Soren and Gyda Christiansen nee Jensen
Soren and Gyda Christiansen nee Jensen form the beginning of our family's connection to Denmark. Soren was born on 11th February 1837 in Nebsager, while Gyda was born in Barrit, Vejle on 9th February 1838. They wed on 29th August 1862 in Rarup, Vejle.
By the time Soren and Gyda emigrated to New Zealand in 1875 on board the ''Humboldt'', they had two daughters and two sons. They landed by surf boat at New Plymouth. Two more daughters were subsequently born in New Zealand. Soren had seen service in the Prusso-Danish war while in Denmark, and also went on to serve in the New Zealand wars in Taranaki. He was a cabinet maker by trade, but initially took up farming when the family settled first in Inglewood, later moving to Midhirst. Gyda died on 10 June 1911 at Midhirst. Her husband Soren died on 21 January 1923, aged 86 years. They are both interred in the Midhirst Cemetery. Soren's obituary in the Taranaki Daily News stated: ''The death of Mr Soren Christiansen at the age of 86 years, occurred at Stratford on Sunday. Mr Christiansen was born in Denmark and saw service in the Prusso-Danish war. He came out to New Zealand in 1875, landing by surf boat at New Plymouth. He again served in the army during the Maori disturbances and suffered the hardships occasioned by those times. For 30 years he lived at Midhirst and recently moved to Stratford. Mrs Christiansen predeceased her husband 11 years ago, and he is survived by a family of five:- Messrs. C.M. (Patea) and J. Christiansen (Stratford), Mrs P. Hunter (Stratford), Mrs Scrivener (Morrinsville) and Mrs Neilsen (Te Kuiti)." |