Canada is a country with a rich history of waves of immigrants from European countries.
Scandinavia was seen by the Government of Canada as a good source of immigrants. Scandinavians were thought to be a hardy people who could successfully clear the land and farm in the wilderness. An agent was sent by the government to Scandinavia in 1872 to encourage farmers to cross the Atlantic. He assisted a Danish businessman Sorensen S. Heller to recruit individuals and families for settlement in New Brunswick.
Heller called himself Captain. It is not known whether this was because he was a ship captain or a captain in the military. After visiting North America in 1869, Captain Heller made an agreement with the Province of New Brunswick to deliver 500 Danish settlers. He was to be paid a bounty of $10 for every person he brought to the province. He managed to sign up about 30 people for his venture.
In 1872 Heller and the settlers boarded a steamship in Copenhagen and sailed to Halifax where they transferred to another ship that took them to Saint John, New Brunswick. There they boarded a paddlewheel steamer and traveled up the Saint John River to a tributary called the Salmon River. They disembarked and walked more than two miles into what was to be their home in northern New Brunswick. According to their agreement with the government of the province everyone over 18 years of age was given 100 acres of land.
The Danish settlers agreed to clear part of the land and to build a house of not less than 16 by 20 feet. The first immigrants were also promised jobs working on the railway. The pay was to be not less than one dollar a day. After three years the immigrants were to have at least 10 acres of their land under cultivation.
At first their settlement was called Hellerup after the Danish businessman who had brought them there. He went back to Copenhagen to encourage another group of Danes to move to his settlement in the New World. In 1873 he arrived back in Hellerup with 80 more Danish immigrants.
It was not long before the Danes concluded that the rosy picture Heller had painted of life in New Brunswick was not true. The work of clearing the land was difficult and there were no jobs to be had on the railway. To make up for this lack of paying work the government of New Brunswick made a payment to each family. Perhaps because the settlers felt betrayed by Heller they renamed their community New Denmark.
In 1873 New Denmark had 111 people. Many of the single men in the original settlement quickly left. There were few single Danish women for them to marry and the work of carving a farm out of dense forest was difficult. They moved on to larger communities in the United States.
The population of New Denmark did not grow very quickly. By 1881 there were 351 people in the community and by 1901 there were only 563. The descendants of the original Danish settlers celebrate their heritage.
By Alan McNairn
M Hope
Hello, I’m doing some family tree digging and I’m looking for information on Frederick Hyde Howell, who I understand had some connections with New Denmark. He was my great-grandfather and a member of the Anglican clergy while in New Brunswick. I have what I have determined to be a Danish copy of the Book of Common Prayer that was inscribed to his daughter, Mary Madeleine Howell.
(Co-incidentally, my grandmother on my father’s side was Danish (Family name Hornum) and came to Alberta from Europe in the late 1930s I think?
Douglas Todd
Hello everyone, I am the great great grandson of Pastor Niels Mikkelson Hansen who brought his family from Denmark to New Denmark in 1872 and I am the great grandson of Peter Jensen and grandson of John Jensen (Canadian Expeditionary Force – 26th Battalion). Proud of my Danish-Canadian heritage!
Roger Burtchell
Hi my name is Roger Burtchell, I looking for info my grandmother family Her name Christine Johannsen Burtchell, married grandfather Roscoe Burtchell they had two children Eleanor and Charles. Thank you
Wilfred Oquist Hansen
I am the Great Grandson of Jorgan(George) Hansen (1857-1933) and Caroline Edvardsdatter (1857-1942).
Grandson of Frederick E. Hansen (1899-1979) and Muriel Vilma Oquist (1898-1990).
Son of Wilfred (Buddy) Oquist Hansen Sr. (1923-2011) and Elizabeth Burch (1925- ).
My name is Wilfred (Billy) Oquist Hansen Jr. (1953- ).
I am searching for early photos of the New Denmark settlement and any of Hansen family.
Susanne
I am a descent of John Hansen who married Marie Hansen: children Madelyn and Barbara.
Mike Hughes
Hi Billy, I just wanted to say “hello”. We must be cousins, as your grandmother Muriel and my grandfather John Oquist were brother and sister. I noticed your middle name was Oquist as well. Greetings from Maine, Mike Hughes
Susanne Pride
I have several photos of George & Caroline, 50th anniversary, and what I believe is Dog’s birthday celebration. Perhaps you have these?
