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- Some years later Prussia got a new Prime Minister named Otto von Bismarck. His aim was to form a large German "super nation" by annexation of the smaller German speaking Duchies and Kingdoms. In 1864 Prussia (still supported by the Austrian Empire) declared war against Denmark. The main battle took place on April 18th 1864 at Dybbol - just ten kilometres from Rinkenaes, which is the home village of the Godt Family. Nearly 5,000 Danish soldiers and as many Germans were killed. According to the peace treaty (Prague 1866) the whole of Schleswig-Holstein was annexed by Prussia.
- By 1866 Prussia was at war with the Austrians, and in 1870 war broke out between the French and the Prussians. Napoleon the Third was defeated and surrendered two provinces to Prussia.
- In the annexation of Schleswig-Holstein, Denmark lost one third of its territory and approxi
mately 250,000 Danish speaking residents were forced to become German citizens. From 1870 the Prussians suppressed the Danish language and culture.
- When Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany (who was a Grandson of Queen Victoria) declared himself Emperor of Germany, this suppression became even more intensified. The use of Danish in the schools and churches was forbidden. This meant that my father was only taught German at school. The residents of Schleswig-Holstein were forced to serve as German soldiers in World War 1 and at least 6,000 Danes were killed.
- Germany lost WW1, and in 1920 a referendum was held in Schleswig. Approximately 60% of the population voted for a re-unification with Denmark. Today Denmark has a small German minority (about 10,000) while there are about 90,000 Danes living south of the border, having their own schools and churches. In Flensburg (a city of 100,000) the Danes still hold about 25% of the seats on the municipal council.
- Now, why have I given such a long explanation? Firstly, to state that the Godt family originated in Denmark, despite the fact that the majority of the family members live outside Denmark (in Germany and the USA). Secondly because the political situation of the Schleswig area has led to tensions within the family, as some members joined the Germans, whereas others (among my family) remained Danes.
- The birthplace of the first registered Godt is the village of Rinkenaes, but most of my family members lived at Egernsund, which is only 3 kilometres from Rinkenaes. Egernsund has a harbour and was the homebase for many sailors.
- Earl W. Godt II has compiled the book "A History Of The Godt Family From Schleswig 1549-1992". He was assisted by Peter Godt, from Rendsburg Germany. Peter is a retired teacher. I received a letter from him for the first time this spring and have since been in close contact with him. From Peter I received E.W. Godt's book. In 1932 Peter's father wrote the so-called "Green Book". Peter is trying to bring this book up to date. In the following, I shall be referring to this book.
- The first person ( of the "Green book" ) is Thomas Hansen Godt, who was born in 1673 at Rinkenaes and was married to Anna (page 3). They had seven children. Some of them died young. Only 2 boys were married and had families. The son, Peter Godt (born 1718) was married, and there might be, in Denmark or elsewhere, some unknown members of that branch of the family. The other boy, Hans Christian Godt (born 1704) had seven children (page 4). Child number 4 is the ancestor of Peter Godt, Rendsburg and our ancestor is child number 7 Ann Cathrin Godt.
- Ann Godt had a fiancée named Chresten Anderson, who was a sailor. When he asked her father for her hand in marriage, the father (Hans Christian Godt) replied that Chresten Anderson
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