Trace and Find Ancestors from Denmark & Scandinavia - Customised Heritage and Genealogy Tours

*A Part of the Danish Cultural Heritage*
 
 
 
Trace and Find Danish Ancestors
Customised Heritage and Genealogy Tours in and around Denmark
 
 
The Traditional Rebild Festival
Yearly Celebration of the American Independence Day in Denmark
 
 
 
Trace and Find Danish Ancestors from North America and Canada
in Denmark & Scandinavia
 
SS Thingvalla - Larsens Plads - Copenhagen 1890
Painting from 1890 - by Edvard Petersen describing the many Danish emigrants at Larsen's Plads leaving for America together with their relatives - saying goodbye. The steamship at the pier is "SS Thingvalla" equipped with one funnel and three masts. The westbound route started off at Copenhagen calling at Kristiania (Oslo) and Kristiansand before crossing the Atlantic to New York.
 
Danish & Scandinavian Emigrants
 
Denmark
The Danish Emigrants came from all part of Denmark - and mainly from the rural areas.
Danish Emigrants travelling to North America and Canada
Almost 350.000 Danes left their homeland Denmark around 1880 - to seek new opportunities primarily in USA and Canada together with other emigrant from Scandinavia - Sweden and Norway. The Danish Emigrants came from all part of Denmark and mainly from the rural areas - basically due to unemployment and economic reasons.

For the Danish emigrants - the United States became “the land of opportunity” - as countrymen reported by mail about their new lives - and America as their new land with plenty of prosperity.

The new and unfamiliar Danish and Scandinavian settlers - was compelled to manage by their own in the USA - and began their new life with a lot of hard struggle for the daily bread - as no kind of government support was provided at all. At that time no social benefits or social security were offered to any emigrants from Europe.
See: Denmark
 
 
The first passenger line to America (USA) from Copenhagen
 
Scandinavia - New York
Scandinavian America Line - Nostalgic & Vintage Tourism Poster by DFDS. A Danish based shipping company.
 
Thingvalla Ticket - DKK 300, - 1885
The Thingvalla Steam Ship transported nearly all Scandinavian emigrants to USA and Canada from Denmark. The contract above shows that a ticket in 1885 to America with Thingvalla line cost DKK 300,- for 3rd class passengers

The first passenger line to America (USA) from Copenhagen
In 1870 the shipyard near "Larsen's Plads" - today “Amaliehaven” - right beside the Royal residence Amalienborg Palace from 1750 - located at the waterfront of Copenhagen’s harbor area - was acquired by the “Thingvalla Line”. Since the old shipyard was demolished - and the “Thingvalla Line” and Shipping company began the construction of a new port with piers at “Larsen’s Plads” - and after the quay facilities was established - the very first route between Copenhagen and America (USA) for Danish and Scandinavian passengers and emigrants began in 1879 - with the aim to maintain a regular and direct route between mayor Scandinavian ports and America (USA). The intentions were also to offer the growing amounts of Scandinavian emigrants un-expensive - fairly comfortable and in all ways safe voyages to New York. The Thingvalla Steam Ship transported nearly all Scandinavian emigrants to USA and Canada from Denmark and Scandinavia from 1879 to 1898. The passenger contract shows that a ticket in 1885 to America with Thingvalla line cost DKK 300,- for 3rd class passengers with the steam ship "SS Thingvalla" across the Atlantic Ocean.

Thingvalla Line & DFDS
In 1898 - the Thingvalla Line was acquired by DFDS - (Det Forenede Dampskibs-Selskab) - a Danish based shipping company - and the Scandinavian-American passenger service was operated under the name Scandinavian America Line. The Scandinavian America Line continued up to 1930 - to transport passengers - emigrants and cargo via Oslo - Norway - across the Atlantic to New York with a fleet of modern Steamships that submitted a better type of transatlantic passenger service plus faster crossing time.

Larsen's Plads & Amalie Gardens
Thousands of emigrants have waited patiently at Larsen’s Plads - now the Amalie Gardens - with crowds of relatives saying goodbye to their love ones before starting the more than one month journey to America - arriving at Ellis Island - New York.


