The Danish Emigration Archives

Founded on 3 July 1932 by Max Henius, the archive preserves and documents the experiences of Danes who left their homeland in search of new opportunities abroad. Today, the archive offers a unique insight into migration, cultural encounters, and the lives of Danes across the globe.

The Archive's Collections

The Danish Emigration Archive holds a unique collection covering Danish emigration from the 16th century to the present day. Its collections include letters, photographs, personal papers, and other records that document the lives of Danes across the world.   The archive preserves material from well-known cultural figures, politicians, members of the royal family, and thousands of ordinary emigrants. Together, these sources tell the many stories of Danish migration and life abroad.   Through the archive's online catalogue, you can explore the collections, many of which have been digitised and are available online.  

The History of the Danish Emigration Archives

The Danish Emigration Archive was founded through the initiative of Max Henius (1859-1935). Born in Aalborg, Henius attended Aalborg Cathedral School before studying chemistry at the Polytechnic Institute in Hanover and earning a doctorate from the University of Marburg in 1881. He later emigrated to the United States, where he established a successful business in Chicago together with Dr. Robert Wahl. In 1909, Henius proposed the creation of a Danish-American national park in Rebild Hills, an idea that eventually led to the establishment of the annual Rebild Festival, held on July 4. In 1932, Henius founded the Danish Emigration Archive at Sohngårdsholm in Aalborg. Its purpose was to collect and preserve the memories, letters, and photographs of Danes who had settled abroad. The collection was preserved despite the disruptions of the Second World War and has been part of Aalborg City Archives since 1984. Today, the Danish Emigration Archive holds unique sources on Danish emigration and the lives of Danes abroad.