Short-lived Marriage ~ Maria Fresia Kromme and Hermann Franz Kromme

Herman Franz Kromme was born on 14 March 1842 in Schapen near Hannover in Germany as illegitimate son of Aleid Kromme.
Hermann Franz supported himself as a salesman, and ended up in the northeastern part of The Netherlands. In Grijpskerk, on 8 May 1865, he married Maria Tresia Kromme. She was born in there on 5 March 1842 as daughter of Elisabeth Smeda (1815-1884) and Johannes Theodorus Joseph Kromme, who had been married just a couple of weeks before on 17 February 1842 in Grijpskerk. Like his son-in-lauw, Johannes Theodorus Joseph Kromme originated from Schapen in Germany, too.
Maria Tresia gave birth to a daughter Elisabeth Kromme on 20 February 1866 in Niezijl. The young mother died there on 19 March 1866, aged 24. Maria Tresia's father, Johannes Theodorus Joseph Kromme, died the next year on 14 June 1867 in Grijpskerk, aged 64.

Because Hermann Franz Kromme was not a Dutch resident, he did not have to perform military service in the Netherlands

Divorce and longevity for Johanna Schenk in Gouda

Gouda

Johanna Schenk was born in Gouda, Holland, on 18 January 1853. His parents are Dirk Schenk (1822-1872) and his first wife Maria Elselina van Omme (1824-1862) who were living at the Naaijerstraat in Gouda. Johanna had several siblings, but only Jacoba Maria Elselina (1850-1905) and Cornelis seem to have survived infancy. Cornelis, the youngest, was born in Gouda on 14 August 1856. Their mother Maria Elselina died in Gouda on 11 January 1862, just before Johanna's 11th birthday, while Cornelis was 5 years old.
Dirk Schenk married his second wife on 20 May 1863 in Gouda. She was born there on 23 April 1829 as Margaretha Cornelia, daughter of Hendrik Johannes Verblaauw and Lucretia Vermeulen. Dirk and Margaretha Cornelia had some additional children, but they all died young. Dirk Schenk died in Gouda on 3 February 1872, when his Johanna was 19 years old.

Unmarried Jacoba Maria Elselina Schenk brought 3 babies to their grave in Gouda the period 1875-1881. Her younger brother Cornelis married Catharina Dingena van Vliet (1860-1931) on 18 August 1880 in Gouda, and fathered children with his wife.
Their younger sister Johanna Schenk moved to Amsterdam where she gave birth to a son Leonardus on 16 October 1876. The baby likely died young. Another son, Jacobus Leonardus, was born in Amsterdam on 2 January 1878 around 13:00. Early 1884, Johanna was nursed for 93 days in the Binnengasthuis hospital in Amsterdam. On 18 June of that year, around 18:00, in Amsterdam Johanna Schenk gave birth to a daughter Johanna Helena.
Johanna Schenk married Leonardus Smal on 4 August 1886 in her hometown Gouda. The couple also acknowledged that Johanna Helena is their daughter. Thus, the girl's surname was changed from Schenk to Smal. Johanna's son Jacobus Leonardus Schenk had moved with her to Rotterdam, too.
Leonardus Smal was born on 10 July 1845. In the 1850s he had lived in an orphanage in Amersfoort. In 1882 in Amsterdam, Leonardus suffered severe burns to his back, arm and head when a kerosene lamp fell over.

Paternal ancestors of rock star Eddie van Halen in Dordrecht

Eddie van Halen is regarded as one of the greatest guitarists in rock history, and was well known for popularising the tapping guitar technique. He was guitarist, keyboardist, backing vocalist and primary songwriter of the rock band Van Halen, which he founded with his brother Alex in 1972.
Eddie van Halen was born as Edward Lodewijk van Halen in Amsterdam on 26 January 1955. He died of a stroke in Santa Monica on 6 October 2020, aged 65. He is the son of Eugenia van Beers (1914-2005) and pianist Jan van Halen (1920-1986). The family emigrated the the USA in 1962.
Eddie’s paternal grandparents are butcher Hermanus van Halen (1881-1960) and his wife Jannetje Berg (1883-1958). Eddies's paternal great-grandparents are ship carpenter Hermanus van Halen (1840-1924) and his wife Jacoba Maria Kamermans (1841-1916).

Eddie's paternal great-great-grandparents are Jan van Halen and Hermina Beekman (1814-1888) who both originated in Dordrecht, Holland. They were married there on 25 May 1838. Jan van Halen died on 20 February 1893 in Den Helder, Holland, at the age of 77. Jan was born in Dordrecht on 22 May 1815 as son of an earlier Jan van Halen and his wife Dina Lengton.

Jan van Halen and Dina Lengton were married on 26 May 1798 in Dordrecht.
Jan was assisted by his father Wouter van Halen. His bride was assisted by her mother Elisabeth Blekston.

The elder Jan van Halen was born in De Mijl, and baptised in nearby Dordrecht on 12 January 1772. Jan married Dijna Lengton on 26 May 1798 in Dordrecht. Dijna was baptised on 16 May 1775 in Dordrecht as daughter of Jacobus Lengton and Elisabeth Isaaks Blekston (1749-1819), a member of the Blackstone family in Dordrecht. Dijna died, aged 71, on 4 September 1846 in Dordrecht. Jan van Halen had died there on 21 February 1845, aged 73. Jan's death certificate mentions his parents Wouter van Halen and Johanna de Visser.

Johann Diederich Seip moved from Germany to 's-Gravendeel

In 's-Gravendeel, Holland, on 17 August 1817 local girl Elisabeth Visser married Johan Diderik Seip who originated in Soest in Germany. He is a son of artillery soldier Johann Paul Seip (†1791) and his wife Margaretha Catharina Berthold (†1813). In Soest he was baptised on 10 September, likely in the year 1789, with the name Johann Diederich. In Holland he was known as Johan Diederik.

Extract of the birth of Johann Diderich Seip in Soest in Germany

His bride, Elizabeth Visser, was born on the 2nd and baptised on 8 July 1798 in 's-Gravendeel. Elizabeth's parents are Gerrit Maartens Visser (1754-1823) and his third wife Cornelia Huige Visser (1772-1814). Elizabeth's grandfathers are Maarten Gerrits Visser (†1772) and Huig Tielemans Visser who married Lijsbet Verhoeven after whom Elizabeth Visser is named.

