Rasmus Andersen Papers 1865-1930; 1870-1915

ArchivalResource

Andersen, R. (Rasmus), 1848-1930. Rasmus Andersen Papers 1865-1930; 1870-1915

Rasmus Andersen Papers 1865-1930; 1870-1915

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/257706668

This series comprises the personal papers of the Rev. Rasmus Andersen, pastor and one of the founders of the Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. These records are from 1865-1930 with the bulk dating from 1870-1915. Record types include handwritten correspondence, handwritten essays and manuscripts, printed news articles and clippings, letters of call, congregation records, and photographs. While an attempt was made to keep records together as the arrived at the archives, it was necessary to impose order on the collection. In many instances correspondence was separated from topical writings and news clippings. It did not appear that the correspondence separated pertained to the subject matter contained in the article or writings. When it was able to be determined that the correspondence did pertain, it was kept with the news clippings or essays. This series comprises seven subseries: correspondence by date, correspondence by author, correspondence by subject, writings, manuscripts, general subject, and photographs. Correspondence. The bulk of the records are correspondence. It is arranged into three subseries: correspondence by date, correspondence by author, and correspondence by subject. Almost all of the correspondence is written in Danish. While the bulk of the correspondence is dated, there are also folders of undated correspondence where no determination of the year could be made. Letters of note include those written in the early 1870s to Pastor and Mrs. Andersen by her parents and her sister. These are found in the folders of correspondence arranged by date. Many of them are undated, but one can tell which letters they are because they begin with "kære søn og datter," dear son and daughter or "kære søster Elizabeth" dear sister Elizabeth. Also of note is correspondence between Pastor Anderson and the Rev. F.L. Grundtvig, a leader in the establishment of Danish Lutheranism in America. These letters pertain to Pastor Grundtvig's refusal to speak at Anderson's congregation in Brooklyn. Writings. This subseries includes mostly handwritten documents of which many are untitled and undated. There are several folders that have writings identified by subject, but the majority of the writings appear to be unidentified. All of the writings are in Danish. Manuscripts. There are three handwritten manuscripts that pertain to foreign missions. It does not appear that these were ever published. Located in the photograph subseries are photographs that were found with the manuscripts. It appears that they were to be included in the published work. General subject. In this subseries are where the bulk of the printed news clippings and articles are located. Many of these news clippings and articles were authored by Pastor Andersen. There are also records that pertain to Danish missions, sea chaplains, and Pastor Andersen's early career. There is also an autograph book that contains many signatures of Pastor Andersen's contemporaries and colleagues. Photographs. As previously mentioned this subseries includes photographs for possible use with manuscripts and it also include photographs of Pastor and Mrs. Andersen at their congregation in Brooklyn, New York, photographs of Pastor Andersen with confirmation children, and photographs of the church buildings from Pastor Andersen's tenure in Perth Amboy, New Jersey and Brooklyn, New York.

14 boxes (3.9 cubic ft.)

eng,

dan,

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Library, ELCA Library