Jacob "Jake" Møller
Christensen Family
Denmark
and United States
Jacob Christenson with the
Boston Police Department about 1950
Jacob "Jake" Møller Christensen
b. 13 Feb
1891 Søndjberg, Denmark
d. 4 July 1978 Brockton, Mass., USA (death cert. #035017)
1m. Marie Anna Whitman 26 Nov 1919
Boston, Mass.[Mass. Mar. Certi.444 -151]
apparently
divorced before 1928 [ mar. record of 1928]
b. 1890 Muncy, Penn.
d. USA
her father: John
J. Waltman
her mother: Christine Poust
2m. Jennie Harriet
Adamsen(16 Oct 1928, Manhattan, New York,
New York state )
b. 20 June 1891 Boston, Mass [SS Application 1936-2007]
d. 20 Feb 1958, Boston, Mass. [Boston Globe obituary 21 Feb
1958]
her father: James Lincoln Adamsen (a letter
carrier)
her mother: Jennie C. Brown [SS Application 1936-2007]
3m.
Johanna Marie Sorensen 11 Jan 1959
Hempsted, NY [NY State, Marr index p. 900]
b. 23 Sept
1907 Stagsted, Dronninglund parish, Hjørring, Denmark [danishfamilysearch.com - church books, births]
d. 2 Jan. 2005, Boston, USA. (age 98)
her father: farmer Peder Sørensen
her mother: (difficult to read) Melle Johanne, ... ?Jons
Oepsus in Stagsted
her first marriage: Jens
Christian Hygom (a Dane who lived in Cranfills Gap, TX)
she apparently has at least
two children by her first marriage, son Hubert Gordon Hygom,
but none by Jake.
his father: Paul
Møller Christensen b. 26 Feb 1849 Denmark
his mother: Ane Johanne Pedersen b. 20 Nov 1848, Søndjberg, Denmark
| Children w/ Maria Anna Whitman
|
Jacob Moller Christensen
|
b. 24 July 1920
|
d. died young
|
m. |
| ? possible child |
b. |
d. died young |
m. |
?
|
b. |
d. |
m. |
Jacob "Jake" Møller Christensen is an interesting member
of the family. He lived much of his life in Boston away from
his brothers in Cranfills Gap, Texas. Being the younger
brother Jacob seems interested in making a different life for
himself away from farming. According to Kent Christoffersen,
"Jake" had worked on one or more of the steamships plying routes
across the Atantic after WWII. He applies for
citizenship in 1912. By 1919 he is listed as working as a
police officer in Boston which becomes his life long occupation.
He apparently became a great marksman and won many contests for
his skeet shooting with a shot gun (see notes 1948). He made
occasional trips to Texas to see his brother and other
acquantinces, usually around Christmas. His third wife was
of Danish decent and she made many trips to Denmark from Boston
even after "Jake's" death. "Jake" seems to have only had one
child who didn't survive according to census records.
1908, November 1 - Jacob Moller Christenson immigrated to the United
States from Copenhagen, Denmark on the vessel RMS Lusitania of the
Cunard Line. It was launched in 1907 and at the time was one of the
fastest and largest ships afloat. It eventually was sunk by a
German torpedo on May 15, 1915 off the coast of Ireland which help
to bring the United States into WWI since 128 US citizens lost their
lives. Jacob would have been one of about 1138 3rd class/steerage
class passengers. [US Immigration Declaration of Intention,
23]
RMS Lusitania on the maiden voyage, 1907.
photo wikipedia.com
1910 - US Census, Justice Prect. 3, Hamilton Co., Texas, Roll: 1558
Page: 187
"Jake"Jacob is listed here with his brother P. L.
Christenson, the different spelling in the census makes it tricky
to track these individuals. He indicates he arrived in 1908
and is a farmer at this time.
Christianson,
P.
L.
Head
m
w 27 m(mar.) 4
(yrs)
Den. (Danish overwritten) Den. Den. 1901NA English Farmer
" ,
Cora
Wife f w
23 m
4 2 (child.
born)
Texas
Norway
Norway English none
"
, Emroy son
m w 3
s
Texas
Denmark
Texas
"
, Mary
dau. f w
11/12
s
Texas
Denmark Texas
"
, Jacob brother m
w 19
s
Den. (Danish
overwritten) Den.
