Bigamist Franz W.J.H.P. Sturm got caught in 1924

Franz Wilhelm Joseph Heinrich Paul Sturm, a 34-year-old engineer of German ancestry, was in 1924 convicted of bigamy by the court in The Hague in The Netherlands.

De Tribune, 19-4-1914

Franz Sturm had first been married, at the age of 22, in 1912 in Germany. With his first wife he fathered 3 children. In World War I, Franz fought in the German army. During the crisis after the war, Franz could not find work, and returned to the Netherlands.
In Dordrecht, he found a job at the office of a shipyard. There Franz met a 22-year-old Dutch girl, whom he married in 1922 in The Hague. With his bigamous wife, Franz had an additional child.
Franz’ Dutch wife was Adriane Johanne Georgine Muller who was born on 12 January 1901 in Rotterdam as daughter of Leendert Muller and Neeltje Maartje van Stigt who both originated in Puttershoek. They were married on 1 March 1922 in The Hague. Their only child was Heinrich Paul Sturm, born on 14 June 1922 in Tiengen.

Franz's first wife, however, couldn’t forget Franz, and tried to find him. The family of his second wife tried to find out more about Franz, too. Both requests for information ended up with the same official who thus noticed the bigamy. That's why Franz was arrested.
Franz confessed to having committed bigamy, and was locked up in a house of detention. At the court a witness testified that Franz' first marriage had been unhappy. His first wife was 10 years his senior, and the spouses had different religions and different social positions. Despite those differencea, his first wife refused a divorce.
On 8 July 1924, Franz Sturm was sentenced to 1 year in prison with deduction of pre-trial detention. His second wife returned to her parents, and her marriage was dissolved.

Algemeen Handelsblad voor Nederlandsch-Indië, 9 July 1924

Franz Sturm was born on April 3, 1890, around 2:00 a.m. at the Voorstraat 543 in Utrecht, The Netherlands. His parents were Franz Wilhelm Joseph Heinrich Sturm (35) and his wife Johanna Maria Amalia Louise Kunde. They also had a daughter Amalia Maria Johanna Louisa Victoria who was born in The Netherlands.

Sources: WieWasWie.nl, Delpher.nl, HaagsGemeenteArchief.nl, Het Utrechts Archief.

Archibald Hamilton (†1741) in Rotterdam

Archibald Hamilton was born in Belfast in Ireland as son of Archibald Hamilton the elder. By 1723 he was living in Rotterdam, Holland. The notice of marriage for Archibald and Elizabeth Rees was on 3 December 1723 in Dordrecht, Holland. Elizabeth lived in Dordrecht near the harbor.

Archibald Hamilton, who originated in Belfast, was married in 1723 in Rotterdam.

On 22 September 1728 in Rotterdam Archibald Hamilton and his wife Elisabeth had a daughter baptized with the name Elisabeth. Archibald Hamilton died in Rotterdam around 20 December 1741 and was buried in Dordrecht. 
Elisabeth Rees, widow of Archibalt Hamilton, was a witness at the baptism of Elisabeth Antonia on 16 May 1748 in Rotterdam. She was a daughter of mr. Johan Gerard Francois Meijners (1720-1772) and Elisabeth Hamilton, Elisabeth's daughter. The couple had been married on 27 July 1746 in Rotterdam. The widow of Archibald Hamilton was buried in Dordrecht around 4 October 1770.

Sources: FamilySearch.org, StadsArchief.Rotterdam.nl, RegionaalArchiefDordrecht.nl.

Surname Saturday - Van Arkel - Brick Wall

Van Arkel is a surname derived from a place name, a toponym. Arkel is a village located in the middle of The Netherlands. In medieval times the area was governed by the Lords of Arkel that are likely my ancestors. Other, common people with the "Van Arkel" surname likely originated in the village of Arkel. 

For example, the image below shows a marriage registration of March 25, 1759, in Zuid-Beijerland, a village also known as "den Hitzert" and located in Holland. The groom is Huijbert van Arkel, a young man born in Arkel. The bride is Bastiaantie int Veld, a young girl born in, and member of the church in Zuid-Beijerland. 

Huibert van Arkel originated in Arkel

My ancestor with the surname Arkel has the first name Barber. She was married to Cornelis van der Giessen and they were living in the Sint Anthoniepolder in Holland. The 18th-century birth, marriage and burial records of the Sint Anthoniepolder no longer exist, so we don't know when Cornelis and Barber were married or how many children they had. 
Barber and Cornelis are likely the parents of

1. Arij van der Giessen (±1752-1827). His parents are mentioned on his death certificate. He was 75 years old. 
2. Cornelia van der Giessen (±1760-1803) who was married around 1782 to Joost Arijensz. Schippers. She was probably a child of Cornelis and Barber, too, for she had children named Barbara, Aris, Cornelia and Ariaantie.
3. Neeltje van der Giessen (±1758-1820) was married around 1785 to Arij Jacobsz. Kleijnendorst. She was likely a child of Cornelis and Barber, too, for she had children named Cornelis, Jacob, Pieter and Barbera.
4. Cornelis Cornelisz. van der Giessen (±1755-1809) is likely one of their children, too, because his patronymic is Cornelis and his eldest daughter was named Barbara like his mother. This Barbara was married to my paternal ancestor Cent Leendertsz. Bos (1787-1869). 
5. Pieter van der Giessen (±1763-1817). His parents are mentioned on his death certificate. He was 54 years old. 