Lorri Oquist Chase
I am Lorri Oquist Chase, Muriel Oquist Hansen was my fathers aunt, I recently found a photo of the Oquist sisters as children and I am looking for adult photos of Muriel in particular as I seem to have a great resemblence to her.
Father- Jay Clyde Oquist
Doris Francis
Does anyone know anything about Ferdinand Frederick Nielsen who married Johanna Karen Jorgensen Denmark then came to New Denmark. I am looking for pictures. The connection is my husband who would be their great grandfather & grandmother.
Davis Hansen
I am also from New Denmark,went to Hilldale elementary school,graduated from New Denmark consolidated high school,I attend the 19th of June festivities (whenever possible) and have many memories from the village,as a side note I have extensive genealogy of the Hansen,Rasmussen Anderson,Jensen (foley brook) and Sorensons (foley brook)
Janet Christensen Ingraham
I was born in Grand Falls, NB, to parents Earl and Signe Christensen of New Denmark and brought up in New Denmark until I graduated in 1967 and left to pursue higher education. My dad was a potato farmer and a former Maritime Ski Champion. My dad bought his maternal grand parents’ farm at the end of WWII which was our family homestead until Mom sold the farm in 1998. Daddy passed in 1984. Daddy renovated the house and the house still stands today occupied by new owners.
My dad’s parents were Walter and Edith (Hansen) Christensen, whose parents emigrated from Denmark.
Arlene Masters
Hi there, my mother’s father John Christensen was related to the original Christensens that immigrated to New Denmark from Denmark. She was also related to the Hansens. I don’t know much about them because my mother never spoke of them to me but her brother John Morten Christensen did speak of them to my sister. I have been trying to trace them to find out more and also the date they arrived in New Denmark. There is a Christensen Road named after them. My sisters and I were in New Denmark a few years ago to visit the museum during the festival but the woman who holds the key couldn’t be located so we couldn’t get inside to find out more. If you know more about them I would be most grateful for any information you have.
Janet Christensen Ingraham
My parents ‘ house is the last house on Christensen Hill off King Christian Road. Our homestead was sold by the people who bought it from Mom. A company from France has bought our farm which will enlarge the adjacent rock quarry. They plan to demolish our homestead which was beautiful when we owned it. It may be demolished by now. I live 2 hours away and I have not been up to drive by as the shock of our home not existing makes my heart so sad.
A John Christensen (now deceased) who lived in Boston was a relative of ours.
Helen
the New Denmark Historical Society contact information. My husband, Wendell Mowbray, was born and raised in New Denmark. His mother was Emma Mowbray and she was the daughter of Camilla Larsen and Archibald (Achie) Howlett. (Camilla was the widow of Christian Andersen before marrying Archie).for.
I have beautiful portraits of two Danish couples. I am quite sure that one is a photo of Morten and Hanne Larsen (parents of Camilla). The other photo is a ‘tintype” so it appears from a previous period than the the first photo. So this second photo may be of the parents of Morten or Hannah Larsen – OR – iit might also be the photo of the Andersens (parents of Christian).
Do you know if there would be any way that you or someone else in New Denmark could help identify these pictures? Any local historian who might be of help? If it would help, I would gladly email the photos to you or whoever you suggest.
Your input would be very greatly appreciated.
Joan Stover
Good Morning, I read with great interest your posting on New Denmark. My great great grandparents are Morten and Hanne Larsen. Their middle daughter Marie married John Poulson in Portland Maine where my Grandmother, Camilla Poulson Harris was born in 1902. ( I had not known until recently that my Grandmother had a namesake. It was exciting to discover! ) Their last residence was Leominster, Massachusetts where I am from. I would dearly love to see a picture of Morten and Hanne or Camilla if you would be willing to share it. I have several pictures of Marie, my Great Grandmother and her family, a couple of Karoline the middle daughter that I would be happy to share, nothing of Camilla. But I also have some pics of unidentified members of my Danish family that I am wondering might shed light on folks you are trying to identify or vice versa. I look forward to hearing from you!
