Helmuth William Diege was a chiropodist or orthopedic specialist. He lived at 1008 Denman Street from 1919 to 1921.
Family Background
Helmuth William Diege was born in Denmark on March 14, 1870. His parents were Peter Diege and Rosalie Friis.
He went to school in Jutland, and later attended the University of Copenhagen and the Kronborg Military Academy. He became an officer in the Danish Army.
To Canada
In 1893, he travelled to Canada. In 1898 he went to the Yukon Territory with the Royal Northwest Mounted Police. He finished his term of service in 1900.
He later returned to Copenhagen.
Marriage to Frida Inger
Helmuth married Frida Inger, probably in Denmark.
Return to Canada
In 1908, Helmuth returned to Canada. He lived in Saskatchewan until 1918, including some time as a baker in the village of Brownlee.
To Vancouver
Helmuth first appeared in the Vancouver directories in 1919. He lived at the following addresses in Vancouver.
| 1919 to 1921 | 1008 Denman Street |
| 1922 to 1931 | 1740 Comox Street |
| 1932 | 1552 Davie Street |
| 1933 to 1935 | number 2, 1325 Comox Street |
He practiced as an orthopedic specialist through the mid-1930s.
Helmuth died in Vancouver on March 12, 1935.
Frida and her daughter, Greta, went to Denmark.
It appears that they remained in Denmark during the first part of the Second World War. In 1943, Frida’s son, Peter (known as Peter Durey) received news of the family’s safety.
No further information is available for Frida.
Helmuth and Frida had the following children.
Sven Peter Diege
Sven Peter Diege was born in Denmark on June 5, 1903. He lived with his parents until the early 1920s.
About 1922 he moved to Los Angeles, California, where he became an actor in the film industry. Although he did not become a star, he appeared in several films as an extra and bit player.
In 1931, Sven married Marguerite (Margaret, Peggy) Tucker Carrie.
Vancouver Sun, August 4, 1930, page 8 column 5.
Later sources refer to Sven as “single,” so it is possible that this marriage ended in divorce.
In 1942 he became a naturalized United States citizen.
He died in Los Angeles on April 6, 1943.
Greta Frida Diege
Greta Frida Diege was born in Denmark in May 1906. She lived with her parents until the mid-1930s.
In 1933 and 1934 she was working as a nurse in her father’s office.
In 1936, in Denmark, she married Dan W. Danjelsen (reported in the newspapers as Danjelfen).
Dan and Greta had a daughter, who was born in Copenhagen on November 24, 1937.
No further information is available for Greta.
Sources
Helmuth William Diege
Royal North West Mounted Police; Personnel Records, 1873-1904; Helmuth Dige [sic]; http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/nwmp-personnel-records/Pages/item.aspx?IdNumber=27577&
“Recensement du Canada de 1911,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:27XG-TFC : 2 March 2015), Helmuth W Diege, 1911; citing Census, Moose Jaw Sub-Districts 16-99, Saskatchewan, Canada, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 2,418,576; http://automatedgenealogy.com/census11/View.jsp?id=144214&highlight=23&desc=1911+Census+of+Canada+page+containing+Halworth%28%3F%29+W+Di%3F%3F%3Fe; http://data2.collectionscanada.gc.ca/1911/pdf/e002098212.pdf.
“Canada Census, 1916,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KM5Q-WQM : 5 November 2014), H W Diege, Saskatchewan, Canada; citing p. 34, line 5; Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 2,434,960; http://data2.collectionscanada.ca/006003/t-21945/pdf/31228_4363974-01146.pdf.
1921 Canada Census, Helmuth William Diege (indexed as Helmuth William Diego); Reference Number: RG 31; Folder Number: 18; Census Place: Ward 1, Vancouver Centre, British Columbia; Page Number: 2; Ancestry.com. 1921 Census of Canada [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2013.
“British Columbia Death Registrations, 1872-1986; 1992-1993”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FLG5-2ZD : 30 September 2015), Helmuth William Diege, 1935.
“Dr. H.W. Diege Dead,” Vancouver Sun, March 13, 1935, page 15:
“Dr. Helmuth William Diege, 64, orthopaedic specialist, of 1325 Comox Street, died Monday in St. Paul’s Hospital after a brief illness.