Elizabeth Visser and Johan Diederik Seip had 8 children:

1. Johan Paulus Seip was born on 15-6-1818 in ’s-Gravendeel. He married Neeltje de Keijzer on 2-6-1842 in Zevenbergen, Brabant, The Netherlands. Johan died on 11-9-1902 in Rotterdam Holland, aged 84.
2. Gerrit Seip was born on 11-07-1820 in ’s-Gravendeel. In 1845 Gerrit married Adriana Eland (1823-1849). In 1852 Gerrit married Anna van Beusekom. Gerrit died on 07-2-1895 in Rotterdam, aged 74.
3. Jacobus Seip is born on 24-10-1821 in ’s-Gravendeel. In 1849 in 27-year-old Jacobus married 37-year-old Zara Tollenaar. In 1859 Jacobus married 31-year-old Maria Snoeij. Jacobus died, at the age of 88, on 19-9-1910 in Alkemade, Holland.
4. Johan Diderich Seip was born on 4-10-1823 in ’s-Gravendeel. In Oude-Tonge, Holland, in 1853 he married Maatje Kreeft. Johan Diderich died on 19-2-1898 in Den Bommel, Holland, aged 74.
5. Pieter Seip was born on 8-8-1826 in ’s-Gravendeel. In 1860 in Zierikzee, Zeeland, The Netherlands, Pieter married Barbara Jacoba de Vrome. Pieter died, at the age of 71, on 29-6-1898 in Rotterdam.
6. Huig Seip was born on 22-12-1828 in ’s-Gravendeel. Huig married Lena van Prooijen in 1858 in Sint Maartensdijk in Zeeland. Huig died on 30-5-1893 in Dordrecht, Holland, aged 64.
7. Cornelia Seip was born on 8-4-1833 in ’s-Gravendeel. In her place of birth, on 21-12-1853, Cornelia married fellow townsman Pieter Krijnen Barendrecht (1814-1893), widower of Maaike Dorst (1817-1852). At the age of 79, Cornelia Seip died on 22-7-1912 in 's-Gravendeel.
8. Maarten Seip was born on 12-05-1838 in ’s-Gravendeel. In 1862 Maarten married Cornelia Uitterlinde. Maarten died on 6-3-1899 in IJsselmonde, aged 60.

Death certificate of Johan Diederik Seip, aged 67

Johan Diederik Siep died in 's-Gravendeel on 13 April 1857 at the age of 67. His widow, Elizabeth Visser, died at the same age on 11 January 1866 in 's-Gravendeel.

Sources: WieWasWie.nl, FamilySearch.org, Families of South Holland ("Klappers"), RegionaalArchiefDordrecht.nl.

Dutch ancestors of author Pearl S. Buck - the Stulting family

Pearl S. Buck (1892-1973) was a writer and novelist. I read her fictionalised biography of Chinese Empress Dowager Cixi. Pearl was born as Pearl Sydenstricker in Hillsboro, West Virginia, to Caroline Maude Stulting and Absalom Sydenstricker, of Dutch and German descent respectively. In October 1892, her parents took their 4-month-old baby to China. The surname Buck derives from Pearl's first husband John Lossing Buck (1890–1975). On the same day in 1935 that Pearl divorced him, she married her publisher Richard J. Walsh.

Pearl's mother, Caroline Maude - “Carie” - Stulting (1857-1921), is a daughter of Hanna Sonnius (1816-1876) and silversmith Hermanus Stulting. They were married on 18 March 1840 in Utrecht, The Netherlands. Their eldest children were born in Utrecht, including a daughter Arnolda, born there on 20 September 1846. Later, in the USA, the girl was known as Arnolda Dorothy. More children were to follow, including Pearl's mother.
Hermanus Stulting died on 30 September 1905 in Hillsboro, Pocahontas County, West Verginia. Hermanus was born in Utrecht on 5 October 1816 as son of Cornelis Johannes Stulting and Arnolda Broekman. Arnolda Broekman was born in Amersfoort, east of Utrecht. Hermanus' parents were married in Utrecht on 20 March 1811. Hermanus' grandparents were Hermanus Stulting, Hendrica Lebben, Nicolaas Broekman and Gerritje van der Linden.

Cornelis Johannes Stulting married Arnolda Broekman on 24 March 1811 in Utrecht

In 1847 Cornelis Johannes Stulting travelled to the USA. Cornelis Johannes died on 19 March 1861, aged 71. He was survived by his widow and his namesake son.

Utrechtsche Provinciale en Stads-courant (newspaper), 24-4-1861

Cornelis Johannes Stulting was baptised in Utrecht on 6 January 1790 as son of Hendrika Lebben (1764-1835) and tailor Hermanus Stulting (1763-1832). This couple was married on 14 July 1789 in Utrecht in a Roman Catholic church known as the Catharijnekerk. Another couple with the same surnames, Johannes - “Jan” - Stulting (1767-1846) and Margaretha Lebbe (1775-1857), were married in Utrecht on 20 May 1793. Jan was Hermanus' brother, and Margaretha was Hendrika's sister. Their parents were Cornelis Stulting, Wilhelmina Wasbeek, Jacobus Lebbinck and Agatha Gevel.

Johanna van Diest, first wife of Cornelis Stulting, died without issue early 1753 

Cornelis Stulting and his first wife, Johanna van Diest, had a marriage contract drawn up by a notary on 27 May 1748. The couple were living in Utrecht at the Oude Gracht (old canal) near the Jacobi bridge, a monumental bridge that still stands today. Early 1753, Johanna died without issue.
Cornelis married his second wife, Wilhelmina Wasbeek, on 25 November 1762 in Utrecht. Their prenuptial agreement had been drawn up on the 5th. They had sons named Hermanus, Adrianus (who likely died young) and Johannes (Jan).
Willemina van Wasbeek, widow of Cornelis Schulting, and Maria van Wasbeek, daughters and heirs of their deceased father Adrianus van Wasbeek, appeared before a notary on on November 1, 1782. The burial in Utrecht of Willemina van Wasbeek, widow of Cornelis Stulting, was on 18 December 1791. Willemina was baptised in Utrecht on 14 October 1733 as daughter of Adrianus van Wasbeek and Johanna van den Abeele.

