Hello, here are the search results of the Census 1845. Apparently these people were in a 'poor house' I believe that they also may be my distant relatives, but do not have the resources, language skill or geographical knowledge to fill the gaps; could someone please help with more information i.e. marriages, dates and full names etc. this will assist in verifying the family links. It really looks quite promising, but sadly, could also be wrong.

Sydslesvig, , Nordhackstedt, O. Linnau, , Armenhaus, 14 F1, FT-1845

Name: Age: Marital status: Occupation in household:

Johann P. Johannsen 40 Verheir. Bewohner des Armenhauses
...?? L. Hansen 38 Verheir. Bewohner des Armenhauses s. Ehefrau
A. Cath. Johannsen 11 Unverheir. Kind
Cath. M. Johannsen 9 Unverheir. Kind
Anna Chr. Johannsen 7 Unverheir. Kind
Peter Chr. Johannsen 5?? Unverheir. Kind
Jürg. P. Johannsen 2 Unverheir. Kind 5

If there is anyone who has any information or assistance would be so appreciated, thank you in anticipation....

Kind regards Steve

Hi again, nope still stuck, are there any other search clues that could point me in the right direction? It is getting information to verify the connection and unfortunately none of the names, although very nice, are unique. The maiden name of Peter Christians' mother Helena Hansen as appears on his New Zealand death certificate may be a red herring; although, is a strange coincidence that the list above mentions Hansen, but the census wouldn't usually list a maiden name...

cheers Steve

'but the census wouldn't usually list a maiden name...'

Danish censuses of that period usually DID list a wife by her maiden name.

Thank you, that answer gives me more confidence in G G Grandmother being Helena Hansen....

Now just a few more gaps to fill and i.e. Peters sibling full names and I may get somewhere. Thank you again.

Cheers Steve

Hello again,
I have had a lot of success in my quest for this family. It has been a long one. Peter Christian Johannsen and Anna Christina Johannsen nee Johannsen had three children:

Johann Peter Johannsen DOB: 1869

Hans Peter Johannsen DOB: 1870

Arthalina Johannsen DOB: 1872

The family had a very tough life and migrated to New Zealand about 1874 and had two more children here; but the three children born in Nordhackstedt, Schleswig-Flensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany did not come with them. Can anyone assist with ideas on searches etc. I have tried the DDD but only in the county of Sydslesvig. I’m lost as to where else or what Census papers to look for. Could the children have died early, been adopted or taken from them?

Any clues would be gratefully received.

Kind regards Steve

Hi Steve,

Please see below. I'm not sure if they are your family. I found it on www.rootdigger.de

Johannsen, Johann Peter
* 1869 14 June Accused (in 1892) of leaving the country without a permit for emigration and of not showing for military service.USA

Johannsen, Hans Peter * 1870 7 Oct. Accused (in 1892) of leaving the country without a permit for emigration and of not showing for military service. USA

Regards, Carsten

Hello Carsten, thank you so much, yes I think you may be correct, the dates I have for them on there birth certificates certainly compare, so it is a really good clue. I didn't look past the fact that they must have died in Germany, because why would mum and dad leave them behind? They were only 4 & 5 yrs of age.
Thanks again, I really appreciate you efforts and you have given me a great clue.

kind regards Steve

Hello folks,

Peter Christian Johannsen and Anna Christina Johannsen nee Johannsen had three children:

Johann Peter Johannsen DOB: 1869

Hans Peter Johannsen DOB: 1870

Arthalina Johannsen DOB: 1872

The family may have had a very tough life and migrated to New Zealand about 1874 and had two more children here; but the three children born in Nordhackstedt, Schleswig-Flensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany did not come with them.
From the rootdigger.de web site:

Johannsen, Hans Peter * 1870 7 Oct. Accused (in 1892) of leaving the country without a permit for emigration and of not showing for military service.

Johannsen, Johann Peter * 1869 14 June Accused (in 1892) of leaving the country without a permit for emigration and of not showing for military service.

I think this could be the boys, the dates match. This still adds to the mystery as to why mum and dad (Peter & Anna) left them behind, assisted immigrants had their children’s passage paid as well. That is why census records from the 1870's up would be very handy, they must have been staying with a relative surely; or, perhaps an orphanage, or in the Armenhause. It is not normal behaviour for parents to leave their babies, it is absolutely unusual......... that is my dilemma and the clue to my next tip, where can I find these please? I have searched all the resources I know for these census records. Any advice would be gratefully received.

Regards Steve

Investigation in New Zealand and Germany has solved the quandary – sadly the Johannsens did bring their four babies, but they died during the voyage in 1874.

24 infants died during that voyage. I cannot get my head around the fact that early immigrants sought their dream and lost so much on the way. Really sad........

Thanks to those that helped, Steve