Wilhelm Heinrich Fiegenbaum - from Tecklenburg to Rotterdam

In the 18th century, several men with the surname Vijgeboom were living in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. When marrying, their place as origin was given as Ladbergen in the Tecklenburg area in Germany. Two of them were named Willem Hendrik and Jan Dirk.

When Willem Hendrik Vijgeboom died on 21 November 1804 in Rotterdam-Cool, he was described as being 70 years and 3 months old. His body was transported to Rotterdam on the 24th. He was buried in Rotterdam on the 26th. The website www.fiegenbaum.org features a Wilhelm Heinrich Fiegenbaum, born or baptized on 24 September 1734 in Ladbergen as the eldest son of Anna Elisabeth Fiegenbaum (1711-1770) and Hermann Wiethoff (†1758). This couple's 11 children used thier mother's surname.
Wilhelm Heinrich had a younger brother Johann Diederich Fiegenbaum, born or baptized on 12 October 1738 in Ladbergen. He must be the Jan Dirk Vijgeboom, father of Adolf Vijgeboom (1767-1823) and Johann Wilhelm (“Jan Willem”) Vijgeboom (1773-1845). Another son was Herman Hendrik Vijgeboom (1763-1822) who married his cousin Elisabeth Vijgeboom (1761-1827), a daughter of Wilhelm Heinrich Fiegenbaum aka Willem Hendrik Vijgeboom, the main subject of this post.

Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Willem Hendrik Vijgeboom was firstly married in 1761 in Rotterdam to Catharina (“Katrina”) Goudtfijn and they had 3 daughters: Elisabeth, Hendrina and Johanna. Willem Hendrik was married secondly in 1772 in Capelle aan de IJssel in Holland to Adriana Kampsteeg (1740-1813). They had additional 5 children including a son named Johannes Diederik Willem Vijgeboom who was baptized on 7 July 1782 in Rotterdam. He was to live in Bergen op Zoom and Goes where he died on 12 December 1815.

Tecklenburg in Germany

Wilhelm Heinrich (Willem Hendrik) Vijgeboom was baptized on 24 September 1734 in Ladbergen, Tecklenburg, Germany. His parents are Hermann Wiethoff (†1758) en Anna Elisabeth Fiegenbaum (1711-1770). In 1761 Willem Hendrik was living “op het Oostende” in Rotterdam. In 1773 Willem Hendrik was living “buijte de Schiedamse poort” – on the outside of the western city gate. In 1775 and 1777 Willem Hendrik was living “aan ’t Niewe Werk”. Three of Willem Hendrik’s children were buried in Kralingen (nowadays part of Rotterdam) on 28 July 1764, 20 September 1764 and 16 November 1768. Willem Hendrik was a witness to the baptism of grandson Willem Henderik Vijgeboom on 1 January 1791 in Rotterdam. Willem Hendrik died on 21 November 1804 in Rotterdam, Cool, at the age of 70 years and 3 months. He was buried in Rotterdam on the 26th. 
Willem Hendrik was married to

1. Catharina (Katrina) Goutfijn on 9 June 1761 in Rotterdam. Katrina was baptized in Rotterdam on 4 April 1735. Her parents are Hendrik Goutfijn (†1750) and his second wife Hendrijntje Kodde. 
2. Adriana Kampsteeg on 18 October 1722 in Capelle aan de IJssel. Adriana was baptized on 9 October 1740 in Hardinxveld. Her parents are Jan Rokusz. Kampsteegh and his second wife Neeltje Cornelise Bakker. Adriana was a witness at the baptism of her step-grandson Johan Diederik Vijgeboom on 16 December 1790 in Rotterdam. Adriana died on 7 April 1813 in Rotterdam.

Willem Hendrik fathered the following children:

1. Elisabeth Vijgeboom was baptized on 4 November 1761 in Rotterdam with witness Johanna Gautfeijn (Goutfijn). Elisabeth was witness at the baptism of her grandson Herman Hendrik Willem Vijgeboom on 11 November 1810 in Rotterdam. Elisabeth was married on 23 January 1790 in Rotterdam to her cousin Herman Hendrik Vijgeboom. Herman Hendrik was born or baptized on 1 May 1763 in Ladbergen, Tecklenburg, Germany, as son of Johann Diederich Fiegenbaum and his first wife Elisabeth. Herman Hendrik died on 16 May 1822 in Rotterdam, at the age of 59 years and 15 days. His widow, Elisabeth Vijgeboom, died on 11 February 1827 in Rotterdam. This couple had 6 children: Johan Diederik, Willem Henderik (1791-1864), Anna Catharina Geertruida (1793-1795), Neeltje (1794-1795), Catharina Hendrika (1797-1817) and Herman Henderik (1798-1800).
2. Hendrina Vijgeboom was baptized on 1 May 1763 in Kralingen with witness Johanna Goudtfijn. She may be one of the children that was buried in 1764 in Kralingen.
3. Johanna Vijgeboom was baptized on 29 January 1766 in Kralingen with witness Hendrina Ko(d)de (her maternal grandmother). 
4. Neeltie Vijgeboom was baptized on 13 July 1773 in Rotterdam. 
5. Maria Vijgeboom was baptized on 7 June 1775 in Rotterdam. Her death was recorded on 23 October 1778 in Rotterdam, Cool. She was buried on 26-10-1778 in Hillegersberg (nowadays part of Rotterdam). 
6. Catharina Vijgeboom was baptized on 16 February 1777 in the Zuiderkerk church in Rotterdam. Catharina was married on 14 May 1797 in Rotterdam to  Herman Hendrik Kiewit who originated in Westerkappeln, Tecklenburg, Germany. They had children named Jan Jacob Herman Kiewit and Adriana Wilhelmina Kiewit. Herman Hendrik Kiewit died on 17 December 1835 in Rotterdam, at the age of 42 years and 21 days. Catharina Vijgeboom died on 13 March 1852 in Rotterdam.
7. Theodora or Theodoris Vijgeboom was baptized on 23 August 1778 in Rotterdam and buried there on 27 July 1781.
8. Johannes Diederik Willem (“Jan”) Vijgeboom was baptized on 7 July 1782 in Rotterdam with witness Fransina Koops (wife of Arij Kampsteeg). Jan lived for a while in Bergen op Zoom. In 1811 he moved to Goes, Zeeland, The Netherlands. He died in Goes on 18 December 1815. His widow, Jannetje Keulaar (±1784-1832), married Pieter Carel Reijnders in 1821. He was remarried in 1836 to Antonia van der Maas, widow of Jacobus Johannes van Driel. 