Longevity ~ Willem Middelkoop (94) and his daughter Johanna

The family name Middelkoop is a toponymic surname, also known as a habitational surname. That's a family name derived from a place name. These names often reflect the place of the family's origin.

Wilhelmus (“Willem”) Middelkoop was baptised on 27 November 1757 in Benschop, Utrecht, The Netherlands, with witness Willemtje Vogel. His parents are Huijbert Gijsbertsz Middelkoop and Margrietje Beijen. Willem had several siblings.

Willem Middelkoop and Anna Rietveld were married on 11 June 1797 in the Roman Catholic Church of Oudewater

At the age of 39, Willem married Anna (also named “Johanna” and “Annigje”) Rietveld on 11 June 1797 in Oudewater, Utrecht, The Netherlands. Witnesses at their catholic marriage were Matthias Rietveld and Gijsbert Rietveld, Anna's brothers. Anna was born in Hoenkoop and baptised in Oudewater on 22 October 1776 with witness Maria Rietvelt. Anna, Matthias (“Matthijs”) and Gijsbert are children of Jannigje van der Wal (†1804) and Gijsbertus Rietvelt*.

Anna Rietveld and Willem Middelkoop had 4 children:

1. Margarita (“Margritha”) was baptised on 16-6-1797 in Oudewater. Margritha was married on 23-11-1820 in Benschop. The groom was Jacobus van Vliet, who died at the age of 64 on 9-5-1852 in Gouda. Margritha died there on 30-4-1869. They had issue.
2. Johanna (“Jannetje”) was baptised on 12-9-1799 in IJsselstein. In 1828 she married Cornelis Nederhoff. Jannetje died on 4-8-1895 in Gouda.
3. Wilhelmina was baptised on 6-4-1803 in Oudewater. On 20-11-1828 in Benschop Wilhelmina married Gerrit van den Eng. On 1-9-1836 in Broek** she married Jan Straver. Wilhelmina died on 13-8-1884 in Gouda at the age of 81. Wilhelmina had issue.
4. Hubertus (“Huibert”) was baptised on 18-7-1805 in Oudewater. Huibert died in Gouda on 23-3-1865 in Gouda, at the age of 59.

The accidents of William Witvliet (1870-1936)

William Witvliet was born on 22 September 1870 in Vriesland, Ottawa, Michigan, USA. His parents are Lammigje (“Emmely”) Bartels (1837-1921) and Pieter (“Peter”) Witvliet (1830-1897). William's paternal grandparents were Mattheus Witvliet (1801-1873) and his second wife Elizabeth Sandifort.
Among William's siblings was a brother Mattheus (“Matthew”) Witvliet (1861-1938).

At the age of 30, William married Hendrika Krans on 13 June 1901 in Zeeland, Ottawa, Michigan, USA. She was born in June 1877 as daughter of Henry Krans (1837-1922) and Henrietta Hoving (1846-1925).

William Witvliet was operating a saw in a factory, when his right hand was caught in the machine, and badly damaged. An amputation was necessary, and his arm was amputated above the elbow. William was still a young man, and had only been married for 3 months.
Matheus Witvliet, the ironmonger on 8th Street, is his brother.

De Grondwet (newspaper), 26-4-1904

After the amputation of his right arm, William had hardly any means of subsistence. Once in a while he did some temporary police service, or other temporary work.
In January 1929, William Witvliet had an unfortunate fall on the slippery sidewalk, and broke his other arm.

De Grondwet (newspaper), 29-1-1929

Alberdiena Rientjes (1830-1902) was locked up in a mental institution

Carpenter Johannes Vredeveld (30) and Alberdiena Rientjes (27) were married on 12 May 1858 in Zwolle, Overijssel, The Netherlands. Johannes had a brother Jochem Vredeveld, born on 18 December 1824 in Zwolle. Their parents are Cornelia Pattel and Johannes Vredeveld sr. Jochem had married Willemina Dispo on 28 August 1845 in Zwolle. Willemina was born on 28-12-1820 in Steenwijk, Overijssel, is a daughter of Lammegien Hovenier and Piet Dispo. This couple had another daughter Anna Dispo, born in Steenwijk op 12 December 1817. Anna married carpenter Johannes Vredeveld as his first wife on 3 May 1849 in Zwolle. Johannes Vredeveld was born there on 16 December 1827, so the bride was the groom's senior by 10 years. At the age of 39 Anna Dispo died on 27 May 1856 in Zwolle. Johannes Vredeveld and his first wife had been married for 7 years.

Johannes' second wife, Alberdiena Rientjes, is a daughter of Antonie Rientjes and Hermiena van (H)Ulsen. Alberdina was born on 15 August 1830 in Zwolle. Her paternal grandparents are Jan Rientjes and Hermiena Theunissen.

Alberdiena has experienced 7 pregnancies:

1. Cornelia was born on 1-4-1859 in Zwolle. She married Italian Alberto Zoppi in 1881 in Zwolle. Cornelia Vredeveld died in Tilburg on 31-1-1946, aged 86.
2. Antonia Wilhelmina was born on 31-12-1860 in Zwolle, and died there on 22-4-1871, aged 10.
3. A son was stillborn in Zwolle on 15-2-1863.
4. Johanna Maria (I) was born on 7-1-1864 in Zwolle, and died there on 28-12-1864.
5. Albertus Johannes was born on 17-10-1865 in Zwolle. On 1-6-1892 in Leiden, Holland, he married Regina Adriana Maria Casparie (1862-1939) and had several children. At the age of 85, Albertus Johannes died in Utrecht on 5-1-1951.
6. Johanna Maria (II) was born on 15-5-1868 in Zwolle. She married Theodorus Kuijpers in 1898 in Rosmalen, Brabant, The Netherlands. At the age of 73, Johanna Maria died on 4-3-1942 in Vugt, Brabant.
7. Antonius Johannes was born on 24-5-1871 in Zwolle. At the age of 68, he died on 2-1-1940 in Nijmegen, Gelderland, The Netherlands.

