Page 245 - Family History

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What was it like at that time for a young man to leave home to come to
America? It must have been terrifying but I can imagine that it was also

probably quite exciting – an adventure like no other? You can get a little sense
for how it must have been from Bertel’s own words, (taken from his biography –
see Bertel Poulsen (Paulsen) Bios elsewhere in this document):

"Over in Denmark, they regard a person who wishes to leave the country to seek a fortune in
another a traitor. It was with difficulty that I persuaded my mother to permit me to come to
America. I had to promise her that I would return within three years before she would leave me
go as a man. I returned in three years, but everything was changed. Although they were all
friendly enough, I felt like an alien among them. So I packed up and returned to America."

Side discovery from this research … The passport applications include a section
“DESCRIPTION OF APPLICANT”. At the time of application, Niels was 58

years old. He stood 5 feet, 9 inches tall and had blue eyes and brown hair. Lars
was 37 years old when he filled out his application. He stood 5 feet 10 inches
tall and also had blue eyes and brown hair.

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