Sources: www.stadsarchief.rotterdam.nl, www.archieven.nl, www.zeeuwengezocht.nl, www.fiegenbaum.org.

Longevity ~ Kniertje Verschoor (90) in Heinenoord, Holland

Kniertje Verschoor was 90 years and 5 months old, when she died on 22 August 1893 in Heinenoord, South-Holland, The Netherlands. Kniertje was born there on 20 March 1803 as a younger daughter of Gerrit Verschoor, whose ancestors originated in Charlois (now part of the city of Rotterdam), and Lijntje Weda, who originated in nearby West-IJsselmonde. 

Heinenoord

On 23 December 1824 around 13:00 in Heinenoord Kniertje Verschoor gave birth to an illegitimate son she named Leendert. The baby may have been named after its unknown father. The next day the midwife, 64-year-old Ida Bouwens, reported the birth to the authorities. At the age of 1, the baby died in Heinenoord on 23 April 1826. 

At the age of 26, Kniertje Verschoor was married on 23 September 1829 in Heinenoord. Her groom was Arij Dekker (1801-1882), son of another Arij Dekker (1765-1812) and his wife Jannigje, a daughter of Mozes Vollaart. As a married woman Kniertje had 10 additional children: Lijntje, Jannigje (1833-71), Gerritje (1835-59), 2 sons named Arij, Gerrit (1838-39), Geertrui, and 2 daughters named Magdalena. Their younger son Arij Verschoor (1839-1921) married and had issue, too. 

Sources: Index to the Families of South Holland, WieWasWie.nl.

Dutchman Frans Slierkamp disappeared in Indonesia ~ Mariner Monday

Gouda, Holland

Frans Slierkamp was baptized on August 5, 1759, in Gouda, Holland. The witness at his baptism was his aunt Marrighie Willems Rietvelt. Frans' parents are Gijsbert Slierekamp, who was born in Utrecht, and his wife Pieternella Booij. She's a daughter of my ancestors Abraham Booij and Neeltje Snoeij (1696-1755) who were living in Gouderak, Holland. Frans Slierkamp was his parent's eldest surviving son, and he was named after his paternal grandfather. Additionally, Frans had had an uncle named Frans Slierekamp, born in 1714, who had boarded a ship for Indonesia in 1735, and nothing of him had ever since been heard.

Frans boarded the new ship "Regt door Zee" as a sailor before it departed from Goeree in Holland on November 11, 1787, for its maiden voyage. The ship was owned by the Chamber of Delft, part of the Dutch East India Company (V.O.C.). It contained 176 sailors, 77 soldiers, 14 artisans and 3 passengers. The captain was Dirk Varkevisser. 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 vitamin C deficiency.
In April 1788 the ship arrived on the 4th at Cape of Good Hoop in South-Africa, and departed on the 30th with fresh supplies. The ship arrived in Batavia (nowadays Jakarta) in Indonesia on August 20th.
When it was time for his return voyage, Frans Slierkamp didn't turn up. He had disappeared like his uncle.

Salery and expences of Frans Slierkamp

Sources: FamilySearch.org, HetUtrechtsArchief.nl, GaHetNa.nl, VOCSite.nl, Resources.Huygens.KNAW.nl.

Blackstone family intermarriage in Dordrecht, Holland

A family named Blackstone, Blextoon, Blaxstone or Blekton has been living for centuries in the city of Dordrecht in Holland. The name suggests a British origin. In fact, I did find a mention of a John Blacston and John Ploucquet (also Pluckett) in 26-7-1702 in Dordrecht that also names London and Durham in England, and Rotterdam and Goeree in Holland, but I couldn’t match this John Blacston with the siblings Jan, Matthijs and Maria Blekston who were all – when marrying - assisted by their uncle Matthijs Muts, for both their parents had died in 1704. The notice of marriage for those parents, Isaac Cornelis and Grietje Jans, was on November 22, 1682, in Dordrecht where they were living.

Maria Blekston married David Croes in 1714, and died in January 1715 while giving birth to a daughter Maria. Matthijs Blekston married Jacoba Croes in 1271 and had children named Isaak, Johannis, Margrieta, Maria and David. Jan Blaekston married Adriaantje Stoop on January 31, 1717, and they had 9 children, including Isaak, Grietje and Matthijs. Their son Isaak was baptized on May 24, 1722, in Dordrecht. Isaak married Johanna Catharian den Adelaar (1721-1800) on December 8, 1748, in Dordrecht and they had 6 children.
Isaak's eldest son, Johannes Adrianus Blackstone (1753-1813), married Maria van Eijsden (1749-1833) on 29 October 1772 in Dordrecht. Upon his marriage Isaak was assisted by his mother due to the confinement of his father. Maria van Eijsden was a great-granddaughter of the Matthijs Muts mentioned above. Maria's mother, Dirkje Muts, was named after Matthijs' wife, Dirckje van de Graeff. Their son Gerrit Blackstone (1790-1845), a tailor, married another girl of the Van Eijsden family named Catharina Petronella (1787-1838).

Dordrechtsche Courant (newspaper), 16-11-1813:
Tailor G. Blackstone advertised with the latest Paris fashion.

