Jan Witvliet (1846-78) and his son Jan Cornelis Witvliet (1872-99)

Jan Cornelis Witvliet was born in Middelharnis, Holland, on 26 March 1872. His parents are Neeltje van Tol and Jan Witvliet. Father Jan was born on 7 February 1846 in Middelharnis as son of Mattheus Witvliet (1821-1884) and his wife Jannetje de Bloeme (1823-1892).
Jan Cornelis had siblings named Mattheus, Adriaantje and Arend Witvliet. These children's father, Jan Witvliet, at the young age of 32, on 21 June 1878 in Rotterdam, when Jan Cornelis was 6 years old. Neeltje van Tol was a widow at the age of 32.

On 25 February 1880 in Rotterdam Neeltje van Tol remarried. The groom was 30-year-old Richard Ernst Sylvester Schneider. He was born on 31 December 1849 in Frankfurt an der Oder in Germany. His parents are Ernst Carl Schneider and Rozalie Emilie Friederike Messer. Thus, 7-year old Jan Cornelis Witvliet and his siblings had a stepfather.

As an adult, Jan Cornelis Witvliet was a stoker, tending the fire for the running of the steam engine of a ship. He married Antje Groenewoud on 27 December 1894 in Rotterdam. The bride was born on 14 December 1866 in Amsterdam as daughter of Johannes Wilhelmus Groenewoud and Lijsje Beth.

Jan Cornelis Witvliet and his wife Antje had a son Richard Ernst Silvester Witvliet, born on 29 March 1896 in Amsterdam. The baby was named after his father's stepfather. Another son, Johannes Wilhelmus Witvliet, was born in Rotterdam on 28 March 1898.

Dutch translation of the death certificate of Jan Cornelis Witvliet as registered on 7 July 1899 in Rotterdam

Jan Cornelis Witvliet died on 24 June 1899, between 12 and 1 o'clock in the morning, on the River Rhine near Mainz in Germany. His stepfather, Richard Ernst Silvester Schneider died, at the age of 53, on 22 November 1903 in Rotterdam. His widow, Antje Groenewoud, died in Amsterdam in August 1941, at the age of 74.
Her eldest son, Richard Ernst Silvester Witvliet, married Maria Margaretha Farber, and emigrated to South-Africa. They had a son named Boudewijn Egbert Richard Witvliet.

Sources: WieWasWie.nl, StadsArchief.Rotterdam.nl, Archief.Amsterdam website, Delpher.nl.

Susanna van Houten (3) succumbed to measles in 1814

Susanna van Houten was born on 3 March 1811 and baptised on 4 April in Rotterdam. Her parents are Willem van Houten Junior and his first wife Johanna Suzanna Rocques. They were both born in Rotterdam, where they married on January 24, 1802.

Willem van Houten married Jeanne Susanne Rocques on 24 January 1802 in Rotterdam

Willem van Houten Junior was baptised on 4 October 1778 in Rotterdam. His parents are Willem van Houten Senior (1744-1820) and his wife Agnita Urvin/Erven.

Willem's first wife, Jeanne Susanne Rocques, died in Rotterdam on 10 July 1813, aged 35. She was born on 8 August 1778, and baptised in the Walloon church in Rotterdam on the 12th. Her parents are Anne Rabié en Jean Pierre Rocques.

Within a year of the death of Jeanne Susanna, their daughter Susanna died of measles on 20 April 1814 in Rotterdam.

Rotterdamsche Courant (newspaper), 21 april 1814

Willem van Houten Junior remarried in Rotterdam on 28 February 1818. His bride was 20-year-old Marie Sophie Billiau, who was born in Embden, Germany. Her parents, Joseph Billiau and Jeanne Catharine de Cuijper, had settled in Amsterdam. Marie Sophie died, at the age of 40, on 16 July 1839 in Rotterdam.

Louise Susanne Nau (1806-1845), Christiaan Godfried (1807-1869), Johannes Nicolaas (1803-1869), Pieter Jacobus (1809-1859) and Angenita Anna (1812-1884) van Houten reached adulthood and married. They were surviving children from Willem's first marriage to Jeanne Susanna Rocques.
Willem Alexander (1818-1872), Christiaan Frederik (1823-1886), Sophie Louise Agathe (1825-1885), Hendrik Cornelis (1830-1885) and Anna Susanna Maria (1834-1868) van Houten were children from Willem's second marriage to Marie Sophie who reached adulthood and married. Their children Catharina Hermina (1821-1894) and Lodewijk Theodoor van Houten (1832-1871) remained unmarried. Herman van Houten (1827-1871) also married, and later emigrated with his family to Buenos Aires in Argentina.

