The Christofferson Family History
Updated Feb. 5, 1998

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My cousin, Jo Ann Carlson, has spent a lot of time looking up information at the Muscatine County Records . She has also sent me several letters from Nels mother in Denmark dated July 4 1903? - Jan. 13, 1910. There are also a few other letters from an estate Lawyer, M. Secher, Nels sister-in-law, Malvina and a cousin, Kristine dated 1934. I have tried to extract family information from the letters......(original letters are posted below). There have been a couple of other family members who have done research and I would like to "Thank you all" for your help. Sharon Ahrens has sent me a lot of the Danish family names which have been the hardest to trace. If you have stories that you would like to share please feel free to contact me.

March 7, 1998. Today I received a letter from a relative in Denmark!! Thanks to
an article in the Ryslinge newspaper about the Christoffersons' and my search for relatives in Denmark, I got a letter from Bertha and Leif Dalsgaard. Bertha's grandfather (Kristian Kristoffersen) was my great grandfathers' (Niels Kristoffersen) brother. They live in Borkop and sent me their family tree information and a couples of pictures and maps of Denmark and Ryslinge.
See below-

In the beginning there was.......Johanne Christiansen and Hans Kristoffersen from Ryslinge, Denmark. There are several islands that are part of Denmark and Ryslinge is on the island Fyn. Johanna and Hans Kristoffersen had 5 children, my great grandfather, Niels Kristoffersen being one. All of their children died young except Niels who was 65 when he died. Johanne was very sad when Niels left Denmark because he was the only one of her children still living with her. Her husband, Hans was dead and now she would be all alone. Niels had a brother, Kristian Kristoffersen who left behind a wife, Malvina and daughter named Karen Sofie (Born Dec. 4 1905 - Mar. 10 1983). I got a letter 3-7-98 from the daughter of Karen Sofie Kristoffersen. Karen Sofie went on to marry Helge Madsen and had 5 children. I was contacted by Bertha Madsen-Dalsgaard one of the 5 children.

Hans had 3 brothers and 1 sister. I have no idea what happened to any of them. Their names were Kristoffer Kristoffersen, Hans Kristian Kristoffersen, Jens Peder Kristoffersen and Marie Sofie Kristoffersen.

Johanne Christiansen (Christiandatter) had 5 sisters and 4 brothers. In her letters she refers to some of them. Their names were Karen Marie Christiansen, Anne Kirstine Christiansen, Johanne Marie Christiansen, Frederik Christiansen, Hannosine Christiansen, Jens Christiansen, Hans Christiansen, Wilhem Christiansen, and Karoline Christiansen. One of her brothers, Jens Christiansen, came to America and she asks about him. Her sister Kirstine is in the hospital and very ill. She also talks about her brother, Frederik Christiansen, who had four children, Vilhem, Valdemar, Kristine, and Herluf. Vilhem Christiansen had 4 children, 3 boys and 1 girl, and lived in Orbak. Valdemar Christiansen had one child and lived in Jorgen Blacksmiths house outside Fostrup. I can't figure out who Peter Christian and his 4 children from Copenhagen, Karl in America, Marie and Johannes?, Old Henrik, Kristian, Stine, Anna in Svendborg are?? Uncle Lars and his 4 children -one lived in Nyborg as a gardner, one son studied ministry, another son was a gardner and daughter sewed??

Pastor Soren Hansen Hjort fodt 1853
Sognepraest 1885-1924

Johanne became ill and went to live with Malvina and Karen Sofie in her last years.

She references a Pastor Hjort from Ryslinge, quite a bit. Johanne had a sister in Frorup. The lawyer who took care of the estate when Johanne died was named M. Secher. He sent a letter on March 3 1911 for Nels discussing what was left from his mothers estate. Kristine, Frederiks's daughter, wrote a letter on April 19, 1934. She married Alfred Norregaard and they lived in Eagle River Vilas County Wisconsin. Alfred Norregaard was the nephew of Mads Norregaard from Ryslinge, Denmark. Alfred and Kristine had 2 sons, Fred and Arlov. Arlov lives in Oregon with his wife.

If you read through these letters and recognize anyone who I have not listed, please let me know.

Origins of Danish Names

Throughout scandinavia, family names are seldom used by common people. It was when new laws regarding family names where introduced in the late 19th century that this became common. Before that, most people had only patronymics, which means that they got their fathers first name, with an ending as surname.