In 1881, at the time of her eldest daughter's marriage, Alberdiena Rientjes was being nursed in an asylum for the insane in nearby Deventer.

Alberdiena Rientjes was locked up in a mental institution

At the age of 55, carpenter Johannes Vredeveld died on 5 July 1883 in Zwolle. His widow Alberdiena Rientjes died, aged 71, on 10 April 1902 around 18:00 in Deventer. One of the declarants was the accountant of the insane asylum, so Alberdiena was still locked up when she died.

Sources: WieWasWie.nl, CollectieOverijssel.nl, RegionaalArchiefTilburg.nl.

The divorce of Teunis Jabaay and Pauline Spielmann

Businessman Teunis Jabaay was born on 3 May 1891 in Maasdam, Holland. He is a younger son of Maaike Hoogvliet (1851-1937) and Adrianus Jabaaij (1843-1939). Teunis' paternal grandparents were Lijntje Streefkerk (1814-1881) and Leendert Jabaaij (1812-1895). Teunis had an elder brother Willem Jabaaij (1881-1948), who remained single, and some sisters. Teunis seems to have been the only one in the family who wrote his surname as Jabaay.

Haagsche Courant, 22-9-1933

In 1933 Teunis lived in Rijswijk, Holland, located between The Hague and Delft. By then he had met Pauline Spielmann who lived in Essen in Germany at the Gänsemarkt square. They were married in Essen on 17 October 1933. Teunis was 42 years old. Pauline was 4 years his senior.
Pauline was born on 8 February 1887 in “Neu Satum”, which may have been located in the east of Germany in present-day western Poland. Pauline had been married before to someone with the surname Behrens.

Birth and marriage dates of the couple Teunis Jabaaij en Pauline Spielmann

The marriage of Teunis Jabaay and Pauline Spielmann ended in divorce. The district court in Rotterdam granted their divorce on 13 May 1946, a year after the end of World War II. At that time both Teunis and Pauline were living in Rotterdam, Holland.

Nederlandsche Staatscourant, 11-6-1946

Teunis Jabaay died, at the age of 62, on 25 September 1953 in Rotterdam.

Vroegindeweij Vicars

Wouter Vroegindeweij was vicar in Reeuwijk, Holland. He was engaged to be married to Adriana Vis on 14 June 1935 in Middelharnis. Their son Jan was born in Reeuwijk on 27 January 1937.

Nieuwe Utrechtsche Courant, 14-6-1935

Wouter Vroegindeweij was vicar in Bleiswijk, Holland, when he had his son Jan confirmed as a vicar in Goudswaard, Holland, on 17 February 1963. Jan was appointed as vicar in Harskamp on 15 October 1967, and in Katwijk aan Zee, Holland, on 16 April 1672. Jan married Alida C. Voskuil.

Wouter Vroegindeweij was born in Middelharnis, Holland, on 3 May 1904. His parents are Jan Vroegindeweij and Jannetje Verhagen. Wouter died on 6 July 1980 at the age 76. He was buried on the 11th in Bilthoven, Utrecht. His widow Adriana Vis, aged 89, died on 30 June 1992 in Moerkapelle, Holland, and was buried on the 6th in Bilthoven.

Jan Vroegindeweij was born in Middelharnis on 22 December 1873 as son of Leendert Vroegindeweij and Adriaantje Pas. Jan married Jannetje Verhage on 24 August 1900 in Middelharnis. Their eldest son, Leendert, was born on 10 January 1901 in Middelharnis. Like his brother Jan, Leendert also became a    vicar. Leendert studied in Utrecht before he was successively vicar in Wilnis, Waddinxveen, Papendrecht and Gameren. Leendert married Maria Jannetje Gerritje Voskamp on 10 April 1940 in Rijswijk. He died in August 1969 in Delft, aged 68.

Trouw (newspaper), 4-10-1955

Leendert Vroegindeweij married Adriaantje Pas on 8 April 1864 in Middelharnis. Leendert was born in Middelharnis on 15 October 1836. His parents are Arend Vroegindeweij (1804-1855) and Geertje Soldaat (1805-1869). Leendert died in Middelharnis on 21 April 1900, aged 63.

Sources: WieWasWie.nl, P.J. Bos, DIENAREN VAN DE VROEGERE ZUIDHOLLANDSE PAROCHIE KORENDIJK, ALIAS GOUDSWAARD EN VAN DE DAARUIT VOORTGEKOMEN NEDERLANDSE HERVORMDE GEMEENTE, ca 1442 tot heden, Mensen van Vroeger, 1974.

Nollius Hajonides van der Meulen (1862-1907) drowned

The “SS Berlin” was a steel ship of 1775 tons, build for use on the ferry service from Harwich to Hook of Holland. On Thursday 21 February 1907, around 5 o’clock, a huge wave struck the ship, causing her to become impaled on the tip of the granite breakwater at the entrance to the New Waterway, west of Rotterdam. A Dutch lifeboat attempted to offer aid, but the rough seas rendered it impossible to approach the stricken vessel. Around 6 o’clock the ship broke in two, drowning the majority of the passengers. Later, 16 survivors were rescued, while 128 people had drowned.

Nederlandsche Staatscourant, 5-3-1907

One notable passenger who drowned was a King’s messenger, Mr. Herbert, travelling with diplomatic bags. Another victim was Hendrik Spijker of the Spyker car company. The main subject of this blog post, Nollius Hajonides van der Meulen, was also killed in this disaster.

Leeuwarder Courant, 25-2-1907

Nollius Hajonides van der Meulen was born on 7 July 1862 in Leeuwarden as eldest son of Pieter Hajonides van der Meulen (1835-1875) and Anna Gorter (1838-1918).
As an Adult, Nollius Hajonides traded in flax. At the age of 32, on 27 June 1895 in Menaldumadeel, Nollius Hajonides van der Meulen married 25-year-old Clasiena Cornelia Alma. She was born on 11 April 1871 as daughter of Margrieta Maas (1842-1916) and Hermanus Alma (1839-1915).