Algemeen Handelsblad (newspaper), 19-10-1871

Sources: Delpher.nl, StadsArchiefRotterdam.nl, WieWasWie.nl.

Johan Simon Alexander Broertjes (1839-1903) was an illegitimate son

Johannes Simon Alexander Broertjes was born in on 8 August 1839 in The Hague as illegitimate son of cleaning woman IJda Holderman. His surname was changed from Holderman to Broertjes when 44-year-old IJda Holderman married 33-year-old Pieter Broertjes in The Hague on 6 March 1850. At the marriage ceremony the couple acknowledged 10-year-old Johannes Simon Alexander as their son. Until recently, however, Pieter Broertjes had been living in Alkmaar, so it's very unlikely that he was the boy's biological father.
Earlier, IJda Holderman had given birth to another son (in 1845) and a daughter (in 1836), but they had both died as babies. IJda's parents are Pieter Holderman and Alijda Sikkes. IJda died on 23 January 1882 around 20:00 at the age of 76. At the age of 73, Pieter Broertjes died in The Hague around 6:30 A.M. on 14 February 1890. His parents are Gerrit Broertjes and Neeltje Nol.

Johannes Simon Alexander Broertjes and his first wife had a surviving son

Johannes Theodorus Broertjes was born in Rotterdam on 25 May 1874 as the only surviving child of Johannes Simon Alexander Broertjes and his wife Josina Catharina Blekxstoon (a descendant of the Blackstone family in Dordrecht). Josina Catharina Blekxstoon was born on 27 August 1838 in Rotterdam, and died there on 6 May 1893. Her parents are Maria Elixabeth Hek and Johannes Blekxstoon , who is a son of Josina Wielandse and Johannes Adrianus Blekxstoon.
At the age of 34, Johan Simon Alexander Broertjes had married 35-year-old Josina Catharina Blekxstoon on 27 August 1873 in Rotterdam. Josina Catharina died on 6 May 1893 in Rotterdam, aged 54.

Johannes Simon Alexander Broertjes, widower of Josina Catharina Blekxtoon, married Carolina de Knoop

On 2 August 1893 in Rotterdam widower Johan Simon Alexandermarried his second wife, 39-year-old Carolina de Knoop (1854-1931). At the time his son Johannes Theodorus was 19 years old. In his father's opinion, Johannes Theodorus was a spendthrift, as the advertisement below shows: “WARNING. Please do not give MONEY or GOODS to my under-age son J.Th. Broertjes, as I will not PAY for it.”

Rotterdamsch Nieuwsblad (newspaper), 14-4-1894

With his second wife Johan Simon Alexander Broertjes had an additional son, Andries, who died as a baby. Their daughter Johanna Maria Broertjes was born on 15 July 1895 in Rotterdam. Johannes Simon Alexander Broertjes died in Rotterdam on 9-12-1903 at the age of 64. His only surving daughter Johanna Maria was to married Matthijs van den Berg in 1918, but died on 25 October 1920 at the age of 25. She left behind a daughter named Macheltje van den Berg.

At the age of 28, on 28 May 1902 in Rotterdam, Johannes Theodorus Broertjes married Johanna ten Westenend. She was born on 27 Septeber 1873 in Nijmegen. Her parents are Anna Kuiten and coachman Petrus ten Westenend. Johanna and Johannes Theodorus had children named Johannes Simon Alexander, Johanna Josina and Johannes Franciscus.
Johannes Theodorus Broertjes died on 16 November 1953 in Renkum, aged 79. His widow, Johanna ten Westenend, died in Zaandam on 13 May 1964.

Arnhemsche Courant (newspaper), 22-5-1947

Sources: WieWasWie.nl, Delpher.nl, HaagsGemeenteArchief.nl, Archief.Zaanstad.nl, StadsArchief.Rotterdam.nl.
For additional information, see also: StamboomDeKnoop.nl.