Girls would get the father's first name + "datter" (meaning daughter of).
Boys would get the father's first name + "sen" (meaning son of).

In Norway and Denmark, -sen is the same as -son, and -datter is the same as -dotter.

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Here are 2 pictures and we don't know who they are. If any of the relatives can tell me who they are I would appreciate. Apparently these pictures are taken from Denmark.

Niels Kristoffersen changed the spelling of his name to Nels Christofferson when he arrived in Monmouth, Illinois. He married Murney McHenry on November 23, 1898. He became a US citizen April 2, 1898. They had 11 children, 9 of which survived. He never returned to Denmark and never saw his parents again. He lived and worked a farm that was Southeast of Nichols, Iowa.

July 4

Dear Niels & Family,

Thank you for your letter and all that was in it. I shall certainly send you all of the family pictures for I think you should have them all. I am all alone today as I usually am on Sunday. I long so for my own home where I felt free. Here it just as if everyone is afraid to come near me because they are afraid I will give them my disease. It is so difficult that I think I will choose to return to my home if, as you wrote, you would try to help me ask for assistance. I can no longer work to support myself but therefore I can still live if it is God's will. I am not really old - 59 years, but if I live until I become 60 then I know I can receive a little Old Age Assistance, not enough to pay my bills but if you could also send me a little each month then I could at least keep my home as long as I live. You could then sell the home and what remained in it. That is what I really wish for. I will await your letter hopefully as soon as possible. I haven't a soul to talk to but you and Rea Hjort but he is such a good helper and has given me quite a bit of money each year. Write and tell me about Jenís Kristian if you know where he is. It really seems strange here in Denmark - embezzlement from the top government to the poor man. People are very worried that Denmark will be taken over by Germany. No one seems to believe in God anymore. Congratulations also with your 7th child-it seems strange that I shall never see your children but if only you make sure they are baptized, I know I shall meet them in heaven. In closing my most loving thoughts and greetings from your own always-remembering mother.
Johanna Kristoffersen

Please give the new child a name we can pronounce and understand.

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August 3

Ryslinge
Dear Niels and family,

Now it is again your Father's birthday so I am sending you all of the pictures of our children which I hope you will like. I am doing this in memory of him. I hope you will write to me when you receive them for your letters are soon the only thing I have that makes me happy anymore.

Otherwise I feel about the same-I go and move around the house-I can't do a thing but I'm happy I can still be up. Life is still so lonely and without happiness but to come to America is too far except in my thoughts. So now I send my love and thoughts to you all from your own always-remembering mother.
Johanna Kristoffersen

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no date

Dear Niels,

It is so hard for me to think you are so far away. Now that I am alone I must trust in God to give me strength to continue my life down here, for then I know he will also carry me through death to eternity. Please write to me now and then my dear son, for that is my biggest comfort and happiness, if you forget me I know you have also forgotten God and what will it gain, to gain the whole world, if it ruins your soul. You always loved and gave me strength, for now I know I shall not see you again and on this earth. Please write to me and tell me if you ever go to church or if your children go to school. Do you live where Christianity, please do not forget to pray that the word of God will stay with you, for you are part of my life which I cannot do without.

Greetings to you and all your loved ones-especially the little children-be sure to tell them about your childhood and Christmas here in Denmark. Please write to me soon.

How is the farm going? Have you had luck with your cattle. How are the oat prices-here all is so expensive corn 5 kroner 90 ore per 100 kilos.
Now I will finish by saying live well with the Lord and don't forget to pray-give the little ones a kiss from Grandmother.

P.S. Remember next year (Sept. 8th was his birthday) it will be 25 years since your father died. I hope you will either write to me or come home in honor of this day.

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May 24, 1904

Dear Niels,

Today is Pentecost and I am done so I will try to write to you to relieve my thoughts a little yesterday. I went to Svendborg to visit Kirstine. She is in the hospital and very ill, you can understand I am sure, how hard for a Mothers heart this can be but thank God for the great joy Pentecost brings to a Christian and the Holy Spirit dwells in the heart of each baptized person (continued religious references with references again to the day when she will see all her dear ones in Heaven).

God bless you all and I hope everyone is well. Bless Kristian and all your family from your mother.

Johanne Kristoffersen

Please do not forget us and write soon. Tell Kristian the same.

P.P.S.
Greet your children from their Grandmother-I long to see them but that will never happen and they will never know me as we could not speak to me. How happy I would be if they could run in and see me now and then. That would really cheer me up.

