Andersen, Ellen

Andersen, Ellen

• 1982-04-01 (Creation)

2 file folders
1 sound cassette

This interview was conducted with Ellen Andersen on April 1, 1982 in Poulsbo, Washington. It contains information on family background, schooling, emigration, employment, marriage, and Danish heritage.

Also see A.V. (Aage) Andersen.

Folder Contents

Box 7, File 14 Personal and Family History
Tape Archive Sheet, Family Background, and Tape Index

Box 7, File 14A Correspondence and Forms
Release Form
Handwritten Tape Archive Sheet and Family Background

Interviewed by Donna Mallonee
Transcribed by Mary Sue Gee, Julie Peterson and Becky Husby
Encoded by Kerstin Ringdahl & Amity Smetzler
Recording Quality: Good

Aage Andersen (husband) oral history interview

Biographical Note

Ellen Andersen was born on December 16, 1906 in Fredericia, Denmark. Her parents were Frederik Johan Hoch and Henriette von Kaas, and there were four other children in the family: Svend, Wolfgang, Anna Margrethe, and Otto. Ellen's father was in the military for thirty-five years, and the family lived in various towns near the military bases. Ellen attended four years of grade school and five years of high school in Denmark, during which she took five years of English. This helped her a great deal when she immigrated to the United States at age eighteen.

She settled in Seattle, Washington and planned to stay for only two years so that she could practice her English and then obtain a good job back in Denmark. Ellen became employed as a housekeeper and participated in Danish Club and church. Her plans to return to Denmark were forgotten when she met her husband, A.V. (Aage) Andersen, at a Danish Club function. Aage was originally from Hornbaek, Denmark. They settled down in the Seattle area and had two children, Elsie and Carl.

Through the years, Ellen has continued to be active in Danish organizations, and she and Aage have visited Denmark seven times. Ellen remains in contact with her relatives there and has maintained traditional Danish customs within her household; particularly those involved with the Christmas holiday.

Lineage

Full Name: Ellen Hoch Andersen
Maiden Name: Ellen Hoch
Father: Frederik Johan Hoch
Mother: Henriette von Kaas
Paternal Grandfather: Johan Gottlieb Hoch
Paternal Grandmother: Johanne
Maternal Grandfather: Hans Wolfgang von Kaas
Maternal Grandmother: Minna
Brothers and Sisters: Svend Hoch, Wolfgang Hoch, Anna Margrethe Hoch, Hillers Otto Hoch
Spouse: Aage Valdemar Andersen
Children: Elsie Margrethe, Andersen Burdick, Carl Henry Andersen