Barend Bello (1839-1877) and his 3 wives

Blacksmith Barend Bello was born on 13 June 1839 in Oud-Beijerland, Hoeksche Waard, Holland. His parents are Jannetje Versteeg and Arnoldus Adrianus Bello, who was born in Zwolle, The Netherlands, as son of Gesina Elisabeth van Oeveren and an earlier Barend Bello. Arnoldus Adrianus Bello died in Oud-Beijerland on 29 April 1850 when his son Barend was 10 years old. Barend's mother, Jannetje Versteeg (1803-1891), had earlier been married to Pieter van der Steen (1794-1831). They had a daughter Cornelia van der Steen, born on 24 March 1829 in Pernis. Like her mother, Cornelia would marry twice.

Barend was 10 years old when his father died

At the age of 24, Barend Bello married his first wife Anna Diepenhorst on 7 April 1864 in Oud-Beijerland. Anna was born on 16 September 1843 in Numansdorp as daughter of Jan Gijsbert Diepenhorst and Willempje van Driel.
Anna gave birth to a son Adrianus Jan on 22 December 1864 in Klaaswaal. Anna died there on the 31st. The baby died on 20 March 1865 in Oud-Beijerland.

A widower for 5 moths, Barend Bello married his second wife Heiltje Zevenbergen on 19 May 1865 in Strijen. She was born there on 4 April 1843 as daughter of Jannigje van de Nadort (1815-1849) and Jan Zevenbergen (1812-1858). At the age of 15, Heiltje had become an orphan. At the age of 18, on 5 February 1862 in Strijen, Heiltje had given birth to a son Hendrik. On December 19, 1867, the child Hendrik was documented in a notarial deed as son of Heiltje Zevenbergen and Barend Bello. Now Barend officially had a son, although Hendrik was probably not Barend's biological son, since Hendrik was born even before Barend's first marriage.
Heiltje Zevenbergen, 25 year old, died on 20 August 1868 in Klaaswaal. Barend Bello was twice widowed at the age of 29.

Barend Bello was still aged 29 when he married his third wife, 37-year-old Willemtje Snoek on 25 April 1869 in Puttershoek. She was born there on 5 December 1831 as illegitimate daughter of Maartje Snoek. Willempje was recognised and legitimised in 1854 by Willem Hebers/Alebers who had married Maartje Snoek in 1833.
Willempje had married her first husband, widower Arij Verbaas (1823-1868), on 15 April 1854 in Zuidland, Holland. From this first marriage, Willempje had surviving children named Neeltje (1855-1872), Margje (1856-1919), Deumes (1860-1893) and Willem (1862-1880) Verbaas.
With Barend Willempje had issue too, starting with a daughter Jannigje, who lived for 4 days in 1870. Their son Adrianus was born on 28 February 1871 in Mijnsheerenland. Their youngest child, Neeltje Cornelia, was born there on 11 January 1873.
Barend Bello died, at the age of 38, on 15 July 1877 in Klaaswaal. His widow, Willemtje Snoek, married her third husband, Arie Maaten (1841-1926), on 17 September 1879 in Klaaswaal. Willemtje died in Klaaswaal on 27 June 1895, aged 63.

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.

Maria Buggers (1789-1839) married twice

Maria Buggers was baptised on 20 September 1789 in Rotterdam, Holland, with witness Maria de Graaff. Her parents are Clasina de Graaff (1766-1829) and her husband Hendrik Buggers (1765-1802). Hendrik was baptised on 13 March 1765 in Leyden, Holland. At that time, Hendrik's parents Jan Buggers (†1787) and Adriana (de) Kogel (†1795) were living at the “De Hoge Molen”, a mill outside of the “Koeijpoort”, one of the city gates of Leyden. Around 1768 the family moved from to Rotterdam.

Hendrik Buggers and Clasina de Graaff were married in Rotterdam on 15 May 1787. Both were living in the Banketstraat, a street that ends at the Goudsesingel. Their eldest daughter, Adriaantje, was baptised on 12 February 1788 in Rotterdam with her grandmother Adriana de Kogel as witness. The youngest daughter was Johanna Buggers (1791-1850) who was to marry Jacobus Veltman.
At the age of 12, Maria Buggers lost her father Hendrik on 5 April 1802. In April 1806 Maria's elder sister Adriaantje, aged 18, married Cornelis Corbeau. Adriaantje gave birth to 3 children before she died on 9 January 1811, at the age of 23.