Jan Bras of IJsselmonde was shipwrecked in 1727 ~ Mariner Monday

“Zeewijk” was one of 4 ships of the Dutch East India Company (V.O.C.) to have been wrecked close to Australia. This particular ship was built by the Chamber of Zeeland in 1725, and had a length of 145 feet (44 m) and a width of 36 feet (11 m). It left Flushing a year later - on its maiden voyage - to the V.O.C.’s Indies headquarters in Batavia (now Jakarta, Indonesia), but it wouldn't reach its destination.

One of the 341 people on board the “Zeewijk” was Johannes “Jan” Bras. Jan was baptized on 17 February 1704 in IJsselmonde. His parents, Claes Bras and Marijtjen van Mullem, were married on 17 May 17 1699 in Charlois (now part of Rotterdam). Jan had an elder brother Pieter Bras who had joined the Dutch East India Company as a sailor in 1720.

After months of preparation, on 7 November 1726 “Zeewijk” - and the rest of her fleet - left Rammekens near Flushing for the long voyage to Batavia. It was carrying a crew of 208 men, 315834 guilders in silver and some cargo. Its skipper was Jan Steijns in his first command. Jan Bras was recruited as sailor and gunner. 
On 13 November 1726 they were forced to interrupt their journey at the Roads of Downs in Great Britain to wait for fair winds. Finally, 10 days later they were able to sail off again. During this part of the voyage, accidents and illness occurred, resulting in 28 deaths. It was common on V.O.C. ships at the time to lose so many people during the first part of the voyage.
The remainder of the crew, 180 people, most of whom were in (relatively) good health, reached the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa on 26 March 1727. At the Cape 38 sick men were taken ashore and hospitalized, and 7 soldiers were deployed. The crew, diminished further by 3 deaths, was enlarged with the recruitment of 22 men, most of whom had likely recovered from a previous voyage. Fresh water was collected, too. On 21 April 1727 the “Zeewijk” once again set out to sea. Their journey progressed swiftly due to favorable winds. Meanwhile, illness resulted in another 16 deaths.
The V.O.C. required ships to utilize the "Brouwer Route" to cross from the Cape to Batavia, enjoying the prevailing westerly winds by travelling eastwards before finally turning north. Turning north too late - due to a miscalculation in the longitude - was risking being wrecked on the reefs of Western Australia.

In darkness on 9 June 1727 the “Zeewijk” was wrecked on Half-Moon Reef, just off the coast of Western Australia. In the aftermath of the wrecking, the ship lost its masts and flooded a little, but remained largely intact. When the morning dawned, the survivors saw a number of islands in the distance, and realized they might be saved. Most of the men wanted to leave the vessel, but with the hard surf around them, they found no possibility to do so during the first few days. When they made attempts, these often resulted in men drowning - or nearly drowning - and jolly-boats capsizing. It was not until 14 June that the first attempt to reach an island succeeded. Two days later the longboat was launched successfully and more crew members were ferried to an island with fresh water. It is now known as Gun Island.

Short-lived Marriage ~ Pieter Koomans & Adriana Moerkerken

Pieter Koomans was baptized on October 25, 1750, in Strijen, Holland, as eldest child of Andreas Koomans (1722-1807) and his wife Jannigje Bestebreurtje (1725-1789). After the births of his siblings Gerrit and Geertruij his mother additionally gave birth to twins twice.

Pieter married his first wife, Jannigje Bezemer, on September 4, 1785, in Strijen. Her parents were Arij Bezemer (†1806) and Annigje Havelaar (†1803). Pieter Koomans and his first wife had 8 children. Most of their children died young. Their son Arij Koomans, born on April 2, 1789, in Strijen, was enlisted as a soldier in the 9th artillery regiment of Napoleon's army. Arij died on October 28, 1812, in Douai, France. The only one of their children to marry was their daughter Jannigje Koomans (1790-1831). Jannigje Bezemer's death was registered on May 25, 1798, in Strijen.

Pieter Koomans married his second wife, Adriana Moerkerken, on January 12, 1800, in Strijen. Their only child, a son Andreas Koomans, was born on November 18, 1800, in Strijen. Pieter Koomans died on May 12, 1802, in Strijen, at the age of 51. On the 17th his brother Johannes Koomans (1762-1827) paid ƒ15,- for Pieter's burial. After a marriage of just 16 months Adriana Moerkerken was a widow.

Als weduwnaar is Pieter Koomans op 26-12-1799 in Strijen hertrouwd met Adriana Moerkerken.

20 children in one Blackstone marriage

Izaak Blackstone was married to Adriana Henrietta van der Monden on 2 February 1787 in Dordrecht in Holland. Izaak was assisted by his mother, Johanna Catrina Adelaar (1721-1800), widow of an elder Isaak Blekston (1722-1780). The family name was written as Blackstone, Blextoon, Blaxstone, Blekton, and other variations. 
The younger Izaak was baptized in Dordrecht on 2 May 1766. His bride, Adriana Henriëtta, was assisted by her stepfather Jan Smits. She was baptized in the small city of Bourtange in Groningen on April 17, 1772. Her parents are Cornelis van der Monde and Janneke Bos. Adriana Henriëtta was to give birth to 20 (!) children in the period 1787-1817.

The city of Dordrecht

Wedding Wednesday ~ Joost Zijderveld & Cornelia de Rijke

Joost Zijderveld & Cornelia de Rijke

The given name Joost was common in the Zijderveld family in Holland. The Joost in this post was born on September 28, 1893, in Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht, as second son of Jan Zijderveld (1864-1935) and his wife Adriana van Namen (1865-1930). He was named after his grandfather - also my great-great-grandfather - Joost Zijderveld (1822-1893). He had two elder and two younger siblings: Willempje Cornelia, Anthonie, Jan and Gijsbertus.