See: Amaliehaven Copenhagen (Larsen's Plads)

 
 
 
Larsen's Plads in 1925
The quay at Larsen's Plads in 1925 - was the port for the direct route with steamships between many Scandinavian countries and America. The very first route between Scandinavian ports and America for Danish and Scandinavian passengers was established around 1879 by the Thingvalla Line.
The Thingvalla Ship & Entertainment
There was not much entertainment onboard for 3rd class passenger - normally poor emigrants - on the Thingvalla ship from Denmark to USA on the nearly one month sea voyages to New York and Ellis Island. But some way to kill the monotonous time was to dance and listen to live music onboard.
 
 
Emigration from Scandinavia to USA and Canada
 
Sweden
Finland
Norway
Iceland
Denmark
 
 
Scandinavia and the five Nordic Nations - and Nordic Welfare States. Sweden - Finland - Norway - Iceland and Denmark.
Emigration from Scandinavia to USA and Canada
Around 1820 and into the beginning of the 20th century - almost 2 million emigrants from Scandinavian Countries migrated to USA and Canada. During the 19th century - all of the Scandinavian Nations were considered as rather poor countries with a lot of unemployment - miserable living standards - economic recession - religious repression - dreadful health issues and many more devastating matters - which led to a tremendous emigration wave towards USA and Canada. The Scandinavian emigrants was seeking new opportunities - looking for better living conditions - as well as following their faith - where they could worship freely - plus striving for many others beneficial privileges by crossing the Atlantic - and arriving to the new “Promised Land”. Basically - nearly all Scandinavian migrants and settlers heading to USA and Canada was originated from the rural and farming areas in Sweden - Finland - Norway - Iceland and Denmark. Ever since - the first migrants from Scandinavia placed their foot on American soil - the numbers of Scandinavian descendants in the United States and Canada have slowly grown to more than 15 million people of Scandinavian ancestry - and they are deep-rooted in one of the five Scandinavian States.

Up through the 20th century - all of the Scandinavian Nations have since become some of the most admirable - exemplary and wealthiest Welfare States in the world - with high living standards - social security - free educational possibilities - as well as numerous other public and financial benefits for its citizens - based on the core western values and ideals that formed the Scandinavian Democracies - which is deeply rooted in thousands years of Nordic Viking inheritance - Nordic history and Nordic culture.
See: Scandinavia
 
 
Danish Artwork from 19th and early 20th century
Painting from the 19th and early 20th century by Danish social realistic and impressionistic painter Hans Andersen Brendekilde, who is famous for illustrating Danish landscapes - country sides - rural and farming areas - plus people and flowers - which are authentic and typical artworks from the historical time, when Danish Emigrants left Denmark to seek new opportunities and a better life in the United States and Canada.
 
"Thoughts" - Denmark
"Thoughts" - H.A. Brendekilde
"Playing Girls in the Garden" - Denmark
"Playing Girls in the Garden"- H.A. Brendekilde
 
"Worn Out" - Denmark
"Worn Out" - H.A. Brendekilde
"A Wounded Worker" - Denmark
"A Wounded Worker"- H.A. Brendekilde
 
"Old Lines Birthday" - Denmark
"Old Lines Birthday" - H.A. Brendekilde
"Little Girl picking meadow flowers at the Church" - Denmark
"Little Girl picking meadow flowers at the Church" - H.A. Brendekilde
 
 
The Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island
When the Scandinavian emigrants together with other emigrants from Europe had past the welcoming and enormous Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island - they landed at Ellis Island for further medical and legal inspections - and millions of poor souls had strictly been evaluated before entering into the USA. Thousands of hopeful emigrants were deported back to Europe - as they were not found qualified to stay in the US. Ellis Island was the busiest immigrant control station from 1890 to 1954 - and the gateway for more than 15 million emigrants from Europe arriving by ship to New York. Ellis Island Immigration Station is located on the little isle of Ellis Island and situated at the entrance to the strait of the Hudson River between New York and New Jersey - and has served for more than 60 years - as the main immigrant control station in the USA until it closed in 1954 - and millions of USA-citizens can trace their ancestors back to Ellis Island.