Den.
1908
al.
English Farmer laborer
1912, January 22 - Jacob Moller Christenson
at age 20 files his Declaration of Intent to become a citizen of
the United States of America. He says he is age 20, a
farmer, "light' complexion, 5' 10'', 170 lbs, light hair, blue
eyes. He is born in Denmark on 13 February 1891, lives in
Cranfills Gap, Texas and last lived in Thisted, Denmark.
He left from Copenhagen, Denmark and arrived in New York on 1st
day of November, 1908.
[US Immigration Declaration of
Intention, 23]
Jacob Moller Christenson's Declaration of Intent.
original document in the archives of Bosque Co., TX
photo Elroy Christenson 2014
1917- Jacob Christenson becomes a Naturalized Citizen in 1917
according to the 1920 Massachusetts Census.
1919- Jens Christian Sorenson Hygom applies for a passport as a
naturalized citizen. He states that he was born 12 Oct,
1887 in Norvup, Denmark. He emigrated Oct 28, 1908 and
lived eleven years from 1908 to 1919 in Cranfills Gap, Texas.
His intent is to travel back to Denmark to see his
relatives. [Passport applications. Roll
0984 - Certificates: 139500-139749, 15 Nov 1919-15 Nov 1919] I
have no idea who this is but an interesting piece of information
of someone else who lived in the Gap. One question that we
have is how Johanna meets and marries this man.
1919, May 24, Jacob Moller Christensen is serving in the
military in Jamaica Plain, Mass. (since he married in Nov. his
service may have been very short)
[US Veterans Admin.
Master Index, 1917-1940]
1919, 26 Nov. - Jacob Moller Christensen (age 28) marries
Mary Anna Waltman in Boston, Mass. It is listed as the first
marriage and single. His occupation is listed as "police officer" ,
28 years old, born in Søndberg, Denmark, father - Paul M.
Christensen, mother Johanna Paulson. She is listed as 29
years old, a "nurse", father- John J. Waltman, mother- Christine
Poust, [Mass. Marriage records]
1920 - US Census. Roll: 732 Page: 68 Suffolk Co., Massachusetts.
Jake is listed here with his apparent first wife as a boarder on St.
Botolph St.
Getchell, Addie L.
head f
w 65 w(widow) Maine
Maine
Maine
dressmaker home
Christenson, Marie A. lodger
f w 29
m(mar.) Pennsylvania Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania none
Christenson, J. M.
lodger m w
29 m (mar.)
Denmark
Denmark
Denmark
Police officer, Boston
1920, 24 July - a
male child is born named Jacob Moller Christensen, to Jacob M.
Christensen and Mary A. Waltman in Boston, Mass. [Birth
Register for City of Boston, 1920]
we have no specific date but we believe that this
child died young.
1928, 21 Dec. -
Johanne Marie S. crosses the border from Canada at Niagra with
her husband Jens Hygom. They are listed as naturalized
citizens. Her birthplace is listed as Stagsted,
Denmark. (She is to become "Jake's" third wife after
1955)
[Border Crossing from Canada to US, 1895-1956]
1935, Apr.4 , page
4, "Boston Police Speak Chinese and Yiddish" by Edward
A. Costello. The article appears in the Boston Globe on
the broad range of multiple languages spoken in the Boston
Police force. Jacob Christensen is mentioned as speaking
Danish, Norwegian, Swedish and German besides English.
[Boston Globe. Apr 4. ]
1942- Jacob
Moller Christensen is registered for the draft. serial
number U2284. He lists his address as 70 Wilmington Ave,
Dorchester, Suffolk, Mass. His age is 51, His wife
is listed as Jennie H. Christensen who lives at the same
address. He is born in Thisted, Denmark Feb. 13,
1891. He is working for the City of Boston, Police
Department, 154 Berkeley St., Boston, Suffolk, Mass. [US
Draft Card. revised 4-1-42]
Jake's history is somewhat secretive. He was also quite
a story teller so much of what he may have told us may have
been fabricated or embellished. We had no idea, for
instance, that he may have been married by 1920 and still
don't know much about this marriage.
In the following record Jacob seems to be working on the
Gripsholm ship over several months.
1946 - Sept 6 - Jacob M. Christensen
sails from New York to Göteborg on the ship Gripsholm.