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March 3, 1907

Ryslingen
Dear Niels and family,

Now that it is soon your birthday, I want to wish you a "Happy Birthday". This probably seems rather silly and cheap but I truly mean it and you will have to be satisfied with this, it means of course I can not come to your house and take your hand and smilingly wish you a Happy Birthday, no matter how much I wish I could. Now your are the only one of my dear children that is left, which is a part of my life, which makes the natural body a temple of the Holy Spirit. All the others have now gone Home, God be praised and thanked, in the belief in God and in his Grace and Goodness, in the name of Jesus Christ, will call them to an eternal life without sin. This especially can be a base for belief in eternal life, and this is the goal in life for us all, and this is my wish for you, my dear child, as well as for myself. But now you have so many to pray for and be responsible for, both in soul and body. God give you grace to, in Jesus name to be a minister in your own home. You can be certain it makes me so very happy each time I hear from you.

The grace of God be with you and give you peace from God, our Father and Jesus Christ. Now a bit about how it goes with me. When I think perhaps you may find the kindness in your heart ,to send your lonely mother a few words, for I often feel that thoughts travel between us. I have been pretty well but we have had winter ever since November, and it is still extremely cold as I write this letter. It is freezing cold throughout the house but it is worst for the chickens for they lay very few eggs. The house is badly in need of much repair, as there hasn't been anything much done, as I have been unable to afford to have any repair. I suppose you have enough to pay with your own so I don't imagine you have any money left over to help me out. I am sorry...

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Dec. 3, 1907

Ryslinge
Dear Niels and family,

Now it is again Christmas-year goes so fast but I thank God for the great Christmas messages, which brings Peace and Blessings to all people (page 2 & 3 concerns the welfare of Niels soul and she writes that since he is the only remaining in the family she feels she speaks for his father & sisters & brothers also who are dead).

Peace be with you all, greet Kristian and wish him a Merry Christmas if you know where he is. I am awaiting your Christmas letter-Love from your mother

Johanne Kristoffersen

P.S. Remember Christmas and Sept. 8th. I beg of you to write and tell me how it goes with you, for they say here that times are very hard over there and so many are returning to Denmark. Also, here everything is so strange-so terribly expensive but tell me truthfully how you are managing, if you are all well. I am fine as long as I can take care of my daily tasks. Greetings from your brothers little girl. She was 2 yesterday Dec. 4th.

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Feb. 1, 1908

Dear Niels,

Today Feb. 1st we have a blizzard and I sit as always alone and my thoughts go mostly to America. But now I shall again write another letter but this is the 5th letter I have written to you, my forgetful son, sure I heard from you the last time. Now I ask, are you alive? Then please dear Niels, write home to your mother and tell me how you and yours are faring for I do so long for you.

Hold fast to your childhood belief in Jesus Christ and Eternal Life which was given to us in the bath of baptism for then we can be certain we shall meet again never to part. Please believe this and write home to me-I long for you and send me Kristians address if you have it.

Dear, dear Niels, how I wish I could hold you in my arms but I must wait in hope for our meeting in Paradise.-only by waiting can we hope to gain.

Loving greetings from me, your mother and grandmother. I have a picture for you of Kristian's wife and little girl but I don't think I will send it until I hear from you. Write home to me if you haven't forgotten me.

I am not ill but I have a bad cough. What is worse is, I have-so little strength now it is 25 years since Father died, when we reach this fall. I expected a letter from you for Christmas-you could, it would seem to me, tell me a little about where your wife comes from,what nationality she belongs to. She must have parents but perhaps they are heathens, or what religion does she belong to. Tell me this.

You can be certain it would be great happiness if we could all sing together again. This is such a sorrow for me not to hear you sing, can your little children sing "Little Karen" or "Silent Night"or "Stork Long Legs"?

Greetings from your mother
Johanne Kristoffersen

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Feb. 26, 1909

Ryslingen
Dear Niels and Family,

Thank you for your letter and gift - you can be certain I become very happy to hear from you and to know you were alive. Yes, I would love to see you and talk to you but that won't happen on this earth. I can not travel over there for I have become very weak. I have been examined by 2 doctors and they say there is Tuberculosis in both my lungs so it is difficult to breathe since my heart can't really work right. Now I am up and walking around and it will probably be a long time before I will be moved to a better home. If only I have faith in Jesus, all will go well.

