Hans Lorenz b abt 1825 in Schleswig, Holstein, Denmark

[Regorian]

Schleswig-Holstein was part of Denmark until 1864, then Prussia/Germany. The population may have been mainly German, I don't know.

It was stage one in Otto von Bismarcks master plan to unify Germany. So, war with Denmark 1864, war with Austria 1866 and war with France 1870/1871. Hence the 2nd Reich, not that King William I of Prussia wanted anything to do with being Kaiser of Germany. He was at Waterloo you know.

I don't know, perhaps the war of 1864 was just a training war game with live ammunition.

[Westy11]

Hello Thomas

Great to hear from you.  Thank you for the email.  I will send you a PM.

Westy

[Westy11]

Schleswig-Holstein was part of Denmark until 1864, then Prussia/Germany. The population may have been mainly German, I don't know.

It was stage one in Otto von Bismarcks master plan to unify Germany. So, war with Denmark 1864, war with Austria 1866 and war with France 1870/1871. Hence the 2nd Reich, not that King William I of Prussia wanted anything to do with being Kaiser of Germany. He was at Waterloo you know.

I don't know, perhaps the war of 1864 was just a training war game with live ammunition.

Hello Regorian

Hans NEVER identified as German and one wonders if there was some animosity there but maybe its a bit like the Canadians not liking being thought to be Americans or Australians not liking to be called New Zealanders not that theres anything wrong with any country...home is simply home!

Notwithstanding with thought bubble Hans was married in Australia in 1856 so he had left in the time his home was in Danish hands.

Westy

[KGarrad]

Like most parts of Europe, the history of Schleswig (Danish), Holstein (German), Schleswig-Holstein and the Prussian Province of Schleswig-Holstein is very complicated!

Holstein was always allied with German-speaking states.
Schleswig, on the other hand, was more Danish.

Just to confuse things, the King of Denmark was also a Danish Duke of Schleswig and a German Duke of Holstein!

Have a look at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schleswig-Holstein
and: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schleswig-Holstein_Question

The Prussian Province of Schleswig-Holstein was around from 1868 until 1946.

In 1920,following WW1, Northern Schleswig voted for reunification with Denmark.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Province_of_Schleswig-Holstein.


You don't mention any dates (very important in European history!) or places?
But my guess is that your chap came from Northern Schleswig?

[Westy11]

Hello KGarrad

Hans married in country Victoria, Australia in 1856; according to Thomas Lorenz post Hans arrived in South Australia on board the Hanseat and this arrived on 31 Oct 1844. 

At his death he was recorded as 90 years old making him born around 1827 making him around 17 when he arrived in Australia.  On his naturalisation papers he gave his home as Schleswig Holstein, Denmark so I am taking him at his word.  As noted previously he was known locally as 'The Prussian' so this is all that I have to try and locate his/my/our ancestors.

He never identified as German.

Westy

[KGarrad]

As Northern Schleswig returned to Danish control, I would assume that you need to look at Danish records, in Denmark?

Seems you might have to learn some Danish?
Try: https://www.sa.dk/en/home/online

[Westy11]

Thanks KGarrad!  Unfortunately I do not speak Danish.

Westy

[jamcat95]

I think that his father may have been Hans Lorenz and his mother Webeker Hanson but this is simply conjecture on my part.

Hi Westy11

Doing some digging a little. Can I ask you where you got his parents' names from?


Ian

[jamcat95]

I don’t think you need to answer to my last post (or maybe you do), as I believe I have found your Hans in Schleswig-Holstein. He lived in Nordfrisland in Westerhever Parish.

Nordfrisland was until 1864 a fiefdom of the Danish Crown. So this is probably why he counted himself as a Dane and not a German. He probably could have spoken both Danish and German anyway.

He was born in 1825 and was a seaman.

1845 Census - http://www.danishfamilysearch.com/cid6311409
"zur See abwesend" = Absent at sea.


You will notice the names of his parents:
Nommel Jacob Lorenz and Wiebcke Hans.

I noticed an online tree with the names of his children – Nommel and Wibcker.


His brother Andres was also a seaman.


Ian