First Generation :: Notes
1. Anton BERNTSON (BERNTSEN)
From Moen, Denmark.
One of first settlers at Dannevirke, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand.
On arrival at Dannevirke on 15 Oct 1872, the twenty one families balloted for sections. Anton BERNTSEN drew Section, and took up, Section 22 (40 acres), a strip from High Street to the Tapata Stream. On this section, Anton built the first pit-sawn timber house in Dannevirke.
The Knox Presbyterian Church now stands on that site.
Anton later moved to Mangatera (near Dannevirke), Hawkes Bay, New Zealand.
Anton and Bodil had 27 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren carry on the name BERNTSEN.
An article about Anton and Bodil BERNTSEN, written by Jill BURN, can be found in the book, "Links with the Past: Scandinavians in New Zealand" published by the Scandinavian Club of Hawkes Bay, 1989. Jill BURN is a daughter of Andreas Ries BERNTSEN and a great-granddaughter of Anton and Bodil.
Photograph of Anton BERNTSEN and family outside their pit-sawn timber house: "Dannevirke the Early Years" by Rob MacDonald (2002) page 46.
Photograph of Anton BERNTSEN: "Dannevirke the Early Years" by Rob MacDonald (2002) page 49.
Photograph of Bodil BERNTSEN: "Dannevirke the Early Years" by Rob MacDonald (2002) page 50.
Bodil Catrine NIELSDATTER
From Moen, Denmark.
One of first settlers at Dannevirke, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand.
4. Anna Helene BERNTSEN
One of first settlers at Dannevirke, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. Anna and her husband, Vincens RASMUSSEN, had 6 children and lived in Dannevirke.
6. Carl Johan ("Charlie") BERNTSEN
One of first settlers at Dannevirke, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. Charlie and his wife had a carrying and taxi business in Dannevirke, and also farmed in this area. They had 9 children (7 daughters and 2 sons). The youngest daughter, Carlena (Lena MITCHELL) was living in Wellington, New Zealand, in 1989. Last Address: Dannevirke.
Clarissa HART
From Weber (south-east of Dannevirke), Hawkes Bay, New Zealand.
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