Due to the missing records, and Cornelis van der Giessen being a common name in Holland, I have no clue as to who Cornelis' parents were. Barbara van Arkel, however, likely is a younger daughter of Cornelis Cornelisz. van Erkel and Cornelia Pieters van Roon. This couple was married on 20-10-1710 in Maasdam, a village adjacent to the Sint Anthoniepolder. In the local dialect one could pronounce "Arkel" as "Erkel". For example, the Dutch word for potato, "aardappel", is pronounced in the local dialect as "errepel".

Barend Karssemeijer (1732-1821) from Lengerich in Germany

Barend Karssemeijer was born in Lengerik to the southeast of Tecklenburg in Germany. His wedding registration claims he “had no parents”, so they must both have death at the time. His intention to marry was registered on 21 October 1764 in Breukelen (Utrecht area) in The Netherlands [s:FS/orig]. The intended bride was Jannetje Holling, a young girl who was born and still living in Breukelen. She was assisted by her father Hermannus Holling. The couple was married there on 11 November 1764 [s:FS/orig] in the church.

Barend Carssemeier was married in 1764 in Breukelen.

Barend Karssemeijer and Jannetje Holling were the parents of

1. Anna Karssemeijer. She was baptized on 22 June 1766 in Breukelen [s:FS]. The witness was Jannetje van Kockengen, the maternal grandmother. Anna was still living in Breukelen when she was married there on 27 May 1792 [s:Brouw] to Hendrik de Koning, a young man born in “Grootenvoort” near Hannover in Germany. They had 4 daughters named Jannetje, Hendrikje, Helena Wilhelmina and Bartje.  Anna Karssemeijer died on 24 March 1856 in Breukelen [s:WWW], 89 years old.
2. Hermanus Karssemijer. He was baptized on 20 March 1768 in Breukelen [s:FS]. The witnesses were Johannis Hasselbach and Willemijntjen Holling. Hermanus remained a bachelor. He died on 15 July 1846 in Breukelen [s:WWW], 78 years old.
3. Gerrit Karssemeijer. He may have been born in 1769 [s:Gooij]. He was living in Breukelen when he was married on 16 November 1794 in Breukelen [s:Brouw] to Antonia van Ysendijk, a young girl baptized in Overlangbroek (Utrecht area) on 26 September 1773 as daughter of Jan van IJsendijk. At the time of her marriage Antonia was living in Kockengen (Utrecht area). 
4. Jan Karssemeijer(t). He was baptized on 26 Oct. 1773 in Breukelen [s:FS], and still living there when he was married on 18 February 1798 in Breukelen [s:Brouw] to Marritje Cooijman, a young girl born in Ter Aa (Utrecht area) and living in Breukelen. 
5. Willem Karssemeijer. He was baptized on 28 July 1776 in Breukelen [s:FS]. His godparent was Catharina Hoen. Willem remained a bachelor until he died on 26 October 1849 in Breukelen [s:WWW], 73 years old.

Hermanis Karssemeijer was baptized on 20 March 1768 in Breukelen.

Pleuntje, Neeltje & Maria Vree in Delft

Earlier I blogged about ceramist Cornelis van den Abeele (†1731) and his brother Johannes. Cornelis’ wife was Maria Jans Vree (†1728). At the baptism on October 21, 1710, in Delft, of one of their children named Marija van den Abeele, one of the witnesses was Maria's sister Pleuntje Vree. Pleuntje Vree also witnessed the baptism of 3 children of Jan Pietersz. van Dalen and Neeltje Jans Vree.

The Old Church in Delft

Pleuntje, Neeltje and Maria Vree were daughters of Jan Vree (†1680) and his wife Lijsbeth Oosthoeck (†1726). Jan Vree had died in November 1680, and Lijsbeth’s mother had married Cornelis Ariens Spanjersberch on October, 7, 1685, in Delft. As a widow Lijsbeth Oosthoeck owned some real-estate at the corner of the Turfmarkt and the Gasthuijssteeg in Delft. She survived her 2nd husband, too, and was buried on 10-7-1726 near the Old Church in Delft.

Pleuntje Vree was baptized as “Aplonia” on December 24, 1662, in Delft. There Pleuntje had been married, on June 6, 1688, to plate painter Franck Pietersz. van Dalen who was living at the Nieuwe Langedijk. Franck was a son of Pieter Rutten van Dalen and Pieternelle Vranke Voorstadt who were married on February 2, 1663, in nearby Schipluiden. Franck was baptized on March 3, 1665, in Delft with witnesses Ruth Janse van Dalen and Claasge Arijens (who were likely his paternal grandparents). Pleuntje's sister Neeltje's husband Jan van Dalen was another son of Pieter Vree and Pieternelle Voorstadt. 

