Help in finding my gt-gt-grandfather who had travelled to China

Startet af Michael Chang, 03 Sep 2018 - 15:22

Forrige emne - Næste emne

Michael Chang

Hi,

I would like some help in finding my great-great-grandfather. He was born in Denmark between the 1920s and the 1940s.

Between about 1869 and 1880, based on the information strips my family has recorded, he brought two Danish children back to Denmark from Hong Kong as a task for a friend or customer. My research had revealed that friend or customer was likely to be George Johan Helland. In Hong Kong, Helland's roles include: Head of John Burd and Company in Hong Kong in 1862; Consul for Denmark, Sweden and Norway; member of the committee who founded the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank (HSBC) in 1864; and General Agent (China) for Det Store Nordiske Telegraf-Selskab.

The names of the children my gt-gt-grandfather brought back to Denmark, on behalf of Helland, were Harriet Mary Helland b 13-SEP-1868 and George Douglas Helland b 25-AUG-1869. Both were born in Hong Kong, China. Danish Census 1880 showed Harriet Mary to be staying with Larsen family in Aalborg, while George Douglas was with Mossin family in Soro. Danish Census 1885 showed Harriet to be reunited with George Johan Helland and her family in Copenhagen.

The other clue to who my gt-gt-grandfather was, is that there are four possible spelling of the last name: Vang, Von, Wang and Vaughn (maybe also Vingt, Vaugh...). There are three versions of the first name: Carl, Karl, and Carlos. Our family name, Wong, originated from someone choosing the closest sound to eg. "Vang". Another clue is that he was a sea pilot or captain, and was an honorary consul. These clues are from stories that were carried through generations of my family, so that information may or may not be accurate. My gt-gt-grandfather left a wife and two children in Hong Kong.   

The closest I came to who he might be, by name sound-like and time-line match, is Carl Frederik Vang, b1848 in Aalborg. However, I was not able to come across any information which indicated he had travelled to seaports, namely Hong Kong, Shanghai, Dalian and Port Arthur (now Lushan) in China. Carl was a shipbuilder according to Danish Census 1885, staying at Hotel Nationale in Copenhagen. Also, I found on MyHeritage that he in 1879 acquired Dyreborg's shipbuilding yard in Faaborg. Carl died in 1887, at age 38. 

If anyone could help with identifying who my gt-gt-grandfather is, that would be wonderful. Thank-you.  :)

Michael Chang-Wong

Eva Morfiadakis

Hi,

I suppose you mean your g-g-grandfather was born between 1820 and 1840.

Eva M
Eva M

Inger Toudal

#2

I'll just show the censuses you mentioned:

Census 1880, Aalborg: https://www.danishfamilysearch.com/cid10196823 - see Original Source

- Harriet Mary is staying with her uncle Lorentz Waage Sass and his wife.

- compare with Census 1850, Copenhagen: https://www.danishfamilysearch.com/cid7237317

Census 1880, Herlufsholm: https://www.danishfamilysearch.com/cid10818960  

- George Douglas is staying with schoolmaster Mossin's family at Herlufsholm Boarding School.

Census 1885, Copenhagen: https://www.danishfamilysearch.com/cid15300784

- the younger children are born in Denmark.

Son Amund Helland was born 8 Jul. 1873 in Søllerød parish (north of Copenhagen):
https://www.danishfamilysearch.com/churchbook/sogn595/churchlisting132312/opslag14203613 - No 1

Helland resigned from his post as Danish Consul in Hong Kong in Oct. 1872:
http://www2.statsbiblioteket.dk/mediestream/avis/record/doms_aviser_page%3Auuid%3Ae83c79e2-1b7f-4293-ae44-683e84f56a14/query/consul%20helland
- 1st column: Afskedigelser

According to the 1901 Census, he settled in Copenhagen 1883, and his wife 1882:
https://www.sa.dk/ao-soegesider/da/billedviser?bsid=24610#24610,2822163

- daughter Emily Georgina, however, was born in Copenhagen 5 May 1876.

Seems the family was abroad at the time of the 1880 Census.

