Hans Jorgen (Christiansen) Rasmussen, was born in Denmark on the Island of Mon. Karen Maria Sorensdatter was his mother.  Christian Mortensen was his father. Christian and Karen never married.  The 1845 Census of Præstø County best describes Hans’ family situation as follows:

Peder Andersen, age 56, renter and day laborer

Ane Margrete Hansdatter, age 55, his wife

     -Karen Maria Sorensdatter, age 34, unmarried, their daughter

        -Hans Jorgen Christiansen, age 5, (Karen’s) illegitimate son

    Karen married Jens Jorgen Rasmussen in 1846.  She subsequently gave birth to 3 babies but they were all stillborn.  Christian Mortensen married Inger Marie Pedersen.  According to my nephew Ric Rasmussen, Inger had 3 children prior to marrying Christian.  They had one child together, Niels Peder Christiansen, who would be Hans Jorgen’s only surviving half sibling.  

   Hans grew up with the surname Christiansen.  He is listed as Hans Jorgen Christiansen in the census referenced above (1845); HJR Preach Certificate.jpg (1866); HJR Citizenship.jpg (1869); and list of persons called to settle Joseph City, Arizona (1876).  Hans evidently changed his name to Rasmussen between his trip to Joseph City and his marriage in 1880.

    Hans joined the LDS Church in Denmark just a few days before his 22nd birthday.  His baptism date is listed as Feb. 3, 1862.  He sailed to America thereafter never to return to Denmark and his mother.  (Letter to Hans Jorgen re his mother.pdf)

   Hans married Elizabeth Susan Ottley who was from England in the Salt Lake Endowment House on July 15, 1880.  Hans was 40 years old and Elizabeth was just 19.  Hans & Elizabeth moved to Elba, Idaho to raise their family.

HJR biography by Ric Rasmussen.pdf

Hans Jorgen Rasmussen biography.pdf

Letters between Hans & Elizabeth.pdf