Joost was married on October 11, 1928, in Zwijndrecht. His bride was 33-year-old Cornelia de Rijke. She was born on May 12, 1895, in Zwijndrecht. Her parents were Pietertje van Ammelrooij (1867-1950) and Marinus de Rijke (1866-1945) who was born in Oosterland in Zeeland. Joost and Cornelia had no (surviving) children.

Cornelia had been ill for a long time before she died in March 1960 in Zwijndrecht. Her burial in Zwijndrecht was on April 1. Near the end of his life, her widower Joost Zijderveld lived in a retirement home in Sprang-Capelle in Brabant where he died on August 1, 1975. Like his wife, Joost was buried in Zwijndrecht. 

Sources: RegionaalArchiefDordrecht.nl, WieWasWie.nl, Delpher.nl.

Huibert de Booy (1825-1912) in Iowa

On Twitter @Anneke_Bode tweeted the following article about H. de Booy in Iowa:

Article tweeted by @Anneke_Bode

Huibert de Booy was born in Noordeloos, Holland, on 23-1-1825 around 2 in the morning. His parents are Matthijs ("Tijs") de Booij and his second wife, Adriaantje den Ottolander. Adriaantje descends from my ancestor Vastert Adriaansz. (†1581). Huibert grew up with siblings from both his father's marriages. 
In 1847 Huibert travelled with his parents and several siblings to the first "Holland Colony" in the U.S. After living with his parents for several years, Huibert moved to Pella and started a grocery store in 1853. The next year he added a stock of dry goods. 
On 25-8-1855 Huijbert married Antje van der Linden who was born on 25-11-1834 in Vuren, Gelre, The Netherlands. Antje's parents are Gijsbert van der Linden and his wife Cornelia van der Giessen. 
Tree of Huibert's 10 children died young, leaving Cornelia, Susanna, Annie, Matthew, Dina, Harry and Carolina.
Huibert de Booy has held the office of overseer of the poor. For 6 years he held the office of alderman of the third ward, an administrative section. He died in Pella on January 2, 1912, at the age of 87. 

De Volksvriend, 4-1-1912

Sources: Delpher.nl, WieWasWie.nl, The history of Marion County, Iowa, containing history of the county, its cities, towns,, etc., Des Moines, Union Historical Company, Birdsall, Williams & co, 1881.

Longevity - Franciscus Servanus Jacobus Otterspoor (92)

Franciscus Servanus Jacobus Otterspoor was born on 5-3-1864 in Utrecht city in The Netherlands as the eldest son of Servanus Otterspoor (1838-1919) and his first wife Jannetje Aletta Offerman (1838-1885). Franciscus had an elder sister and more siblings were to follow, among them a brother named Servanus, born in 1871.

Franciscus Otterspoor (21) was married to Johanna Jacoba Strijver (23) on 19-8-1885 in Utrecht. She was born in Utrecht, too, on 28-10-1861. The bride’s parents were Leendert Johannes Schrijver and Jacoba van Dijk. Within two months of his marriage, Francisus' mother died. His father was to marry two more times before he died on 2-6-1919 in Utrecht, aged 81. 

Franciscus Otterpoor and his wife had 10 children:

1. Jannetje Aletta, born on 31-3-1886 in Utrecht, was married on 6-5-1908 in Utrecht to Cornelis Mooij (22), born in Alkmaar. They were divorced on 21-9-1915 in Haarlem “based on facts committed by the woman”. She was remarried on 20-9-1916 in Haarlem to Gerrit van de Gevel (27), born in Haarlem. Jannetje Aletta died on 10-10-1944 in Haarlem, aged 58.
2. Jacoba Johanna, born on 8-9-1887 in Utrecht, was married on 21-4-1909 in Schoten to Hermanus Jacobus Hartman (23), born in Oestgeest. He died on 14-1-1953 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA. She died in Hastings, Michigan, USA, on 16-6-1969. 
3. Maria Wilhelmina Petronella was born on 19-5-1889 in Utrecht. In 1913 she was living in The Hague. In 1915 she moved to Leiden. On 24-5-1916 she arrived on  Ellis Island in the USA.
4. Franciskus Stephanus, born on 19-4-1891 in Utrecht, died there on 12-3-1910, aged 18.
5. Servanus, born on 5-11-1892 in Utrecht, was married in Utrecht on 7-9-1916 to local woman Pieternella Maria van Doorn (27) who died in May 1965. Servanus died in Utrecht on 24-8-1972.
6. Pieter Willem, born on 12-4-1894 in Utrecht, was married there on 11-7-1918 to local woman Johanna Maria Vogt (27). He died in Utrecht on 4-8-1962. She died in Utrecht on 12-5-1965.
7. Johannes Jacobus, born on 25-6-1895 in Utrecht, died on 14-7-1895 in Utrecht.
8. Willem Pieter, born on 3-12-1898 in Utrecht, was married there on 17-8-1921 to local girl Johanna Wilhelmina Leunen (23), daughter of Teunis Leunen and Berta Busson. She died in 1983. Willem Pieter died in Utrecht in august 1962.
9. Johannes Theodorus, born on 13-2-1900 in Utrecht, was married there on 18-5-1921 to local woman Berta Leunen (21), a sister of his brother’s wife. In 1930 he moved to Indonesia with his wife and children. Johannes died during World War II in Japan on 27-4-1943. His widow died in Utrecht on 9-2-1976.
10. Theodora Elisabetha, born on 14-8-1901 in Utrecht, was married there on 16-6-1927 to Cornelis van Willigen (28), born in Oegstgeest, son of Nicolaas van Willigen and Dirkje de Kort.