Best regards,
Inger Toudal
Venlig hilsen
Inger Toudal

Inger Toudal

#3

Palæmona Elisabeth Sass was G J Helland's 2nd wife:

http://denstoredanske.dk/Dansk_Biografisk_Leksikon/S%C3%B8fart_og_luftfart/Skibsreder/Chr._Sass
Citat

Harriet Mary (Hatty) Helland, født 13.9.1868 i Hongkong, død 5.6.1950 i Kbh., d. af direktør for Store Nordiske Telegrafselskabs afdeling i Hongkong,
konsul, senere overregnskabsfører ved samme selskab George Johan H. (1830–1906, gift 2. gang 1872 med Palæmona Elisabeth Sass, 1843–1933)
og Josephine Isabella Douglas Browne (1847–71).

His 1st wife died in 1871, so the 2 children of his 1st marriage were probably brought to Denmark after the death of their mother 1871.

Best regards,
Inger
Venlig hilsen
Inger Toudal


Paul Løndahl-Smidt

Fåborg    Barløse

Ole Westermann

#6
As I understand you, the Helland family is NOT a part of your family - just friendly helpers.
Is that correct?

You suggest that maybe your g-g-grandfather could be something like Carl Frederik Vang.
You write that he left wife and 2 children in Hong Kong. Did he ever return himself to Hong Kong after
having brought the 2 children to DK?

Census 1885 Hotel National Vesterbrogade 2E  (with CFV and prob. his brother CTV)
https://www.sa.dk/ao-soegesider/da/billedviser?bsid=254386#254386,47679819
Guest Nr. 42 Carl Frederik Vang - 36 yo - married - born in Aalborg - master shipbuilder in Aarhus
- -   43 Christian Theodor Vang - 40 yo -    do           -     -      do     - manufactorer in Aalborg

They are prob. here in 1850 census
Aalborg, Fleskum, Aalborg Købstad, Kongens Gade, 6 Rode, F1, 516 (478d), FT-1850, C9967
Name:                  Age:    Status:    Pos. in family:    Occupation:    Place of birth:
Niels Peter Wang    38     Married      housefather      builder             Aalborg Aalborg Amt  
Dorthea Chrestine born Bonnesen     34     Gift          hans kone     Aalborg Aalborg Amt  
Lauritz                    12     Ugift          hans søn     Aalborg Aalborg Amt  
Adolph?? Sigfred     9     Ugift          hans søn     Aalborg Aalborg Amt  
Chrestian Theodor     6     Ugift          hans søn     Aalborg Aalborg Amt  
Andreas Peter Andersen     4     Ugift          hans søn     Aalborg Aalborg Amt  
Frederik     2     Ugift          hans søn     Aalborg Aalborg Amt  

Niels Peter Wang got married 22.dec.1837 (died 25.may 1878)
  https://www.sa.dk/ao-soegesider/da/billedviser?bsid=173114#173114,29084344 nr 25
    to Dorthea Christine Bonnesen (she died 29.nov.1885, age 70 Budolfi)

NPW's best man is prob. his father builder (murmester) L. Wang
  Name index church records Aalborg 1814-1891
  https://www.sa.dk/ao-soegesider/da/billedviser?bsid=188614#188614,31880700
  L. Wang is prob. Laurits Wang, builder, who dies 25. sept. 1838, age 53 (Vor Frue p.)
    (he got married 2. time 7. nov. 1820 (Budolfi p.)
DCB's     -       -    -     -    her    -     master shipbuilder and 'Dannebrogsmand'* Bonnesen
     *person decorated with the Silver Cross of the Order of the Dannebrog (the Danish nat. flag)

Ole


Ole Westermann

Here is the birth of Carl Frederik Wang on July 25, 1848 - bapt. Oct. 15
https://www.sa.dk/ao-soegesider/da/billedviser?bsid=173116#173116,29084701 nr. 27
Parents:
Muuurmester (master builder) Niels Peter Wang and wife Dorthea Christence Bonnesen in Kongensgade.

Ole

Paul Løndahl-Smidt

Fåborg    Barløse

Paul Løndahl-Smidt

Fåborg    Barløse

Paul Løndahl-Smidt

And here is the marriage of Georg Douglas Helland and Johanne Sørensen.   I can read Georg Douglas´mother as Josephine Isabella but can´t make out her last name.   https://www.sa.dk/ao-soegesider/en/billedviser?epid=17118407#155801,26044211
Fåborg    Barløse

Paul Løndahl-Smidt

I think this is the baptism of Georg Johan Helland´s wife.

