Hans Jefferson

[Bob]

Hi,   I am hoping that someone might be able to provide some help.   

I just found out that my great grandfather was born in Store Velling, Denmark on August 20, 1868.  He emmigrated to the United States in July of 1887, according to some paperwork that we found through U.S.A archives.  The problem is that we are pretty certain that he changed his name to Jefferson when he arrived here in the U.S.   We think that his original family name could have been Jeppesen, but not sure.

The paperwork that we have also indicates that he lived in Borkop prior to leaving Denmark. It shows that he travelled from Hamburg to New York City.   Thanks very much for any help that you can provide,

Bob Jefferson
Belmont, Massachusetts USA

[Lissa Pedersen]

Hi Bob,

You are right about Jeppesen. Your gr grandfather was born Hans Jeppesen 20 Aug 1868 to Peder Jeppesen and Karen Margrethe Pedersen, 31 yrs old, in Store Velling. You will find his birth and baptism on http://www.sa.dk/content/dk/ao-forside/find_kirkeboger#, opslag 7  (1867-1892) in Vejle county, Holmans district, Smidstrup parish.

The family is here in 1860 - from www.ddd.dda.dk - and you will also find censuses on the above mentioned site:

vejle, Holmans, Pjedsted, Pjedsted, , Et Huus, 15, FT-1860
Name: Age: Marital status: Occupation in household: Occupation: Birth place:
Peder Jeppesen 29  Gift Indsidder. Dagleier. Huusfader  Her i Sognet (born in the parish)
Karen Margrethe Pedersen 23  Gift hans Kone  Skjærup Sogn, Veile Amt
Thomas Peter Jeppesen 4  Ugift deres Børn  Her i Sognet
Jeppe Peder Jeppesen 1  Ugift deres Børn  Her i Sognet

And in 1880:

vejle, Holmans, Smidstrup, St. (Store) Velling By, , Et Huus, 4, FT-1880
Name: Age: Marital status: Occupation in household: Occupation: Birth place:
Peder Jeppesen 48  Gift Husfader Daglejer  Pjedsted Sogn Vejle Amt
Karen Margrete Pedersen 42  Gift hans Hustru  Skjærup Sogn (born in Skærup parish) Vejle Amt
Hans Jeppesen 11  Ugift deres Børn  Her i Sognet
Marius Silius Jeppesen 6  Ugift deres Børn  Her i Sognet
Steffen Jensen 45  Gift Husfader Daglejer  Gadbjerg Sogn Vejle Amt
Ane Marie Madsen Gram 40  Gift hans Hustru  Her i Sognet
Maren Dorthea Jensen 8  Ugift deres Børn  Her i Sognet
Jens Kristian Ulrik Jensen 6  Ugift deres Børn  Starup Sogn Vejle Amt
Marie Kirstine Jensen 3  Ugift deres Børn  Starup Sogn Vejle Amt

Lissa

[Lissa Pedersen]

Peder Jeppesen could be here in 1834:

vejle, Holmans, Pjedsted, Pjedsted Bye, , et Boelssted, 11, FT-1834
Name: Age: Marital status: Occupation in household: Occupation: Birth place:
Peder Madsen 58  Gift  Boelsmand  
Anne Margrete Jeppesdatter 55  Gift  hans Kone  
Mads Pedersen 22  Gift  deres Børn. Tømmermand, Konen er i Andkjær  
Karoline Sophie Pedersdatter 13  Ugift  deres Børn  
Maria Kirstine Pedersdatter 9  Ugift  deres Børn  
Anne Dorte Pedersdatter 7  Ugift  deres Børn  
Sidsel Kristensdatter 84  Enke  Huusfaderens Moder har Aftægt af Stedet  
Jeppe Pedersen 31  Gift  Inderste og Wæwer  
Ellen Marie Pedersdatter 22  Gift  hans Kone  
Peder Jeppesen 3  Ugift  deres Børn  
Anne Margrete Jeppesdatter 1  Ugift  deres Børn