You wrote and asked me to write why I really have left my home and that it was hard for you to think that I had to live in hard circumstances. It has become very difficult for me the last few years and it was with real sorrow and hurt that I left my home. However I had been sick for 3 weeks and had no one to nurse me for I could not afford this. You can be sure I had never believed, dear Niels that I would leave my own home until I was carried to the cemetery. But you can understand that when I owe 1000 kroner besides 42 kroner in interest, city tax of 36 kroner and income tax of 12 kroner-that 100 kroner and some potatoes. Then you can understand that when you can't work, you can't live and it is difficult to have to work when you are sick and weak to afford a girl to help me-Dear Niels today when I write this letter, I am so sad that I can't live in my own home. It is so hard to ask for help but even so, dear Niels if you can afford it and have love, please help me so I can move to my home again. There is no one living there yet but I can't do it without your help. If you think you can or will send me money to live on, it will be a great joy for your mother which I can never repay but instead I will pray to god to bless you. Now I will ask you if you know where Kristian is, please greet him from me and perhaps he could think about me too. It is hard to be sick and weak and be unable to do anything. Its too bad your wife is not Danish, then she could have written to me. Now your children have probably started school but I don't suppose they will learn Danish there. Write your feelings before I put my house up for sale. Now I am living with Kristians wife but she has to work hard first to live so I can't continue to live with her.

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March 3, 1909

Dear Niels,

Happy birthday-you can be certain I would like to wish you that in person but that I will never be able to do again, my dear son you can be certain also that I long to hear from you each day and also from my brother Kristian.

I am the same-can do nothing-you can just remember how your Father was. I walk around in the same manner so you can understand that it takes a lot of patience for the others when they have to care for me because I can't stay in my own home.

Please write & tell me how things are going for you; do you own your farm or do you rent the land, tell me how you have it with horses, cows and pigs. What are the times like over there and tell me about your children-have they started school yet because then I suppose they can soon write to their grandmother.

Here in Denmark everything is so unsettled both in a political way as well as in the churches so the outlook is not very bright. It almost seems as if the Danes have become heathens and become sinful and bad morally. Many of our best, fear for the future of Denmark but if only we will seek God he will care for us.

We are having a very hard winter. There is so much ice in the waters surrounding Denmark-more so than most people can remember in many years. You are probably saying "I have pretty much forgotten Denmark" but your Mother surely won't forget and therefore I continually beg you to write to me as long as I am still alive-I hope it won't last too many years. Remember, Our Lord blesses the son who remembers his old Mother. So be under the wings of God is the greatest of riches one can own. Now I want to wish you congratulations with the Blessing of God over you and your wife and Gods peace go with you Goodbye and live well.

Many loving greeting from your mother.
Johanne Christoffersen

Oct. 13, 1909

Ryslingen
Dear Niels,

Thank you for your letter and present. You can believe it was a pleasure to hear from you especially when I feel tired and lonely. It is as if Our Lord says to me "Don't cry there is still a childs heart that beats with love for you". Then I feel more quiet. Otherwise all is the same. I am up each day but can do nothing so it is not easy. Thank you for remembering one-(money I think she means he sent) for I don't have much to help with my care. My house has still not been sold. People are afraid of it because I have had this illness (T.B.) but God will take care of everything if we just believe.

Congratulations on your new home I wish you luck in your future for that is certainly a huge farm-how can you handle all that. Please write & tell me about it.

Did you receive the last letter? I sent 6 pictures in it of each of your 6 brothers and sisters-I would hate to think they are lost.

You wrote and asked about the family here at home, Peter Kristian is married and lives in Copenhagen-he already has 4 children. Karl is in America but where, I don't know, Marie & Johannes you do not know. Old Henrik is still alive and has his own house but Kristian and Stine are living with him. Anna is an alteration (does sewing) in Svendborg and that is where maren Dorothea also lives. Uncle Larís children are also big now, one is married and lives in Nyborg where he is a gardner, the other son is studying for the ministry and the 3rd is at home learning to be a gardner also. The girl sews.

Uncle Fredericks children you do not know but Vilhelm is a carpenter and engaged. Valdemar is a soldier. The other two children are working in Ryslinge-but there are large changes here in Denmark since you left-you would not believe the change and mix-up both political and in people's mind-believe me it looks dark for this country.

I should greet you from Pastor Hjort. He is one of the people who is truly my friend. If you haven't received those pictures as yet please try and check to see if they are laying in Muscatine-they are worth it.

Greetings from Malvina and little Karen. You don't know them but they are the ones I have to depend on for help. Love and greetings from mother and grandmother. Johanne Christofferson.