Josephine Isabella Browne
England and Wales Non-Conformist Record Indexes (RG4-8), 1588-1977
Name:   Josephine Isabella Browne
Event Type:   Baptism
Christening Date:   26 Mar 1847
Christening Place:   Paris, France
Father's Name:   John Nicholls Browne
Mother's Name:   Harriet Mary
Affiliate Publication Number:   RG33_070
Fåborg    Barløse

Paul Løndahl-Smidt

The marriage of John Nicholls Browne and Harriet Mary Duke.

John Nicholls Browne
England Marriages, 1538–1973
Name:   John Nicholls Browne
Spouse's Name:   Harriet Mary Duke
Event Date:   07 May 1846
Event Place:   Saint Martin In The Fields,Westminster,London,England
Fåborg    Barløse

Michael Chang

Citat fra: Eva Morfiadakis [1284] Dato 03 Sep 2018 - 17:44
Hi,

I suppose you mean your g-g-grandfather was born between 1820 and 1840.

Eva M

Hi,

I mean my g-g-grandfather was born between 1820 and 1849 (and maybe even a little later than that). This was based on the family story that he was likely to have born in early- to mid-1800s, given his first-born child was born in 1870.

Thanks.
Michael

Inger Toudal


After J G Hellands's 1st wife died in 1871, he remarried in Søllerød, Denmark, 6 Jul. 1872:
https://www.sa.dk/ao-soegesider/da/billedviser?epid=17118982#157242,26374858 - No 12

Children were born in Denmark 1873 and 1876 (see above).

According to info at geni.com, a daughter was born in Copenhagen 31 aug. 1874:
https://www.geni.com/people/Emma-Pal%C3%A6mona-Helland/6000000010991986606

- and another daughter was born in Shanghai, China, 24 Feb. 1880:
https://www.geni.com/people/Anna-Pal%C3%A6mona-Helland/6000000010991954438

See also http://rosenkilde.nu/elisabeth-palaemona-sass/

Why would J G Helland ask somebody else to bring his young children of 1st marriage to Denmark, when he himself travelled there to remarry in July 1872?

Carl Frederik Vang/Wang, b. 1848 in Aalborg, died 25 Mar. 1887 in Aarhus, Denmark. According to the church record he was unmarried:
https://www.sa.dk/ao-soegesider/da/billedviser?epid=17128480#173243,29117156 - No 39

Another query re Carl Vang: http://www.norwayheritage.com/snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6785&whichpage=1

Best regards,
Inger
Venlig hilsen
Inger Toudal

Gitte Johansen

#16
When are the two children born i China? One in 1870??

1870 i Copenhagen, last residense Aalborg

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS21-R9ZN-9?i=656&cc=2778656


https://www.danishfamilysearch.dk/forum/message7452



The death record for Carl stated he died in 1887 in Aarhus, at age 38. He died young. From my information, he had left behind two of his own children in Hong Kong. One of them became the first Comprador of the Hong Kong and Kowloon Wharf and Godown Company. His name was Wong Kam Fuk (also Wong Kam Fook) b 1870-Feb-6. He was born in Dalian, a seaport in China, but he and his mother was brought to Hong Kong by Carl. Carl also called his son by the name, "Charlie". Carl was said to have been a sea pilot or sea captain plying the sea ports of Dalian, Port Arthur (now Lushun), and Shanghai. He might have been a honorary consul, too. Kam Fuk's surname, Wong, originated from someone choosing the closest sound to "Vang".
Venlig hilsen
Gitte Johansen 8520 Lystrup

gittejohansen(snabel a)rocketmail.com

Michael Chang

#17
Citat fra: Inger Toudal [1655] Dato 03 Sep 2018 - 20:56
I'll just show the censuses you mentioned:

Census 1880, Aalborg: https://www.danishfamilysearch.com/cid10196823 - see Original Source

- Harriet Mary is staying with her uncle Lorentz Waage Sass and his wife.

- compare with Census 1850, Copenhagen: https://www.danishfamilysearch.com/cid7237317

The Census 1880 I mentioned was this: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QL64-3K3T

Harriet Mary was staying with Larentz Waage Sap and Johanne Magdelene Sop Født Jensen. Not the Larsen family, who I mistakenly read off the same original Census 1880 page image.

I can see that it is actually the same Census page as you were referring to! Except that the transcription was different. Petrine Mary Holland in Danishfamily search, Harriet Mary Helland in Familysearch. Uncle surname, I can't make out from the writing if it is Sap, Saps, Safs or Sass.