Civil Registry of Rotterdam Extract

At the age of 18, on 12 June 1808 in Rotterdam, Maria Buggers married Nicolaas Hooijkaas, a younger son of Richardus Hooijkaas (†1766) and Cornelia Kestelmans (1740-1822). They had Nicolaas baptised on 28 August 1778 in Rotterdam. Within a half year of their marriage, Maria Buggers gave birth to her eldest child. Maria is the mother of

1. Johanna Cornelia Hooijkaas is baptised on 11 December 1808 in Rotterdam with witness Cornelia Kestelmans, widow of Richardus Hooijkaas.
2. Clasina Cornelia Hooijkaas was baptised on 22 July 1810 in Rotterdam with the same witness. Clasina died young.
3. Richardus Hooijkaas was born on 20 July 1812 in Rotterdam. Richardus died there on 31 January 1840 in Rotterdam at the age of 27.

It seems that Maria's marriage was not a success. Not only were no additional children born, in 1816 Nicolaas even had an advertisement placed in a local newspaper with the warning that he would not pay for any credit extended to his wife.

Rotterdamsche Courant (newspaper), 17-9-1816

After 10 years of marriage, at the age of just 40, Nicolaas Hooijkaas died on 8 October 1818 in Hillegersberg, nowadays a suburb of the city of Rotterdam. After a widowhood of just 1½ years, on 17 May 1820 in Rotterdam, 30-year-old Maria Buggers married 26-year-old Arij van der Zwaan, a bread baker's assistant. Arij was born on the 4th and baptised on 8 September 1793 in Oud-Beijerland, Holland, with witness Machteltje de Quartel. Arij is a younger son of Bastiaan van der Zwaan (1746-1832) and his first wife Neeltje Gibo.
Maria and Arij's 18-year marriage remained childless. Maria died on 29 January 1839 in Rotterdam at the age of 49. On 13 May 1840 in Rotterdam, Arij married his second wife, 50-year-old spinster Alberdina Kapsenberg. She was baptised on 14 February 1790 in The Hague, Holland. Her parents are Tjeerd Capsenberg (1757-1844) and Anna Olthof (1758-1828) who both originated in Frisia.
Given the age of the bride, this marriage remained childless, too. Arij van der Zwaan died at the age of 58 on 24 February 1852 in Rotterdam. His widow died there on 15 February 1870 at the age of 80.

Sources: Stadsarchief.Rotterdam.nl, ErfgoedLeiden.nl, WieWasWie.nl, MolenDatabase.nl, DTB Oud-Beijerland bewerkt door J.P. van der Spek.

Descendants of Scotsman Henry Hope in Rotterdam

Henry Hope was born in Scotland around 1630 as son of an elder Henry Hope and Elizabeth Speir. Henry the younger married Ann Hope, born in 1634 as daughter of Sir John Thomasz. of Craighall and Margaret Murray. Henry Hope was mentioned in Rotterdam in 1664-1678. By 1692 Henry had died, but his widow Ann was still alive in 1694, and living in London.
Henry and Ann Hope had children Archibald, Margaret and Henry. Their son Archibald Hope was born in Rotterdam, and baptised in the Scottish Church on 7 December 1664. Archibald married Anna Claus (1675-1752), and had 7 children, including Henry, Thomas (1704-1779), Adriaan (1709-1781) and Zachary.  Archibald’s burial was registered on 8 April 1743 in Rotterdam.

Zachary Hope and Agatha van Vlierden were married on 24 August 1737 in Rotterdam

Archibald Hope

Zachary Hope and Agatha van Vlierden were married on 21 August 1737 in Rotterdam. The burial of Agatha van Vlierden was registered on 18 September 1747 in Rotterdam. She was survived by 3 minor children. The burial of Zachary Hope, widower of Maria van Vlierden, was registered on 21 March 1770 in Rotterdam. He was survived by 2 minor children, because by then his daughter Lucia had died, too.
Zachary and Agatha had the following children, baptised in either the Scottish Church in Rotterdam, or the English Presbyterian Church in Amsterdam, but all were born in Rotterdam:

1. Archibald was born on 19 May 1739, and died on the 29th.
2. Lucia was born on 4 February 1741, and died on 5 June 1765.
3. Anna was born on 6 January 1743, and died on 1 October 1745.
4. Agatha Maria was born on 30 December 1745. Agatha Maria died unmarried on 5 December 1805, and was buried on the 10th in Rotterdam.
5. Archibald Hope was born on 31 August 1747. He was a merchant in Amsterdam. In 1776-1786 Archibald was director of the Dutch West India Company that was responsible for transporting slaves across the Atlantic Ocean. On 16 January 1774 in Amsterdam, Archibald married Magdelena Antonia van de Poll (1748-1808). In 1815 Archibald Hope was included in the Dutch Nobility. Archibald died in The Hague on 7 July 1821, at the age of 73.