P.S. Write soon-Live with God.

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Nov. 20, 1909

Dear Niels,

You can believe that today I really miss you. It is 14 years today since little Karen Sofie died and then last night I dreamed I was together with her and it was so beautiful in the church-but it was also Christmas Eve, I think and then I awoke and realized I was alone. My thoughts immediately went to you dear Niels and the wonderful belief in God brought about by the birth of his son. (Much more about belief in God and the cross).

I only hope to leave this world in true belief that we will meet where Christmas lights gleam and where young are happy. That was your fathers Christmas hymn.

Now I want to ask you to trim a little Christmas tree for your children and tell them about the Christ child. You will see how this will bring joy and peace to your heart and blessings to your home.

In closing-a wish for a very merry Christmas and loving greeting from your mother & their grandmother.

Johanne Christofferson

P.S. If I could fly I would come but I must be content to send my thoughts. Be sure to have your children baptized because without that they cannot enter the kingdom of God and there I truly want to know I will see them.

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Ryslingen
Dear Niels,

I have received your Christmas letter and gift for which I thank you sincerely. They are true witness of your ...childlike love for your poor weak Mother. You can truly believe me when I say I am so weak. I am still able to be up each day but I simply can't do a thing. Thank God I don't suffer from a lot of pain, just a constant pressure in my body and tiredness and weakness all the time. I have lived on so little all there years and my body has probably been weakened by this also. You wrote about something I should buy and eat but I don't know what it is you write about. Is this some type of fruit? Can we buy them here in Denmark? Was it summer when you bought them? You wrote that you often have to see the doctor. How are all of you now? You also wrote you had received the pictures-I was glad to hear this.

Dear Niels, now I must write to you about how I should arrange my affairs before I die. You wrote that this was something you could do nothing about. However it seems to be you the whole decision rests on. I have spoken to the lawyer about this but he said there is nothing I can do about a single thing unless you relinquish your power of attorney to me by writing a letter stating you relinquish this, right, when I then die (if you don't do this) the county can claim all my property as their own. But if you turn over your rights to me I can make out a will where in I would stipulate that what was left over of monies after I die & the property is disposed of and bills paid should be divided between you and Karen. Please write to me at once what you think of this arrangement.

Many thanks for all you have done and been for me and do not forget me as long as I am alive. Your letters provide the only real love in my life and makes my heart so happy. Do not forget to pray to our Lord & write often in the short time I still have left to live. Loving greetings from Mother & Grandmother and a Happy Birthday to little Ernest. We two share the same birthdays.

Johanne Kristoffersen

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April 16, 1910

Ryslingen
Dear Friends

It is sad news I write to you for your mother died, yesterday morning early, April 15th and is to be buried April 20th. She has been very ill all winter-really the entire time she has been with me. She has however been able to be up right to the last day. It was his deepest wish not to lay and suffer. This she did not do. She simply slept into death so she surely found the peace she longed for and is at home with her Father and all her dear ones.

I can only write a little for it is hard for me to write. I feel so alone now that I have no one to speak with but we must learn from her to seek the Lord for help to overcome the daily problems. I don't know if she wrote that her house is sold and there are 1000 kroner which you and Karen are to divide but it doesn't seem as if I can arrange for this as the probate court insists they must have it first. It was your mothers plan that she sit them on my savings account book & I promised her that when I died you would get the 500 and my Karen the other 500. But Pastor Hjort says I do not have a right to send them to you as there are inheritance taxes etc to pay but that you will hear about later.

Your mother was buried beside Maren Dorthea so her grave will be with all her children. I do so wish you were here at this time when I am so alone but I will try to do everything as well as I can.

Tomorrow, it is Sunday and my birthday and then I will lay your mother, my mother-in-law and little Karen's god grandmother in her coffin & thank her for all that she has been for us all.

I send greetings from little Karen-also a last greeting from your mother for I can still go in her room and see her lying there-in a day that will be over also.

Loving greetings to you all from your sister-in-law.

Malvina

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June 3, 1910

From : M.C. Secher
Lawyer
Svendborg Denmark

I am enclosing a form for you to file for probate of your mothers estate with the county here. Please have it notorized or signed by a Danish consul if there is someone nearby.

It is not large amounts that have been left by your mother-after checking there matters we find 1000 kroner but otherwise thats it. In a will dated Feb. 11, 1910 your mother stated that your sister-in-law Maria Malvina Kristoffersen is to have all her furniture, clothing & household items. This has been done and by figuring the support care and love received by her while living with your sister in law during the last months she lived has been figured to 500 kroner.