Today Ellis Island is a popular tourist attraction - where the visitors also can experience The Ellis Island Immigration Museum.
 
Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island
The Statue of Liberty from 1886 - and The Ellis Island Immigration Station from 1882 - was some of the first welcome sites that met the European emigrants entering by ship to New York and USA.
 
 
New York & Ellis Island
Ellis Island - situated in New Jersey at New York Harbour were the main port facilities for emigrants entering the USA. The federal emigration station operated from 1892 to 1954 - where more than 15 million emigrants mostly from Europe pass the ports of Ellis Island before granted permission to enter USA. Today Ellis Island is a museum.
The Danes in Iowa
Danish settlers around 1870 in Iowa - where the largest concentration of Danish farmers was emigrated - and got a free piece of land according to the government passed Homestead Act in 1862. This act offered settlers 160 acres of free surveyed land in the Midwest if they lived on and cultivated it for at least five years.
 
Danish settlers - and the Northern States of the USA
The Danes who emigrated to America or Canada were mostly poor people looking for a new life with better social and economic prospects then offered in Denmark.

Mostly - the Danish settlers found work in the dairy and farming communities - as well as becoming hard working farmers and farm owners in the Northern States of the USA - mainly in Wisconsin - Minnesota - The Dakotas - Illinois - Michigan - Nebraska - Utah - Indiana and Iowa - and there was no form for financial or social support from the US government of any kind to improve the emigrants living conditions. California - Utah - Minnesota - Wisconsin - Washington and Indiana has the largest colony of Danish citizens and are probably the most Danish of all the USA states.

There are millions of Americans with Danish origin or descent - with more or less Viking blood running through their vanes - who are living in the United States - with strong ancestral roots originated fully or partially from Denmark - and still - the five most common Danish surnames in the Northern and Western part of America is Jensen - Nielsen - Hansen - Petersen and Andersen.
Land for Sale - Iowa & Nebraska
Millions of acres land for sale in Iowa and Nebraska at low-cost - with 10 year credit and Mountain Views - were offered to new emigrants and settlers.
 
 
 
Danish Folk Dancers & National Folk Costumes
The traditional Folk Dancer costumes - vary in style and fashion from region to region in and around Denmark. The Folk Dancers dresses and outfit were often home-made and used widely in rural Danish communities. There are approx. 3.000 types of National Folk Costumes - Traditional Folk Clothing and Regional Folk Dresses that represents Danish inhabitants from all areas in Denmark. Folk Dancing is a widespread leisure activity in Denmark and a great part of the Danish Cultural Heritage - with thousands of Folk Dance Associations spread all over the Danish Kingdom. Danish traditional Folk Dancing with the original Folk Dancer outfit - still plays a vital part in many Danish American Communities - as Danish Folklore has played a significant role all over the USA - where Danish emigrants settled.
 
Danish Villages and Towns on the Prairie
 
Museum of Danish America
The Museum of Danish America at Elk Horn - will tell the full history of the first Danish emigrants arriving and settling in Shelby County - Iowa - after a heroic journey from the other end of the world.
Danish Towns in Iowa - and a slice of Denmark on the Prairie
The “Danish Villages and Towns” of Elk Horn and Kimballton - represents one of the largest rural Danish settlements in the United States. Elk Horn is a city in Shelby County - Iowa - USA. The Danes began arriving in western Iowa about 1840-1845 - and followed heavily by other immigrants from Denmark. The two towns expanded with Danish citizens - and the first Danish “Højskole” (High School) was established in 1878 - that later became seminary and college. The first Danish Lutheran Church was founded around 1894 - with a seriously supportive congregation. At Elk Horn - all Old Danish traditions are celebrated frequently - and always combined by serving traditional Danish Food like deliciously prepared authentic Danish Dishes - and the memorable events are often accompanied by Danish Folk Dancers - plus many types of Danish Entertainment Customs - which are conducted during any festival occasion. Elk Horn is known as the hub of Danish ethnicity - as well as the home for the Museum of Danish America - that also exhibits a statue of the Little Mermaid - and the museum's permanent exhibition "Across Oceans - Across Time" explores experience of Danish immigrants and their descendants from 1840 to 1940.
 