's Gravenhaagsche Courant (newspaper), 11-7-1821

Sources: WieWasWie.nl, StadsArchief.Rotterdam.nl, Delpher.nl, nl.wikipedia.org, Nederland's Adelsboek 1914, 1933 & 1942.

The marriages of Rebecca Heijndrix de Swart in Rotterdam

Rebecca Heijndrix first married Bartholomeus Willems Kerver - also Kurver or Korver - on 10 October 1700 in Rotterdam. Both originated from Rotterdam, and they hadn’t been married before. Bartholomeus is a son of Marijtje Bartelemees Hardewil and her husband Willem Gijsbertse.
Bartholomeus died in 1701; his widow Rebecca had a posthumous daughter named Barta baptised on 16 October 1701 in Rotterdam with witnesses Willem Kerver and Marijtje Hardewil.

Just 1 month after the baptism of her child, Rebecca de Swart had her intention to remarry registered on 20 November in Rotterdam. The groom was François Picaart, a young man born in Leyden, and living in The Hague. The couple were married on 4 December 1701 in Rotterdam.

Rebecca de Swart, widow of François Picaart, had her intention to marry widower Jan Stolk registered on 4 November 1708 in Rotterdam. Jan was living there in the Goudse Wagestraat.
“Rebekka Stolk” - likely Rebecca de Swart, wife of Jan Stolk - was a witness at the baptism of Marijtje, daughter of Jan Jansz. Stolk and his wife Lena on 7 March 1717 in Overschie. At their marriage - and with some of the baptisms - that Jan's wife is named Lena Ariens van Schie.
Rebecca was likely married to Jan Cornelisz "The Younger" Stolk, widower of Maertje Pleunen. That Jan was a son of Cornelis Jansz. Stolckman - also Stollick - who originated in Zevenhuizen, Holland.

On 31 August 1719 in Rotterdam, Rebecka de Swart, Jan Stolck and Seselia Engelen were witnesses at the baptism of Anna, daughter of Hester de Swart and Johannes van Engelen, who were living in the Leeuwestraat.

Jan Stolk, husband of Rebekka de Swart, was buried on 27 January 1752 in Rotterdam. Rebekka de Swart, widow of Jan Stolk, was buried in Rotterdam on 26 May 1758.

Source: StadsArchief.Rotterdam.nl. WieWasWie.nl,

Hendrik Daniel Boeser (1801-1842) & Johanna Antonia Hössen in Mentok

Painter Daniel Boeser (1757-1812) and his wife Sijchie Paardekooper (1769-1836) were living at the Binneweg street in Rotterdam, when their younger son Hendrik Daniel was born on 21-3-1801. He was baptised on 18 April. Hendrik Daniel had several surviving siblings including Wouter Boeser (1785-1859), Gerrit Boeser (1786-1848), Jan Martinus Boeser (1796-1851) and Johannes Boeser (1799-1872).

Javasche Courant, 22-1-1828

In June 1824 Hendrik Daniel Boeser was already living in Mentok on Bangka Island in Indonesia.
At the age of 26, Hendrik Daniel Boeser was married in Mentok on 12 January 1828. His bride was Johanna Antonia Hössen, daughter of Johannes Hössen and Martha Maria Kleibauker.
Hendrik Daniel was married for just a couple of weeks when his wive's 39-year-old stepmother died on 4 February, followed in the night of 12 February by her 44-year-old husband Johannes Hössen.

Javasche Courant, 15-7-1828

After a 3-day illness with severe fever, 41-year-old Hendrik Daniel Boeser died on 30 November 1842 in Batavia (now Jakarta) in Indonesia. His widow, Johanna Antonia Hössen, returned to The Netherlands in May 1844. She passed away, at the age of 92, on 29 January 1903 in Arnheim.

Javasche Courant, 12-11-1842

Sources: Delpher.nl, WieWasWie.nl.

Moritz Marx (1847-1888) & his brother Benjamin

Moritz Marx was born in Cologne (Köln) in Germany on 15 December 1847. His parents are Emanuel Benjamin Marx and Therese Koppel. Therese was born on 4 August 1821 in Solingen, Germany. Her father is Samuel Coppel (1782-1867). Theresa died as a widow, aged 60, on 24 June 1882 in Rotterdam, Holland.