He stated to come from Boston and is in "T" class.
[Swedish Emigration Records, 1783-1951]
1946- Nov 22 - Jacob Christensen sails from New York for Göteborg
on the ship Gripsholm. He stated that he came from Boston, Mass.
and is married. [Swedish Emigration Records, 1783-1951]
1946 - Dec 2 - Jacob M. Christensen is on the ship Gripsholm
sailing from Göteborg, Sweden. [New York Passenger Lists,
1820-1957]
1949- Nov 18 - Jacob M Christensen sails from New York for
Göteborg on the ship Gripsholm. He stated to come from
Boston, Mass and is married and is in "class 1". [Swedish
Emigration Records, 1783-1951]
1948-49- Jacob M.
Christensen - is listed in the Boston, Suffolk Co., Mass.
telephone directory. He is listed at 70 Wilmington
Ave.(Dor), on page 2972
Kent Christoffersen was told as a child that
"Jake" was the first person in Massachusetts to shoot 99 skeets in a
row. He apparently used to shoot regularly and may have
gambled in the process. He showed Kent what a terrific shot he was
by shooting tin cans almost as fast as they could be thrown without
even aiming from the shoulder. (Christoffersen 5/13/08)
1955 - Oct 28 - Jacob and Jenni Christensen arrives in New York from
Prestwick, Scotland on Scandinavian airlines from one of their
apparent trips to Denmark. [New York passengers lists ,
1820-1957, Ancestry.com].
Jake and and Jennie in Denmark. Kent thinks this was
probably taken about 1955
in Søren Hedegaard's house. Jennie dies in 1958.
photo in the collection of Elroy Christenson
This photo was obviously taken at the same time in 1955 at Søren
Hedegaard's house and includes Jake with his local brothers sitting
in the same chair as the previous photo.
Beginning on the far left, are
the brothers Kristen Møller Christensen (known as Kren Møller)
the brick mason,
Anders Kristian Mogensen Christense, Søren Hedegaard
Kristiensen (the baker), and Jacob Christensen, who
emigrated to Boston and became a policeman.
1957- Jacob M Christensen and Jennie H.. Christensen are
listed at 70 Wilmington Av Dor, Boston, Mass. USA. his
occupation is "Sergent Police". [U. S. City
Directories , 1822-1995 on ancestry.com] (Jennni
listed here should be his second wife. Somewhere between
1957 and 1959 he marries his third wife, Johanna. )
1958 Feb. 20 - Jennie H. Christensen dies in Boston. Her
obituary is listed in the Boston Globe on 21 Feb 1958. Her
spouse is listed as Jacob M. Christensen with a sibling listed
a Sydnev Swaine. [Boston Globe, Obituary Index]
@1958- illegible dated postcard to Pete L. Christenson, Rt. 1,
Jonesboro, Texas.
"Just
a greeting to you from faraway Denmark, The folks are all
well except Moller he is getting old also Karen.
Greet the whole family. With love to you and Eva -
your brother Greetings from all. Jacob.
[collection of Elroy Christenson].
1959, Jan 11 - Johanne Marie Hygom marries to (a computer
abbreviated name) CHRI (which should be Jacob
Christensen) in [Hempsted, New York. New York State, Marriage
Index, 1881-1967]
1907, Sept 13. It was difficult the know exactly how
they met and we still don't know the relationship of
Johanna's first husband to the story although she had at
least one child by this earlier marriage.
I was finally able to find
the record of her birth although difficult to read. It
states that her father was farmer Peder Sørensen and mother
may be Johanna of Stagsted. This town is on the
Jutland peninsula perhaps 10-20 miles from Aaborg.
This is not far from the birth place of Jake south of
Aalborg in Søndjberg. This geographical connection may
have aided their attraction to one another.
[danishfamilysearch
- births -
https://www.danishfamilysearch.com/sogn376/churchbook/source4084/opslag1830853]
1959, Jacob M and Johanna are listed in the Boston, Mass. city
directory together. He lists his occupation as
"sargent police", living at Div 2 h70 Wilmington av
(Dor) [City directories 1822-1995, ancestry.com]
1961, July 12 - letter from J. M. Christensen, Vestergade 15,
Aabybro, Denmark to Chris and Violet Christensen.