Dr. Diege, who was born in Denmark, had resided in Vancouver 16 years. Surviving is his wife, one son, Sven Peter Diege (Peter Du Rey), movie actor of Los Angeles, and one daughter, Greta T. [sic] Diege, at home.
He was the son of Consul Peter Diege and graduated from the University of Copenhagen. He also attended Kronborg Military School.
Dr. Diege came to Canada in 1893 and in 1898 went to the Yukon with the R.N.W.M.P. He later went back to Denmark, returning to Canada in 1908 and coming to Vancouver in 1918.
Denter & Hanna, funeral directors, have charge of funeral services, which will be conducted by Rev. Canon Harold G. King in St. Paul’s Church Thursday at 2 p.m. Cremation will follow.”
“Dr. H.W. Diege Died in Hospital Today After Brief Illness,” Vancouver Province, March 12, 1935, page 1:
“Dr. Helmunth [sic] William Diege orthopedic specialist of 1325 Comox street, died this morning in St. Paul’s Hospital, following a brief illness. He was aged 64.
Born in Denmark, the son of Consul Peter Diege of Skive, Dr. Diege was educated at the Jutland Schools, University [of] Copenhagen, and later entered the Kronborg Military Academy, the school around which the story of Hamlet is written.
On his graduation he came to Canada in 1893, and during the gold rush of ’98 went into the Yukon with the Mounted Police. He then revisited Copenhagen and returned to Canada in 1908, taking up residence in Moose Jaw, where he lived until he came to Vancouver in 1918.
He is survived by his wife, one son, Sven Peter Diege, in the motion picture business in Los Angeles, and a daughter, Greta, at home.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday from St. Paul’s Anglican Church. Rev. Canon H.G. King will officiate and the remains will be cremated. Center & Hanna are in charge.”
Helmuth William Diege, death notice, Vancouver Province, March 13, 1935, page 15; Vancouver Sun, March 13, 1935, page 13: “Diege—Died March 12, 1935, in hospital, Helmuth William Diege, orthopedic specialist, 1325 Comox street, in his sixty-fifth year. Deceased leaves his wife, one son, Sven Peters [sic] Diege, Los Angeles; one daughter, Greta T. [sic] Diege, at home, to mourn his passing. Funeral service St. Paul’s Anglican Church, corner Jervis and Pendrell streets, Thursday afternoon at 2 o’clock, Rev. Canon Harold G. King officiating. Cremation. Center & Hanna, directors.”
Frida Inger (wife of Helmuth William Diege)
“Recensement du Canada de 1911,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:27XG-TFZ : 2 March 2015), Frida Diege in entry for Helmuth W Diege, 1911; citing Census, Moose Jaw Sub-Districts 16-99, Saskatchewan, Canada, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 2,418,576; http://automatedgenealogy.com/census11/View.jsp?id=144214&highlight=24&desc=1911+Census+of+Canada+page+containing+Freda+Di%3F%3F%3Fe; http://data2.collectionscanada.gc.ca/1911/pdf/e002098212.pdf
“New York Passenger Arrival Lists (Ellis Island), 1892-1924,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JJ5Y-B53 : 6 December 2014), Frida Diege, 15 May 1912; citing departure port Copenhagen, arrival port New York, ship name United States, NARA microfilm publication T715 and M237 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
“Canada Census, 1916,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KM5Q-WQ9 : 5 November 2014), Frida Diege in household of H W Diege, Saskatchewan, Canada; citing p. 34, line 6; Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 2,434,960; http://data2.collectionscanada.ca/006003/t-21945/pdf/31228_4363974-01146.pdf.
1921 Canada Census, Frida Inder Diege (indexed as Forda Inder Diego) in household of Helmuth William Diege (indexed as Helmuth William Diego); Reference Number: RG 31; Folder Number: 18; Census Place: Ward 1, Vancouver Centre, British Columbia; Page Number: 2; Ancestry.com. 1921 Census of Canada [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2013.
Sven Peter Diege (Peter Du Rey) (son of Helmust William Diege)
“Recensement du Canada de 1911,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:27XG-TF8 : 2 March 2015), Sben Diege in entry for Helmuth W Diege, 1911; citing Census, Moose Jaw Sub-Districts 16-99, Saskatchewan, Canada, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 2,418,576; http://automatedgenealogy.com/census11/View.jsp?id=144214&highlight=25&desc=1911+Census+of+Canada+page+containing+Sben+Di%3F%3F%3Fe; http://data2.collectionscanada.gc.ca/1911/pdf/e002098212.pdf.