And in 1840 - however, without Peder:

vejle, Holmans, Pjedsted, Pjedsted Bye og Sogn, , et Huus, 36, FT-1840
Name: Age: Marital status: Occupation in household: Occupation: Birth place:
Jeppe Pedersen 38  Gift  Selweierhuusmand, eier en Jordlod  
Ellen Marie Pedersdatter 28  Gift  hans Kone  
Ane Magrete Jeppesdatter 7  Ugift  deres Børn  
Ane Jeppesdatter 5  Ugift  deres Børn  
Jens Peter Jeppesen 1  Ugift  deres Børn

And in 1845 - Peder back:

vejle, Holmans, Pjedsted, Pjedsted Bye og Sogn, , et Huus, 52, FT-1845
Name: Age: Marital status: Occupation in household: Occupation: Birth place:
Jeppe Pedersen 43  Gift  Huusmand lever af sin Jordlod Do [Pjedsted Sogn Vejle Amt]
Ellen Marie Pedersdatter 33  Gift  hans Kone Do [Pjedsted Sogn Vejle Amt]
Peder Jepsen 14  Ugift  deres Børn Do [Pjedsted Sogn Vejle Amt]
Ane Magrete [Jeppesdatter] 12  Ugift  deres Børn Do [Pjedsted Sogn Vejle Amt]
Ane Jeppesdatter 10  Ugift  deres Børn Vester Nebbel Sogn Veile A.
Jens Peter Jepsen 6  Ugift  deres Børn Her i Sognet [Pjedsted Sogn Vejle Amt]
Johanne Jeppesdatter 3  Ugift  deres Børn Do [Pjedsted Sogn Vejle Amt]
Hans Christian Knudsen 45  Enkemand  Indsidder, Dagleier Skjærup Sogn Veile Amt
Peder Hansen 11  Ugift  hans Børn Her i Sognet [Pjedsted Sogn Vejle Amt]
Knud Hansen 5  Ugift  hans Børn Do [Pjedsted Sogn Vejle Amt]

And in 1850 - without Peder:

vejle, Holmans, Pjedsted, Pjedsted, , 61, et Huus, 61, FT-1850
Name: Age: Marital status: Occupation in household: Occupation: Birth place:
Jeppe Pedersen 46  Gift  Dagleier, Huusfader Her i Sognet
Ellen Marie Pedersdatter 38  Gift  Hans Kone do [Her i Sognet]
Jens Peter Jeppesen 11  Ugift  Deres Børn do [Her i Sognet]
Johanne Jeppesen 8  Ugift  Deres Børn do [Her i Sognet]
Zakarias Jeppesen 5  Ugift  Deres Børn do [Her i Sognet]

Lissa

[Lissa Pedersen]

Karen Margrethe could be here in 1840:

vejle, Holmans, Skærup, Skjærup Bye, , et Huus, 6, FT-1840
Name: Age: Marital status: Occupation in household: Occupation: Birth place:
Knud Hansen 66  Gift  Dagleier og Almisselem  
Gedske Hansdatter 72  Gift  hans kone  
Peder Thomsen 41  Gift  Dagleier  
Cicilia Marie Abrahamsdatter 44  Gift  hans kone  
Anne Kirstine Pedersdatter 8  Ugift  Deres datter  
Mette Marie Pedersdatter 6  Ugift  Deres datter  
Karen Pedersdatter 3  Ugift  Deres datter

And in 1845:

vejle, Holmans, Skærup, , , Fattighuset (poor house), 53, FT-1845
Name: Age: Marital status: Occupation in household: Occupation: Birth place:
Peder Thomsen 45  Gift  Dagleier Alminde S. Veile Amt
Cicilia Marie Abrahamsd. 49  Gift  Hans Kone Egtved Sogn Veile Amt
Anne Kirstine Pedersdatter 13  Ugift  Deres Barn Her i Sognet
Mette Marie Pedersdatter 12    Deres Barn Her i Sognet
Karen Margrethe Pedersen 8    Deres Barn Her i Sognet

And here in 1855:

vejle, Holmans, Skærup, Fattighuset, , Fattighuset, 55-F1, FT-1850
Name: Age: Marital status: Occupation in household: Occupation: Birth place:
Peder Thomsens Enke (Peder Thomsen's widow) 54  Enke (widow) Husmoder Egtved sogn, Veile Amt
Karen Margrethe Pedersen 13  -  Hendes datter Her i sognet

Cicilie here in 1860:

vejle, Holmans, Smidstrup, Klatterup By, , Et Huus, 93, FT-1860
Name: Age: Marital status: Occupation in household: Occupation: Birth place:
Søren Iversen 28  Gift Murer. Huusfader  Høien S., Veile A.
Mette Marie Pedersen 26  Gift hans Kone  Skjærup Sg., Veile A.
Maren Iversen 1  Ugift Deres Barn  Høien S., Veile A.
Cicilie Marie Abrahamsdatter 63  Enke Hendes Moder (her mother). forsørges af Huusfader  Egtved S., Veile A.