Christina Kotting married her first cousin Adrianus Nieuwenkamp

Adriana Kits

In a previous blog post, I wrote about Jan Kits Nieuwenkamp (1811-1870) after I stumbled upon a newspaper article. He had been travelling with a steamship when it hit a rock, and he drowned. Recently, I came across a picture of his sister Christina Nieuwenkamp (1809-1887, below right). Christina married Jan Ludolph Kotting (1809-1844) who was clergyman, successively in Kwadijk and Alkmaar in Holland. Jan and Christina are both children of Jan Mattheus Nieuwenkamp (1764-1824) and his third wife Adriana Kits (1774-1881, to the right).

Jan Mattheus Nieuwenkamp and his wife Adriana also had a son Abraham, who was baptised on 4 March 1800 in Amsterdam. Abraham Nieuwenkamp (23) was a bookseller when he married Petronella Kotting (31) in Amsterdam on 23 May 1823. Petronella is a daughter of shopkeeper Jan Ludolph Kotting (†1830) sr. and his wife Jannetje Brinkel (†1797). Within a year after her wedding, Petronella died on 18 May 1824, 8 days after giving birth to a dead daughter.
Her widower, Abraham Nieuwenkamp, married his first wife’s younger sister Geertruid Kotting (28) on 24 February 1826 in Amsterdam. Geertruid was baptised on 21 June 1797 in the Zuiderkerk, another church in Amsterdam. They had issue, including a son Adrianus Nieuwenkamp, born on 30 November 1835 in Amsterdam. Geertruid Kotting, aged 50, died in Amsterdam on 15 August 1847. Her widower Abraham Nieuwenkamp died in Amsterdam on 1 January 1866.

Christina Nieuwenkamp
in widow's clothing

Christina Nieuwenkamp (to the right) was born on 5 May 1809 in Hasselt.  Her husband, clergyman Jan Ludolph Kotting, was baptised in Amsterdam on 12 February 1809 with witnesses Anna Maria Kotting and his grandfather Jan Ludolph Kotting sr. The parents are pharmacist Gerardus Kotting (1785-1852) and his wife Maria Elisabeth Gude (†1849). 
Jan Ludolph died of scarlet fever at the age of 35 on 29 May 1844 in his parent’s home in Alkmaar. After a widowhood of 43 years, Christina Nieuwenkamp died on 23 July 1887 at the age of 78. They had 7 children, including a son Gerardus Kotting, who was working as a pharmacist, and a daughter Christina Kotting.

Christina Kotting was born on 17 December 1841 in Alkmaar. She married her first cousin Adrianus Nieuwenkamp in Amsterdam on 7 May 1868. Adrianus is the son of Abraham Nieuwenkamp and his second wife Geertruid Kotting (as described above). At the age of 82, Adrianus Nieuwenkamp died on 20 July 1918 in Haarlem, Holland, and was buried there on the 23th. His widow, Christina Kotting, died in Haarlem on 10 February 1921.

Inbreeding among the ancestors of Gerrit van Zee (1842-1934)

Gerrit van Zee was born on 3 April 1842 in Herwijnen, Gelderland, The Netherlands. His parents are Stephanus (“Steven”) van Zee (1817-1905) and Judik (“Judith”) van Zee (1820-1909), daughter of Engel van Zee (1777-1827). In 1847 Gerrit arrived with his parents in Pella, Ohio, travelling with a ship named "Pieter Florisz".
On 1 March 1865 Gerrit married Dirkje van Zante. She was born on 5 January 1843 in Herwijnen. Her parents are Aart Benthem van Zante (1815-1894) and Maria van Zee (1819-1879), daughter of Anthonie van Zee (1787-1870), an uncle of Gerrit's father Steven.
Gerrit and Dirkje had 7 children. Dirkje died on 4 April 1904. Gerrit died on 19 March 1934 at the age of 91.

Gerrit van Zee was born on 3-4-1842 in Herwijnen s son of Stephanus van Zee and Judik van Zee.

Gerrit's ancestors

Van Zee Family Coat of Arms

2. Stephanus (“Steven”) van Zee, was born on 12-2-1817 in Herwijnen. He died on 21-1-1905 in Pella, Iowa, USA, aged 87. He married, aged 24, on 30-9-1841 in Herwijnen
3. Judik (“Judith”) van Zee was born on 30-11-1820 in Herwijnen.  Judith died on 23-6-1909 in Pella, aged 88.
4. Gerrit Aries van Zee was born on the 12th and baptised on 16-6-1793 in Herwijnen. Gerrit died there on 24-1-1877, aged 83. Gerrit married on 15-4-1815 in Herwijnen 18-year-old
5. Cornelia Maria de Kock was born on the 9th and baptised on 16-10-1796 in Herwijnen. Cornelia  died there on 24-2-1848.
6. Engel van Zee was born on the 17th and baptised on 18-6-1775 in Herwijnen. Engel died there on 9-6-1868, aged 92. Engel married there on 17-2-1799
7. Engeltje (“Engelke”) Bijl was born on the 17th and baptised on 20-7-1777 in Herwijnen. Engeltje is overleden op 15-07-1827 in Herwijnen, 49 jaar oud.
8. Arie van Zee was baptised on 4-10-1761 in Herwijnen with witness Ariaantje de Fockert. Arie died in Herwijnen on 10-12-1845. He married there on 31-3-1787
9. Anna (“Anneke”) de Fockert was baptised on 27-9-1767 in Herwijnen. Anneke died there on op 24-4-1836.
10. Stephanus de Kock was baptised on 1-7-1759 in Herwijnen. He died there on 26-7-1835. He married there on 10-7-1791
11. Pietertje Ariens van Balgoijen was baptised on 21-5-1769 in Oud-Alblas, Holland. Pietertje  died in Herwijnen on 21-8-1847.
12. Gerrit (“Geurt”) van Zee was born on Monay 1 March 1728. He is baptised on the 7th in Herwijnen with witness Neeltje Rosa. Geurt died on 19-4-1789. Geurt married in Herwijnen on 8-5-1763
13. Jenneke Leenderts de Fockert was born 15-10-1740 and baptised the next day in Herwijnen. Jenneke died after September 1810.
14. Coenraad Bijl was baptised on 29-2-1756 in Herwijnen with witness Maria Bijl. Coenraad  died on 11-9-1830 in Herwijnen, aged 74. He married
15. Judith de Bruijn was baptised on 15-9-1748 in Herwijnen with witness Anneke de Jongh.  Judith died on 27-2-1820 in Herwijnen, aged 71.

