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We then decided to have an action to get rig of everything that wasn't nailed down (personal belongings), which generated 200 crowns. So with a mere 1000 crowns in my pocket, the clothes on our backs, a bit of bedding and with our three children in tow we left our little home in Orup. We were headed out into the great big world where we would seek our fortune. 

It was the 24th of July 1871 when we held our little auction and that very same evening we moved in with Hans Jørgen in Vallebo. On the 25th I went to Roholte to liquidate my account with the co-op. On the 26th we were in Faxe at Lars Jensen's place, then on to Lars Hemmingsen's house in Taagerup and further on to Vibede Overdrev where we finally said goodbye to Hans Jensen and my sister Maria. 

On the 27th we packed our bags and on the 28th we had Hans Jørgen drive us to the Haslev station. We arrived in Copenhagen that very same day where we stayed until the 1st of August which was the day when we headed out to sea and bid farewell to the land of our birth.

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Old customs

One of the oldest customs is of course the idea that people should get married and this was very much the case when I was still living in Denmark. However, back then there were a lot more ceremonies and rules that had to be observed. For example, when a couple had agreed to get married they couldn't just do it where ever they wanted. They had to have an earnest conversation with their parents about it and if no parents were available then they needed to approach some trustworthy friends who were willing to help them out. The first step was to find two witnesses and it was their responsibility to make sure that the young couple wasn't already married to each other or to anyone else for that matter. They simply had to make sure that there was nothing preventing them from forming this union. Then, on a predetermined date, the young man, while accompanied by his witnesses would visit the priest and ask him to publicly announce their desire to wed. 

So the following Sunday, after the sermon, the priest would read out loud; "I would like to announce the first time union of Peer Peersen and the girl Mette. If there is anyone who objects to their union speak now, or remain silent." The same procedure was repeated on the second and third Sunday after which the final wedding day was set.