Lissa

[Lissa Pedersen]

Peder Jeppesen/Jepsen could be here in 1840 as a foster child:

vejle, Holmans, Pjedsted, Pjedsted Bye og Sogn, , et Huus, 9, FT-1840
Name: Age: Marital status: Occupation in household: Occupation: Birth place:
Peder Zakariasen 58  Gift  Wæwer  (væver = weaver)
Ane Sørensdatter 70  Gift  hans Kone  
Ane Marie Pedersdatter 26  Gift  Inderste  
Jens Peter Christensen 2  Ugift  hendes Barn  
Peder Jepsen 8  Ugift  En Pleiesøn (a foster child) hos (with) Peder Zakariasen  
Nis Laugesen 20  Ugift  Wæwerlærling (weaver apprentice) hos do (with same)

Perhaps Peder was being trained as a weaver, as his father Jeppe was a weaver?

Lissa

[Lissa Pedersen]

Try to study this page (Peder Jeppesen - Karen Margrethe Pedersen): http://www.fampraestegaard.dk/slaegtsforskning/Olafs_mors.htm

Lissa

[Bob]

Hi Lissa,
Thanks very much for such a quick reply !!   My brother and cousins will be amazed that we have finally found some info back in Denmark!
I will review the info and sites you suggested.   I may need some help, if I have difficulty translating... 
Thanks again,

Bob J

[Bob]

Hi Lissa,   My great grandfather Hans married in 1891.  We believe it took place here in the US. His wife was Mary Peterson, from Denmark.  Her birthday is listed as May 5, 1868.   I don't have any info regarding where she was born in Denmark.  We think that she may have come to the US before Hans (maybe 1886), but not sure.

Maybe she was a Pedersen...maybe we're related somehow..

Bob J.

[Eva Morfiadakis]

Mary Jefferson in household of Hans Jefferson, "United States Census, 1900"


name:

Mary Jefferson


event:

Census

event date:

1900

event place:

ED 658 Arlington town (south part), Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States

birth date:

May 1868

birthplace:

Denmark
relationship to head of household:

Wife

father's birthplace:

Denmark

mother's birthplace:

Denmark

race or color (standardized):

White

gender:

Female

marital status:

Married

years married:

9

estimated marriage year:

1891

mother how many children:

5

number living children:

4

immigration year:

1882

Household

Gender

Age

Birthplace


head

Hans Jefferson

M

32

Denmark

wife

Mary Jefferson

F

32

Denmark

son

Charles P Jefferson

M

6

Massachusetts
son

Harry Jefferson
4

Massachusetts
daughter
Ellen K Jefferson
8
Massachusetts
daughter

Carrie Jefferson
1
Massachusetts

Is this her? Immigration seems to have taken place in 1882.

Eva M

[Bob]

Hello Eva,  Thanks!  Yes, that is Mary, married to Hans !   I found some US Census info from several years.  And also a birth record of one of her children, where it had Pederson listed as her maiden name.   I am trying to trace her back to Denmark, based on her birthdate of May 5, 1868.   Thanks!

Bob Jefferson

[Eva Morfiadakis]

Bob,

Her Danish first name would be Marie, I guess.

Eva M

[Eva Morfiadakis]

name: Hans Jeppesen  
titles & terms:  
event: Marriage  
event date: 23 Sep 1890  
event place: Somerville, Massachusetts  
gender: Male  
age: 22  
 
estimated birth year: 1868  
father: Peter  
mother: Karen Margareta  

spouse: Maren Peterson   :  
spouse's father: Jans  
spouse's mother: Ellen  

Could these two be the right ones?

