Henry Erasmus, son of Peter Sr vs Henry Hans Rasmusson
Posted: Sun Dec 31, 2017 3:38 pm
Have been searching these two men who's records seem to get quite mixedup. I think I have sorted them out & wonder if others have any info or thoughts on my research.
I must say before I start, the spelling of the last name has many varieties - Erasmusson, Erasmus, Rasmus, Rasmussen etc which certainly leads to the confusion. Both Henrys seem to have had their names spelled as Erasmussen initially.
Henry Erasmus was the son of Peter Erasmus Sr and Catherine Budd. He was born in Red River in 1826/7 as he appears in the 1827 census of Red River, living with his parents & 2 sisters in St Andrews. In 1849 his father died & he was forced to hire himself out to earn money to support his mother & younger siblings. He is said to have married twice - 1. Margaret Anderson married 1850 in St Andrews. Children are unknown. 2. Elizabeth Anderson - date, place & her parentage unknown. He is mentioned several times in his brother, Peter Erasmus Jr's book "Buffalo Days and Nights". In 1855 he seems to be home in Red River. In 1870 Henry is described as addicted to alcohol, and having lost the family's money through his drinking. On the 1881 census he is in Prince Albert with Margaret and a son Charles Thomas. May have died about 1886. Henry was a half breed & an Anglican. The family surname became Erasmus uniformly.
Henry Hans Rasmusson was born in Norway in 1828, and went to sea as a cabin boy, before being recruited by the HBCo in 1850. He came out to York Factory that year, remaining for 5 years. Then he came south to Red River working in various positions. In 1859 he married Jane Stead at St Andrews, and they had 9 children, 5 living to adulthood. They settled on a river lot, and appear in the 1870 census of Red River and the 1881 federal census. In 1901 he is in Wpg on that census. He died in 1913 and is buried in Old Kildonan Cemetery. There is a small marker. He is said to be Lutheran on both the 1881 & 1901. I have not found him in 1891 yet. The last name is Erasmasson in various early records but then seems to settle as Rasmussen.
When placed side by side one can see how different theses men's lives were. Any additional info or comments welcome. Suziebee
I must say before I start, the spelling of the last name has many varieties - Erasmusson, Erasmus, Rasmus, Rasmussen etc which certainly leads to the confusion. Both Henrys seem to have had their names spelled as Erasmussen initially.
Henry Erasmus was the son of Peter Erasmus Sr and Catherine Budd. He was born in Red River in 1826/7 as he appears in the 1827 census of Red River, living with his parents & 2 sisters in St Andrews. In 1849 his father died & he was forced to hire himself out to earn money to support his mother & younger siblings. He is said to have married twice - 1. Margaret Anderson married 1850 in St Andrews. Children are unknown. 2. Elizabeth Anderson - date, place & her parentage unknown. He is mentioned several times in his brother, Peter Erasmus Jr's book "Buffalo Days and Nights". In 1855 he seems to be home in Red River. In 1870 Henry is described as addicted to alcohol, and having lost the family's money through his drinking. On the 1881 census he is in Prince Albert with Margaret and a son Charles Thomas. May have died about 1886. Henry was a half breed & an Anglican. The family surname became Erasmus uniformly.
Henry Hans Rasmusson was born in Norway in 1828, and went to sea as a cabin boy, before being recruited by the HBCo in 1850. He came out to York Factory that year, remaining for 5 years. Then he came south to Red River working in various positions. In 1859 he married Jane Stead at St Andrews, and they had 9 children, 5 living to adulthood. They settled on a river lot, and appear in the 1870 census of Red River and the 1881 federal census. In 1901 he is in Wpg on that census. He died in 1913 and is buried in Old Kildonan Cemetery. There is a small marker. He is said to be Lutheran on both the 1881 & 1901. I have not found him in 1891 yet. The last name is Erasmasson in various early records but then seems to settle as Rasmussen.
When placed side by side one can see how different theses men's lives were. Any additional info or comments welcome. Suziebee