Citat fra: Inger Toudal [1655] Dato 03 Sep 2018 - 20:56
Helland resigned from his post as Danish Consul in Hong Kong in Oct. 1872:
http://www2.statsbiblioteket.dk/mediestream/avis/record/doms_aviser_page%3Auuid%3Ae83c79e2-1b7f-4293-ae44-683e84f56a14/query/consul%20helland
- 1st column: Afskedigelser

Interesting. So he was in his post as Danish Consul in Hong Kong for 10 years.

Citat fra: Inger Toudal [1655] Dato 03 Sep 2018 - 20:56
According to the 1901 Census, he settled in Copenhagen 1883, and his wife 1882:
https://www.sa.dk/ao-soegesider/da/billedviser?bsid=24610#24610,2822163

- daughter Emily Georgina, however, was born in Copenhagen 5 May 1876.

Seems the family was abroad at the time of the 1880 Census.

So, Helland might had been abroad at various stages until 1883 or thereabout. Makes sense given his long, notable career in China.

Michael Chang

Citat fra: Inger Toudal [1655] Dato 03 Sep 2018 - 21:35

Palæmona Elisabeth Sass was G J Helland's 2nd wife:

http://denstoredanske.dk/Dansk_Biografisk_Leksikon/S%C3%B8fart_og_luftfart/Skibsreder/Chr._Sass
Citat

Harriet Mary (Hatty) Helland, født 13.9.1868 i Hongkong, død 5.6.1950 i Kbh., d. af direktør for Store Nordiske Telegrafselskabs afdeling i Hongkong,
konsul, senere overregnskabsfører ved samme selskab George Johan H. (1830–1906, gift 2. gang 1872 med Palæmona Elisabeth Sass, 1843–1933)
og Josephine Isabella Douglas Browne (1847–71).

His 1st wife died in 1871, so the 2 children of his 1st marriage were probably brought to Denmark after the death of their mother 1871.

Best regards,
Inger

That's interesting, too. Thanks Inger. I had thought the two children might have been brought back to Denmark because of yet another serious disease outbreak in Hong Kong. Now, it is more likely because of the death of their mother in 1871. The story os becoming more clear.

Inger Toudal

#19
Citat fra: Inger Toudal [1655] Dato 04 Sep 2018 - 09:07

After J G Hellands's 1st wife died in 1871, he remarried in Søllerød, Denmark, 6 Jul. 1872:
https://www.sa.dk/ao-soegesider/da/billedviser?epid=17118982#157242,26374858 - No 12

Children were born in Denmark 1873 and 1876 (see above).

According to info at geni.com, a daughter was born in Copenhagen 31 aug. 1874:
https://www.geni.com/people/Emma-Pal%C3%A6mona-Helland/6000000010991986606

- and another daughter was born in Shanghai, China, 24 Feb. 1880:
https://www.geni.com/people/Anna-Pal%C3%A6mona-Helland/6000000010991954438

See also http://rosenkilde.nu/elisabeth-palaemona-sass/

Why would J G Helland ask somebody else to bring his young children of 1st marriage to Denmark, when he himself travelled there to remarry in July 1872?

It would, of course, be possible that the 2 children of 1st marriage were brought to Denmark in the period 1876/1877 to 1880 (for educational purposes?),
as it seems the Helland family was living in China for a while, before settling in Copenhagen 1881/1882/1883.

Best regards,
Inger
Venlig hilsen
Inger Toudal

Michael Chang

Citat fra: Ole Westermann [1234] Dato 03 Sep 2018 - 22:53
As I understand you, the Helland family is NOT a part of your family - just friendly helpers.
Is that correct?

That's correct. I do NOT think Helland is part of my family. I was told my g-g-grandfather took two of his four children back to what is likely Norway, leaving two behind in Hong Kong. My research with the help of Norway Heritage, which was based on identifying who these two children were, and based on records there and in Danishfamilysearch, had led me to conclude my g-g-grandfather took two children as a service for some person in Hong Kong.  

Norway Heritage: http://www.norwayheritage.com/snitz/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6785

Citat fra: Ole Westermann [1234] Dato 03 Sep 2018 - 22:53
You suggest that maybe your g-g-grandfather could be something like Carl Frederik Vang.
You write that he left wife and 2 children in Hong Kong. Did he ever return himself to Hong Kong after
having brought the 2 children to DK?