Haagsche Courant Newspaper, 1-2-1928

Franciscus' son Franciskus Stephanus died aged 18. Two younger sons, Willem Pieter and Johannes Theodorus, were married in 1921 to 2 sisters. His daughter Jannetje Aletta was the guilty party in a divorce. Francisus' wife, Johanna Jacoba Schrijver, died on 14-7-1931 in Utrecht, aged 69.
For over 40 years Franciscus Otterspoor worked in beer brewery “De Krans” in Utrecht. In 1928 he received a honorary golden medal of the order of Oranje-Nassau. It's a chivalric order open to to “everyone who has earned special merits for society”. These are people who deserve appreciation and recognition for the special way in which they have carried out their activities.
After 25 years as a widower, Franciscus Otterspoor died on 25-11-1956 in Utrecht, aged 92.

Provinciale Drentsche En Asser Courant, 8-2-1928

Sources: WieWasWie, Delpher Newspapers, Het Utrechts Archief, Stamboom Otterspoor, Wikipedia.

Surname Saturday - Tuck

The Tuck surname, recorded as Tock, Took, Toke, Tuck and Tuke, usually is of pre-7th-century Norse-Viking origins. It derives from a Scandinavian personal name variously recorded as Toki, Toka or Toke, short or nickname forms of Thorketill. This popular personal and - later - surname, was a compound of the divine name Thor. That's the name of the Viking mythological god of thunder and the originator of "Thors day" or Thursday, plus "ketill", meaning a cauldron. 

The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Robert Tucke. This was dated 1202 in the fines tax rolls of Norfolk, during the reign of king John of England, 1199 - 1216. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling. 

I'm a descendant of Joost Jansz Tuck who originated in Mesele, Belgium. He was married on October 14, 1589, in Ridderkerk, Holland, to his first wife, Beeltijen Dircks who originated in Wuustwesel, Belgium. They had 6 children. Joost married his second wife, Neeltje Warrebouts, a widow, on September 22, 1619, in Ridderkerk. They had an additional son. Jan Joosten Tuck, my ancestor, too.

Sources: SurnameDB.com, Ridderkerk Marriages 1579-1643, transcribed by C. Hutchinson, P.F. Klok, B. Tabbernee, J.J. Vervoet & J. Wisskink.

The 11-month-marriage of Niesje Kleinjan (1861-1887)

Niesje Kleinjan was born in Rhoon in Holland on October 21, 1861, as the second surviving daughter of Jan Kleinjan (1825-1903) and Maria van Leeuwen (1835-1870). Niesje was also the first daughter to marry. On February 23, 1886, Niesje became engaged to Bastiaan Klapwijk.

Rotterdamsch Niewsblad, 27-2-1886

Bastiaan Klapwijk was born postumously on March 25, 1860, in Charlois - now part of Rotterdam - in Holland. His father, Simon Klapwijk, had died on October 19, 1859, in Charlois, aged 49. His mother, Lijdia Vermaat (1837-1919), had been widowed at the age of 22. On August 29, 1860, Lijdia had married her second husband, Dirk Vermaat. She had additional children named Dirk Roodenburg Vermaat and Neeltje Elisabeth Vermaat.

In Charlois on March 10, 1886, Bastiaan Klapwijk and Niesje Kleinjan were married. After a marriage of nearly 11 months, Niesje gave birth to a dead girl on January 29, 1887, in Charlois. The next week, on February 5, 1887, Niesje died.

Rotterdamsch Niewsblad, 10-2-1887

Bastiaan Klapwijk married his second wife, Maartje Kluifhoofd (1868-1920), on May 13, 1891, in Charlois. They had two children named Dirk Klapwijk and Wilhelmina Klapwijk. A widower again, Bastiaan Klapwijk died on December 3, 1933, in Rotterdam, aged 73.

Sources: WieWasWie.nl, Delpher.nl, Stadsarchief.Rotterdam.nl/.

Pieter Koomans drowned in 1864

Skipper Johannes Josephes Killian was living in Rotterdam and working as a skipper at a Dutch Ship named "Koning Willem III". He made a declaration that on September 3, 1864, around 23:00, he was sailing at sea at 52° north latitude and 3° east longitude, when purser Pieter Koomans, aged 24, fell overboard and drowned. He drowned in the North Sea.

Nieuwe Rotterdamsche Courant, 10-9-1863

Pieter Koomans was born on September 9, 1839, around 03:00 in Delft, as a younger son of Jacobus Koomans (1797-1874) and Anna Margaretha Wonders (1797-1860). His grandfather was Nicolaas Koomans (±1752-1829).
Pieter Koomans had two elder brothers: Hendrik Anthoon Koomans (1827-1861), who died childless, aged 33, and schoolteacher Nicolaas Koomans (1882-1910) who was married and had children, including professor Nicolaas Koomans (1879-1845).

Sources: Delft Archive, West-Brabant Archive, Delpher Newspapers, Huygens Knaw Resources. 

3 Otterspoor brothers in Australia

The Australian Anzacs website shows the records for Dutch immigrants in Australia who enlisted as soldiers in World War I. Among them are 3 brothers of the Otterspoor family: Servaas (“John”), Arnoldus (“Harry”) and Franciscus Jacobus (“Frank”). John Otterspoor is listed in 1917 as being an engineer, born in Utrecht, The Netherlands, aged 24 years and 2 months, and married to "Trintje". In fact, John and Arnold were born as twins in Utrecht on 19-11-1892. Their mother was 19-year-old and single Hendrika Johanna van Kesteren. She was born on 7-10-1873 in Amersfoort. Her parents are Arnoldus van Kesteren and Engelina Welling.

Servaas ("John")

Arnoldus ("Harry")

Franciscus Jacobus ("Frank")

Four Degrees of Separation

Randy Seaver offered the following Saturday Night Genealogy Fun challenge:

Using your ancestral lines, how far back in time can you go with FOUR degrees of separation? That means “you knew an ancestor, who knew another ancestor, who knew another ancestor, who knew another ancestor.” When was that fourth ancestor born?