“Canada Census, 1916,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KM5Q-WQS : 5 November 2014), Sven Diege in household of H W Diege, Saskatchewan, Canada; citing p. 34, line 7; Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 2,434,960; http://data2.collectionscanada.ca/006003/t-21945/pdf/31228_4363974-01146.pdf.
1921 Canada Census, Sven Peter Diege (indexed as Sven Peter Diego) in household of Helmuth William Diege (indexed as Helmuth William Diego); Reference Number: RG 31; Folder Number: 18; Census Place: Ward 1, Vancouver Centre, British Columbia; Page Number: 2; Ancestry.com. 1921 Census of Canada [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2013.
“California, San Francisco Passenger Lists, 1893-1953,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KX4P-VDY : 2 April 2015), Sven Peter Diege, 1924; citing San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States, NARA microfilm publication M1410 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 2,378,952.
“Washington, Seattle, Passenger Lists, 1890-1957,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KY27-QXT : 4 December 2014), Sven Peter Diege, ; citing Seattle, King, Washington, United States, NARA microfilm publication M1383, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.; FHL microfilm 2,266,073.
“United States Census, 1930”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XCJ1-D1T : 25 November 2015), Sven P Diege, 1930.
“United States Census, 1940,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K97H-Q9F : accessed 25 August 2016), Sven P Diego, Tract 382, Beverly Hills, Beverly Hills Judicial Township, Los Angeles, California, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 19-44, sheet 64B, family 91, Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 – 2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012, roll 221.
“California, Southern District Court (Central) Naturalization Index, 1915-1976,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KXQ9-NQ3 : 28 November 2014), Peter Or Sven Peter Durey Or Diege, 1942; citing Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States, National Archives and Records Service, Los Angeles Branch, Laguna Niguel; FHL microfilm 1,562,238.
“California Death Index, 1940-1997,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VPVT-1DX : 26 November 2014), Sven Diege, 06 Apr 1943; Department of Public Health Services, Sacramento.
“California, County Birth and Death Records, 1800-1994”, database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGZ2-KP9T : 22 August 2018), Peter Or Sven Durey Or Diege, 1943.
Daily Clintonian, Clinton, Indiana, April 16, 1943, page 3: “Peter Du Rey, for many years one of Hollywood’s best known dress extras and bit players, died of a heart attack.”
Peter Du Rey, biography; http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0238958/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm: “Date of Birth: 5 June 1903, Denmark; Date of Death: 6 April 1943, Los Angeles County, California, USA; Peter Du Rey was born on June 5, 1903 in Denmark. He was an actor, known for The Pride of the Yankees (1942), Union Pacific (1939) and It’s a Wonderful World (1939). He died on April 6, 1943 in Los Angeles County, Caliornia, USA.’
Greta Frida Diege (daughter of Helmuth William Diege)
“Recensement du Canada de 1911,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:27XG-TFD : 2 March 2015), Greta Diege in entry for Helmuth W Diege, 1911; citing Census, Moose Jaw Sub-Districts 16-99, Saskatchewan, Canada, Library and Archives of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 2,418,576; http://automatedgenealogy.com/census11/View.jsp?id=144214&highlight=26&desc=1911+Census+of+Canada+page+containing+Greta+Di%3F%3F%3Fe; http://data2.collectionscanada.gc.ca/1911/pdf/e002098212.pdf.
“New York Passenger Arrival Lists (Ellis Island), 1892-1924,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JJ5Y-B57 : 6 December 2014), Grete Diege, 15 May 1912; citing departure port Copenhagen, arrival port New York, ship name United States, NARA microfilm publication T715 and M237 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
“Canada Census, 1916,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KM5Q-WQ3 : 5 November 2014), Grete Diege in household of H W Diege, Saskatchewan, Canada; citing p. 34, line 8; Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, Ontario; FHL microfilm 2,434,960; http://data2.collectionscanada.ca/006003/t-21945/pdf/31228_4363974-01146.pdf.
1921 Canada Census, Greta Frida Diege (indexed as Greta Frida Diego) in household of Helmuth William Diege (indexed as Helmuth William Diego); Reference Number: RG 31; Folder Number: 18; Census Place: Ward 1, Vancouver Centre, British Columbia; Page Number: 2; Ancestry.com. 1921 Census of Canada [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2013.
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