My family has no idea. What I do know is that one of the children he left behind, was said to have come from a wealthy family. It is likely that child, and his sister and mother, was bequeathed some wealth. That child, name Wong Kam Fuk (also Wong Kam Fook), went to Queen College, an exclusive school in Hong Kong, and later became the first ever Comprador of of the Hongkong and Kowloon Wharf and Godown Company in Hong Kong, served in many directorships, committees, and was appointed a Justice of the Peace for the colony. It was written in a book "Wharf: the First One Hundred Years", that he came from a wealthy family. Wong Kam Fuk is half Chinese and half, I think, Danish.

Also, it was rumoured that something like Carl Vang did return to China, did what he did before (a sea merchant), and died in Dalian. But that's just rumours. Nobody actually ever saw him. Maybe he might have returned to Denmark re-settled there, and died young.

Citat fra: Ole Westermann [1234] Dato 03 Sep 2018 - 22:53
Census 1885 Hotel National Vesterbrogade 2E  (with CFV and prob. his brother CTV)
https://www.sa.dk/ao-soegesider/da/billedviser?bsid=254386#254386,47679819
Guest Nr. 42 Carl Frederik Vang - 36 yo - married - born in Aalborg - master shipbuilder in Aarhus
- -   43 Christian Theodor Vang - 40 yo -    do           -     -      do     - manufactorer in Aalborg

They are prob. here in 1850 census
Aalborg, Fleskum, Aalborg Købstad, Kongens Gade, 6 Rode, F1, 516 (478d), FT-1850, C9967
Name:                  Age:    Status:    Pos. in family:    Occupation:    Place of birth:
Niels Peter Wang    38     Married      housefather      builder             Aalborg Aalborg Amt  
Dorthea Chrestine born Bonnesen     34     Gift          hans kone     Aalborg Aalborg Amt  
Lauritz                    12     Ugift          hans søn     Aalborg Aalborg Amt  
Adolph?? Sigfred     9     Ugift          hans søn     Aalborg Aalborg Amt  
Chrestian Theodor     6     Ugift          hans søn     Aalborg Aalborg Amt  
Andreas Peter Andersen     4     Ugift          hans søn     Aalborg Aalborg Amt  
Frederik     2     Ugift          hans søn     Aalborg Aalborg Amt  

Niels Peter Wang got married 22.dec.1837 (died 25.may 1878)
  https://www.sa.dk/ao-soegesider/da/billedviser?bsid=173114#173114,29084344 nr 25
    to Dorthea Christine Bonnesen (she died 29.nov.1885, age 70 Budolfi)

NPW's best man is prob. his father builder (murmester) L. Wang
  Name index church records Aalborg 1814-1891
  https://www.sa.dk/ao-soegesider/da/billedviser?bsid=188614#188614,31880700
  L. Wang is prob. Laurits Wang, builder, who dies 25. sept. 1838, age 53 (Vor Frue p.)
    (he got married 2. time 7. nov. 1820 (Budolfi p.)
DCB's     -       -    -     -    her    -     master shipbuilder and 'Dannebrogsmand'* Bonnesen
     *person decorated with the Silver Cross of the Order of the Dannebrog (the Danish nat. flag)

Ole

Interesting. Yes, I was aware that for some unknown reasons, his brother was staying in the same hotel as Carl when Census 1885 was taken.

Ole, who was the person who was decorated with the Silver Cross?


Ole Westermann

#21
Ole, who was the person who was decorated with the Silver Cross?

That was the father of Dorothea Christence Bonnesen, Niels Bonnesen, master ship builder.

Niels Bonnesen died 22.aug.1853 - age 63
https://www.sa.dk/ao-soegesider/da/billedviser?bsid=173116#173116,29085156 nr 139

Birth Nov. 11, 1815 and baptism at home Nov. 13 of Dorothea Christence Bonnesen
https://www.sa.dk/ao-soegesider/da/billedviser?bsid=172997#172997,29050271 nr 4
Parents: Skibsbygmester Niels Bondesen and Johanne Hauerslev*

*were married 8.sept.1815 (she was widow after ship captain Hans Peter Arboe) in Budolfi church, Ålborg,
  and she died Jan.8, 1866, age 75

