Christian Jensen Papers
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Brief Description:

The Christian Jensen Papers consist of a translated journal Jensen kept during his journey from Christiania, Norway, to the U.S. on the boat Dröbak. Also included is a short biography of Jensen and a list of offspring. These documents are all photocopies of originals.

Jensen's journal of his trip begins April 20, 1861, the day he boarded the Dröbak. The ship did not depart from the harbor at Christiania until two days later. The main entries in the journal include travel details such as the wind, storms, the direction of the ship, and landmarks. Births and deaths that occurred during the voyage were also noted. Of the 14 deaths he reported, all but one of them occurred on the ship. Most of those who died were children, including all infants born at sea. During the third week of the trip, the first mate of the ship also died. The ship arrived July 3 in Canada and, after a period of quarantine which the journal briefly describes, Jensen continued by train from Quebec to Wisconsin. Along with the journal is a detailed list of his travel expenses from Norway to where his sister, Kjersti Larson, lived in Mud Branch, Wisconsin.

The list of children born to Christian and Kari includes, where applicable, nicknames and married names, and the years of birth and death, and the ages at death. Also included are brief notes about the translation of the journal. The journal was translated from the Hadeland dialect by two of his grandchildren in 1971. Lastly, there is a photocopy of an old family photograph.

Held at:
Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections
Chester Fritz Library
3051 University Ave Stop 9000
Grand Forks, ND 58202 9000
Phone: 701-777-4625
Fax: 701-777-3319
Email: und.archives [at] library.und.edu
Record Series Number: OGLMC/1277
Created by: Jensen, Christian (1833-1916)
Volume: 0.25 Linear Feet
Acquired: 02/18/1993.
Access Restrictions: Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.
Subject Index
Immigration
Languages of Materials
English [eng]
Norwegian [nor]
Acquisition Notes: Harold Thompson, McIntosh, Minnesota  Donation; 93-1894
PreferredCitation: (Description of Item) Christian Jensen Papers. OGLMC 1277. Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections. Chester Fritz Library. University of North Dakota.
Finding Aid Revisions: Finding aid added to Archon in August 2012.