Ancestors of Willem van der Linden (1843-1903) of Pella

As a young child Willem van der Linden arrived with his parents in the USA in 1847. He was born on 14 June 1843 in 's-Gravendeel, Holland, as a younger son of Jan van der Linden and Lijpje Moret. In Lake Prairie his youngest sister Maria Aaltje (1851-1918) was born.

De volksvriend, 12-11-1903

On 9 June 1867 Willem - also known as William - married Jenneke Kolenbrander (1848-1928). They spent their early married life on a farm to the south of Amsterdam. In 1877 Willem moved his family to Pella.
Jenneke gave birth to 9 children, but 3 sons died young. Their surviving children were named Johan, Marinus, Herman, Lizzie, Jennie and Minnie.

Willem van der Linden was Secretary of the Board of Education for a number of years. In later years he engaged in the banking business, and became President of the Security Bank of Pella. He still held that position at the time of his death on 9 November 1903, at about 11:50 a.m. Willem had been in poor health for several months. The funeral services were held on the 11th at 2 o'clock in the Second Reformed Church. His widow Jenneke was severely prostrated by his death.

These are his ancestors:

2. Jan van der Linden was born on 26 April, and baptised on 12-5-1811 in Dubbeldam, Holland.  Jan died on 11-10-1895 in Pella, Iowa, USA, aged 84. Jan married in 's-Gravendeel, Holland, on 5-2-1834
3. Lijpje Moret was born on 30-5-1813 in ’s-Gravendeel. Lijpje died on 10-01-1895 in Pella, Iowa, USA, aged 81 jaar.
4. Willem van der Linden was born on the 5th, and baptised on 15-8-1773 in Dubbeldam. Willem  died, only 48 years old, in Dordrecht on 20-5-1822. Willem married in 's-Gravendeel on 27-8-1797
5. Maaike Kleinjan was born around 1775 in ’s-Gravendeel. Maaike died in Dordrecht op 24-12-1822 in Dordrecht.
6. Leendert Moret was born around 1784 in ’s-Gravendeel. Leendert died on 20-3-1865 in ’s-Gravendeel. Leendert married his second wife Aaltje Franse van der Giessen (±1788-1864) n 2-5-1825 in ’s-Gravendeel. Leendert married his first wife in 's-Gravendeel on 20-7-1810
7. Maria Snijders was born around 1787 in ’s-Gravendeel. Maria died there on 6-12-1823, aged 36.
8. Willem Hendriksz van der Linden was baptised on 14-4-1745 in Dubbeldam. Willem died in his 20s around 1773. Willem married on 30-4-1769 in Dubbeldam 
9. Sijtje (“Sijgie”) Adriaanzen Molendijk was baptised on 30-1-1746 in Dubbeldam. Sijgie married secondly on 6-8-1775 in Dubbeldam  Anthonie Bastiaansz in ’t Veld (1754-1811). Her death, at the young age of 33, was registered on 31-12-1779 in Dubbeldam.
10. Aart Kleinjan married  

    

    Willem van der Linden
    (1847-1903)

11. Adriaantje van Ham.
12. Cornelis Leenderts Moret was either born or baptised on 12-8-1754 in ’s-Gravendeel. Cornelis died there on 24-6-1820 around 20:00 at the age of 65. He married around 1780 
13. Elisabeth (“Lijpje”) van Rossum died on 25-11-1809 in ’s-Gravendeel. 
14. Teunis Snijders, was born around 1754. He died on 12-3-1825 in ’s-Gravendeel. He married
15. Geertruij Noteboom died on 19-12-1823 in ’s-Gravendeel.
16. Hendrik Jansz van der Linden was baptised on 13-11-1709 in Numansdorp with his twinbrother Jan who died the next month. Hendrik's death was registered on 4-10-1793 in Dubbeldam. Hendrik married there on 16-3-1743
17. Marijke (“Marijtje”) Willemsen Molendijk was baptised on 8-12-1709 in Dubbeldam.  Marijtje's death was registered on 12-12-1750 in Dubbeldam. 
18. Adriaan Cornelisz Molendijk was baptised on 8-4-1703 in Dubbeldam. Adriaan's death, at the age of 70, was registered on 15-11-1773 in Dubbeldam. Adriaan married there on 10-10-1734 
19. Luijcksje Willemsen Molendijk was born on 24-1-1712 in Dubbeldam. Luijcksje died there on 16-9-1793, and was buried on the 20th. 
20. Floris Dirksen Kleinjan was born around 1715 in ’s-Gravendeel. Floris's burial was registered on 16-9-1783 in ’s-Gravendeel. Floris married around 1775 his second wife Arjaantje Willems Molendijk (1714-1794). She was widow of Pieter de Zeeuw (±1715-1770) and sister of Luijcksje (nr. 19). Floris married his first wife around 1740 
21. Maaike Aarts van der Wulp was baptised on 25-4-1717 in Puttershoek. Maaike died around 1775.

Longevity ~ Arie Bras (1865-1959) of Almkerk in the USA

Arie Bras was born on 11 July 1865 in Almkerk, Brabant, The Netherlands. His parents are Arie Bras (1822-1901) and Wilhelmina Kamerman (1826-1892). His grandfather Leendert Bras (1793-1862) was a labourer, miller and innkeeper in Almkerk. Leendert's wife, Sijke van Drunen (1797-1874), is a direct-line descendant of my ancestor Michiel Hendrikse van Drunen, who lived around 1700 in Giessen in Brabant.
Arie Bras had many siblings, but several of them died young. Arie's elder brother Teunis Bras died on 11 February 1884, aged 24. Their siblings Sijke, Willemina and Leendert reached adulthood, too.

On 9 May 1890 in Almkerk, Arie Bras married Helena van der Heijden. She was born in Dussen in Brabant on 23 October 1868 as a younger daughter of Jan van der Heijden and his wife Cornelia Verhoeven. Arie's daughter Cornelia Bras was born on 9 February 1891 in Almkerk. She may have died young.
Arie Bras and Helena van der Heijden had further children in the USA: Cornelia Wilhelmina (1892-1873), Tunis (1895-1989), Wilhelmena Gertrude (1896-1980), Harry (1900-1974), John (1901-1993) and Helena (1908-1994). Arie's eldest son was born in South Holland, Cook County, Illinois, on 25 January 1895, and he seems to have named him Tunis after his elder brother who had died at the age of 24.