Aalborg, Fleskum, Aalborg Købstad, Nyehavns Søndre Side, No. 556 Lit. D, 1 familie, 1124, FT-1834, B6292
Niels Bonnesen     45     Gift          Skibstømmermester       
Johanne                     41     Gift          Hans kone       
Dorthea Christence  19     Ugift          Deres datter       
Maren Sophie     15     Ugift          Deres datter       
Bonne Julius     13     Ugift          Deres søn       
Anna Elisabeth     11     Ugift          Deres datter       
Hansine Kierstine     8     Ugift          Deres datter       
Lambert                      7     Ugift          Deres søn       
 ----------
Census Aalborg, Fleskum, Aalborg Købstad, Fjordgyden, No 556 d, 556 d, FT-1840, C5067
Niels Bonnesen                     50     Gift          Skibsbygmester Dannebrogsmand       
Johanne Bonnesen     47     Gift          hans Kone       
Marie Sophie [Bonnesen]     20     Ugift          deres Datter       
Bonne Julius [Bonnesen]     18     Ugift          deres Søn, Tømmerlærling       
Ane Elisabeth [Bonnesen]     16     Ugift          deres Datter       
Hansine Kirstine [Bonnesen]     13     Ugift          deres Datter       
Lambech Bonnesen     12     Ugift          deres Søn
 -------------
Census Aalborg, Fleskum, Aalborg Købstad, Nyehavnsgade, No. 556, 150, FT-1845, A4473
Niels Bonnesen     56     Gift          Skibsbygemester     (born in) Corsøer (Korsør)
Johanne     52     Gift          hans Kone     Aalborg  
Maren     25     Ugift          hans Datter     Aalborg  
Bonne     24     Ugift          hans Søn, Skibsbygemester     Aalborg  
Ane     21     Ugift          hans Datter     Aalborg  
Hansine     19     Ugift          hans Datter     Aalborg  
Lanbert     17     Ugift          hans Søn, Lærling     Aalborg  
Julius     16     Ugift          hans Brodersøn, Lærling     Nyested paa Laalland  
Petrea Møller     15     -          hans Datterdatter     Aalborg  

Ole

Michael Chang

Citat fra: Michael Chang [57718] Dato 04 Sep 2018 - 09:56
Citat fra: Inger Toudal [1655] Dato 03 Sep 2018 - 21:35

Palæmona Elisabeth Sass was G J Helland's 2nd wife:

http://denstoredanske.dk/Dansk_Biografisk_Leksikon/S%C3%B8fart_og_luftfart/Skibsreder/Chr._Sass
Citat

Harriet Mary (Hatty) Helland, født 13.9.1868 i Hongkong, død 5.6.1950 i Kbh., d. af direktør for Store Nordiske Telegrafselskabs afdeling i Hongkong,
konsul, senere overregnskabsfører ved samme selskab George Johan H. (1830–1906, gift 2. gang 1872 med Palæmona Elisabeth Sass, 1843–1933)
og Josephine Isabella Douglas Browne (1847–71).

His 1st wife died in 1871, so the 2 children of his 1st marriage were probably brought to Denmark after the death of their mother 1871.

Best regards,
Inger

That's interesting, too. Thanks Inger. I had thought the two children might have been brought back to Denmark because of yet another serious disease outbreak in Hong Kong. Now, it is more likely because of the death of their mother in 1871. The story is becoming more clear.

Michael Chang

Citat fra: Gitte Johansen [67] Dato 04 Sep 2018 - 09:10
When are the two children born i China? One in 1870??

1870 i Copenhagen, last residense Aalborg

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS21-R9ZN-9?i=656&cc=2778656


https://www.danishfamilysearch.dk/forum/message7452



The death record for Carl stated he died in 1887 in Aarhus, at age 38. He died young. From my information, he had left behind two of his own children in Hong Kong. One of them became the first Comprador of the Hong Kong and Kowloon Wharf and Godown Company. His name was Wong Kam Fuk (also Wong Kam Fook) b 1870-Feb-6. He was born in Dalian, a seaport in China, but he and his mother was brought to Hong Kong by Carl. Carl also called his son by the name, "Charlie". Carl was said to have been a sea pilot or sea captain plying the sea ports of Dalian, Port Arthur (now Lushun), and Shanghai. He might have been a honorary consul, too. Kam Fuk's surname, Wong, originated from someone choosing the closest sound to "Vang".

