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A Dane in Little Italy

Old Ways: Staying Danish

Chris Bennedsen, Anna Lisa Hubschmann (a Spandet neighbour), and Anna Bennedsen, Spandet, Denmark, August 1967.
(CMC, Christian Bennedsen Collection, P31-2.A2-14.001,
E2007-00469)

Chris's uncle, Thomas Johannesson, Galten, Denmark, November 1973.
(CMC, Christian Bennedsen Collection, P32-2.A7-45.001,
E2007-00474)

Thanks for your letter. We have just come back from a holiday we have spent in Sweden. We have been there for 8 days. Tomorrow we are going to Spandet. Mother is coming home the day after tomorrow, she has spent 14 days at Uncle Thomas's place. She came there direct from hospital in an ambulance. She is better, but I don't think she will ever be able to look after herself again. She can walk a little now, but she can't see. Something has happened to her eyes and nobody can tell if that will ever be better. I will be with her for the next 14 days and then Lissy will take over at least about 3-4 hours a day . . . . It is really difficult to know what to do about her and our father. He won't understand how ill she is.

Ella Bennetzen to Chris and Connie Bennedsen, July 11, 1976.
(CMC, Christian Bennedsen Collection, Correspondence series, Box P-28, 2nd group)

Old Ways: Staying Danish

Dear Uncle,
I hope your fine, and not have to much work to do. I have just changed school, because I didn’t like that kind of
school . . . . I am very curious about how you are living. If you don’t know who I am, then I am going to tell you. I am your brother Sigvard’s youngest daughter Tine, I hope you can remember me. I am fourteen years old now, so now I am a young lady, but I am certainly not feeling like a young lady. I have just fallen in love with a fellow with the name Mikael, he’s eighteen years old and just wonderful. Ella’s children are growing so much, and they are so lovely both of them. I don’t now why I am writing to you, but I have been thinking very much about you in the last time. I wonder have it is over there, and I am very sad about you are living so fare away from us. Please write to me. I miss you very much.

Tine Bennetzen to Chris Bennedsen, May 1978.
(CMC, Christian Bennedsen Collection, Correspondence series, P-28, 2nd group)

In 1976, Chris and Connie travelled to Spandet to celebrate Anna and Frederik Bennedsen’s fiftieth wedding anniversary. Shortly after they returned home to Toronto, Anna died. Frederik remained alone in his home in Spandet until his death in 1988. Chris and Connie attended his funeral. Chris returned by himself to Denmark in 1997, his last trip there.

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