Eva M

https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-267-12422-49777-0?cc=1469062&wc=6961477

[Lissa Pedersen]

Hi Bob,

How sure are you about Mary's birth 5 May 1868?

Lissa

[Bob]

Hi Lissa,  I found Mary's birth date of May 5, 1868 on a US "Petition for Naturalization" form for Hans.  It was the same form that showed Hans birthdate of Aug 20, 1868.

Bob

[Lissa Pedersen]

I asked, because I found a Maren Pedersen born 9 May 1868 to a Jens Pedersen and Ellen Mortensen - could be? I found her in this census:

Thisted, Hassing, Snedsted, Gjærsbøl By Snedsted Sogn Hundborg Herred, 1 huus, 158, FT-1880, C7072
Navn: Alder: Civilstand: Stilling i husstanden: Erhverv: Fødested:
Jens Pedersen 39  Gift huusfader  Bersted?? Snedsted Sogn Thisted Amt
Elen Mortensen 38  Gift huusmoder  Vangsaa Snedsted Sogn Thisted Amt
Maren Pedersen 11  Ugift deres børn  Vang Thisted Amt
Edvart Pedersen 7  Ugift deres børn  Gjærsbøl Thisted Amt
Kristian Svendsen Pedersen 1  Ugift deres børn  Gjærsbøl Thisted Amt

But when I find this Maren in the church book, she is born 9 May 1868.

Lissa

[Bob]

Eva   (and Lissa),   yes that is their marriage being recorded in 1890 in Somerville, Massachusetts, USA.   And that is the first that I have seen her name listed as Maren.  Is that a variation of Marie in Danish ?
Apparently her parents are Jens Pedersen and Elen Mortensen.  Thanks very much !!

Bob J

[Lissa Pedersen]

I don't know right now, how we can be sure that these are the right parents?

I found the Maren Pedersen by searching all censuses in Denmark in 1880 for an 11 yr old Maren Pe%ers%, and checking these looked for father Jens and mother Ellen.

Elen = Ellen

Lissa

[Bob]

I think the info that Eva provided showing the marriage record, here in the States, where it shows that Maren married Hans Jeppesen in 1890 in Somerville, Massachusetts.  That shows Maren's parents names as Jans and Ellen.  And it is the only document that I have found here in the USA that shows Hans listed as Jeppesen, instead of Jefferson.  So, it must be that he kept his name Jeppesen for several years, and then changed it to Jefferson.  

So, I think we must have found the correct Mary/Marie/Maren.  Would you agree ?

also, What might be the best way for me to determine whether we have some relatives living in Denmark?  I guess they could be either Jeppesens, or Pedersens.


Thanks,

Bob J

[Lissa Pedersen]

Another option would perhaps be to find out whether Mary/Maren's parents (and siblings) also emigrated, since Maren was only 14 yrs old, if/when she emigrated in 1882. Would it be possible to search for them in censuses? I don't have access to Ancestry ....

Have you found an obit for Hans and/or Maren? Where did they die?

Lissa

[John Wrenholt]

This ancestry.com record is the Maren from Thisted that Lissa found in the census.   Also listed on the manifest are:

Jens Pedersen 42
Ellen Pedersen 41
Martin "           17
Maren "            14
Edward "         9


Name:   Maren Pedersen
Arrival Date:   24 Aug 1882
Birth Date:   abt 1868
Age:   14
Gender:   Female
Ethnicity/ Nationality:   Danish
Place of Origin:   Denmark
Port of Departure:   Hamburg, Germany and Le Havre, France
Destination:   United States of America
Port of Arrival:   New York
Port Arrival State:   New York
Port Arrival Country:   United States
Ship Name:   Gellert
Search Ship Database:   Search the Gellert in the 'Passenger Ships and Images' database

[Lissa Pedersen]

We are - perhaps - getting closer? Would it be possible to find more about this family in the US?

Could be that we have the family here: http://www.geni.com/people/Maren-Pedersen/6000000010018220431 - and it's managed by a member of Dis-Danmark. She can be found in the member list.