V/R, Joan Stover
joan.stover@verizon.net
Eric Robert Nielsen
Hi!I was wondering if anybody ever heard of a Blue Bell farm in NB?I believe it was my great grandmothers family that owned it.Her Maiden name was Hansen then became Nielsen when she married my GG
Jim
Hello,
Blue Bell is an area in New Denmark and it is not a farm name to my knowledge. There were different areas in New Denmark; Blue Bell, Hillsdale, Foley Brook, Salmonhurst etc.. Many had their own post offices way back.
Jim
Margaret (Lois) is name I use Potts
Did you get any further info? I have the portrait of grandfather (Neilsen) the big one mom restored after retrieving it from the deserted homestead…It should be in the museum in NB.. Are you in touch with someone connect with this museum that I could contact. No one in my direct family wants it…
Blue Bell Farms.. My mother referred to this in many conversations… Her father is Arthur Nelson *name changed from Nielsen..
john
Robert I may be able to help you on your search for blue Bell farms.. Email me at john.thomas.burgoyne54@gmail.com
Randall
Hello!
I recently discovered my connection to New Denmark. My grandparents met in southeastern Saskatchewan both having emigrated from Denmark. My grandfather went back to Denmark and then returned to Canada and moved his family to a dairy farm near Roachville. Sadly both he and my grandmother soon perished and the children were collected by their maternal uncle and returned to Saskatchewan. I had wondered why he had moved to NB. As it turns out he had family in New Denmark. His great uncle Christen Madsen and his great aunt Christine Madsen Berletsen and emmigrated there in 1879. I have traced their lines and noted a number of DNA matches to their descendants. I was wondering if anyone might know of any connection between Roachville and New Denmark? I don’t know if my grandfather had communication with his relatives in New Denmark or not.
Thanks!
danskcelt at gmail
P.S, common ancestor are Mads C Nielsen 1808 1895 Holstebro and his wife Ane Marie Nielsdatter born 1813 Resen.
Michael Hayes
My great grandfather was Henry Jensen, he passed away in his 95th year in 1995. He lived his entire life in New Denmark. I was only there twice, for his 90th birthday and his funeral.
Whalen Judi
I lived next door to Henry. He always invited me to come & pick berries in his raspberry patch. I made home made beans & bread for him. Win/Win!! He was a great neighbor.
Laurens Deeken
Hey there,
i am Laurens, an exchange student from Germany passing my excange at the french secondary school in Edmundston. For a project, i am searching for someone for an interwiev about different cultures and identities in canada. I am searching for a contact to the New Danmark community – could you help me?
Thanks a lot,
Laurens
Gail Jensen-Oulds
I grew up in Foley Brook with 5 siblings (Born Oct 18, 1953)…My father was Alister Jensen(Passed in 1967) and Mother Ruth Pedersen (She is 90 years of age) Ruth was the daughter of Victor (passed in 1962) & Ellen Pedersen (passed in 1996) My Daddy was the son of Henry Jensen as Michael said Passed in 1995 at 95 years of age…Michael’s Grandfather, Chester Jensen & Marjorie were my Godparents…When my Daddy became very ill we left the home farm and moved in with Grampy Jensen…We lived with him until My Daddy’s passing…My parents owned Danish Dairy Dream which was build on property that was I believe originally owned by the Anglican Church…My Mom remarried (James Christensen, Son of Neils & Clara Christensen) James was Dad to us for a short 5 years when he passed as a result of a fire…My Mom remarried in 1982 to Clair Hill from the Kelly Road…They lived at Clair’s farm until his retirement from the potato industry renting the New Denmark home…My Mom & Daddy Clair are both 90 years of age and moved back to my Mom’s home on Route 108 and still live on their own in the home that was built after my Daddy Alister passed…In Grade 9(The fall of 1967) the High School was closed and I then went to Tobique Valley High School…That was a sad day…At 17 I left and went to Canadian Lutheran Bible Institute in Camrose, Alberta for a year, then went to Carleton County Vocational School in Woodstock, NB (which was the year James was killed)..I then back to CLBI, Camrose for a second year…I lived in Banff for a couple of years and then moved to Calgary, Alberta where I still reside…I was married May 18, 1996 to Edward (Ted) Oulds…We have no children and thankful for each other…Michael Mom’s Cathy would be first cousin…
michael hughes
Good Afternoon, my grandfather (John Oquist) was originally from New Denmark, and still had the old family land in Foley Brook. When I was a boy in the late 1960s we would go up to New Denmark in the summer. I remember a place we called the “Canteen” where we would get burgers and such, and that it was run by a lady named Ruth Pedersen…..would this be your mom by any chance? There was an old dirt road near the back of the canteen that would go up to the train station…..Mike Hughes/Brunswick, Maine.