Peter Bos in de USA

SS Noordam

Peter Bos boarded the “Noordam” in Rotterdam, Holland, around September 27, 1906, and traveled to the United States of America. The “Noordam” was a Steam Ship of 12,528 gross tons, one funnel, 2 masts, and a speed of 15 knots. It had been making the voyage from Rotterdam to New York since 1902.

Peter Bos

Peter was born as Pieter on 3 November 1878 around 18:00 in Amerongen, Utrecht, The Netherlands. His parents were shopkeeper Antonie Bos (1848-1900), and his wife Evertje van de Grift (1850-1898). They were married on 24 July 1874 in Amerongen. Peter also had an elder brother Steven Bos (1875-1943) who remained in Amerongen throughout his life. 

Sarah Catherina
Rutgers

Peter Bos was married on 13 Oct. 1904 in Rijsenburg near Zeist, Utrecht, to Sara Catharina Rutgers. She was born on 30 Sept. 1880 in Ellecom, Gelderland, The Netherlands. Her parents were carpenter Gerrit Jan Rutgers and his wife Frederica Sebina Delfos. Their eldest child, a daughter Johanna Frederika Sebina Bos, was born on 28 July 1905 in Rijsenburg. 

Peter Bos applied for a passport in September 1919. He had blue eyes, a straight and narrow nose, a small mouth, and a small and pointed chin. He had light brown hair and was wearing a moustache. His stature was 5 feet, 9½ inches (176½ cm). The application also mentions another daughter, Nellie Bos. She was born at Pierre, South Dakota, on 29 Oct. 1914. 

N.B. Bos is a very common surname in The Netherlands, and this Peter Bos is not related to me - as far as I know, but he is a namesake of my brother.

Sources: United States Passport Applications 1795-1925, WieWasWie.nl, Family Search Civil Registration, Noordam History, Stamboom Zegert-Vis.

Surname Saturday - Hofman - Brick Wall

My ancestor Jan Corstiaansz. Hofman originated in Wachtendonk, Germany. He has an occupational surname: the Germany word “Hofmann” can be translated as “courtier”. Jan was married on May 28, 1679, in Puttershoek, Holland. His bride was Mariken Jans Biesbroek. She was baptized on December 23, 1657, in Puttershoek as a younger daughter of Jan Pieters Biesbroek (1620-1704), who originated in Waregem, Belgium. Her mother was Jan's second wife Lijsbeth Leenders de Raedt. Witnesses at Jan's wedding were Jan Pieters (likely Marike's father) and Jan Heijndricks (possibly Marike's brother-in-law). 
Jan Corneliaanz. Hofman and Marike Jans Biesbroek were the parents of Corstiaan, Jan, Marijntje and Leendert.  

Wachtendonck and its surroundings in Germany

Cornelis Barentsz Slecht, widower of Tryntie Bos (†1674)

A Barent Cornelisz Slecht is mentioned in Woerden, The Netherlands, during the period 1649-1652. Cornelis Barents Slechts, likely his son, is mentioned on 22 Sept. 1645 as being a brick and roof-tile maker in Woerden, a city famous for its brick and roof-tile makers. By the end of 1651 Cornelis Barentsz Slecht was mentioned as a brandy distiller. Just 3 months later he is mentioned in Woerden as a trader of pigs. 
On 17 March 1653 Cornelis Barentsz Slecht is mentioned as being married. As registrations of later dates reveal, his wife was Tryntie Bos (†1674), a daughter of one of my female-line ancestors, Thijs Jansz Bosch of Bodegraven, Holland. They had at least 2 sons: Matthys & Hendrick, and a daughter Jakomyntie Slecht.

A view at Bodegraven around 1749

Cornelis Barent Slecht is mentioned in Kingston, Ulster County, New York, on 21 July 1674. There, on 27 Jan. 1684, Matthys Slegt & Maria Crepel baptised a daughter named Tryntie. This baptism was widnessed by Antoni Crepel & Tryntie Bos.
The first publication of the Banns of Cornelis' remarriage were on 26 Sept. 1684 by parson Johannes Weecksteen, of Kingston: CORNELIS BARENTZ SLEGT, widower of Tryntie Bos, of Woerden in Holland, and ELSIE JANS, widow of Hendric Jochemz, of Breestee, both resid. in Kingstouw[n]. 

HENDRICK CORNELISSEN SLECHT, wheel-wright, young man of Woerden in Hollant, and ELSJEN BARENS, young girl of Amsterdam, both residing in Wiltwyck, now Kingston. First publication of their marriage Banns was on 25 July; the third on 8 Aug. 1666 in Kingston. Hendrick Slecht & Elsje Slecht widnessed the baptism of Roelof, son of Jan Elthingh & Jakomyntie Slecht, on 27 Oct. 1678 in Kingston.

Sources: Baptismal and marriage registers of the old Dutch church of Kingston, Ulster County, New York, Hogenda Transcriptions of Marriage & Birth records. 

Cornelis Kleinendorst (1822-1906) in the USA

Strijen, church

Cornelis Kleinendorst was born in Strijen, Holland, on October 19, 1822, as a younger son of Teunis Kleinendorst (±1782-1840) and his wife Jannigje Dorst (1781-1858).  Cornelis' eldest surviving brother Jacob died on April 10, 1836, aged just 25. His other surviving brother, Willem, died on February 13, 1843, leaving Cornelis as his parents only son. 

