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Posted Sunday at 07:01 PM
Greetings from Australia. My apologies that I am unable to write in Norwegian.
I am researching the Scandinavian Lutheran Church in Queensland and am not related to Johan Henrik Hansen.
1. In 1873, June 13, Johan Henrik Hansen , a Norwegian Ship's Master from Tønsberg was a passenger on the 'Alardus' which arrived in Maryborough, Queensland, Australia.
2. In 1873, November 21, five months later, he was naturalised and wrote in very clear English that he was John Henry Hansen, 'Lutheran Minister' (attached document). Aged 45 years . It would be impossible for him to be ordained in Australia at such a short time without study and it seems unlikely that he studied in Norway.
3. In 1880, in 'Evangelisk Luthersk Kirketidende' (published USA), a Norwegian-American Lutheran Minister in Australia wrote that this Hansen was a seamen from Kristiania who worked with the Methodists in New York, USA.
4. A search of the American Seamen's Friend Society indicates that a 'Rev. J. H. Hansen' was a 'Sailor Missionary' in the 1860s in various parts of Norway. This seems to be a Methodist leaning journal. Also that he was 'commissioned' ....often interpreted as 'ordination'...
5. Hansen died on the 31st Jan. 1899 at Bundaberg, Queensland, where his real name was used 'Johan Henrik Hansen'. No wife. No parents listed. Aged 72 years. Death certificate attached.
6. With a big please I would like to know his exact date of birth to fill out biographical details, for example, also the names of his parents, and come to understand some of the movements in the Church at the time....For example, revivalist....This may be asking too much. I hope to publish an article and would acknowledge any sources....
Kind regards,
Stephen.
1899 Hansen death certificate .pdf