An alliterating name is a name in which the first and last names begin with the same sound, like Moritz Marx. Moritz had a brother Benjamin, born on 22 September 1845 in Cologne, and their youngest brother was named Hermann. Moritz Marx was living in Rotterdam when he became a Dutch citizen on 22 July 1882 at the age of 34. Moritz Marx died at the age of 40 on 16 October 1888 in Rotterdam.

Nederlandsche Staatscourant, 27-7-1882

In 1890 banker Benjamin Marx started a company with his brother Hermann Marx and Jacob Christoph Kerkhoven, both attorneys, manufacturer Pieter Kerkhoven and lawyer Carel Eduard Havelaar. The factory was named “Rotterdamsche Margarinefabriek”, and was intended to produce alternatives to butter.
Early 1899, Benjamin Marx and Pieter Johannes van Ommeren were owners of a company named “Marx en Co”.

Benjamin Marx had married Antonia Maria Anna Wolff on 11 August 1878. She was born on 4 December 1854 in Mainz, Germany. In 1879 the couple had a son who died as a baby. In 1880 a son Alfred Jacques was born, who reached maturity.
Benjamin died on 13 June 1910 in Rotterdam. His only surviving son was married in May 1911. In the winter of 1930-1931 Benjamin's widow, aged 76, was placed under guardianship at her own request. She died on 12 February 1932 in The Hague.

Nederlandsche Staatscourant, 8-1-1931

Jacobus Clingh and his 2 wives

Jacobus Clingh was baptised on 11 April 1724 in Nuenen near 's-Hertogenbosch in Brabant, The Netherlands. His parents are Theodorus Clingh and Elizabetha Jacobusd.r Bruijen. Witnesses at Jacobus' baptism were Wilhelmus Froijen and Aldegondis Clingh. His second marriage mentions mentions the "meierij van 's-Hertogenbosch" as the region where he was born.
Jacobus' bride, Catharina Pets (also Pits), was born in Workum in Frisia, The Netherlands. The couple were married on 12 May 1748 in Rotterdam. Katharina acquired consent from her mother. Jacobus had to prove that is father had died.

Marriage of Jacobus Klink and Katharina Pets in 1748 in Rotterdam

Jacobus and Catharina are the parents of Elizabeth Kling who married Nicolaas Sassen (1742-1780). Elizabeth and Nicolaas had a son Reinier baptised on 4 June 1772 in the roman catholic church in Rotterdam with witnesses Reinier Sassen and Catharina Pets. Jacobus Clingh and Elizabeth Sassen were witnesses at the roman catholic baptism on 22 June 1774 in Rotterdam of Jacobus, son of Nicolaas Sassen and Elizabeth Kling. Sadly, Jacobus died at the age of 4, and was buried on 23 October 1778 in Rotterdam. Witnesses at the roman catholic baptism of another son, Theodorus, on 30 December 1775 in Rotterdam, were Jacobus Sassen and Dorothea Cling. Nicolaas Sassen, husband of Elisabeth Klink, was buried on 7 February 1780 in Rotterdam. His widow Elizabeth Kling remarried Bernardus Begon on 15 November 1785 in Rotterdam. Elisabeth Kling, wife of Bernardus Begon, died on 25 April 1791, and was buried on the 29th in Rotterdam.

Catharina, wife of Jacobus Clingh, died on 31 December 1791, and was buried on 3 January 1792 in Rotterdam. As a widower, Jacobus Clingh married a girl named Alida Orisant. She was baptised on 14 July 1765 in Willemstad in Brabant, as daughter of Jan Orizant and Elisabeth in't Velt.
Jacobus Clingh and Maria Zegelaar were witnesses on 28 February 1795 in Rotterdam at the roman catholic baptism of Elisabeth Maria, daughter of Bernardina Zegelaar en Jacobus' grandson Reijnier Sassen. The baby died soon afterwards. Bernardus Begon, widower of Elisabeth Kling, died on 5 August 1795, and was buried on the 8th.