That's not an easy challenge, for my oldest grandparent, my maternal grandfather, was born when all his grandparents had already died, so I had to pick another grandparent. With my paternal grandfather I had the same issue. Then I stumbled upon missing ancestors because I have a lot of ancestors in places with missing baptism records like Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht, Sint-Anthoniepolder, Wieldrecht and 's-Gravendeel, all in Holland. 

W.C. Zijderveld
(1892-1976)

I also found out that to establish this line, and make sure they knew each other, I had to turn the definition around into "that ancestor knew that descendant" for a baby or toddler may not remember someone.

Here is my line:

1. I knew my maternal grandmother Willempje Cornelia Zijderveld (1892-1976).
2. She knew her maternal grandmother Adriana de Sterke (1829-1917).
3. Adriana knew her paternal grandfather Pieter de Sterke (1765-1842).
4. His double grandmother Lijsbet Kevers (1703-1767) knew him. Pieter was Lijsbeth's grandson both through her daughter Maria de Sterke (1730-1806) and her son David de Sterke (1733-1797). 

They were all born in Dordrecht in Holland.

I want to thank Randy Seaver and Yvette Hoitink for the inspiration.

Tuesday's Twins - Daniel & Cornelis Bakker

The twins Daniel and Cornelis Bakker were baptized in Sliedrecht on August 24, 1721. Their parents were Pieter Bakker and Neeltje Bisschop. The witnesses at their baptism were Jan (son of Daniel)  Bakker, Kundertje (daughter of Pieter) Visser, Arijen (son of Cornelis) Hofman and Zijchje (daugher of Leendert).

Daniel & Cornelis, sons of Pieter Bakker & Neeltje Bisschop, were baptized on August 24, 1721, in Sliedrecht.

Both Daniel and Cornelis reached the age of maturity. Daniel was buried in Sliedrecht on June 15, 1747. Cornelis was married to Grietje Barents Hovestadt who originated in Werkendam. They had a son Barent Bakker baptized on March 17, 1743, in Sliedrecht. In 1772 in Leyden, Holland, Barent was married to Geertruij (daughter of Teunis) Slijkhuijs who originated in Twello. At the baptism of their daughter Margrieta on September 21, 1774, in Leyden, Cornelis Bakker and Grietje Hovestadt were the witnesses.

Sources: WieWasWie.nl, Salha.nl, FamilySearch.org.

Madness Monday ~ Edmund Frowein (1813-90) was locked up

Edmund Frowein was baptized on December 19, 1813, in Zevenaar in The Netherlands. His father, trader Frederik Frowein, was born in Zevenaar around 1784. His mother, Anna Dorothea Frederica Ronstorff, was born in Düsseldorf in Germany. The notice of marriage for Edmund’s parents was registered on February 7, 1813, in Zevenaar. Subsequently the wedding ceremony took place in Düsseldorf.

Edmund’s younger brothers Wilhelm and Julius Frowein were baptized in Zevenaar on March 16, 1815, and June 30, 1816, respectively. Wilhelm and Julius were married in Nijkerk, The Netherlands, in 1843-44 to 2 sisters, Dina and Carolina Marcus, daughters of Jacob Marcus and Elisabeth Jacobs. Wilhelm and Julius both had children. Edmund, however, remained a bachelor.

Arnhemsche Courant, 11-1-1845

Edmund was described as “innocent” and locked up in a lunatic asylum in Deventer, The Netherlands. The Law Court in Arnhem established a guardianship for Edmund on January 6, 1845. His administrator was his father.

Married for just a few weeks: Johannis Brouwer (1770-1802)

Johannis Brouwer was baptized on April 15, 1770, in Alblasserdam, Holland. Witnesses at his baptism were Isaac de Ridder and Jannetje Heukelman. His parents are Wouter Brouwer (1740-1825) and Maria Heukelman. His paternal grandparents are my ancestors Andries Brouwer (1711-1770) and Dilliaantje Spruijt (1717-1807). Johannes grew up with his elder siblings Lijsje Brouwer (1765-1847) and Andries Brouwer (1766-1847).

On April 16, 1802, in Alblasserdam, a notice of marriage was registered for Johannis Brouwer (32) and Anna van de Graaf (33). Anne had been baptized on April 9, 1769, in nearby Oud-Alblas. Her parents were Jillis van de Graaf and Grietje Harwig. After her father's death, Anna's mother had married Cornelis Prins on March 7, 1777, and Jan Zaanen on September 7, 1780. Grietje Harwig died around 1782, while Anna was still a teenager. Anna de Graaf and Johannis Brouwer were married on May 3.

Johannis Brouwer was married in 1802 in Alblasserdam

Just 19 days after their marriage, on May 22, Johannis Brouwer was buried in Alblasserdam, leaving Anna a widow. Like him, Johannes' siblings remained childless, so on February 19, 1848, in Dordrecht, Holland, the inheritance of his last surviving sibling Andries was distributed among their cousins, nephews and nieces, including my ancestor Anna Keesmaat (1778-1850), widow of Gerrit Stolk (1778-1846).

Anna van de Graaf remained a widow for 12 years. Finally, on June 9, 1814, in nearby Papendrecht Anna (45) married Wijnand Otto (35). He was baptized on February 2, 1779, in Papendrecht, and his parents were Jan Otto and Sijgje Muijen. Likely due to the bride’s age, this marriage remained childless too. Anna van de Graaf died on September 16, 1831, in Papendrecht, aged 62. Her widower Wijnand Otto died on July 26, 1845, aged 66.

Sources: G. Gouweneel’s Alblasserdam CD, Families of South Holland CD ("Klappers"), WieWasWie.nl.

