninglund Sogn Hjørring Amt
Jens Have Christensen, 39, Ugift, Daglejer, , Ovtrup Sogn Morsø
Maren Pedersen, 30, Ugift, Husjomfru, , Skagen Sogn Hjørring Amt
Martine Knudsen, 17, Ugift, Tjenestepige, , Mygdal Sogn Hjørring Amt
Dorthea Marie Larsen, 19, Ugift, Tjenestepige, , Torslev Sogn Hjørring Amt

1895 - Search at Ancestry.com, Iowa State Census, 1895, looking for her where her brothers lived in Monona Co, IA. She was not found there. The following is probably unlikely, but listed here for consideration:
Name: Martine Kinerson, Age: 26, Birthplace: Denmark, Race: white, County: Cass, Town: Mame; Brighton.

1900 - Martine has not been found in the 1900 census. She would have been about age 38. She may have been married to a ____ Nielsen at the time of the census as she is listed as Martine Nielsen in her Church marriage record to Lauritz Christensen. However, she has not been found either as Martine Knudsen or Martine Nielsen and all their various spellings looking in Iowa or Nebraska. The 1900 census at Ancestry.com is supposed to have some states indexed as every name, but it is unclear whether or not Iowa and Nebraska are included. If every name is not included in those states, then she could not be found without knowing the name of her husband, if she married before the 1900 census was taken. As noted above in the marriage notes, the name of Nielsen in the Church marriage record might be a mistake, mixed up with Lauritz's first wife's maiden name of Nielsen.

NOTE: Using Ancestry.com, Library Edition, every name index, found the following - selected records that might be her - there may be others in different counties and states:
NOTE: Searched for Martine or Martina, also Trine or Trina, with any last name born 1862 + or - 5 years, Denmark, Douglas Co, NE and none were found.
NOTE: Searched for Martine or Martina, also Trine or Trina, with any last name born 1862 + or - 5 years, Denmark, Monona Co, IA and none were found.
Searched first name Martine, born about 1862, Denmark, these counties in Iowa where relatives were known to be living:
(1) Martine Andersen, Monroe, Shelby Co, IA, born Jan [or Jun, but looks like Jan] 1865, immigrated 1895, Denmark, husband Rudolph, married 3 years, no children,
(2) Martine Peterson, Boomer, Pottawattamie Co, IA, born Aug 1863, immigrated 1879, Denmark, husband Jens, 7 children
(3) Martina Esbeck, Sharon Twp, Audubon Co, IA, born abt 1863, Denmark, husband Peter, married 13 years, 7 children, 4 living, immigrated 1880.
NOTE: None of these seem to match.

NOTE: After finding the birth record of her daughter, Ruby, with the father listed as Martin Wood, both Martin and Martine Wood were searched for in the 1900 census in Douglas Co, NE, but neither of them were found.


Anine Pedersen Raun

BIRTH: This record found at a website in Denmark that has some online databases of church records, website: < http://www.arkivalieronline.dk/ >: Baptism Records 1864-1887, Skjolde Parish [sogn], Bjerre District [herred], Vejle County [amt], Denmark, image 126, page 129, #4 in 1880 baptisms:
NOTE: Name: [no name given], born 1 Apr 1880, baptized [no date given], parents house owner Niels Pedersen Ravn of Bisholt Mose and Rasmine Katrine Hansen, age [none given], ____ [no witnesses listed].
NOTE: This is an unusual record as no name is given and no baptism date.
NOTE: In a letter to Patricia Hellmers from Anne Christensen DeWitt dated 11 Jun 1973, she stated the following: Her mother's name was Anine Raun, born 1 Apr 1880, Bisholt. (COMPILED: O-COM-0090)

NOTE: There are two Bisholts, Øster (Eastern) Bisholt in Glud Parish [sogn] and Vester (Western) Bisholt in
Skjold Parish [sogn]. The two Bisholts are in fact one village with a parish border going through it.

BAPTISM: The church record above gives the birthdate of a child born 1 Apr 1880, believed to be Anine Pedersen Raun. However, the record does not record any baptism information. The pastor may have missed completing the record, or perhaps she was baptized elsewhere. Her baptism was not found in the records of Horsens, Horsens sogn, Nim herred, Skanderborg amt, Denmark, where her sister Kristiane was born. Her baptism was not found in the records of Glud sogn, As sogn, Uth sogn, or Rårup sogn which are the surrounding sogns to Skjold sogn.