 
Danish Food Culture & National Danish Dishes
Danish Food Culture and Culinary Heritage
Danish food culture and culinary heritage - has been cultivated and improved for many generations - and is mainly originated from the old Danish country kitchen - with roots way back to the Viking Era - leaving loads of ancient food recipes from all over the Danish Kingdom - created first and foremost - as a shield to protect the Danes against the cold weather conditions in Denmark. Here are selections of Deliciously Authentic Danish Dishes and Recipes of old Danish National and Traditional everyday dishes - which is easy to prepare with the basic elements that are possible to buy abroad. Every recipe has a history and has been a popular meal for Danes over several generations.
"Stegt Flæsk" - Fried Pork Belly
"Stegt Flæsk" - Prime National Dish
"Frikadelle" - Danish Meatballs
"Frikadelle" with potatoes - National dish
"Rød Grød med Fløde"
Red berry pudding - National dessert
See: Danish Food Culture
 
 
Danish "Smørrebrød" - Open Danish Sandwich
Danish "Smørrebrød" - Open Danish Sandwich - and Rye Bread (Rugbrød) - History in brief
During the 1840s - workers - farmers - labourers and others employees had a sort of luncheon packet with different types of flat “Smørrebrød” for their lunch. Each slice did consist of a piece of buttered rye bread (rugbrød) - and thin pieces of homemade cold cuts - pieces of meat or fish - cheese - homemade bread spreads and liver paste as toppings. Sometimes the toppings were placed between to pieces of the rye bread - just like in a sandwich. And this type of core fast food and finger food eating traditions are still in use and carried further on via generations of Danes.
Leverpostej - sky - champignon
Leverpostej - sky og champignon!
Liver paste with mushrooms - bacon - gravy jelly and red pepper on pork lard.
Rullepølse med sky og løg
Rullepølse med sky og løg!
Spicy stuffed rolled pork on pork lard with gravy jelly and onions slices.
Spegepølse med sky og løg
Spegepølse med sky og løg!
Spicy Salami on pork lard - with gravy jelly - onions and celery.
See: Open Danish Sandwiches
 
Other Danish Specialties & Culinary Traditions
Other Danish Specialties & Culinary Traditions
The Danes have their own Culinary Heritage, which is deep rooted in the Danish cookery traditions and food culture. For generations - Danish food recipes and dishes have been cultivated and improved to meet the Danes taste preference and flavour varieties. Danish Pastry is a world famous speciality and mostly known in USA as "Danish". The Danes call this type of pastry for "Wienerbrød" - and the Danes eat about 10 kilo pastry and cakes every year. Danish Pastry is baked in 50-60 varieties and in all sizes - all with special names. Coffee has since the early 1800s - been the prime national drink in Denmark - and the Danes consume more than 30 million cups of coffee every day - often together with delicious Danish Pastry. The roasted pork “Flæskesteg” - is the Danes all-time favourite everyday pork based dish with crispy cracklings, which is also a must to be served at the Danes Christmas Dinner Table - and has been a national treat at Christmas time for generations. The Red Danish Sausage represents Danish Fast Food Culture and is pork based red sausage “rød pølse” served with a lukewarm bun at special outdoor “Pølsevogne” mobile sausage stands and an everyday treat and must for the Danes. The Danes eat more than 50 million red sausages every year.
Danish Pastry & Coffee
Danish Pastry is a world famous speciality - and enjoyed with the Danes national drink Coffee. Danish Pastry is baked in 50-60 varieties and in all sizes. It’s just “Danish”.
Roasted Pork – “Flæskesteg”
Roasted Pork “Flæskesteg” with crispy cracklings - is a genuine national dish - and a must to be served at the Danes Christmas Dinner Table.
Danish Red Sausage - "Rød Pølse"
The popular Danish "Rød Pølse" Red Sausage with lukewarm bun - is a must "Fast Food" and national treat - served at small mobile sausage stands "Pølsevogne" in Denmark.
    See: Red Sausages
 
 
Old Danish Windmill from 1848 at Elk Horn
The historic Danish Windmill from 1848 at “Nørre Snede” village in “Vejle” Municipality - located in mid-east Jutland - Denmark - was demolished and transported to Elk Horn - and then painstakingly piece by piece - erected in 1976 by the enthusiastic citizens of Elk Horn. The old Windmill has since become the landmark of Elk Horn - and the descendents of Danish migrants are quite proud of owning a genuine historical piece of the Danish Cultural Heritage. The Windmill has also become one of the most popular and successful tourist attractions in Iowa.
 
