Identity elements
Reference code
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Level of description
Title
Date(s)
- 1981-04-13 (Creation)
Extent
3 file folders
2 photographs
1 sound cassette
2 compact discs
Content and structure elements
Scope and content
This interview was conducted with Hans Peter Hansen on April 13, 1981 at his home in Tacoma, Washington. It provides information on family background, the Danish Royal Guard, emigration, occupation, and Danish heritage. The interview also includes two black and white photographs of Hans at the time of the interview and Hans' obituary (December 4, 1981). The interview was conducted in English.
Folder Contents
Box 2, File 15 Personal and Family History
Tape Archive Sheet, Family Background, and Tape Index
Box 2, File 15A Correspondence and Forms
Release Form
Letters from Janet Rasmussen to Mr. Hansen regarding his participation.
Handwritten Tape Archive Sheet and Family Background
Box 2, File 15B Photographs and Clippings
Two photographs
One clipping
System of arrangement
Interviewed by Morrene Nesvig
Transcribed by Mary Sue Gee, Julie Peterson and Becky Husby
Encoded by Kerstin Ringdahl & Amity Smetzler
Recording Quality: Good
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Notes element
General note
Biographical Note
Hans Peter Hansen was born on November 9, 1888 in Vejen, Denmark to Jens Nikolaj Hansen and Ane Kathrine Bergitte Madsen. Hans had three older siblings: Kathrine, Karen, and Mads. The family moved to the city when Hans was eight years old, and his father had a bicycle shop there. Hans attended a private school called the Danish Latin School, and when he was eighteen, he went into the Danish Royal Guard. Hans signed up for officers' camp and then became a Corporal, training the new boys.
During his time in the Royal Guard, Hans got to know Crown Prince Christian, who later became King Christian X, Prince Gustav, and a Danish count. When he was twenty-five years old, he decided to immigrate to America because he had no trade in Denmark. Hans settled in Tacoma, WA, where a friend of his father's lived. Hans took night school at Franklin High School to improve his English, and in November 1915, he and a friend, John Hansen, opened an auto-repair shop, H.P. Hansen & Co. At first, Hans only worked on Model T Fords but later expanded and began working on Model A's as well.
Hans met his wife, Clara, at the Danish Young People's Society, and was married in 1916. They had two children, Bergitte and Margaret. In Tacoma, Hans has been involved with church, Commercial Club, Danish Society, and the Leif Erikson League. In 1980, the Leif Erikson League honored Hans as the oldest Danish immigrant on Danish Day during Scandinavian Days in Tacoma. Another special occasion for Hans occurred on the 250th anniversary of the Royal Guard in the U.S. At that time, Hans received a special invitation from the Danish consulate to be his guest and have an audience with the Queen of Denmark. Hans' heritage has been very important to him, and he continues to keep in touch with all of his relatives there.
Lineage
Full Name: Hans Peter Hansen
Father Jens Nikolaj Hansen
Mother: Ane Kathrine Bergitte Madsen
Paternal Grandfather: Hans Peter Hansen
Paternal Grandmother: Johanne Kathrine Sorensdatter
Brothers and Sisters: Kathrine Hansen, Karen Hansen, Mads Hansen
Spouse: Clara Anette Hansen
Children: Bergitte Hansen, Margaret Hansen