I'm looking for information about Bendiderich/Bent Diderich Ely (in some sources written Eli/Elji) and his ancestors. Bent Diderich was born about 1647, and in letters to the danish king he claims to have been a soldier and an officer from he was 15, in 1663, first 12 years for foreign warlords, then more than 30 years for the danish king.
He also says that his late father (dead before 1679) was a sea captain under the danish crown for 26 years. Bendiderich has at least two sons, Bugislaus and Ernst David. Their mother is not known. Any hints about the Ely family in Denmark/Germany before 1750 will be appreciated.
Per Helge