Danish windmill at Elk Horn - Iowa
The Danish windmill at Elk Horn from 1848 - has become one of the most popular and successful tourist attractions in Iowa - which also is a genuine historical piece of the Danish Cultural Heritage. The Museum of Danish America is located beside the old windmill.
Danish Settlers - Elk Horn - Iowa
The Danish settlers at Elk Horn was farmers and lived quite primitive in houses build of clay and turf. The immigrant were very poor and had a miserable life. The cemetery at Elk Horn witness many Danish names on the memorial stones.
 
 
Solvang and California
 
Solvang - and a piece of Denmark in California
Solvang is a Danish-influenced City located nearby the west coast of California - that represents one of the largest Danish settlements in the United States. Solvang was founded late 1910 - by a group of Danish emigrants from the Midwest - that found the climate bitterly cold in the Midwestern States with long - snowy and freezing winters - like in their homeland Denmark. The Danish group of settlers - sold all of their belongings and moved to the golden state of California - with more attractive and warmer weather conditions. Around Santa Barbara County in California - the Danish emigrants from the Midwest purchased some huge areas of land in the Santa Ynez Valley - and established the Solvang community - where they settled down and slowly developed the town called Solvang. Since - Solvang have grown into a bustling and thriving society - with nearly 6.000 inhabitants living in Solvang - where the majority have ancestral links to ancestors in Denmark and are the genuine descendants of the first Danish emigrants that created the Solvang Municipality. Danish culture - heritage and traditions are spread all over the Solvang City area - where shops - retailers - restaurants - merchants - bakeries - stores - plus other type of outlets are reflected by the Danes way of life and style - and the surrounding buildings and homes have a final touch and finish of Danish architecture and building design. The Solvang City - or the “Danish Village” is a magnet for millions of tourists and US citizens that can experience the rich cultural heritage of Denmark at this special and charming Danish-American Colony on the sunny coast of California.
 
Solvang City in California
Visitors can take a relaxing stroll through the idyllic streets of Solvang - surrounded by picturesque houses and delightful homes - based on traditional Danish architecture - and soak up Danish culture - heritage - traditions and atmosphere in the captivating Village of Solvang - located right in the heart of the Santa Barbara wine country. Solvang (Sunny Fields) has several decorative windmills enriching the scenic townscape - and is a piece of Denmark situated very cozy “Hyggeligt” near the beautiful coastline of California and Pacific Ocean.
 
 
Tracing and Finding Danish Ancestors
Customized Heritage and Genealogy Tours in and around Denmark
 
Tracing Danish Ancestors
Tracing and finding Danish and Scandinavian Ancestors all around the Nordic welfare nations.
 
Danish Ancestors Homestead
Typical homestead for Danish ancestors from the last decades of the 19th century - which still is inhabited in cosy surroundings - and are spread all over the rural regions and old city areas in Denmark.

Tracing and Finding your Danish Ancestors
Inbound Travel Service conduct several types of customised tours in Denmark and Scandinavia to pursuit the roots and location of our customers Danish and Scandinavian Ancestors - which leads us through many memorable and exciting journeys passing across rural regions to old city areas that stretches all over Denmark and Scandinavia.

Family Tree Tour or Genealogy Expedition
A Family Tree Tour or Genealogy Expedition to trace Danish Ancestors will guide our searching customers to many different localities in Denmark or Scandinavia - where their Ancestors have played a vital part in their birthplaces and communities before emigrating. When we receive the full story of the Danish ancestor’s past - we can - if required - contact relevant authorities - local historians - as well as the parish registers and municipality archives - and afterwards follow up on the descendant’s historical background - which will qualify us to piece together a complete heritage excursion trough their previous homeland before leaving to North America starting a new chapter in life.

