Peter Bertelsen

The 1880 U.S. Federal Census shows a Peter Bertelson (b. about 1854) having come from Schleswig Holstein, Germany then living in Cincinnati, Ohio with the Adelheit Hoeft family.

In the 1885 Kansas Census Peter was a single Farmer living in Madison, Kansas. This Census shows Peter came to Kansas from Iowa and was born in Denmark (not Germany).

Wikipedia.org page notes: "Schleswig and Holstein have at different times belonged in part or completely to either Denmark or Germany, or have been virtually independent of both nations." It may have been that Peter's change in self-identification from German to Dane origin labeling may have been made as he made his westward migration towards Denmark, Kansas and felt the "Denmark" label more fitting. It is interesting to note that other's listed nearby on Peter's 1880 Census do list "Germany" as he has but list German cities or regions.

The 1895 Kansas Census shows that Peter Bertelsen came to Kansas from Iowa and was living with his family in Marion, Kansas.

The 1900 Federal Census shows the family in Marion, KS and shows month and year birth dates for each member. This Census also shows Peter immigrated to the U.S. in 1877.

In the 1905 Kansas Census the penmanship is difficult to read but surprisingly Peter's age is listed as 56 which would have put his birth abt. 1849 instead of the 1854/1855 date listed elsewhere.

The 1910 Federal Census shows Peter Bertelson, aged 55, having had arrived in the U.S. at age 23 in 1877. (See line one on the "1910..." form). The 1920 Federal Census shows Peter Bertelson, aged 65, having had arrived in the U.S. at age 21 in 1875. (See line ninety-nine on the "1920..." form). Perhaps as he got older he rounded the date. I would expect 1877 might be the accurate date.