Gail Jensen-Oulds
Yes Ruth Pedersen would be my Mother.. She will be 93 on May 29, 2023…She still lives in her own home that was built right behind the canteen in 1967 after My Father Alister Jensen passed in Feb 1967…She remarried to James Christensen who passed 5 years later in a fire…She remarried Clair Hill and the family were together for their 40th in October 2022.. Clair passed away on Dec 23rd, 2022…It is so awesome sharing and reading the history…
Gail Jensen-Oulds
Yes Ruth Pedersen would be my Mother.. She will be 93 on May 29, 2023…She still lives in her own home that was built right behind the canteen in 1967 when My father Alister passed away
anna
Busy looking up/trying to look up family for my husband, from the area. He was adopted in Calgary in 1962, and only recently received a copy of his adoption papers, with NOT MUCH DETAIL to go on. Hisgrandfather was Alvin Douglas Christensen and grandmother was Vera Florence May Carlson, from Foley Brook area. We have recently been able to trace a bit more on the Christensen side, to Johanna ChristineJensen as mother of Alvin, and Christian M Christensen as his father. My husbands mother was Darlene Joan. Any further details would be greatly appreciated.
Carolyn Howlett
I am a first cousin of Darlene Joan Christensen, born on April 13, 1940. The year seems wrong but everything else fits. I may be able to answer some questions about Darlene. I knew her in 1945 when she visited New Denmark with her family. Thereafter, I did not see or communicate with her until 2006 when I found her through a distant cousin in Edmonton. She came to visit me that year and spent two weeks here. It was a wonderful time. She told me so much of all the intervening years in her life. but a child in 1962 was never mentioned. Please contact me if you want to hear about what I know,
which may not be a lot.
anna
hello Carolyn Howlett…yes, we are talking the same person, we have since found her side of the famliy, and heard about the trip about 1945, and her trip in 2006. She had 2 children, Christine and Robert, last name Bonn. We have been in touch with both, and other close relatives in Kelowna and northern Alberta. We have also found out that the birth of my husband was hush hush, never mentioned much, and she would NOT tell the family who the father was…we are still hunting for accuracy on that part of the family – we know WHO he was. Would love to email you personally!
Whalen Judi
I no longer live in New Denmark, but send me this info & I will try to send it on to the New Denmark Historical Society. Might get some help.
Carol O'Blenis
what are the sites and tourist attractions in your community
Peggy Jensen
I think you might be related to Senika Thomsen. I remember him well!
Judy Williamson-Batson
Hi Peggy! Miss your email!
Christen Petersen
Many of my cousins still live in New Denmark, I was born there in 1951. My grandparents were Anton Petersen and wife Ane Christensen and Paul Pedersen and wife Johanna (Jensen) I believe.Ane had five children including my father William, Johanna had 9 children including my mother Ina. I would be happy to hear from any relative near or far.
I now live in Ottawa, Ontario. chrispetersenadr@yahoo.ca
Hans Johnsen
I guess that would make us cousins. My grandmother was Mary Johnsen (Pedersen), sister of Ina. I live in Kanata. My father (Alan Johnsen) still lives in New Denmark, just up the hill from the original settlement site.
Chris Petersen
Hi Hans: I am a first cousin to Alan. My mom, Ina and Mary were sisters. I am in Florida this week, but would like to get in touch. I live in the Vanier area. In April our Danish Club of Ottawa has a Queen ‘s Birthday Party. This will celebrate her 80th birthday. Maybe we could attend the same event? Christen.
Eric Nielsen
Hello!Did your Grandfather Anton have a sister Mette Marie who lived in Billerica MA?She would be my second great Grandmother.She was married to Soren Nielsen.Thank you ..Eric
john hansen`
my name iis john hansen., my grandfather, august b hansen was born in new demark in 1873. I am trying to trace my heritage.. he came to Canada on a ship..