Henk Zijderveld was living in Bolivia

Cornelis Zijderveld
(1868-1956)

Pieter Hendrik (“Henk”) Zijderveld was born on July 14, 1900, in Arnhem, The Netherlands, as the elder son of Cornelis Zijderveld (1868-1946, to the right), headmaster of a high school in Arnhem. They are descendants of my ancestor Joost Zijderveld (1822-1893). Henk's mother, Levina Cornelia Josina de Smit (1896-1956) was his father's second wife. His younger siblings were born in the period 1901-1907. Additionally, Henk had an elder half-sister Hendrika Pietertje Zijderveld (1894-1985). 

Arnhemsche Courant, 17-9-1925

In July 1921 an engagement was announced between Henk Zijderveld and N.H.J. (“Nelly”) Vink, while he was still studying to become a mining engineer. Apparently their marriage was postponed until after his graduation in June 1924. Henk and Nelly were finally married by proxy on October 2, 1925, in Oruro, Bolivia. They were to have several children. 

On March 25, 1939, in Oruro Henk Zijderveld was married to his second wife, Isabella (“Isa”) Lora. That same year on August 21, 1939, in Oruro, Henk's youngest sister Jacoba Suzanna (“Ko”) Zijderveld was married to Jan Boost. Around 1980 Ko was living as nun “Soeur Jacoba” in Jerusalem, Israel. In the summer of 1992 Jacoba was living in Neuchâtel, Switzerland.

Henk Zijderveld died on January 10, 1963, living Isa Lora as a widow.

Sources: Delpher.nl, WieWasWie.nl.

How Kommertje Bos descends from 17th-century Commertje Bastiaans

On my father's side of the family I had a great-aunt named Kommertje Bos, which is a bit of an unusual name. She was named after her maternal grandmother, Kommertje Hoek (1812-1859). As was usual within large families, Kommertje Hoek had several granddaughters and great-granddaughters named after her. Among them was another Kommertje Bos (1910-2000), who was known as “Ko Kuip” due to her marriage to Jan Kuiper (1909-1967). That Kommertje's father was Jacob “Jaap” Bos (1878-1944), son of Cent Bos (1845-1917), a brother of my great-grandfather Teunis Bos (1853-1923).
This Teunis Bos was the father of the Kommertje Bos of this post. Kommertje was married in 1913to Cornelis (“Cees”) Boer and had sons named Leendert (2x), Teunis, Aart and Cornelis. Kommertje's younger sister Willempje (“Wim”) Bos (1897-1982) married Cornelis' brother Meeuwis Boer (1890-1959) in 1925. That's a great-aunt I can still remember. 

The family of Cornelis Boer and Kommertje Bos in Rotterdam

Here are the ancestors of my great-aunt Kommertje Bos:

1. Kommertje Bos was born on 30-12-1891 in Cillaarshoek around 03:00. On 3-7-1913 in Maasdam she married Cornelis Boer who was born on 4-8-1889 in Puttershoek. 
2. Teunis Bos (1853-1923) married Maaike van Driel (1859-1926) in 1880 in Strijen.
3. Kommertje Hoek was born on 4-1-1812 in Sint Anthoniepolder, baptized on 12-1-1812 in Cillaarshoek and there died on 1-11-1859. She was married on 7-12-1842 in Maasdam to Cornelis Bos (1813-1888).
8. Pieter Hoek (1780-1844) married Willempje in 't Veld (1789-1823) and Metje Vermoen (1792-1843).
16. Commertje den Broeder was born on 26-7-1738 in de Greup and baptized on 3-8-1738 in Westmaas. She died on 24-12-1823 in Klaaswaal. She was married in Klaaswaal on 15-4-1768 to Mattheus Hoek (1734-1817).
32. Bastiaan Meeuwisse den Broeder (1680-1738) was married to Adriana Willems Vlasblom and Ahrentje Corsse de Jong (1703-1752).
64. Ariaentie Leenderts Broeder was born around 1645. She was married in Numansdorp on 13-6-1666 to Meeuwis Corsz.
128. Commertje Bastiaans was born around 1625. She was married to Leendert Ariens Boender, Carel Pieters and Jan Claasse van Dalen. She lived in Numansdorp.

All these ancestors lived on the island known as "Hoeksche Waard" in the southwest of Holland.

"Kaerle Vand, weaver of Baies, and Dionis his wiffe"

Flemings at Colchester in 1571:

• Kaerle Vand [sic], weaver of Baies, borne in Flaunders, of the age of xxxviij yeares, is no denizen, and hath continued in England vi yeares, and of an honest conversation.
• Dionis, his wiffe, borne in Flaunders, of the age of xxxvij yeares.
• John, his sonne, borne in Flaunders, of the age of xiiij yeares.
• Chrystine, his daughter, of the age of xii yeares.
• Katherine, his second daughter, of the age of ix yeares.
• Jacomine, his third daughter, of the age of ij yeares; all borne in Flaunders.

Source: Register of baptisms in the Dutch Church at Colchester from 1645 to 1728.

Anna Maris (1839-1900) moved to the USA

Anna Maris was born on May 6, 1839, in the township of Fijnaart en Heijningen in Brabant, The Netherlands. Her parents were Arie Maris (1801-1865) and Cornelia Maris (1805-1863) who were both great-grandchildren of Jan Jans Maris and Francijna Bom as the diagram below shows.

Jan Jans Maris   (1697-?) | -----------------------
| Jacobus Maris (±1728-1789)		| Arij Maris (1739-)
| Pieter Maris (1771-1834) |		| Cornelis Maris (1771-1832) |
Arie Maris (1801-1865)	×	Cornelia Maris (1805-1863)
| Anna Maris (1839-1900)

Anna Maris was married on October 23, 1862, in Fijnaart en Heijningen to Leendert van Dis. He was born on December 12, 1827, in Willemstad, Brabant, The Netherlands, as son of Cornelis Johannes van Dis and Ariena Heijltje Sonneveld. The couple had 4 daughters. One of these, Adriana Tanneke van Dis (1867-1882), died at the age of 14. The names of their other daughters were Arina Heijltje, Cornelia and Machteltje Maria van Dis.