Do you know of any other valuables, property or money other than 1000 kroner that your mother may have had?

With deepest respect

M. Secher

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June 5, 1910

Ryslinge
Dear Niels and all of your family,

Thank you so much for the letter-you ask me to remain as your sister-this I very much would like to do even though I have never seen you. I do feel closely related to you and I also can well understand that it is difficult for you to think that all of your family has now passed away. I go to the cemetery often and visit the graves although it is so hard for me since your mothers death since she was buried in my husband's (your brother Kristians) grave. It has been so hard on me to feel that his grave no longer exists now he is trully gone-but that was the way your mother wished to be buried regardless of how hard it was on me. Little Karen & I miss Grandmother every day it is so empty in our apartment since she died. We are now all alone since both my father & mothers have also died in the last year but of course we live in belief that one day we shall all meet and then no longer will we have to be apart again.

There were many people at your mothers funeral-the church was full-which shows how people loved and esteemed her in the are. Her sister & husband from Frorup were also here and I promised to send you their greetings when I wrote and ask if you knew anything about Kristian over there who has been with you at one time. They never hear from him and think he is dead. If you know anything about him, won't you please write about it in your next letter.

Please excuse me for being so slow to write as soon as I received your letter but I have to work to be able to meet the daily bills-we live well enough as long as the work doesn't become more than I can take. Its good for me to be busy-Sundays are the hardest to get through. You write that you will never come back to Denmark now-I don't suppose I will ever have a chance to come to America but who knows. Please greet all the little nephews and nieces-little Karen has sat here and written a little letter to all her cousins but as you know it can't be read.

Greetings to you all from your sister-in-law
Malvina Kristoffersen

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March 3, 1911

Dear Mr. Kristoffersen,

At last your mother inheritance has been completed and reads as such
Income
only monies (savings) 1000 kroner
Interest 31.99
total 1031 Kr 99 ore
Disbursements:
Probate costs 26 kr. 15 ore
Taxes 10 kr.
total 36 kr 15 ore
Balance 995 kr 84 ore

This is being divided equally between you and your brothers daughter to 497 kr 92 ore each.

Of your share there will be withdrawn the Lawyer fee M. Secher 5 kroner

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April 19, 1934

Eagle River, Wisconsin

Dear Cousin-

It is many years since I saw you, I can not remember you but maybe you can remember me. I am your mothers brothers daughter from Dalshuse, my name is Kristine. I can remember all of your brothers & sisters and was at all their funerals and also at your mothers. I have been in America 19 years. When I left Denmark, your brothers wife, Malvina, asked me if I came near where you lived to visit you and ask you to write to her little girl once in a while for you are the only of her fathers family that is still alive. I have however always been too far from you to visit when I came to America, I went to South Dakota first and from there to Rockford, Illinois where I met and married Alfred Norregaard. He is a nephew of Mads Norregaard in Ryslinge, Denmark. I know you remember him. Alfred could not take the work in the factory there so we traded our house for 40 acres in Vilas County, Wisconsin, we have now bought another 40 acres, that lays on the shore of a small lake called Hunters Lake. It is beautiful here in the summer and there are several hundred tourists every summer but the winters are long & hard. We did not have enough money to buy land where you are at-we understand you live on some of the best farmland in America. We have 2 children, Fred 17 years old and Arlov 11 1/2 years old. My father was 81 years old in January. Your brothers daughter is now married to a barber & lives in Ryslinge. My brother, Vilhelm is married and has 3 sons & 1 daughter & lives in Orbak where he is a carpenter and has his own business and also owns some land. His oldest son is also learning to be a carpenter. My brother Valdemar is also married, has one some 11 1/2 years old. He has bought Jorgen Blacksmiths house and some land-it is located outside Fostrup, maybe you can't remember where that house was located it cost 12 1/2 thousand kroner. Mads Norregaards farm cost 100 thousand kroner-aren't those high prices. My brother Herluf is not married-he lives at home with my parents.

The man that we sell cream to knows you. He said you worked for his grandfather when you first came to America-his name is Wells. Now Alfred insisted I write to you or he was going to do this-I have talked about you so often and it would be so much fun to see you.

Loving greetings from us all here to your and your family.

Alfred Norregaard
RFD 1
Eagle River Vilas County Wisconsin