My address is:
13000 Linden Ave N #549
Seattle WA 98133
email: jack_hansen@ureach.com
Whalen Judi
Try the New Denmark Historical Society. Randy & Heather Jensen should be able to help you.
Helen
I cannot find any working contact information for the New Denmark Historical Society. My husband, Wendell Mowbray, was born and raised in New Denmark. His mother was Emma Mowbray and she was the daughter of Camilla Larsen and Archibald (Archie) Howlett. (Camilla was the widow of Christian Andersen before marrying Archie).
I have been trying to put together a family history book for our children. Luckily I have a lot of photos and documents left to Wendell by his mom and her sisters. But I do have one big question that I would really like to find an answer for.
I have beautiful portraits of two Danish couples. I am quite sure that one is a photo of Morten and Hanne Larsen (parents of Camilla). The other photo is a ‘tintype” so it appears from a previous period than the the first photo. So this second photo may be of the parents of Morten or Hannah Larsen – OR – iit might also be the photo of the Andersens (parents of Christian).
I really do not know how to find out the identity of my photos and I would love to be able to include them in the Memory Book I am making.
Do you know if there would be any way that you or someone else in New Denmark could help identify these pictures? Any local historian who might be of help? If it would help, I would gladly email the photos to you or whoever you suggest.
Your input would be very greatly appreciated.
Carl Thomsen
Lars Bertelsen and is wife Christine Madsen left their home in Holstebro, Denmark and emigrated to New Denmark, New Brunswick in 1879. Their 10 children were born in the Blue Bell section of New Denmark between 1879 and 1897.
Their 3rd child, Amalia Christine Bertelsen, was born on April 8, 1883, By 1906 she had moved to Portland,Maine. There she met Thomas Christian Thomsen who came to Portland in 1899 from his home in Kolkjar, Rind Sogn, Denmark.
They were married in 1906, and then became the parents of my farther, Elwyn A. Thomsen in 1913. If you have other info about my New Denmark ancestors, please send it my way..
Kathleen Bertelsen Cartwright
I believe Carl Bertelsen, my grandfather, was one of Lars and Chritina’s children, born in 1898. He moved to Portland, Maine, USA. He married Jeanie Morrison and had one son, Bruce Bertelsen, my father. Bruce married my mother, Francesta Farr. Her mother, Alice Farr came from Belldoon, New Brunswick. Bruce and Fran had three children, Kathleen (myself) born in 1952, Cynthia born in 1955, and Brian born in 1957. I live in Waldoboro, Maine USA and love to meet relatives. I am going to Nova Scotia this week for a 45th anniversary of Fred and Felicity Jeppesen. Fred, his brother Ron, and sister Ruth
also have roots in New Denmark. Ron and I hope to visit New Denmark for one of the heritage celebrations in the near future.
Whalen Judi
Ron Jeppesen is a cousin of Robert (Bob) Jeppesen, who still lives in New Denmark. He knows everyone in the community.
Rebecca Jeppesen
I’m Ron’s daughter (Rebecca) and just starting to investigate this line of my heritage. I obviously need to make a trip to New Demark again soon.
Marlene Bertelsen
Could you please send me an email. Thank you Marlene Bertelsen
Laurie Christensen
I grew up in New Denmark from 1954 – 1971. It will always be HOME to me. It is a beautiful part of the world and I treasure the memories from childhood on the farm on Foley Brook Road.
anna smith
Laurie, you must be a relative, my husbands family were all from Foley Brook, is there a way I can contact you and ask some family questions?
Bonnie Bertelsen
My ancestors – Bertelsen’s, Andersen’s, Rasmussen’s and Hansen’s were all part of these early Danish settlers. New Denmark is a beautiful little corner of New Brunswick.I miss hearing the Danish language. I have done a lot of research on the Danish families and would be happy to hear from other researchers. I am on facebook and Ancestry.
Kathleen Bertelsen Cartwright
I am a Bertelsen, my father Bruce Bertelsen was son of Carl Bertelsen who came from New Denmark to Portland Maine and apprenticed as a cabinet maker. He was a fiddler and played for dances with his brother in New Brunswick. I am going to Nova Scotia this week for a 45th anniversary of Fred and Felicity Jeppesen. Fred’s relatives also came from New Denmark.