Lissa

[Lissa Pedersen]

thisted, Hundborg, Vang, Vang by, , Et huus, 13, FT-1870
Name: Age: Marital status: Occupation in household: Occupation: Birth place:
Jens Pedersen 24  Gift Huusfader Huusmand Snedsted S., Th. Amt
Ellen Mortensdatter Grønkjær 29  Gift Hans kone  Vang S., Th. Amt
Peder Svendsen Pedersen 6  Ugift Omstaaende ægtefællers børn  Vang S., Th. Amt
Martin Pedersen 4  Ugift Omstaaende ægtefællers børn  Vang S., Th. Amt
Maren Pedersen 1  Ugift Omstaaende ægtefællers børn  Vang S., Th. Amt

thisted, Hundborg, Vang, Vangsaa Bye, , et Huus, 1, FT-1840
Name: Age: Marital status: Occupation in household: Occupation: Birth place:
Morten Pedersen Grønkjær 29  Gift  Huusmand og Fisker  
Inger Christensdatter 29  Gift  hans Kone  
Mette Mortensdatter 3  Ugift  deres Børn  
Petrine Eline Mortensdatter 1  Ugift  deres Børn  
Mette Marie Thomasdatter 25  Ugift  Tjenestepige  
Eline Jensdatter 64  Enke  Inderste og Dagleier

thisted, Hundborg, Vang, Wangsaae By, , Et Huus, 69, FT-1845
Name: Age: Marital status: Occupation in household: Occupation: Birth place:
Morthen Grønkjær 35  Gift  Huusmand og fisker Her i Sognet [Vang]
Inger Christensdatter 34  Gift  Hans kone [Morthen Grønkjær] Tveds Sogn, Thisted Amt
Mette Morthensdatter 8  -  Deres Børn [Morthen Grønkjær og Inger Christensdatter] Her i Sognet [Vang]
Pethrine Morthensdatter 6  -  Deres Børn [Morthen Grønkjær og Inger Christensdatter] Her i Sognet [Vang]
Ellen Morthensdatter 4  -  Deres Børn [Morthen Grønkjær og Inger Christensdatter] Her i Sognet [Vang]
Peder Chr: Morthensen 2  -  Deres Børn [Morthen Grønkjær og Inger Christensdatter] Her i Sognet [Vang]

thisted, Hundborg, Vang, Wangsaa By, Wang Sogn, , et Huus, 74, FT-1850
Name: Age: Marital status: Occupation in household: Occupation: Birth place:
Morten Pedersen Grønkjær 40  Gift  Fisker, Huusmd. og Huusfader Her i Sognet
Inger Christensdatter 39  Gift  hans Kone Tved S., Th. Amt
Mette Mortensen 13  -  deres Børn Her i Sognet
Petrine Eline Mortensen 11  -  deres Børn Her i Sognet
Ellen Mortensen 9  -  deres Børn Her i Sognet
Peder Christian Mortensen 6  -  deres Børn Her i Sognet

thisted, Hundborg, Vang, Wangsaa By, , Et huus, 21, FT-1855
Name: Age: Marital status: Occupation in household: Occupation: Birth place:
Morten Pedersen Grønkjær 45  Gift Fisker. huusfader  Her i Sognet
Inger Christensdatter 44  Gift Hans kone  Tved Sogn
Ellen Mortensdatter 13  Ugift Deres børn  Her i Sognet
Peder Christian Mortensen 11  Ugift Deres børn  Her i Sognet
Christen Mortensen 4  Ugift Deres børn  Her i Sognet

Lissa

[Lissa Pedersen]

http://www.myheritage.dk/person-6001242_120361162_120361162/morten-pedersen-gronkjaer

http://www.klitstien20.dk/THY_Net/jette_og_ole/3434.htm

http://www.geni.com/people/Morten-Pedersen-Gr%C3%B8nkj%C3%A6r/6000000002070203396

http://www.bolyhne.dk/Slaegtsforskning/Mineaner/fam088xx/fam08816.htm

http://www.thisted.visbilleder.dk/(A(0iLtl0knzQEkAAAANmQ5ZWNjOTYtZTdmZC00ZWZiLTliMjUtM2I2Mjg5MDY0ZTVm0MxGGSovijPLHVbkj4EFWxdwyp01))/Default.aspx?pr=101&n=1059&img=1080&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

