Sir: Because Thygesen is a rather unusual name, I thought you might like to know what information I have about our Thygesens in Denmark.
My great-grandfather, Ted or "Thyge" Thygesen (1870 -1923) was born in Bregninge, on the southern Danish island of Aero. I have found this picturesque town on Danish maps and the Internet because it boosts of a church built in the 1200s. I have his parents listed as Soren K. and Mary Thygesen but have no dates for them. Other children in the family included George, May, Soren, Katie and Anna. All of the children came to the United States except May, who died in infancy, and Anna. We have no records showing that Anna came to this country so I assume that her descendants may still reside in this part of Denmark although I have not confirmed this fact.
Ted came to American in the 1890s and settled in Southwest Iowa. He married Mary Jensen near Atlanic, Iowa, in 1897. He and Mary had 10 children and they lived on his farm near Audubon, Iowa, until his death from cancer at age 53. He is buried in the church cemetary at Ebenezer Lutheran Church in rural Audubon County. My grandmother, Anna Thygesen Jensen, was his eldest daughter. She passed away just five years ago at the age of 96.
Is there a possible connection with the Thygesens of Norway? Could you begin looking for Thygesens in southern Denmark?
Best of luck in your search and let me know via E-mail if any of these names are part of your family!
Jennifer Jensen
Omaha, Nebraska