Tour planning and programme - plus sightseeing
Heritage Tours and Inbound Travel Service customise and organise a complete genealogy travel itinerary and heritage tour plan according to our customer’s requirements and research to track and find their ancestors exiting trail and life through the past in Denmark and other Scandinavian Countries.



See: Contact Inbound Travel Service
 
Heritage Tours & Sightseeing across Denmark
 
The Genealogy and HeritageTour can be extended with sightseeing visits to landmarks - historical places and cultural venues placed nearby the ancestry tour programme.

Interesting Links:
See: Inbound & Outbound Tours See: Happy Danes See: The Jelling Stones
 
 
Spøttrup Castle from 1520
Spøttrup medieva Castle from 1520 - North Jutland.
The National Dybbøl Mill
The historical and national Dybbøl Mill from 1744. South Jutland.
Nyker Round Church - Bornholm
Nyker Round Church from 1150 - with historic frescos from 1400. Bornholm.
Denmark - Copenhagen-Portal.dk ©
Egeskov Castle - 1554
Egeskov Castle from 1554 - and Veteran Car Museum. Funen.
Møns Cliff
Møns Cliff - Denmark’s highest cliffs and over 6 km long. Isle of Møn. Sealand.
Amalienborg Palaces - 1750-1758
“Amalienborg Palaces” - and the Royal Residence. Central Copenhagen.
Denmark - Copenhagen-Portal.dk ©
The “Doll House” - Ærøskøbing
The smallest residence in Denmark is only 26 m² - and built around 1775 - for two families. South Funen Archipelago.
Thy - West Coast of Jutland
The heavy sand dunes and blue sea at the rough West Coast of Thy in Jutland. A part of the Danish National Parks.
Kronborg Castle - 1574-1577
“Kronborg Castle from 1574-1577 - also called “Hamlets Castle”. A UNESCO World Heritage Site. North Sealand.
Denmark - Copenhagen-Portal.dk ©
The Old Town - Aarhus
The prehistoric Old Town in Aarhus is a 5-star experience - and an open air museum for Danish Urban History and Culture - with 75 historical houses rebuilt from towns and rural areas situated all over Denmark. East Jutland.
Hans Christian Andersen's - Home
The world famous fairytale writher Hans Christian Andersen's childhood home in Munkemølle Street from 1785 in Odense. The home also houses the H.C. Andersen Museum - opened in 1908 - and a great attraction. Odense - Funen.
The Open Air Museum
The Open Air Museum with over 100 rural houses from 1550-1950 - derived from all regions of Denmark - and then painstakingly recreated brick by brick - and furnished with the original artefacts. Greater Copenhagen.
See: Denmark
 
 

The Rebild Festival & Rebild Nationalpark
Jutland - Denmark
 
The Rebild Society - A Danish American Friendship Organization
 
4-July Celebrtions at Rebild. Nostalgic & Vintage Tourism Poster.
The Rebild Society

Every year since July 4th 1912 - hundreds of thousands of Danish-Americans and other related citizens have joined with Danes in this celebration of the American Independence Day on the beautiful heather-covered hills at Rebild National Park in Jutland - and 20 km south of Aalborg. On this festival day - "Stars and Stripes" of USA - and the Danish "Dannebrog" flag are flown side-by-side in natural picturesque surroundings expressing the thanks to the USA and "O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave" for welcoming over 350,000 Danish emigrants to the US homeland. US-citizens - who are visiting Copenhagen can experience this festival in Jutland.

By train or car - the trip to The Rebild National Park will take nearly 4 hours - and there is lodging facilities at Rebild and Aalborg. Inbound Travel Service conducts special Heritage Tours to and from The Rebild National Park in Jutland - including accommodation - if preferred.

 
See: Event Calendar

 
 
Trace and Find your Danish Ancestors & Scandinavian Roots with us!
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Denmark & Scandinavia - Customised Roundtrip in Nordic Welfare States
 

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