Museum of Danish America’s Genealogy Center tells the stories of the “Veterans of ’64”

Across Oceans, Across Time ^®  . . .

Stories from the Genealogy Center at the Museum of Danish America in Elk Horn, Iowa

By the final decades of the 19^th century, hundreds of veterans of the 1864 Dano-Prussian War had joined the immigrant stream to the U. S. and Canada.  In 1881 members of several Danish veterans groups such as De danske våbenbrødre joined together in Omaha to form The Danish Brotherhood in America fraternal association, an organization which gradually saw the establishment of some 350 lodges throughout the country and western Canada.

In the mid-1870s veterans could apply for a medal acknowledging their service in the war.  In 1914, as part of the 50-year anniversary of the war, the Danish government voted to award an annual gift of 100 kroner to surviving veterans in recognition of their “participation in the defense of the fatherland.”

Veterans had to apply for the gift via a Danish consul or other respected person and then annually prove that they were still alive in order to receive the sum.  Nearly 1400 former soldiers in North America qualified for this gift.

A listing of medal/gift recipients may be found at http://www.kinquest.com/dkgenealogy/daneveterans.php.  Their names and some of their stories may be also be found in the Genealogy Center display, “Veterans of ’64,” through the month of October.

Readers with ancestors who served in the war, particularly those who died prior to 1914, are invited to submit information to the Genealogy Center for inclusion on our list of those who served during that fateful year of 1864.  Contact the Museum of Danish America at librarian@danishmuseum.org.

The Museum of Danish America – Celebrating Danish Roots and American Dreams – is located at 2212 Washington St., Elk Horn, Iowa 51531. Become a member. Please contact the museum at: 1-800-759-9192 or http://www.danishmuseum.org/ or follow the museum on Facebook.

=================================================================

ABOUT THE DANISH PIONEER NEWSPAPER – SINCE 1872 – ENGLISH & DANISH ARTICLES

THE DANISH PIONEER NEWSPAPER IN ACTION: Did you know that The Danish Pioneer staff, editors, photographers columnists and writers help readers discover unique travel destinations, interesting films, concerts, books, theatrical works, festivals, exhibitions, sporting events, delicious restaurants, special birthdays and scholarship opportunities in the USA, Canada, Denmark & Scandinavia. Come discover more in 2014 & 2015. Visit www.thedanishpioneer.com

THE DANISH PIONEER NEWSPAPER WAS FOUNDED IN OMAHA, NEBRASKA IN 1872 AND TODAY IS STILL PUBLISHED JUST OUTSIDE CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. Did you know by supporting The Danish Pioneer Newspaper’s print edition, we are able to offer the bonus of our colorful, exciting website. Please support The Danish Pioneer Newspaper. Subscriptions to our print edition are economical, and you receive 26 issues per year including the extra-large, extra-special holiday issue. Subscriptions and advertisements – like annual donations to ethnic institutions or memberships to clubs, lodges and organizations – help The Danish Pioneer Newspaper staff to preserve and to support the Danish-American ethnic press in addition to allowing us to promote the Danish and Scandinavian culture, communities, heritage and traditions in the USA and North America. Please subscribe today or give The Danish Pioneer Newspaper as a gift subscription to a friend or relative. Visit http://www.thedanishpioneer.com/subscribe