NOTE: Birth and/or christening not found at FamilySearch.org, IGI (International Genealogical Index)
< http://www.familysearch.org >. The baptism of three siblings found, covering years 1864-1875. Perhaps not all records are entered. Also, searching is difficult due to spelling of names, Danish naming practices, etc.

CONFIRMATION: Her confirmation is not listed in the online records found at a website in Denmark that has online databases of church records. As of 7/2006, the last records listed cover 1887-1892 for Skjolde, Bjerre, Vejle, Denmark. She would have been confirmed about 1894. The website is:
< http://www.arkivalieronline.dk/ >.
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EMIGRATION [leaving a country]:
NOTE: According to the 1920 and 1930 census records, Anine came to the US in 1907 and was naturalized.
NOTE: The Danish Emigration Archives was searched for Anine Raun. There were only 47 records with the last name of Raun. The records were then searched spelling the name Ravn, 151 entries were found, and it is believed she is the Anine Ravn listed below:
NOTE: Found at The Danish Emigration Archives: < http://www.emiarch.dk/home.php3?l=en >

Name: Ravn, Anine Petersen
Occupation: Syerske
Age: 26
Destination: Omaha
Contract no.: 73700
Registration date: 2/28/1907
Birth place: Bisholdt
Birth place: ?
Last res. parish: ?
Last res. county: Vejle
Last residence: Bisholdt
Destination country: USA
Destination city: Omaha
Destination state: Nebraska
Name of ship: Indirekte [This is not the name of the ship, this word means travel was indirect.]
IDcode: I0607R1511
NOTE: She was the only person with the last name of Ravn traveling on 2/28/1907 in these records.
NOTE: According to a Danish-English dictionary on the internet, Syerske means Seamstress.

IMMIGRATION: [entering a country]
NOTE: Found at Ellis Island, NY, website: < http://www.EllisIsland.org >

First Name: Anine Petersen
Last Name: Raum
Ethnicity: Danish, Scandinavian
Last Place of Residence: Bishdat, Denmark
Date of Arrival: March 17, 1907
Age at Arrival: 26y
Gender: F
Marital Status: S
Ship of Travel: Campania
Port of Departure: Liverpool
Manifest Line Number: 0018

Text from Original Manifest:
Saloon, Cabin, and Steerage Aliens must be completely manifested. This sheet is for steerage passengers. List or Manifest of Alien Passengers for the United States Immigration Officer at Port of Arrival Required by the regulations of the Secretary of Commerce and Labor of the United States, under Act of Congress approved March 3, 1903, to be delivered to the United States Immigration Officer by the Commanding Officer of any vessel having such passengers on board upon arrival at a port in the United States.

S S Campania sailing from Liverpool March 9, 1907, Arriving at Port of New York 17/3/1907.
#61280, line 18, Raum [looks like Raun], Anine Petersen, 26, female, single, seamstress, can read and write, Nationality: Danish, Race: Scandinavian, Last residence: Denmark, Bisholt, Final destination: Omaha, Nebr, Whether having a ticket to such destination: yes, By whom was passage paid: myself, Whether in possession of $50, and if less, how much: $10, Whether ever before in the United States, and if so, when and where: no, Whether going to join a relative or friend, and if so, what relative or friend, and his name and complete address: brother-in-law, Chr Pedersen, 3116 So 18th Str, Omaha, Nebr, Ever in prison, almshouse, or institution for care and treatment of the insane, or supported by charity, if so, which: no, Whether a Polygamist: no, Whether an Anarchist: no, Whether coming by reason of any offer, solicitation, promise, or agreement, express or implied, to labor in the United States: no, Condition of Health, mental and physical: good, Deformed or crippled, nature, length of time, and cause: no, height: 5 [feet], complexion: strong, hair: blond, eyes: blue, marks of identification: none, place of birth: Bisholt.
NOTE: The database was searched for anyone else with the last name of Raun, soundexed, and no other entries were found.

NOTE: The Ellis Island website gives the following information about the Campania, includes a photograph:
Built by Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering Company, Glasgow, Scotland, 1893. 12,950 gross tons; 622 (bp) feet long; 65 feet wide. Steam triple expansion engines, twin screw. Service speed 21 knots. 2,000 passengers (600 first class, 400 second class, 1,000 third class). Built for Cunard Line, British flag, in 1893 and named Campania. Liverpool-New York service. Sold to British Admiralty, British flag, in 1914 and renamed HMS Campania. Rebuilt as an aircraft carrier. Sunk following a collision in the Firth of Forth in Scotland in 1918.
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TIMELINE: It is interesting to note that when her parents came to the United States for a three-month visit arriving on March 24, 1906, Anine apparently stayed in Denmark as there is no evidence of her coming with them. Her brother, Peter, came to the United States for the first time, arriving on May 13, 1906, also possibly for a visit, and it appears that he returned on June 2, 1906, probably permanently. So, it appears that Peter may have been in the United States at the same time that his parents were here visiting, and that Anine was left in Denmark at that time. As far as can be determined, all of her siblings, except Peter, had already emigrated to the United States by that time. Her parents returned to Denmark, perhaps about June or July 1906. Anine immigrated to the United States arriving on June 2, 1906. Her parents immigrated (permanently), arriving on May 29, 1909.

