Hello, This is for those requesting info on Danish/German questions. I researched this a year or so ago, and collected some brief statements from various websites. Some of these authors may be reading this on the list! Here's what I've collected (some of which shed light): The reason for that was Denmark had control at that time period. Denmark had control for several hundred years of this area. Changing in the mid 1800's I do not have date in front of me. It also rotated back and forth at various times. Ironically, my German Mother in law, never liked German food but would eat the Danish type food. When I told her family was probably more Danish than German, she was most offended. They are not around to ask so we will never really know. But it does make for a twist in the system.. It is like many other areas that moved boundaries on steady basis. _________________________________________________________ The political history of the area, like much of Europe, has many changes and complications. There was a complete and detailed history of the area posted to this list some months ago. One of the many interesting twists is that at during one period when Schleswig-Holstein was part of Germany the King of Denmark also had the German title of Duke of Schleswig-Holstein. ______________________________________________________________________ _______ One needs to remember that the control of a particular region does not determine one's nationality. There are several good history sites on line. the above is one of them. look at www.rootdigger.de and history and don't forget, countries/areas sometimes changed by marriage or death that time, not only by war... (nice the idea our politicians would follow this old tradition...) In 18th century it was not important to be of German or Danish nation, but to know which king has better rules or tax. Indeed, the history of Denmark/Schleswig/Holstein/Germany is confusing; simple: Holstein belonged to the Holy Roman Empire of German Nations, Schleswig not, but the king of Denmark was as well duke of Holstein, sometimes, this was possible. Or: the Duke of Danish Schleswig became Earl of Holstein and so on... It depends the time you are looking at. Anyhow, the people in Schleswig spoke German and had been subjects of the Danish crown. And the people of Holstein spoke German as well, but the sovereign was a Danish influenced duke, who was member of the Holy Roman Empire...simple... so these people had been subjects of the Danish crown as well and theoretically of the German Nation too. That time the folks did not care about German or Danish.