De Volksvriend, 3-3-1887

Spring 1887 the couple and their 3 remaining daughters traveled to the United States. They settled in Orange County, Iowa. The P. Maris mentioned in the article above can't be Anna's brother; although he did have 3 children, he had been widowed in 1881, and died in 1888 Fijnaart en Heijningen.

Married for 4 days: Adriana Petronella Koomans

On July 26, 1866, in Abcoude-Baambrugge in Holland, Adriana Petronella Koomans was married to Cornelis Wouter Hoogendijk. She was born on November 24, 1842, in the township of Fijnaart and Heijningen in Brabant, The Netherlands. Her parents were dr. Willem Koomans (1818-1917) and his first wife, Aagje Fontijn. Spouse Cornelis Wouter Hoogendijk was born on October 22, 1840, around 22:00 in Zwammerdam in Holland. His parents were Adrianus Hoogendijk and Neeltje Anna van Rossen.

Opregte Haarlemsche Courant (newspaper), 27-7-1866

Just 4 after their marriage, on July 30, 1866, Cornelis Wouter Hoogendijk died around 02:00 in house number 49 at the market of Zuphen, Gelre, The Netherlands.

Opregte Haarlemsche Courant (newspaper), 7-8-1866

Same Name - Adriaan de Jong

The #52Ancestors topic for this week is "Same Name". That's a topic I can relate to! 

My father's surname, Bos (which translates in English as "Bush" or "Wood"), is the 14th most common surname in The Netherlands with 0.22%. Luckily, my father's family features a recurring first name that is quite unusual: "Cent". In addition, my Bos ancestors lived on an island known as "Hoeksche Waard". Through the centuries, they moved from Puttershoek via Numansdorp to Cillaarshoek, but those are all places on the same isle.

Adriaan de Jong
(1850-1899)

My mother's surname, De Jong (which translates in English as "The Young"), is the number 1 surname in The Netherlands with 0.53%. My "De Jong" ancestors lived in Capelle and Loon op Zand, two villages in a protestant area in a mainly catholic Dutch region known as Brabant. Another non-related "De Jong" family lived in the same area, but they were richer, and can thus be distinguished from my mother's poor ancestors. 
Most men among my mother's ancestors had the first name "Adriaan". The first Adriaen de Jong was likely born around 1555, his son, another Adriaan, was likely born around 1580, and his son was Peter de Jonge (1626-1700) who had a son Jan de Jongh (1663-1742). Jan had a younger son Adriaan ("Arie") de Jong (1710-1761) with an eldest son Adriaan de Jong (±1737-1795) with a son Adriaan de Jong (1776-1844) with a son Adriaan de Jong (1804-1857) who also had a son Adriaan de Jong (1850-1899), who is my great-grandfather.

Signature of Adriaan de Jong (1804-1857)

Sources: Map of Most Common Surnames in Europe, Meest voorkomende achternamen in Nederland, Streekarchief Langstraat Heusden Altena. See also: The most common surnames in Europe @ Wikipedia & Genealogie Hoeksche Waard.

Longevity: Josina de Bondt (93) in Zwijndrecht

When Josina de Bondt died - during World War II - on November 17, 1943, in Zwijndrecht, Holland, she was 93 years and 4 months old. Josina was born in Zwijndrecht on July 5, 1850, as the 3rd of 8 children of blond, blue-eyed Anthonie (“Thomas”) de Bondt (1822-1891) and his wife Pietertje den Hollander (1823-1915). On May 15, 1852, Josina's next sibling was born and named Joost - like his paternal grandfather.

On October 3, 1872, in Zwijndrecht, Josina was married to Cornelis van Wingerden. Both her parents were present at the ceremony and gave their permission for the marriage. The bride and groom were so poor that they were unable to pay the municipal wedding expenses. Cornelis was born on August 11, 1841, in Zwijndrecht as the eldest son of Klaas van Wingerden (1813-1855) and Jaapje van Wensveen. Cornelis had been exempted from military service. He worked as a workman and gardener.

On February 21, 1873, in Zwijndrecht - 4½ months after her wedding - Josina gave birth to her eldest child, but the boy lived for just 1 month. Josina's next child, a son named Jacob, was born in Zwijndrecht on August 20, 1876. The next moth, on September 7 in Zwijndrecht Josina's brother Joost de Bondt was married to Cornelis' sister Anna van Wingerden (1855-1926). Cornelis was one of the witnesses at this wedding.

Cornelis van Wingerden and Josina de Bondt were to have 7 more children during the period 1878-1892. Cornelis was assisting his brother-in-law Joost de Bondt on May 21, 1892, in Zwijndrecht, when Joost reported the birth of triplets Cornelis, Arie and Corstiaan on the 20th. Sadly, within 3 days all 3 new-born children had died. Besides the triplets and a stillbirth, Joost de Bondt and Anna van Wingerden had 6 additional children. The children Anthonie, Jaapje, Pietertje, Wiekert Gijsbert and Nicolaas Cornelis would reach the age of majority and marry.

Jacob, the oldest surviving child of Cornelis van Wingerden and Josina de Bondt, was the first to marry in 1904. By 1919 their other children Anthonia, Klaas, Adriana Cornelia, Cornelis, Josina and Maaike were all married, too.
Cornelis van Wingerden died in Zwijndrecht on April 23, 1911. His widow, Josina de Bondt, survived him for 23½ years. Josina may have inherited her strong genes from her mother, Pietertje den Hollander, who had died in Zwijndrecht on February 6, 1915, aged 91 years and 8 months.

A mill in Zwijndrecht with a view at the city of Dordrecht.

One of the common ancestors of Josina and me is whaler Thomas Brullee. Another common ancestor is Joost Cornelisse de Bondt (±1680-1753). 

Sources: WieWasWie.nl, FamilySearch.org, RegionaalArchiefDordrecht.nl.