Fred Nelson's Immigrant Trunk

Frederik Nielsen (Nelson) and his wife Marie immigrated from Maribo County, Denmark in 1867 with their daughter Hannah.
Like every other family making the journey to the new world, their lives were packed into a single wooden box.
Here is the trunk that accompanied them on their journey.

Fred Nelson Family 1896
Frederik Nelson was the father of Alvilda Dagmar Nelson-Thimsen.
Alvilda was married to Nis Thimsen's son, Frederick Peter Thimsen.



Front View.
The trunk dates from 1857.
Not sure who "M.N.S." was, but likely it was originally the property of a
"Morten or Mads Nielsen" and was later used by Frederik Nielsen for the journey to America.


Lock & Key.


Original Key.


Initials on the left front M.N.S.


The trunk dates to 1857. The Nelsons immigrated in 1867.


Top view.


Corner view showing dovetailed joinery and imitation painted strapping.


Wrought iron handle.


Cubby box built into the left side of the box.


Cubby box hinge made from a simple pin fashioned on the ends of the lid fitting into holes on the inside surface of the trunk.


Address painted onto the back of the trunk:
F.N.S. (Frederik NielSen) Kasson P.O.
Dodge County
Minnesota
North America
(The misspellings are classic!)


A broader view of the address.

These images generously provided by Mark Thimsen.

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This page created and maintained by Gary Jacobson. Comments or suggestions regarding the content of this page may be directed to Gary at gary@garyjacobson.org
©2003-2009 Gary K. Jacobson-All rights reserved. Last updated on 1JAN2009.