  

In Strijen Cornelis Kleinendorst was married to Aartje Weijerse on October 5, 1849. She was born on April 9, 1824, in nearby Maasdam. In 1837 Aartje's mother had died. Her father, Herman Weijerse / Weyers, and his 2nd wife, Maria Vermaas (1811-1863), boarded the ship "Ocean Home" in Rotterdam, arriving in the United States on May 2, 1856. They were accompanied by his children Souverin (26), Jannetje (19), Herman jr. (7), Maarten (4) and Leendert (3). They settled in Marion County, Iowa, USA.
By early 1856 Cornelis Kleinendorst had decided to follow his in-laws to the USA, and offered his house and barn in the Sint Anthoniepolder for sale in a newspaper advertisement.

Johannis and Cornelis van den Abeele and Delft pottery

Blue and white pottery, also known as “Delft Blue”,  had been made in and around Delft, Holland, from the 16th century onwards. Delftware became popular and was widely exported in Europe. It even reached China and Japan. The most highly-regarded period of production was about 1640-1740. Besides plates and vases, Delft potters also made tiles in vast numbers. 

The brothers Johannes and Cornelis van den Abeele were ceramists, creating pottery in Delft, Holland. They were sons of Corstiaan Jansz van Abeelen and his wife Trijntje Pouwels. In 1692 they were living within the city of Delft in a street named “Achterom”. 

The banns for the marriage of Johannis van den Abeele & Annetge Hendrix Dorree on July 21, 1692, in Delft

The Old Church in Delft

Johannes van den Abeele was baptized on February 3, 1664, in Delft. He had elder brothers Winant and Pouwels and an elder sister named Geertruijt. On September 6, 1692, Johannes was married to Anna Hendrix Dorrée. Anna was baptized on December 21, 1670, in Delft as daughter of Hendrick Stoffelsen Dorrée and Tryntien van de Winckel. In the period 1693-98 Anna gave birth to 4 daughters named Trintie, Geertruij, Jacoba and Elsie.

Cornelis van den Abeele’s intention to marry was published on December 12,1693. His intended bride Maria Jans Vree, who was living just outside the city walls of Delft in an area named Vrijenban. She was a daughter of Jan Vree (†1680)  and Lijsbeth Oosthoeck (†1726). In the period 1694-1716 Maria Jans Vree gave birth to 9 children named Korsteijaen, Jan, Wijnant, Paulus, Elijsabeth, Trintie, Marija, Adriaan and Lijsbet. Two of these children were buried near the New Church of Delft in July 1712 and November 1716.  

Cornelis van den Abeele, a brother of Johannis, married Maria Jansz Vree on December 27, 1693, in Delft

Maria Vree, wife of Cornelis van den Abeelen, living in the Gasthuijslaan, was buried on May 31, 1728, near the Old Church in Delft. At the time one child and a grandchild were still alive. Cornelis van den Abeelen was buried near the Old Chruch Delft on Feburary 5, 1731.

Sources: Collectie-Delft.nl, Histoire de la faïence de Delft.

Jielis Hendrik Vervoorn returned from Argentina

SS Leerdam I

On October 8, 1889, Jielis Hendrik Vervoorn (40), his wife Klasina Mulder (35) and their children Margaretha (10), Hendrik (8), Anneke (6), Arie (4) and Jacobus (1) arrived in Argentina. They had travelled with the steamship “Leerdam” with a deadweight of 2,796 gross tons, a 2 cylinder steam engine and 2 masts, square rigged. It could travel with a speed of 6 knots.
At the time the Vervoorn family arrived in Argentina, a worldwide economic recession had had devastating effects on the Argentine economy. Many of the Dutch emigrants couldn’t get a proper job, and thus weren’t able to feed their families. People with debts were even whipped into forced labor. From august 1891 onwards Dutch Newspapers reported about those problems.
The Vervoorn family had returned to Rotterdam when their youngest daughter Jacoba was born on 30-8-1892.

Rotterdamsch Nieuwsblad, 7-12-1915

Jielis Hendrik Vervoorn was born on 30-9-1849 in Brakel, Gelderland. His parents are Hendrik Huibert Vervoorn (1819-1870) and his first wife, Anneke van der Balen (1816-1854). Jielis was married, aged 26, on 23-8-1876 in Rotterdam to Clasina Mulder, aged 21. Clasina was born in Amsterdam, but her parents Arke Luitjes Mulder (†1869) and Margaretha Friema also reported the births of childeren in Idaarderadeel, Friesland, and Rotterdam. Clasina Mulder died on 4-12-1915 in Rotterdam at the age of 61. Jielis Hendrik Vervoorn had died on 15-9-1913 in Rotterdam.