In Well in Gelderland, The Netherlands, Jacobus Kling and Alida Orizont had 3 children baptised named Dirkje Jacoba Johanna, Janna Arnolda and Dirk. Alida Orizont, wife of Jacobus Kling, died on 23 September 1806 in Well at the age of 50. Neighbour Hendrik den Kraay reported the death on 1 November 1806 in Ammerzoden of Jacobus Kling, 82 year old, widower of Alida Orizand. Jacobus left 4 children. His elder grandson Reijnier Sassen Clingh died on 23 April 1813 in Rotterdam, aged 40. 

Jacobus' son Dirk Kling, a farmhand, was baptised on 31 December 1803 in Well, and married Christina van Geffen (1804-1885) in Ammerzoden on 23 September 1833. They had several children. Dirk died on 13 June 1853 in Ammerzoden at the age of 51.

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

Wedding Wednesday - Hermanus Scheffers and Johanna Smulders

Hermanus Scheffers and Johanna (S)Mulders were married on 12 May 1748 in Rotterdam. Hermanus Scheffers was a young man, born in Xanten in Germany. Johanna was a young maid, born in Drunen in Brabant, The Netherlands. She acquired consent from her mother. The notice of their marriage was on 28 April.

Hermanus Scheffers married Johanna Smulders in 1748 in Rotterdam

Hermanus and Johanna had a daughter Anna Margarita baptised in a Lutheran church in Rotterdam on 13 March 1749. Witnesses were Hendrik Scheffers and Anna Margarita Helders.

The death of Hermanus Scheffers, husband of Johanna Smulders, was registered on 25 February 1779. His body was transported. Johanna Smulders, widow of Hermanus Scheffers, died on 11 March 1799,, and was buried on the 15th in Rotterdam.

Source: StadsArchief.Rotterdam.nl.

Wedding Wednesday ~ Elizabeth Reurs and Frans Joseph Lachert in 1748

On 28 April 1748 in Rotterdam Elizabeth Reurs and Frans Joseph Lachert were married. Frans Joseph Lachert was a young man born in Vienna. Rlizabeth Reurs was a young maid born in Münsterland, the area around the city of Münster in Germany. The notice of marriage was on 14 April.

Frans Joseph Lachert and Elizabeth Reurs married in 1748 in Rotterdam

Elijsabeth “Beehrs”, wife of Frans Lacher, was buried on 22 January 1750 in Rotterdam.

Source: StadsArchief.Rotterdam.nl.

Christiaan Erassemus Hollem of Bornholm married in Rotterdam

Christiaan Erassemus Hol(le)m was a young man, born on the island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea. W(e)ijntje Snikkers was a young girl, baptised on 25 August 1748 in Dordrecht. Her parents, Jan Snikkers and Jannetje de Roth, were married in 1747. Wijntje had several younger siblings.
Christiaan and Wijntje were married in Rotterdam on 15 March 1772. The notice of their marriage had been on 28 February.

Christian Erassemus Hollem and Wijntje Snikker were married in 1772 in Rotterdam

Christiaan Erassemus Hollem and Wijntje Snikkers are the parents of

1. Erasmus ("Rassemus") Holm was baptised on 25 December 1772 in Rotterdam with witnesses Jan Snikkers and Jannetje de Rot. In 1793 he married Margaretha Laziers who died on 28 August 1843 in Rotterdam, 69½ years old. Erasmus Holm died in Rotterdam on 21 November 1847, aged 75 years and 11 months.
2. Jannetje Holm was baptised on 16 January 1776 in Rotterdam with witnesses Jan Snikkers and Jannetje de Rot. Jannetje died on 8 June 1822 in Rotterdam, aged 56.
3. Johannes Holm was baptised on 19 March 1780 in Rotterdam with witnesses Jannetje de Ro(o)t and Jan Snikkers. Aged 50 years, 2 months and 27 days, "Jan" Holm died on 12 June 1830 in Rotterdam.
4. Christina Holm was baptised on 25 January 1784 in the Zuiderkerk church in Rotterdam with witness Jannetje Rot. Christina Holm married Jurrie Janse Kant on 14 July 1819 in Rotterdam. He originated in Leer in Ostfriesland in Germany. At the age of 42, Christina married 30-year-old Antonius Joannes Sanders on 8 November 1826 in Rotterdam.

On 3 October 1796 in Rotterdam Wijntje de Rot was a witness at the baptism of Cornelia, daughter of Alida Giesestijn and Cornelis Snikkers.
Wijntje Snikkers, widow of Christiaan Hollem, died on 15 April 1817 in Rotterdam, at the age of 70.