Hi Gitte,

The message7452 was by me :)

The 1870 Census had Carl Vang in København, That, I was already aware. Not sure if he had been travelling back and forth between Denmark and China, May he had, maybe he never had.

If only there is a way finding out WHEN the children Harriet Mary Helland and Georg Douglas Helland arrived in Denmark, and WHO chaperoned them. Only then, the mystery might get solved and we get our genealogy completed.

Best regards,
Michael. 

Inger Toudal

#24

At the time of the 1880 Census (1 Feb. 1880) Carl Frederik Vang was living in Faaborg city on the island of Funen:
https://www.danishfamilysearch.com/cid9622834
- his name is erroneously recorded as Ernst Frederik Vang, his trade is shipbuilder, born in Aalborg, single.

1880 Census, Faaborg: https://www.sa.dk/ao-soegesider/da/billedviser?bsid=57736#57736,12090564

- the house where he's staying was owned by shipbuilder R. Dyreborg's widow's heirs:
https://www.sa.dk/ao-soegesider/da/billedviser?bsid=57736#57736,12090563

- according to several sources on the Internet, he had acquired R. Dyreborg's shipbuilding yard in Faaborg 1879.

Best regards,
Inger
Venlig hilsen
Inger Toudal

Ole Westermann

#25
Michael

Take a look at this article
https://mfs.dk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/1959Etgammelttraeskibsvaerft23-43.pdf
with fine models of the yard in Fåborg.
 An old wooden shipbuilding yard.

At page 37-38:
Omkring 1879 overtoges Dyreborgs værft af skibsbygger Carl
Frederik Wang, der var født i Ålborg 1848 og tog borgerskab i
Fåborg 1879. Dyreborg var død 1873, men hans enke, Elise
Dyreborg, fortsatte driften nogle år endnu. Kort efter gik det
hele dog over til Rasmus Møller, idet Wang opsagde sit borgerskab
1882.

  --------- translation:
Around 1879 Dyreborgs yard was taken over by shipbuilder Carl
Frederik Wang, who was born i Ålborg 1848 and took citizenship in
Fåborg 1879. Dyreborg had died 1873, but his widow, Elise
Dyreborg, continued the yard the following years. Shortly after everything
was taken over by Rasmus Møller, as Wang denounced his citizenship
1882.

Karsten Damén

CitatIf only there is a way finding out WHEN the children Harriet Mary Helland and Georg Douglas Helland arrived in Denmark,

Georg Douglas Helland acquired Danish citizenship in 1889 - stating that he arrived in Denmark 1871

Efternavn:    Helland   Fornavn:    G.D.
Erhverv:    Student   Fødeland:    Kina
Fødselsår:    1869   I DK fra:    1871
Bopæl, lokalitet:    København   Amt, region:    København og Frederiksberg
Lov af:    01 03 1889   Tillæg:    B
Løbenr:    118      

Inger Toudal

#27

Carl Frederik Vang did his military service in 1869:
https://www.sa.dk/ao-soegesider/billedviser?epid=16481029#19773,1593892 - O 64

He moved to Copenhagen in Jan. 1870:
https://www.sa.dk/ao-soegesider/billedviser?epid=16504370#187177,31771520 - U 86

- and back to Aalborg in Dec. 1870:
https://www.sa.dk/ao-soegesider/billedviser?epid=16481029#19793,1600481 - U 151

He did his military service in the Navy. But there is no mentioning of a Søfartsbog (discharge book),
which he would have needed for the military authorities, if he had later been in the merchant navy.

In the 1870 Census, he is registered as a Skibsconstructeur (naval constructor).

EDIT: Consul Helland, Hongkong, arrived at Hotel Kongen af Dannmark in Copenhagen 9 Dec. 1871 (see Gitte's post below).

Best regards,
Inger
Venlig hilsen
Inger Toudal


Michael Chang

Thanks for the wonderful help so far, everyone.

Given that George Johan Helland was a Consul in Hong Kong, and Company Representative for Det Store Nordiske Telegraf-Selskabin East Asia/China from circa 1876, I wonder if there is a photograph of Helland held somewhere in the Danish archives. I tried the internet, but did not succeed in finding one.

Here is a photograph of my g-g-grandfather: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ng64ltw8hdncbwv/Carl%20Vang.jpg?dl=0

I would welcome any comments!