Children of Jielis and Clasina:

1. Anneke Vervoorn was born on 29-6-1877 in Schiedam, Holland. Anneke died on 9-8-1877 in Rotterdam.
2. Margaretha Vervoorn was born on 9-3-1879 in Rotterdam. Margaretha married (1) on 22-7-1903 in Rotterdam Heiltje van der Meer, 25 years old, born in Harlingen, son of Rein van der Meer and Petronella Benning. Margaretha married (2) on 12-8-1908 in Rotterdam Jacobus van Veenendaal, 26 years old, born in Rotterdam, son of Willem van Veenendaal and Anna Elizabeth Vervoorn.
3. Hendrik Huibert Vervoorn was born on 17-2-1881 in Rotterdam. He was married on 6-1-1926 in Rotterdam to Geertruida Wilhelmina Martina van Stappen, aged 27 and born in Kralingen, now part of Rotterdam. Their son Jieles Hendrik was born on 1-11-1927 in Rotterdam. Hendrik died a widower on 23-10-1957 in Rotterdam, aged 76.
4. Anneke Vervoorn was born on 4-5-1883 in Rotterdam. 
5. Arie Vervoorn was born on 6-6-1885 in Rotterdam. Arie was married on 11-11-1908 in Rotterdam to Maria Louisa Mathilda Smit, 20 years old. She was born in Watergraafsmeer, daughter of Wilhelm Frederik Smit and Johanna Lucretia Susanna Bon.
6. Jacobus Vervoorn was born on 11-2-1888 in Rotterdam, and died there on 3-1-1890, aged 1.
7. Jacoba Vervoorn was born on 30-8-1892 in Rotterdam. Jacoba was married on 4-9-1912 in Rotterdam to Cornelis Pieter Spruijt, 21 years old. He was born in Charlois, now part of Rotterdam. His parents were Bastiaan Spruijt and Pietje Koster.

Like me, Jielis Hendrik Vervoorn is a descendant of Jillis Gerrits Grandia who lived in Brakel. His daughter Maijke Gillisse Grandia was married to Hendrik Vervoorn, while their grandson Hendrik Jillisse Vervoorn was married to Huibertje Grandia. 

Sources: Emigratie naar Argentinië, WieWasWie.nl, rotterdam.digitalestamboom.nl, wrecksite.eu, halpostcards.com, delpher.nl.

Wedding Wednesday - Willem Blom & Lijsbeth van der Vlist were married in 1776

Willem Blom originated from Lienen in the County of Tecklenburg in Germany. He was married in Kockengen, Utrecht, The Netherlands on September 1, 1776, to Elisabeth (Lijsbet) van der Vlist. She was born in Benschop, Utrecht. Both partners lived in Kockengen, and approximately a year after their marriage Elisabeth gave birth to a son named Hendrik. 

Elisabeth van der Vlist, widow of Willem Blom, and living in Kockengen, witnessed in Harmelen, Utrecht, the baptisms of Nicolaas (6-2-1791), Claas (13-5-1792), Claasje (7-12-1795), Willem (16-7-1797) and Leendert (3-7-1803). They were all children of Jan van der Flist (Vlist) and Claartje de Haan.

Elizabeth van der Vlist, widow of Willem Blom, died on November 2, 1813, in Kockengen, aged 75. Hendrik Blom, son of Willem Blom and Lijsbet van der Vlist, died on October 2, 1819, also in Kockengen, aged 42. 

Kockengen, Utrecht, The Netherlands

Surname Saturday - Zijderveld in Holland

Zijderveld is a surname derived from a place name, a toponym. Zijderveld is a village located in the middle of The Netherlands in an area known as Vijfheerenlanden (literally “land with 5 lords”). Among the 5 lords that the area takes its name from are the medieval Lords of Arkel that are likely my ancestors, too.

Zijderveld is a small village in the middle of The Netherlands.

Willie Zijderveld (1892-1976)

My maternal grandmother is Willempje Cornelia (“Willie”) Zijderveld (1892-1976). We descend form Joost Florens Zijderveld who was married to Hester van Dam on 20 June 1717 in Lexmond. Lexmond is another village in the Vijfheerenlanden area. Their grandson, another Joost Zijderveld (1759-1805) moved to Zwijndrecht, Holland, and married twice. His son Willem Zijderveld (1794-1859) moved to nearby Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht. Willem's grandson Cornelis Zijderveld (1858-1928) moved to the nearby city of Dordrecht. There his only daughter, my grandmother, was born.

Joost Florens Zijderveld is likely (but not proven) the grandson of a Joost Floren who lived in Lexmond in the 17th century. One of his sons, Floor Joosten, baptized on 25 April 1652 in Lexmond, is likely the father of my ancestor Joost Florens Zijderveld. Another son, Cornelis Joosten, baptized on 23 January 1659 in Lexmond, is the ancestor of a Zijderveld family that remained in the Vijfheerenlanden.

Dutchman Aren Nagtegaal lived long

Aren Nagtegaal had reached the age of 90, when he died on August 7, 1927, in Melissant on the southernmost delta island of the province of South Holland, Netherlands. By that time he had been a widower for 29 years for his wife, Elizabeth Bakker, had died on July 29, 1898, in nearby Dirksland. They had been married in Dirksland on April 29, 1863. They had a family of several children. Their eldest surviving daughter, Dina Nagtegaal (1865-1932), had married Jan Stolk (1865-1956), who also reached the age of 90. 

