Schleswig-holstein Danes
Schleswig-Holstein, located on the southern part of the Jutland peninsula in Denmark have at different times during history belonged to either Denmark or Germany. In the wake of the Napoleonic wars, a strong Germanic national awakening arose in Holstein and the southern parts of Schleswig whilst northern Schleswig experienced an equally strong Danish national sentiment.
The disastrous war between Denmark and Prussia in 1864 was a decisive defeat for Denmark. The duchies which had been under Danish rule (and so most of the population considered themselves Danish rather than German), now came under Prussian administration. Some 200,000 Danes found themselves living under German rule, governed by pro-German policies and compulsory enlisting in the German military. As a result, a large number of people emigrated to far away destinations such as America and Australia. It is estimated that 250,000 people emigrated out of Schleswig-Holstein between 1830 and 1930.
The disastrous war between Denmark and Prussia in 1864 was a decisive defeat for Denmark. The duchies which had been under Danish rule (and so most of the population considered themselves Danish rather than German), now came under Prussian administration. Some 200,000 Danes found themselves living under German rule, governed by pro-German policies and compulsory enlisting in the German military. As a result, a large number of people emigrated to far away destinations such as America and Australia. It is estimated that 250,000 people emigrated out of Schleswig-Holstein between 1830 and 1930.
mistaken nationalities
These migrants who were Danish in terms of language and family background were - in most cases - registered as Germans upon arrival in Australia although the reason for their emigration was that they did not wish to remain under German rule. Even though, they were indeed, technically speaking, German nationals after 1864, many fought hard to prove their Danish origins. An example is Mads C.L. Hansen who spent 20 years fighting the Australian authorities and finally got the recognition he sought on 25 May, 1925.
More research is also needed to find examples of immigrants who - although German speaking and German by family background, were considered to be Danish on arrival in Australia as they came from Schleswig-Holstein before 1864 when these Duchies were under Danish administration. There is some evidence that Baron von Mueller was in this category.
More research is also needed to find examples of immigrants who - although German speaking and German by family background, were considered to be Danish on arrival in Australia as they came from Schleswig-Holstein before 1864 when these Duchies were under Danish administration. There is some evidence that Baron von Mueller was in this category.