HISTORY: History of Audubon Co, IA; 1915, B F Bowen & Company, Inc, Indianapolis, IN; HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY IOWA, ITS PEOPLE, INDUSTRIES AND INSTITUTIONS, With Biographical Sketches of Representative Citizens and Genealogical Records of Many of the Old Families, by H F Andrews, Editor; pp cover, 647-649; Genealogical Society of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Salt Lake City, UT and printed from the internet 10 Feb 2005 at:
< http://www.HeritageQuestOnline.com >.
[Partial entry listed here, see Henry Hansen's notes for complete transcription.]
Henry Hansen was married on February 27, 1893, to Henrietta P Raun, daughter of Nels P and Restina Hansen, both of Horsens, Denmark. Coming to America in 1909, they lived in Council Bluffs, Iowa, where Mr Hansen died the following year, at the age of seventy-four. When in Denmark, he had been engaged in the manufacture of wooden pumps. Their children, nine in number, were as follows: Hansena P married A S Jensen, of Omaha, Nebraska; Maria married Chris Petersen, of Council Bluffs; Henrietta (Mrs Hansen); Petres married A P Hansen, of Omaha; Metta married Hans Sorensen, of Omaha; Peter, a carpenter of the same city; Elise married C P Christiansen, of Omaha; Arnine married Loren Christiansen, also of Omaha; Christiana, who died at the age of eight years.
HISTORY: O-HIS-0056 (copy printed from the internet)

MARRIAGE: Civil marriage record; 1909; Clerk of District Court, Pottawattamie Co, IA; Marriage Record, Book 19, p108, Marriage Register Book 6, p87; Clerk of District Court, Pottawattamie Co, IA;
Marriage Record: #19197, L Christensen to Anine Raun, L Christensen age 56 resident of Omaha, Nebraska, and Annie Raun age 29 resident of Omaha, Nebr, said parties are both unmarried, and free from physical infirmities, and no legal impediment exists to the marriage of said parties, signed L Christensen and H A Reichenbach, subscribed and sworn to before me this 10th day of December 1909. Harry M Brown, Clerk District Court, Roy Hardesty. Certificate of Marriage, Pottawattamie County, Iowa, filed 12 January 1910, This certifies that on the 11 day of December 1909 at Council Bluffs in said county, according to law, and by authority, I duly joined in marriage Mr Lauritz Christensen and Miss Anina [sic] Baun [sic Raun], given under my hand the 11 day of December 1909, H A Reichenbach, Minister of the Gospel.
Marriage Register: #19197, affidavit of H A Reichenbach, groom L Christensen, Omaha, Nebr, mail clerk, age 57, born Denmark, groom's 2nd marriage [sic], groom's father Christin Lauiritzen [sic], mother's maiden name K Jacobsen, bride Anine Raun, Omaha, Nebr, age 30, born Denmark, bride's father Nels Petersen Raun, bride's mother Elsonine [?] Cathrine Hansen, married Council Bluffs, Ia, Dec 11-09 [11 Dec 1909], witness N P Raun, married by Henry A Reichenbach, Min [minister], date of return Jan 12-10 [12 Jan 1910], date registered Jan 18-10 [18 Jan 1910].
NOTE: This record states "number of groom's marriage" as 2nd, when it was his third.
NOTE: The witness, listed as N P Raun, may have been Anine's father.
MARRIAGE: O-CVM-0052

MARRIAGE:
NOTE: In a letter to Patricia Hellmers from Anne Christensen DeWitt dated 11 Jun 1973, she stated the following: Her mother's name was Anine Raun, born 1 Apr 1880, Bisholt, Denmark, married Lauritz Christensen 11 Dec 1908, and that her mother had not been married before. Lauritz came to the US in 1880, entering through New York and that "his wife, Chris, and Annie remained until he earned enough money to send for them." [She mentions Annie, but she was born in Omaha, not Denmark.] [More data in that letter.]
NOTE: Anne gives the year of this marriage as 1908. The civil marriage record gives the year as 1909.
COMPILED: O-COM-0090