Arie's wife, Helena, died at the age of 75 on 28 March 1944 in Ganeer Township, Kankakee County, Illinois. Her widower Arie Bras died there on 19 June 1959 at the age of 93. He had survived his wife by 15 years. Arie was buried at the Kankakee Memorial Gardens. Arie's son Tunis Bras was born on 25 January 1895 in South Holland, Cook County, Illinois. He was 94 years old when he died on 28 July 1989 in Sibley, Osceola County, Iowa.

Longevity ~ Engel van Zee (92)

Engel van Zee was born on the 17th and baptised on 18 June 1775 in Herwijnen, Gelderland, The Netherlands. He was a younger son of Gerrit (“Geurt”) van Zee (1728-1789) and his wife Jenneke de Fokkert. Most of Engel's ancestors were settled in Herwijnen. The family did not belong to the nobility or aristocracy, but did use a family coat of arms consisting of a double eagle with a background of gold.
On 17 February 1799 in Herwijnen Engel married Engeltje Bijl. She was born on the 17th and baptised on 20 July 1777 in Herwijnen. Her parents are Coenraad Bijl (1756-1830) and Judith de Bruijn (1748-1820).
Engel and Engeltje had 9 surviving children, when Engeltje died on 15 July 1827 in Herwijnen, aged 49.

Which Engel van Zee is depicted here?

In 1847 the schip "Pieter Floris" departed for Baltimore. On board were Engel's son Coenraad van Zee (1813-1891) and his daughter Judith van Zee (1820-1909) with their spouses and children. Engel's son Govert left for Pella in 1853, but he became ill, and was allegedly left on an island to die.
Coenraad van Zee had a son Engel (“Engle”) van Zee, born on 9 October 1841 in Herwijnen, who died on 26 November 1902 in Iowa, aged 61. He, too, could be the Engel van Zee on the picture above.
The elder Engel van Zee died in Herwijnen on 9 June 1868 around 06:00 A.M. If he had lived 8 days longer, he could have celebrated his 93rd birthday.

Engel van Zee died on 9 June 1886 at the age of nearly 93

Sources: WieWasWie.nl, FindAGrave.com, GeldersArchief.nl, FamilySearch.org, Souvenir History of Pella, Iowa, Compiled and Published by The Booster Press, G.A. Stout, Publisher, Pella, Iowa, Genealogie in Herwijnen, E. de Bruijn, Gens Nostra 1998, p. 23-44, see also: Gens Nostra 1970, p. 370-372, Gens Nostra 1974, p. 193-194, Gens Nostra 1976, p. 33-36.

Jan van der Sluis left Heerenveen for the USA

Jan van der Sluis was born on 18 November 1841 in Heerenveen, Friesland, The Netherlands, as the eldest child of Geert Andries van der Sluis (1819-1890) and Elisabeth Halbes de Vrieze (1820-1886). Jan was named after his paternal grandfather, an earlier Jan van der Sluis (1784-1862) who had been an alderman.

Jan, aged 24, married 21-year-old Jacobina Alma on 12 July 1866 in Menaldumadeel, Friesland. She was born in Menaldumadeel on 4 March 1845. Her parents are Tjeerd Alma (1806-1867) and Geertje Adama (1809-1870).

Jacobina gave birth to her first son, Tjeerd, on 23 June 1867 in Haskerland, Friesland. Two sons named Geert Andries died young, the first as a baby in 1868, the second at the age of 3 on 15 February 1874 in Nijehaske. The couple's fourth son was Hendrik Willem, born in Haskerland on 3 May 1872.

Jan van der Sluis left for the US on 28 June 1877. He settled in St. Paul, Minnesota. On 13 May 1880 he (bigamously) married Elisabeth van Hoven. She gave birth to his child in 1881.
Jacobina Alma acquired a divorce at a district court in Frisia on 20 December 1882. Her son Hendrik Willem became a a pupil at the Military School in Nieuwersluis, and lived with his uncle Hermanu Alma (1839-1915) and his wife^*. Hendrik Willem died at the age of 13 on 11 July 1885 in Ferweradeel, Friesland.

Rotterdamsch Nieuwsblad, 29-8-1895

At the age of 150, Jacobina Alma died in Leeuwarden, Friesland, on 18 Augustus 1895.

^* Hermanus Alma and his wife Margrieta Maas (1842-1916) had a daughter Clasina Cornelia Alma (1871-1938) who married Nollius Hajonides van der Meulen who drowned in 1907 when steamship "Berlin" went down.

Sources: WieWasWie.nl, Delpher.nl, AlleFriezen.nl, D. de Vries: "Genealogie Alma, Frysk Genealogysk JIerboekje" 1970, p. 70-97.
For more information on the Alma family, see also: DocPlayer.nl.

Longevity ~ Arie Monster (91) of Pella

The Dutch Monster surname can be either a topographic surname, derived from a place name in South-Holland, or it might refer to a monstrosity.

Arie Monster was born on 17 December 1890 in Pella, Iowa, USA. His parents are Jacob Monster (1853-1899) and his wife Adriana “Jana” Klijn^*, daughter of Arie Klijn and Neeltje Klein. Jacob Monster had always had poor health and died at the age of 45, when Arie was 8 years old.

Registration Card of Arie Monster of Pella

Arie Monster was tall and stout with grey eyes and light blond hair. He married on 19 December 1912 in Oskaloosa, Iowa, Gezenna Schakel, born on 18 August 1889 in Bussey, Iowa. She died, aged 85, on 26 October 1974 in Pella, and was buried at the Oack Wood Cemetery. Arie Monster died on 3 November 1892 at Pella Community Hospital. He was 91 years old. He left no issue.

^* The birth of Adriana “Jana” Klijn is registered at OpenArchieven.nl, FindAGrave.com and WikiTree.com as 11 March 1854 in Nieuwland. However, I've looked up the birth records of March 1854 in Nieuwland at the FamilySearch.org website, and there is no record for Adriana's birth at that date at that place. Neither in Leerdam, nor in Lexmond.

