Wayne Peterson
July 18, 2001
Dear Dave,
Thanx for keeping me on the "Hansen Family Reunion" list. We had hoped to make it out this year but pneumonia that turned into congestiial heart failure took 8 weeks in April & May & am still under close medical supervision.
A few years ago we were fortunate to visit the home where your dad & my mother, Grandpa Hansen and the Fathers before him were born. It's still a very neat home--now the house is spearated from the barn which is constructed inot several large duplex type units. The house is a very beautiful home one of the few maintained with the thatch roof--all very well maintained. Both our (my) Great Grandmothers lived there till they passed on--then it was sold.
We also visited Grandma Hansen's birthplace--the Michaelsen farm was a very large farm. So large that Hitler took part of it & made an airport out of it. It is still operated by the German Air Force. The rest of the farm has since been sold & divided into several farms--We were able to visit the original building part. The house was destroyed in WWII by "flak" setting the roof on fire & of course the house (thatched roof) burned & has been rebuiltinto a very large home.
We met 4 of my 2nd cousins who live in the area. One of them a Thomas Thiesen lead us to the Michaelsen Farm. His grandmother was Christine (Michaelsen) Thiesen--Grandma Hansen's sister--both of course were daughters of Peter Michaelsen & Elsable (Shoof) Michaelsen. Tom has a very nice farm home near the Michaelsen home.
When we first met Thomas at his home--he was very formal. After opening my case of picturs I was trying to get identified, I took out one of Christine (Michaelsen) Thiesen. Her husband to family & Christines sister. Tom became very enthused, exclaiming das my grossfadder & mutter. From then on he relaxed & new we were related.
It was wonderful to get pictures identified & for me to identify picutrds of USRelatives for them.
Haven't heard from anyone over there for some tim & as the cousins ages would be about 74 to 85 I suspect they may be deceased. Only one of 4 spoke English but with our poor German we could communicate. All the Cousins are from the Grandma Hansen--Michaelsen--side.
I've been unable to locate anything or one on Grandpa Carsten Hansen's Family tree--beyond his parents. It sure would be nice to get that part of geneology. Graveyards don't help as land is so valuable that about every 30 years you must pay a fee or the grave contents & markers are hauled to a landfill--terrible situation.
Please give my best regards to all the Hansen decendents Have a great reunion. Love to all,
WAYNE PETERSEN
CLICK HERE to Return to the NOTES PAGE
Return to John Hansen Family Home Page
Webpage Created by Dave Hansen