LETTER: In a letter to Patricia Hellmers from Anne Christensen DeWitt dated 14 Jan 1994, Anne wrote that her children [Nancy, Howard, Joyce] were always "dressed to the teeth" and that her mother [Anine Petersen Raun] was a professional seamstress who made their clothes.
COMPILED: O-COM-0090

LETTER: In a letter to Patricia Hellmers from Anne Christensen DeWitt dated Christmas 1979, Anne wrote that Nancy and family live in Omaha. Chris is nine and in fourth grade. Todd and his family also live in Omaha. Michelle and her husband live in Albuquerque. She is going to the Uni of New Mexico getting her degree in nursing. We became great grandparents this summer. Todd and Kathy had Tracy Lea on August 6. She was christened in my dress made by my mother.
COMPILED: O-COM-0090

DEATH: Not found in SSDI.
NOTE: There is probably a death record in the public records of Hay Springs, NE.

OBITUARY: Obituary Anine Christensen; 1959; OMAHA WORLD-HERALD, Omaha, Douglas, NE; Sunday, 13 Dec 1959, p18-D; Omaha Public Library, Omaha, Douglas, NE;
Christensen-Anine R, age 79, formerly of Omaha, Neb, passed away at Hay Springs, NE [no date given]. Graveside committal service Monday, 2:30 p.m. [14 Dec 1959] at the West Lawn Cemetery, N P Swanson Mortuary [Omaha, NE].
OBITUARY: O-OBT-0069

OBITUARY: Obituary Anine Raun Christensen; 1959; [unknown newspaper], Hay Springs, NE; [unknown day] Dec 1959, [unknown column and page]; Cravath Memorial Library, Hay Springs, NE;
NOTE: Obituaries. Anine Raun Christensen. Anine Raun was born in Bisholt, Denmark, April 1, 1880. She came to the United States in 1907, and made her home in Omaha. On December 11, 1909, she was united in marriage to Lauritz Christensen in Omaha. To this union was born one child, a daughter, Anne.
Her husband preceded her in death in 1938. She lived in Omaha until 1944 when she came with her daughter to Rushville. Then in September moved with the family to Hay Springs.
Mrs. Christensen was a member of the Rushville Presbyterian church, and of the Hay Springs Utopia Woman's club. She died in her daughter's home Friday, December 11th. Also preceding her in death were six sisters and one brother.
She is survived by her daughter, Mrs. C. Howard DeWitt; three grandchildren, Mrs. Gerald VanBuskirk of Green River, Wyo., Cadet Howard S. DeWitt of West Point, N.Y., and Mrs. Larry Butzine, of Hay Springs; two great grandchildren, Michelle Ann VanBuskirk and Kurt Stephen Butzine; one sister, Mrs. C. P. Christensen, of Omaha; numerous nieces and nephews; one step-daughter, Mrs. C. C. O'Brien of Standish, Mich., and a host of friends.
Funeral services were held Sunday, Dec. 13, 1959, in the Methodist church with the Rev. Robert Ditterline officiating. Committal services were held Monday afternoon, Dec. 14, at the West Lawn Memorial Park in Omaha.
NOTE: This obituary gives her marriage year as 1909, rather than 1908.
OBITUARY: O-OBT-0075

BURIAL: Burial Anine R Christensen; 1959; West Lawn-Hillcrest Cemetery, Omaha, NE; died 1959, buried Section 3, Lot 87, Graves 5/6; West Lawn-Hillcrest Cemetery, Omaha, NE;
NOTE: Personal reading of tombstone Sep 1992, Christensen [one stone], Anine R 1880-1959, Lauritz 1853-1938, record #8362, Lot 87, Section 3, Graves 5 & 6. [Old note, unknown source, said burial #19344, note discarded 3/2004].
BURIAL: O-CMR-0033

CENSUS:

Denmark Censuses: 1880 to 1907
NOTE: Depending on the date of the census, she may or may not have been born yet by the time of the 1880 census in Denmark. Some census records in Denmark seemed to have been taken on February 1st.

NOTE: Checked the census records online extensively at the Danish Demografisk Database for Raun or Ravn entries, also looking for Petersen and/or Hansen connections, and did not find Niels or Nels Raun and family. Not all census records are currently online, as of 7/2006. The website is:
< http://ddd.dda.dk/kiplink_en.htm >.

United States Censuses:
NOTE: According to census records, she immigrated to American in about 1907. She was married in 1908, so she would not be listed in any US census records before her marriage.

1910 - 1930 - She is listed with her husband, Lauritz Christensen.