Christian Reimers' father was Jobst Hermann Reimers who ran a business as a shipwright, anchorsmith and shipping valuer and insurance agent in Altona since 1824.

They lived at Grosse Elbestrasse 102 then 120, right down on the river front.

His father was therefore wealthy enough to send his children to music lesson and art lessons. In Christian's case, his music teacher Johann Reinicke, was highly sought after and lived in the grand wide street of Palmaille at no. 45. This was about 400 metres away from Christian's home in the next street.

To get to his music lessons, he would have passed the new astronomical observatory. He said he was introduced to astronomy through a friend.

His father died around 1842 while his mother (maiden name of Schmidt) died around 1844