Elizabeth Bakker had been born in Dirksland on April 20, 1838. Her parents were Jan Bakker (1810-1851) and Annetje Noorman (1811-1853), so by the age of 14 she had been an orphan. 
Aren Nagtegaal was born on November 11, 1836, in Dirksland. His parents were Steven Nagtegaal (1805-1876) and his first wife, Dingena (“Dina”) Struik (1806-1841). Aren's mother had died before Aren had reached the age of 5. In 1843 Aren acquired a stepmother, Jannetje van der Herp (1821-1906). 

A drawing of the village of Dirksland by Rien Poortvliet.

Plate Painter Claas Jansz Olij(f) in Delft

Claas Jansz. Olij was a plate painter who lived at the Rietvelt street in Delft. Blue and white pottery, also known as “Delft Blue”,  had been made in and around Delft, Holland, from the 16th century onwards. Delftware became popular and was widely exported in Europe. It even reached China and Japan. The most highly-regarded period of production was about 1640-1740. Besides plates and vases, Delft potters also made tiles in vast numbers. 

Claas Jansz. Olij married Magdaleentge Pieters van der Meer on November 13, 1695, in Delft. She was the widow of Niclaes Jansz. van der Heul. They had married in Delft on February 24, 1669. At the time, Niclaes had been a widower of Pieternelle Huijbrechts van Claveren whom he had married in Delft on July 8, 1663. She had been buried in November 1668. 

A “Delft Blue” tile featuring
the New Church of Delft.

Niclaes van der Heul had been living near the New Church of Delft, while working as a fuller in the cloth manufacturing business. Magdaleentge and Niclaes had 3 sons named Jan baptized in Delft in 1670, 1675 and 1683, so the elder boys had likely died young. They had some additional children, but many of them died young, too. Niclaes was last mentioned in May 1684. 

Claes, described as “Nicolaes Jansz. Olijff”, was buried on October 4, 1705, near the New Church of Delft. Magdalena van der Meer, widow of “Klaes van Olijven”, was buried on January 217, 1725, near the New Church of Delft. 

Sources: Collectie-Delft.nl, Histoire de la faïence de Delft.

Surname Saturday - Jacob Mulder in Amsterdam

Lois Willis has published a blog post about her Mulder ancestors in South Yarra, Victoria, Australia, whom she traced back to a Jacob Mulder in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. I decided to take a look at this Jacob Mulder. 

The blog post enumerates Jacob Mulder's 9 children from his marriage to Catharina Elisabeth Ekink. I searched for their marriage enrollment at the website of Amsterdam's Archive. I couldn't find the marriage in the Marriage & Burrial Records, but I did find their notice of marriage of October 10, 1783, in Amsterdam. The records revealed interesting addition info: Jacob Mulder originated in Zutphen in the eastern part of The Netherlands and was a widower. His first wife was Anna Catharina Dorothea Hestermans. Jacob had given the Christian name of his first wife to his eldest daughter with his second wife. His bride, Catharina Elisabeth Ekink, originated from Dinxperlo, a village near the German border. Her father is Jan Ekink. The document also contains Jacob's signature.

Jacob Mulder's 2nd marriage in 1783

The notice of marriage for Jacob's first marriage was on November 10, 1775, in Amsterdam, when Jacob was 25 years old. It mentions the presence of his father, another Jacob Mulder. The bride, Anna Catharina Dorothea Hestermans, was 34 years old, and both her parents were dead. I was able to find one daughter from Jacob's first marriage: Sophia Dorothea Mulder was baptized on May 19, 1779, in the Zuiderkerk church in Amsterdam.

Longevity ~ Gerrit Jilisse Vervoorn reached the age of 96

Farmer Gerrit Vervoorn was born on April 20 and baptized on April 22, 1770, in Brakel, Gelderland, The Netherlands, as one of 12 children of Jillis Vervoorn and Adriaantje van Tongerlo. He was married on October 16, 1794, in nearby Zuilichem to Helena van Wijk (1771-1826), daughter of Hendrik van Wijk and Elizabeth Blanken. Gerrit and Helena had 5 children: Elisabeth (1796-1831), Neeltje, Adriaantje, Hendrik (1806-1826) and Jielis (1809-1845). Jielis married a relative, Neeltje Matthijsse Vervoorn (1807-79) on March 27, 1829, in Brakel. Gerrit Vervoorn survived his wife and all his children. He used to walk long distances even in old age. He died on July 16, 1866, in Brakel at the age of 96.

Nieuwe Rotterdamsche Courant, 23-7-1866

Sources: RegionaalArchiefRivierenLand.nl, WieWasWie.nl, Delpher.nl.

Bastiaan van den Engel returned from Argentina

Steamship "Zaandam"

In January 1889 Bastiaan van den Engel (29), his wife Hermina Jacoba Peters (27) and their children Jan (6), Antonia (5), Hendrik (4), Klaas (3) and Adriana Alida (1) arrived in Buenos Aires, Argentina. They had travelled with the steamship "Zaandam". It had been build in 1882 in Rotterdam with deadweight of 3.063 gross tons and a service speed of 11 knots. It could carry 50 first class passengers, 424 third class passengers and 51 crew members.