Any information you have on these families I would appreciate,
Kathy Bertelsen Cartwright
Karl Johnsen
My great great Grandfather Anders Carlsen was among that fist group of Danes that walked up Lucy’s Gulch from the Salmon River. June 19th 1872.
Colleen Hansen
So proud and this June 16 17and 18 2017 Marks New Denmarks , 145 th anniversary, come and enjoy , ??Weekend of danish festivities,
Paul Gunnar Pedersen
Great Stuff, Love articles of my homeland and heritage, My name is Paul Pedersen, a 4th generation descendant of the later moves to New Denmark from Denmark, my great grand father Victor Pedersen moved to New Brunswick from Denmark with my very young at the time Grand Father named Gunnar Pedersen still alive and well and still pickin fiddle like he was born yesterday, he will be 95 this year and myself 45 and we are the Pedersen s from the great farms of Foley Brook road, my father and I were the last danes to farm Foley Brook, since 94 we lease the farms to another business but proud to say my Dad Peter still owns the home farms,,again,,,great read and Happy Happy 145 year BDay this year New Denmark,, we will see you for your BDay in June,,Cheerzzz
Gayle Pedersen Maxwell
My sisters Donna crawford , Vicki Lagace, Lisa DeGooyer & Paula Pedersen are the daughters of Herluf & Reta Pedersen & all so proud of our Danish heritage. We all had a wonderful loving upbringing on our parents potato farm in New Denmark. My Dad was never blessed with a son, but his 5 daughters worked along side him through their growing years & he was so proud of us of all. Dad unfortunately has long passed away & Mom carried on the farm for a year after his departure. She has Continued to be the loving mother, Bestomor & Great Bestomor to us all.
New Denmark is a wonderful place to call HOME!!????????
Keith Elwell
My Great Grandfather, Soren (Anderson) Klokkedal came to New Denmark from Denmark with his wife and three children in 1872. I am looking for any info available about this family.
Karl Johnsen
I don’t know much apart from the fact that there is a very steep hill that bears his name. But next time I call him I will ask my Dad if he knows anything about the Klokkedal family.
Clifford Hendricksen
See a video on the web. Google: “CBC Still Standing New Denmark” It is a video about New Denmark. I was born and raised on the Klokkedahl hill. There is a Web site in Denmark called the “Danish Data Archives” is information when they left Denmark.
DOREEN LARSEN Wilson
Hi Clifford Hendricksen, my first cousin. You have done so much with our family tree. I would love to read your findings.
I was born on Sept 1948 in Grand Falls NB to Rowena Hendricksen and William LARSEN. I moved to Toronto in 1960. Anyone with info on both my parents who were also from New DENMARK I would love to read any info you may have.
Martha Gurney
I’ve just wandered onto this site, doing research for my grandchildren. I was excited to see your post. Soren would be my great grandfather. My father, known to the family as Walter Clark, was probably the Otto Klokkedahl who left the family as a young man.
Nila Christensen
I am from New Denmark and love reading the stories of our ancestors and how they struggled in those early years of immigration. I wished I knew more of the language now that I’m older. It is a beautiful part of New Brunswick and I am proud of my hertiage.
A Smith
I am trying to help my husband find his relatives, Christensen family…his mother was Darlene Joan Christensen, born around 1939 in new denmark we believe. Her parents were still alive there in 1962, when my husband was born in Calgary, AB. His mother was not married, had lived in Kelowna BC for a time, until she moved to Calgary to have her baby. My husband was given up for adoption very early, and was adopted to a family named Smith at 2 weeks of age.His adoptive mother only gave him any information about his adoption in the last couple years, although he always knew he was adopted. We have children, and knowing some family history would be very nice to have for them and my husband.
Whalen Judi
See Clifford Hendricksen’s post 15 May, 2019
Thomas Goodine
I am a descendant of the original Danes who immigrated to New Denmark; I can verify the keeping of heritage part. My mother’s siblings, which are sixth generation, are completely Danish – I am half. My grandparent’s generation learned to speak Danish before English, speaking mostly Danish at home. The community also puts together Danish summer school to teach kids how to speak Danish, and there are a number of heritage holidays/traditions. For example, we celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve, rather than Day.
Leslie Petersen
Thank you,that was great.I wish the names had been published as I’m a descendant of these immigrants.