Soren Rasmussen and Ane Kathrine Pedersdatter – Lars Thomsen’s Grandparents
Soren Rasmussen was born on November 10, 1776, on the
family farm in Jeksen, Denmark. He was described as a
decisive and important man in the Adslev parish who took
over his father’s farm called Melballe. In Danish, he was
referred to as a “county king”. He died on August 18, 1835,
in Jeksen and was buried in the Adslev church-yard.
Ane Kathrine Pedersdatter was born on January 3, 1790, in
Adslev. Ane’s parents were Peder Jensen and Margrethe
Rasmusdatters, the Adlsev-Slaegten book is about their
family. Ane married Soren Rasmussen on February 8, 1810, in
the Adslev parish church. Together, they had nine children.
Because of the death of all but two of her children, Ane
said in her old age, “Now have I grieved as much as I can;
now I can grieve no more.” Her very good memory allowed her
to recite many old songs. Danish history was studied and
shared with her children and grandchildren. She would
frequently correct her children in memories of the past and
would say “It was not that way.” Ann was lively and
interested in the controversies of her day. Daily she read
her prayer book and the newspaper, telling her family to
read certain sections by saying, “Now you shall read this”.
Living into her eighties, she continued milking her special
cow that she loved. Ann had hoped to live to see her
grandson’s marriage but did not live long enough. She died
peacefully on February 17, 1874, after being a widow for
thirty-nine years. Her grandchildren were encompassed with
her love and remembered her with gratitude.
Source:
Adslev-Slaegten Book 1981 and 1926
Translated by Richard W. Thomsen
Ane became interested in photography and traveled to Aarhus for a “take of” or a photo.
Soren’s home and barns are located in Jeksen and are called Melballegaard. It was at this farm that Soren was born and where Soren and Ane Kathrine died.
The inside courtyard of the Melballe farm owned by Soren and Ane.
Jeksen Valley in 1997
Adslev and Jeksen lie southwest of Aarhus, Denmark and are located at the bottom left section of this map.