The “Long Depression”, a worldwide economic recession, had had devastating effects on the Argentine economy, resulting in a revolution around the time the Van Engel family arrived in Argentina. 
Bastiaan van den Engel en Hermina Peters (“Vrouw van den Engel”) were among the 30 persons who collaborated in sending a letter to a newspaper, outlining the problems the Dutch immigrants faced in Argentina. Most of the emigrants couldn’t get a proper job, and thus weren’t able to feed their families. People with debts were even whipped into forced labor. From august 1891 onwards Dutch Newspapers reported about those problems. 

In Rosario in Argentina a new daughter named Antonia was born on 28 August 1890 or 1891 (sources differ), so their elder daughter Antonia must have died after their arrival in Argentina. Early 1892 the whole family was back in Holland, when a daughter Adriana was born on 25 February 1892 in Delft, Holland. More children were to follow.

Bastiaan van den Engel lived in Delft with his wife and children.

Bastiaan van den Engel was born on 27-5-1859 in Hoogvliet, Holland. His parents were Jan van den Engel (1837-1907) and Antonia Maastricht. Bastiaan was married at age 22 on 1-2-1882 in Delft, Holland. His bride was Hermina (Hermina Jacoba) Peters, aged 20, born on 29-3-1861 in Nijmegen, Gelderland. She was an illegitimate daughter of Alijda Mechelina Peters. Hermina Peters died on 16-9-1933 in Delft, aged 72. Bastiaan van den Engel died on 14-11-1939 in Rijswijk at the age of 80.

Frans Brouwer from Düsseldorf lived in Leyden

Brouwer is a common surname in the Netherlands. The Dutch word “brouwer” translates in English as brewer. The German translation is “Brauer”.

Marriage intention in Leiden

This post is about Franciscus (“Frans”) Brouwer from Düsseldorf, Germany. In 1740 he was living in Leiden, Holland, in a small street named “Lange Raemsteeg”. His occupation was valet. He wanted to marry Maria (“Marijtje”) van der Krul, a young girl born in Wassenaar, Holland, and living in Leiden. Maria was assisted by her mother Geertruijt Pieters van der Laen, who was still living in Wassenaar. Their intention to marry was publicized on Ocober 15 and 22. They were married on October 29, 1740, in the St. Jorissteeg Church in Leiden. 

Frans Brouwer and Maria van der Krul had the following children baptized in the St.-Jorissteeg Church: 

1. Josephus Franciscus, bapt. 2-9-1741 in Leiden, widn. Josephus Brouwer, Maria Magdalena Schreuders. Likely he died young.
2. Josphus Franciscus, bapt. 26-2-1744 in Leiden, widn. Henricus Brouwer, Magdalena Schreuders, Joseph Brouwer.
3. Jacobus Joannes, bapt. 29-3-1746 in Leiden, widn. Jacobus Snarenberg, Joanna Blom.
4. Henricus, bapt. 19-12-1747 in Leiden, widn. Cornelis van der Krul, Elisabeth Jans van Lier.

The burial of Frans Brouwer was registered on October 5, 1753, in Leiden. At that time he was living in the Pieterskerkstraat. Maria van der Krul had only one living child when she registered to remarry on November 16, 1754, in Leiden. Her intended was Jan Smit, widower of Maria Kuyl, who was living near the Langegragt (= long canal). 

Maria van der Krul had been baptized on July 20, 1710, in Wassenaar. She was a daughter of Sijmen Cnelisse Krul and Geertruijt Pieters van der Laen. That couple had been married in Wassenaar on Mei 9, 1706. Maria had a brother Cornelis Krul, who was baptized on January 2, 1713, in Wassenaar. He had been a witness to the baptism of Maria’s youngest son, Henricus Brouwer. Cornelis Krul was a widower when he married Grietje Schaakenbos on May 27, 1753 in Voorschoten. They had a son named Simon baptized in Voorschoten on Boxing Day, 1755. 

Wedding Wednesday - J.Ch.J. Pennekamp & Th.L.M. Brunel in 1779

Jan Cristof Joseph Pennekamp originated from Olfen, Münsterland, Germany. He was living in Wijk bij Duurstede, Utrecht, The Netherlands, when he married there, on May 12, 1779, Theodora (Dorothea) Lamberta Magdalena Brunel, who had been born in The Hague, Holland.

They had the following children: 

1. Maria Elisabeth Catharina, who died on January 16, 1815, in The Hague, aged 35.
2. Christina Wilhelmina, bapt. March 24, 1781, in Wijk bij Duurstede, witn. Christina van Rossum. She married on Sept. 5, 1817, in Leidschendam Frans Kukuk, born in Zutphen, aged 25, son of Johannes Kukuk and Maria de Vroom.
3. Wilhelmina Maria, bapt. April 20, 1782, in Wijk bij Duurstede, witn. Anthonius van Rossum.
4. Joannes Anthonius, bapt. August 13, 1783, in Wijk bij Duurstede, witn. Anna Brunel, Anthonius van Rossum.
5. Johanna Maria, born in Velp around 1792, married in The Hague on June 16, 1817, Hermanus Bierau, aged 22, born in The Hague, son of Johan Harman Bierau and Jannetje Schillet. Johanna Maria died on April 3, 1839, in The Hague, aged 45. 