The best
wishes for the 16th of July 1961
To you good folks from far-away Denmark where we are
spending the summer. We are about ready to start of a
trip through Germany, Holland, Belgium, France and England.
and from Scotland back to Copenhagen. Our best wishes
to everybody, with
Love from Chris & Johanna. [collection of Elroy
Christenson]
1963- Jacob M Christensen and Johanna M. Christensen are
listed at 70 Wilmington Av D., Boston, Mass. USA. his
occupation is "Retired". [U. S. City Directories ,
1822-1995 on ancestry.com]
1968- Jacob M. Christensen is listed in the Boston, Suffolk
Co., Mass. telephone directory. He is listed as living
at 70 Wilmington Ave., (Dorchester Center).
1970- Jacob M. Christensen is listed in the Boston, Suffolk
Co., Mass. telephone directory. He is listed as living
at 70 Wilmington Ave., (Dorchester Center).
1972- Jacob M Christensen and Johanna M. Christensen are
listed at 70 Wilmington Av D., Boston, Mass. USA. his
occupation is "Retired". [U. S. City Directories ,
1822-1995 on ancestry.com]
1972 Jan 17- Jake and Johanna take a trip to Denmark. A
postcard written to Leldon Christenson reads:
"Dear
Betty , Leldon, Eva and Boys. We are still in
Denmark, the weather has been good no snow, have enjoyed
being with the family. but the vacation is over we
are leaving for home tomorrow on the big jet 747 from
Copenhagen to N. Y. Love to all. Uncle Jake and Aunt
Johanna. " [collection of Elroy Christenson]
1978- July 4 - Jacob M. Christensen died in Brockton, Mass.
His last residence was listed as 02021 Canton, Norfolk, Mass.
[Mass. death cert. #03017]
After Jake dies Johanna makes several trips to Denmark to
visit her relatives.
1993 - 29 Mar. Gordon Nygom, Johanna's son dies in Calverton,
Suffolk, New York, He was born in 29 Aug 1930.
2005, Jan 2- Johanna M. (Sorensen) Christenson dies at about
the age of 98. The obituary gives more information on
her.
"Of Canton January 2nd.
Beloved wife of the late Jens C. Hygom & the late Jacob Christensen. Mother
of the late Gordon Hygom. She is survived by her daughter in
law Betty Hygom of New York & 3 grandchildren & 5
great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held in the
spring. Arrangements by the Dockray & Thomas Funeral
Home Canton Dockray & Thomas Funeral Home (781) 828-0811
"
Published in the Boston Globe on 1/4/2005.
According to SS death records her last address was
02021 Canton, Norfolk, Mass.
2014 - A plaque listing the names of Scandinavian
immigrants is engraved with Jacob Moller Christensen's name
is on the main monument stone of the Leif Erikson Memorial
at Shilshole Bay Marina in Seattle, Washington. This
memorial is sponsored by the Leif Erikson International
Foundation which "Symbolizes the courage to venture to a new
land" and so far contains 2,276 names. His name was
included by the paid sponsorship of Miniette Christensen
Shipley, the grand daughter of Christian, daughter of Ervin
Christensen.
Leif Erikson Memorial, Shilshole Bay Marina, Seattle,
Washington and the new "runic stone"
Christian Anders "Andrews" Christensen is listed with his
brothers Jacob Moller and Peder Legind Christenson
Photo Elroy
Christenson, Oct 2014
Source:
Boston Globe.
Apr 4, page 4 "Boston Police Speak Chinese and
Yiddish"
Boston Globe, Obituary 1/4/2005
Boston marriage and birth records index.
Christenson, Elroy - letters and photos
in my collection
Christoffersen, Kent. stories and records. Var,
Denmark
City Directories 1822-
danishfamilysearch - births -
https://www.danishfamilysearch.com/sogn376/churchbook/source4084/opslag1830853
Mass. Birth Index
New York State marriage index, Hempsted
Social Security Death Index.
Swedish Emigration Records, 1783-1951
U. S. Census
Records
U. S. City Directories 1822 - 1995 - ancestry.com
U. S. Immigration Declaration of Intention, Bosque County
Collection, Meridian, Texas
U. S. Veterans Admin. Master Index, 1917-1940
Christenson Index
| Elroy's Family Index
|| Ancestor Chart #1
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