Searching for Niels Christensen b. 1873 Copenhagen and became a mariner

[Dave Christensen]

Hi,

I'm trying to find information about Niels Christensen.  He gave his birth date on several documents as 14 October 1873 in Copenhagen.  He used to tell his children that he went to sea at age 13 which would be in 1886-7.  The closest to Denmark that I can place him is at Frederikstad, Norway from which he stated he departed 15 August 1904 on his U.S. naturalization form.

That 1904 voyage led him to Australia.  By May of 1905 he was on a ship (bark) named "Victor" and it was on wrecked on Malden Island in what is now the Republic of Kiribati in May 1905.  He was rescued by a schooner named "Mathew Turner" and taken to Honolulu in July 1905.

I have found three crews lists from 1892 - 1900 and it is possible that he was a crew member sailing between Sydney, Australia and San Francisco, California.  At least there is a crew member with his name and the correct age listed. 

I'm afraid I can't narrow down where in or around Cophenhagen he may have been born and lived or who his family was.  I am hoping there might be crew lists from the 1886-7 years or later that I can search to find out when he first left Denmark and possibly trace back to find the names of his parents and other family members.

Any help or suggestions on where to search from here are very welcome!

Thanks for reading and also thanks to those who have created this forum!

[Jesper Skov]

There is a Niels Christensen born 14. okt. 1873 in København (christened 23. nov. 1873 Holmen, Sokkelund, København 1868-1877 opslag 184 on http://www.sa.dk/ao), but Niels Christensen is a very common name so further confirmation is necessary.

Parents Niels Christensen (restaurant-keeper on a steamer) and Cecilie Caroline Mathilde Hansen.


Kind regards,

Jesper Skov

[Jesper Skov]

If it's the correct Niels then here he is with his parents and siblings in the 1880 census from http://ddd.dda.dk

kbhv, København (Staden), Store Kongensgade (ulige numre), Sankt Annæ Vester, Frimurerlogens Rode, Nr. 51, 173, FT-1880, D2255
Navn: Alder: Civilstand: Stilling i husstanden: Erhverv: Fødested:
Niels Christensen 48  Gift husfader detailhandler Øsløs
Caroline Christensen 43  Gift hans hustru  Valby, Kjøbenhavn
Anna Christensen 9  Ugift hans datter  Kjøbenhavn
Niels Christensen 5  Ugift do. søn  Do.
Christian Christensen 3  Ugift do. søn  Do.


Kind regards,

Jesper Skov

[Jesper Skov]

According to police records the parents died in 1898 (mother) and 1899 (father), so a probate record would definitely solve the question.

http://www.politietsregisterblade.dk/index.php?option=com_sfup&controller=politregisterblade&task=viewRegisterblad&id=3314304&searchname=polit_simple


Kind regards,

Jesper Skov

[Dave Christensen]

This is amazing - thank you very much, Jesper!  

I'm sure I will have questions as I digest this information.  Over the past year or two I've searched mostly in various Danish censuses hoping to find a name and location that would point me to the correct church register to look through but I've never made any progress.  This is just great!  

I am checking with a cousin about the name of a woman in Denmark she remembers Niels receiving letters from to see if that name matches the name of the sister of the Niels you've identified.  

If it doesn't I will need to improve my skills searching arkivalieronline.dk.  Earlier today I saw the useful instructions from Lynn Christiansen and I will study those.

Best regards!
Dave Christensen

[Dave Christensen]

Hi,

I've discovered that the Danish probate records which are not available online have been transferred to microfiche. They are listed and can be ordered from https://familysearch.org.  At least this seems to be the case - I have ordered the microfiche for the father of the Niels Christensen identified by Jesper and will find out if his probate record is on it.

By looking at the police record of the death of the father can a location of where he died be seen?  It doesn't look like it to me but I don't read Danish.  http://www.politietsregisterblade.dk/index.php?option=com_sfup&controller=politregisterblade&task=viewRegisterblad&id=3314304&searchname=polit_simple

I am now wondering about how mariners were counted in Danish censuses?  Were they included in their families' listing or in a separate census entry?

Also does anyone know where to find crew lists from Danish ships between 1886 and 1904?  I have searched this forum for answers to these questions without luck.

Thanks very much!
Dave Christensen

[Paul Løndahl-Smidt]

Hi Dave,

Both Niels Christensen and Sidse Caroline Mathilde Hansen's deaths can be found in Garrisons, Sokkelund, København.

Niels died on 12 Mar 1899 and was buried 19 Mar 1899, opslag 124 nr 25.
Sidse died on 1 Feb 1898 and was buried 8 Feb 1898, opslag 225 nr 5.

Sincerely,
Paul

[Inger Toudal]

The last address of the parents in the police register is L. Strandstr. 7³. The corresponding parish can be found at the website http://www.fogsgaard.org/index.php/kobenhavnske-gader. Lille Strandstræde is in Garnisons parish.

From parish records at http://www.sa.dk/ao/:

København, Sokkelund, Garnisons 1892-1901
Opslag 124, # 25.
Niels Christensen. Died 12 March 1899 at Kommunehospitalet (Municipal Hospital). Buried 19 March at Garnisons Kirkegaard (Cemetery). Worker, widower after Sidsel Caroline Mathilde Hansen. Age 68. Vicar Fenger.

Opslag 225, # 5.
Sidse Caroline Matilde Christensen, née Hansen. Died 1 Feb. 1898 at Lille Strandstræde 7. Buried 8 Feb. at Garnisons Kirkegaard. Married to worker Niels Christensen. Age 62. Vicar Fenger.

The family is seen here in the 1885 census:

København, København (Staden), Store Kongensgade (ulige numre), St. Annæ Vester Kvarter, Store Kongensgade 55 Matr. 51 Forhus kjælder, 11, FT-1885, C9515
Name: Age: Marital status: Position in household: Occupation: Birthplace:
Niels Christensen 53  Gift Husfader Detailhandler Øsløs S.
Caroline Christensen f. Hansen 46  Gift Husmoder  Thisted A.
Ane Kirstine Christensen 14  Ugift Barn  Valby
Niels Christensen 11  Ugift Barn  Kjøbenhavn
Christian Christensen 9  Ugift Barn  Kjøbenhavn

Best regards,
Inger Toudal

[Dave Christensen]

Thanks very much Paul and Inger!

Best regards,
Dave Christensen