1847

Henry Olaf Hansen is Born

Henry Olaf Hansen was born Hans Jorgensen Hansen on the 18th of April 1847 to parents Anders Hansen and Lene Thorsdatter at Skaerbaek, Schleswig, Denmark.

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1864

The 2nd Schleswig War

In 1864, Denmark lost the Second Schleswig War to Germany and the Southern part of Denmark (Northern Schleswig) was divided between Germany and Denmark.

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1866

Henry is smuggled out of Denmark

Henry was smuggled out of Denmark, sailed to London and then onto Sydney. He altered his first names to Henry Olaf as he was escaping conscription into the Prussian army.

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1867

Henry arrived in Australia

Henry arrived in Sydney and then headed
inland to the goldfields at Araluen,  near Braidwood where he had work as a
watchmaker and jeweller.

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1872

Henry married Mary Higgins

Henry married Mary Higgins (1847-1920) of Braidwood on the 18th July 1872 . She was the daughter of an ex- convict Henry Higgins and sister of Mr T M Higgins, a tailor in Orange.

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1873

Lena Hansen born and the family moved

Lena (Helena Dagmar) Hansen was born in Braidwood on the 19th of May 1873 and within a few years Henry moved his family to Inverell in Northern NSW.

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1877-1882

Henry set up at Inverell, NSW

At Inverell Henry set up another watchmaker's shop. It was here he became a naturalised Australian and added two more children to his growing family.

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1883-1895

Henry moved the family four times

During this time Henry moved to several places around NSW trying to establish a business as a watchmaker/jeweller. He finally settled in the Central West town of Orange. 

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1896-1912

Henry’s family business ups & downs

Hansens Jewellers/Watchmaker became a family business & had many ups & downs as rural NSW began to feel the effects the depression leading up to the 1890s.

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1913-1919

Henry's growing family & World War 1

From 1913 to 1918 Henry's son Lou and Elsie his wife produce five more grandchildren. 
In 1916 Henry's son Fred enlisted in the army. He was  discharged in 1919 and returned to Orange.

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1920-1927

Henry's wife died and he retired

In 1920, Mary Hansen, Henry's  wife died  aged 72yrs. Married 48 years they had 4 children  and eventually 15 grandchildren.
Henry retired aged 73yrs.

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1928-1934

Henry Olaf Hansen died

In 1928 Henry's youngest daughter Olla Hansen marries Fox Martin. Henry lived with them until his death six years later. In 1934 Henry Olaf Hansen  dies aged  87yrs. 

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