Sources: FindAGrave.com, WieWasWie.nl, FamilySearch.org.

Johannes Boeser (1799-1872) married Maria Sutherland (1793-1842)

Daniel Boeser (1757-1812) and his wife Sijgje Paardekooper (1769-1836) had a younger son Johannes, born on 19 May 1799, and baptised in Rotterdam on 9 June. Johannes had several surviving siblings including Wouter Boeser (1785-1859), Gerrit Boeser (1786-1848), Jan Martinus Boeser (1796-1851) and Hendrik Daniel Boeser (1801-1842).
At the age of 13, in 1812, Johannes lost his father Daniel. He had been a painter, and his first 6 children were born in Beverwijk, although Daniel originated in Dirksland. By 1812, Johannes' elder brother Gerrit had already married his first wife.
Johannes Boeser had a height of about 149½ cm. His face was oval with a round chin. His eyes were blue, and his hair and eyebrows had a light brown colour. By profession he was a dyer of textiles.

Description of Johannes Boeser in 1818

On 10 August 1825 blue-eyed Johannes Boeser, aged 26, married 32-year-old Maria Sutherland. Maria was born on 23 July 1793 in Leeuwarden in the North of The Netherlands, and baptised there on 9 August. Her parents are Elizabeth Lieuwes and corporal Willem Sutherland (“Sutterland”) who wasn't in The Netherlands at the time of his daughter's marriage. After Maria's birth, her parents were married on 3 November 1793 in Leeuwarden.

Johannes Boeser and Maria Sutherland had the following children:

1. Daniel Hendrik and his twin sister were born in Rotterdam on 8-6-1826. Daniel Hendrik earned a living making cigars. On 30-6-1854 in Hoorn he married Cornelia Hegeman (1832-1894). The marriage ended in a divorce on 17-6-1863 in Amsterdam. Cornelia married widower Jan Hendrik Schophuijs on 9-9-1864. At the age of 49, Daniel Hendrik Boezer died on 25 February 1876 around 8:00 AM in Gouda.
2. Sijchie Cornelia Boeser and her twin brother were born on 8-6-1826 in Rotterdam. She died there on 3-7-1826.
3. Elizabeth was born on 12-11-1828 in Rotterdam. She married there on 28-6-1854. The groom was Frans van Vugt, illegitimate son of Klazina van Vugt. They had issue. Elizabeth Boeser died in Rotterdam on 29-3-1909 at the age of 80. Her widower, Frans van Vugt, died at the age of 92 on 3-2-1917 in Rotterdam.
4. Sijtje Maria was born on 23-7-1831, and died on 8-12-1832, both in Rotterdam.
5. Willem Boeser was born on 14-12-1833 in Rotterdam. He died there on 16 September 1846 at the age of 12 years, 9 months and 8 days.
6. Sijchie Cornelia Maria was born on 8-12-1836, and died on 29-5-1860, both in Rotterdam.

Maria Sutherland died on 13 October 1842 in Rotterdam at the age of 49 years, 2 months and 20 days. Johannes Boeser survived her for 30 years. He died on 29 December 1872 in Rotterdam at the age of 73 years and 7 months.

Sources: WieWasWie.nl, StadsArchief.Rotterdam.nl, AlleFriezen.nl.

Short-lived Marriage ~ Jacob Monster & Neeltje Bomgaars

The Dutch Monster surname can be either a topographic surname, derived from a place name in South-Holland, or it might refer to a monstrosity.

Description of Jacob Monster

Jacob Monster was born on 26 September 1823 in Sint-Anthoniepolder, Holland, and baptised there on 19 October. His parents are Arie Monster (1790-1846) and Maria Jacobs in't Veld (1798-1835). Jacob and Arie are descendants of my double ancestors Adriaen (“Arie Jacobs”) Monster and his first wife Teuntie Barendregt who were married in Sint-Anthoniepolder on 25 April 1694.
At the age of 12, Jacob lost his mother. On 5 February 1837 in Maasdam, Holland, his father married his young second wife Maaike Barendrecht (1812-1847).

Jacob's elder siblings Pieter Monster (1818-1906) and Neeltje Monster (1821-1885) were both married by 1846. On 21 May 1846 in nearby Westmaas 22-year-old Jacob married Neeltje Bomgaars. She was born on 20 November 1822 in Westmaas as younger daughter of Margaretha (“Grietje”) Huijzer (1785-1824) and Willem Bomgaars (1784-1846). Willem Bomgaars had died just 3 days before Neeltje's Wedding ceremony. Neeltje must have been pregnant, because their son Arij was born within half a year on 10 November 1846 in Westmaas.
At the time of his marriage, Jacob Monster was doing his military service in an infantry regiment, and acquired permission to attend his wedding. Jacob is described as having blond hair and blue eyes.

The marriage of Jacob Monster and his first wife Neeltje Bomgaars lasted for 20 months. Neeltje died in Westmaas on 24 January 1848 at the age of 25. Jacob was a widower at the age of 24.

On 4 May 1855 in Westmaas, at the age of 31, Jacob Monster married his second wife Anna Korpel (1829-1898), daughter of Kornelis Klaasse Korpel (17986-1848) and his first wife Maria Hendriks in't Veld (1798-1835)^*. Anna gave birth to 9 additional children, including Cornelis, Maria, Geertrui, Pieter, Cornelia and Willempje.

Jacob's son from his first marriage, Arij Monster, married Cornelia van Setten (1851-1931) on 2 April 1874 in Westmaas. They had several children. Arij Monster died, aged 70, on 22 December 1916 in nearby Klaaswaal.
Jacob lost his second wife Anna Korpel on 28 December 1898 in Westmaas. She was 69 years old. Jacob was 75. He died at the age of 78 in Westmaas on 13 July 1902.

^{*  Maria Hendriks in't Veld (1798-1835) and Maria Jacobs in't Veld (1798-1835) are both descendants of my ancestors Dirk Aerde in't Veld and his wife Jaapje Huigen Snaijer (1683-1737).}

Sources: WieWasWie.nl, FamilySearch.org, Families of South Holland ("Klappers").