Lissa

[Lissa Pedersen]

thisted, Hundborg, Vang, Vangsaa, , Et huus, 12, FT-1860
Name: Age: Marital status: Occupation in household: Occupation: Birth place:
Morten Pedersen 49  Gift Fisker. huusfader  Her i Sognet
Inger Christensdatter 49  Gift Hans kone  Tved Sogn, Thisted Amt
Peder Ch. Mortensen 16  Ugift Deres børn  Her i Sognet
Christen Mortensen 9  Ugift Deres børn  Her i Sognet

thisted, Hundborg, Vang, Vangsaa by, , Et huus, 11, FT-1870
Name: Age: Marital status: Occupation in household: Occupation: Birth place:
Morten Pedersen Grønkjær 58  Enkemand (widower) Huusfader Fisker Vang Sogn, Th. Amt
Peder Christian Mortensen 25  Gift Hans søn Sømand Vang Sogn, Th. Amt
Else Nielsen 25  Gift Dennes kone Huusbestyrerinde Vang Sogn, Th. Amt
Christen Mortensen 18  Ugift Huusfaderens søn Under fattigforsørgelse Vang Sogn, Th. Amt

Lissa

[Lissa Pedersen]

On the telephone directory: www.degulesider.dk you will find many Grønkjær in the Thisted area!

Lissa

[John Wrenholt]

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Petersen&GSiman=1&GScid=103849&GRid=16765673&

This findagrave.com shows that Ellen Mortensen died in May 24, 1888 in Hartford, CT.  Her husband Jens (John) Petersen and her son Martin can be found in the same cemetery.

Ellen Mortensen Petersen
Birth:    1841
Death:    May 24, 1888

age 47 yrs 1 mo 5 das.

Inscription:
wife of John Petersen

Burial:
Zion Hill Cemetery
Hartford
Hartford County
Connecticut, USA
Plot: Lot 454

The 1900 Census for Martin Petersen:
name:    Martin Petersen
titles & terms:   
event:    Census
event date:    1900
event place:    ED 177 Hartford city Ward 7, Hartford, Connecticut, United States
birth date:    May 1865
birthplace:    Denmark
relationship to head of household:    Head
father's birthplace:    Denmark
mother's birthplace:    Denmark
race or color (standardized):    White
gender:    Male
marital status:    Married
years married:    12
estimated marriage year:    1888
mother how many children:   
number living children:   
immigration year:    1882
page:    9
sheet letter:    A
family number:    192
reference number:    36
film number:    1240137
digital folder number:    004118708
image number:    00769
   Household   Gender   Age   Birthplace
head    Martin Petersen   M   35    Denmark
wife   Christina H Petersen   F   32    Germany
son   Eliott J Petersen   M   11    Connecticut
daughter   Alma S Petersen   F   9    Connecticut
daughter   May Petersen   F   6    Connecticut

[Bob]

Thanks Eva, John, and Lissa,    your help has been outstanding !

Lissa, I am reviewing much of the info and trying to put the puzzle pieces together.
Here's what I do know as I try to track down what happened to Mary Pedersen.  She married my great grandfather, Hans Jeppesen (Jefferson) in 1890 and they lived in the Boston area.  I was able to locate some info on the 1920 US Census.  Hans was 51 and Mary 52.  They had the following children living with them... Harry 23, Carrie 20, John 12, Alma 10, and Edna 8.  My grandfather Charles would have been 25 at the time and was probably serving in the military.

In the 1930 US Census, it shows Hans 61 living with two of his sons (Harry and John), and mentions that Hans is a widower.  So Mary must have passed away during the 1920's.   I am still looking for information for you.  Please let Lis Borgaard know that I am working on it.... 

Bob J

[Bob]

John,  I just saw your note... great work!   Thanks!

Bob

[Eva Morfiadakis]

Name:

John Jefferson

State of Issue:

Massachusetts
Date of Birth:

Tuesday  August  20, 1907

Date of Death:

October 1986

Est. Age at Death:

79 years, 1 month
Last known residence:

City:

Cambridge; North Cambridge; Porter Square

County:

Middlesex

State:

Massachusetts

This might be your grandfather's brother. Maybe you have it already but maybe you can get mor information from his descendants.

Eva M

[Lissa Pedersen]

Has/could anyone check, whether any (other) of Hans' siblings also went to the US - before or after him? That was often the case. Bob, do you know anything about that?

Lissa