Who is Marius Mortensen?

In the 1880 Denmark Census Marius Mortensen is listed in the house of Jørgen and Karen Mortensen. Marius is listed a Deres Søn age 11; which would put his birth at about 1869. One might ask how is this possible, Jørgen and Karen were not married until 1872. Well if we go to the 1870 Denmark Census we can shed a little bit of light on the situation. In the 1870 there is a house with the following people listed:

• Rasmus Mortensen - Widow - age 39 - Huusfader Slagter
• Lisbet Mortensen - age 8 - Datter
• Søren Søberg Mortensen - age 6 - Søn
• Rasmine Mortensen - age 3 - Datter
• Rasmus Marius Mortensen - age 1 - Søn
• Jørgen Mortensen - Single - age 36 - Broder Slagtersvend
• Søren Mortensen - Single - age 19 - Brodersøn Slagtersvend

So now we know that Marius is the son of Rasmus Mortensen, not Jørgen Mortensen. If we do a little bit more digging we find that Rasmus Marius Mortensen was born December 20, 1868 to Rasmus Mortensen and Ane Marie Pedersen. Digging a little bit deeper we find out that Ane Marie Mortensen died October 29, 1869 of Skarlagensfeber.

So know we know the story of of Marius Mortensen. The assumption is that Jørgen and Karen adopted him and that is why he is listed as Deres Søn.

Danish to English:

Huusfader = Head of Household

Datter = Daughter

Søn = Son

Deres Søn = Their Son

Broder = Brother

Brodersøn = Nephew

Slagter = Butcher

Slagtersvend = Butcher's Assistant

Skarlagensfeber = Scarlet Fever