The Hague in the 18th century

Wedding Wednesday - Everd Beij(e)ring married twice in Breukelen

Everardus Beij(e)ring was born in "Linkrik" in Tecklenburg, a county in Germany. In 1753 he was living in Breukelen, Utrecht, The Netherlands. He was 1st married in Breukelen on April 22, 1753, to Maria van Steekelenburg. Maria was born and still living in Breukelen. Present at the marriage were Anna Margarita Beijring, Everardus' mother, and Peeter van Steekelenburg, Maria's father.

Tecklenburg in Germany

Everardus Beijering was married a 2nd time, on May 8, 1763, in Breukelen, to Christiena Beek, a young girl, born in Venlo, but, at that time, living in Amsterdam.

Everardus had a daughter Jacomina Beijering. She was born in Breukelen, probably around 1755. Later, she had lived for a while in Amsterdam, likely after her father's remarriage. On November 24, 1776, Jacomina was married in Breukelen to Johannis Frowijn, who was both born and still living in Breukelen.

Mariner Monday – Arij Jans Verduijn (1694-1728)

Arij Janse Verduijn was a captain of the Dutch East India Company (V.O.C.) who transported goods from Batavia (nowadays Jakarta in Indonesia) to Holland. His parents were Jan Ariense Verduijn (†1736) and Maertje Pieters van Pavie (1660-1744). They had him baptised in Delfshaven near Rotterdam on September 10, 1694. Sponsors were Jan's brother Egbert Ariense Verduijn and his first wife.

Cape of Good Hope in South Africa

At the age of 17, on May 10, 1712, Arij Verduijn boarded the ship “Wassenaar” as a soldier. The ship departed from the island of Goeree in Holland, containing 138 sailors, 18 soldiers and a stowaway. For young Arij it may have been a reassurance that fellow townsman Jacob Verduijn was the ship’s captain.
A long-distance voyage was hard on the health of a sailing ship’s crew. During the first 2-3 months of the voyage newcomers aboard usually developed scurvy due to a lack of vitamin C. A prolonged calm could occur around the Equator, resulting in a trip of over 30 weeks. The ship “Wassenaar” took over half a year to reach the Cape of Good Hope, a rocky headland in South Africa that had been settled by the Dutch in 1652.

The ship with Arij Verduijn on board stayed for 24 days at the Cape before continuing its voyage to Batavia in Indonesia. Arij’s return voyage was with the ship “Voorburg”, sailing from Ceylon to Texel, where it arrived on September 13, 1714. In December Arij boarded ship again. This time he was third mate of Master Jakob van der Poel at a ship named “Nederhoven” with a tonnage of 600. The ship boarded the Cape in May 1715, and arrived in Batavia on July, 28. Arij returned with the ship “Voorburg”, arriving in Goeree on July 8, 1716. He had designated his parents as the beneficiaries of his salary. 

Voyage	Schip's name	Chamber	Job	Departure	Cape of Good Hope	Arrival
Outbound	Wassenaar	Delft	soldier	10-5-1712	19-11-1712 tot 13-12-1712	18-2-1713
Return	Voorburg	Amsterdam		1-3-1714	13-4-1714 tot 10-6-1714	13-9-1714
Outbound	Nederhoven	Delft	3rd mate	23-12-1714	30-4-1715 tot 24-5-1715	28-7-1715
Return	Voorburg	Delft		30-10-1715	11-1-1716 tot 1-4-1716	8-7-1716
Outbound	Den Dam	Delft	skipper	24-5-1723	7-9-1723 tot 24-9-1723	18-12-1723
Return	Den Dam	Delft	skipper	24-10-1725	22-1-1726 tot 28-2-1726	28-6-1726
Outbound	Alblasserdam	Delft	skipper	4-4-1727	5-8-1727 tot 22-8-1727	25-10-1727

Arij Jans Verduijn was married to Jacoba Borstius on November 5, 1719, in Rotterdam. She was baptised in Rotterdam on June 22, 1698, as posthumous daughter of Jacobus Borstius and Wijna van Riel. Her mother was married a second time in January 1699 to Abraham Hovendaal and had additional children.

The baptism of the eldest child of Arij and Jacoba, Jan, was on August 4, 1720, in Delfshaven. Sponsors were Arij’s sisters Jannetje and Ariaantje Verduijn. When their daughter Wijna was baptised on October 3, 1723, in Delfshaven, Arij Jans Verduijn was at sea.
On May 24, 1723, Arij Jans Verduijn had boarded the ship “Den Dam” as its captain. The ship had been build in 1716 in Delfshaven and had a tonnage of 600. His crew consisted of 104 seafarers and 47 soldiers. They visited the Cape of Good Hoop in September, arriving in Batavia on December 18. Boarding on October 24, 1725, Arij returned with his ship to Goeree in Holland, arriving on June 18, 1726. For this voyage, Arij had designated his wife, Jacoba Borstius, as the beneficiary of his salary.