Source: StadsArchief.Rotterdam.nl, RegionaalArchiefdordrecht.nl.

Rebecca Kerkenring is the mother of Alida Kok, wife of Johan Hendrik Scheffers of Tecklenburg

Johan Hendrik Scheffers was born in Tecklenburg. His death certificate mentions parents, but the 'mother' mentioned was actually his mother-in-law^*, so we don't have a clue about who his German parents were. 

Alida Kok and Johan Hendrik Scheffers were married in 1775 in Rotterdam

Johan Hendrik was living in the Vierwindestraat in Rotterdam when he married Alida Kok on 7 November 1775 in Rotterdam. She was baptised on 7 May 1747 in Rotterdam as daughter of Tieleman Kock and Rebecca Kerkenring who were married on 22 May 1741 in Rotterdam. The witness at Alida's baptism was an earlier Alijda Kock. She also witnessed the baptism of Alida's younger sister Teuna on 26 December 1751 in Rotterdam. Teuna and Alida had an elder sister named Reijmpje and brothers David, Jan, Jacob and Gerrit.
Alida's mother Rebekka Kerkenring was baptised on 31 August 1719 in Rotterdam as daughter of David Kerckering (†1729) and Reijmpje Stierman (1685-1733) with witnesses Jan Stolck and his wife Rebecka de Swart.
As a widower Tieleman Kok filed for marriage with the widow Cornelia Kient on 14 June 1768 in Cool (now part of Rotterdam).

Alida Kok and Johan Hendrik Scheffers are the parents of

1. Johannes was baptised on 13 February 1776 in Rotterdam with witness Alida Cornelia Walravens. He may have died young, and may have been buried on 4 May 1776 in Rotterdam.
2. Johannes was baptised on 6 July 1777 in the Zuiderkerk church in Rotterdam with witness Alida Cornelia Walravens.
3. Alida was baptised on 4 June 1780 in the Zuiderkerk church in Rotterdam with witness Teuna Kock. Alida Scheffer married Nicolaas Pannekoek on 18 December 1811 in Rotterdam. Alida Scheffer died on 29 June 1852 in Rotterdam at the age of 72.

Hendrik Scheffers, husband of Alida Kok, died on 27 March 1816 in Rotterdam. Alida Kok, widow of Hendrik Scheffers, died on 17 February 1828 in Rotterdam, aged "81 years, 9 months and 12 days", but she was actually one year younger.

^*Several websites on the Internet wrongly present his mother-in-law as his mother.
Source: StadsArchief.Rotterdam.nl.

Roelof Groenwold of Stavanger, Norway, married in Rotterdam, Holland

Roelof Groenwold was born around 1734 in Stavanger in Norway. He was first married on 29 Novmeber 1761 to Aaltje Aalberg. Aaltje was baptised in the Lutheran church in Rotterdam on 25 April 1745 with witnesses Andries Laurens Brandt and Maria Clawijn. Aaltje's mother is Johanna Kraaijwinkel (1707-1775) who was born in Gennep, Limburg, The Netherlands. Aaltje's father is Roelof Aalberg who originated in Göteborg in Sweden.
Aaltje was 5 times pregnant, and had 4 surviving children, when she was buried on 11 December 1771 in Rotterdam.

As a widower, Roelof Groenwold remarried on 5 May 1774 in Rotterdam. His bride was Anna Catharina Geertruij Westhoff, who originated in Gennep, like his first mother-in-law. Anna gave birth to 4 children, but her youngest daughter died after just a couple of weeks.

Roelof Groenwold was a skipper. With his ship “De Vrouw Carolina Johanna” Roelof Groenwold left for Smirna (İzmir in Turkey) in August 1786. In november 1786 he had arrived in Livorno. At the end of 1787 Roelof Groenwold is mentioned in a newspaper as having arrived in Smirna. In the afternoon of 30 June 1788 Roelof sailed from Hellevoetsluis, Holland, through "Het Hitsertsche Gat". In september he put his ship “De Vrouw Carolina Johanna” up for sale. The schip had a length of 31 meters, and a width of 9 meters. It was anchored in the Leuvehaven in Rotterdam.

Rotterdamse Courant, 18-9-1788

Roelof's son Laurentius Christian became a sailor like his father. At the age of just 16, on 17-6-1791, he boarded the ship for Indonesia. Sailing back from Batavia to the Cape the schip named “Gouverneur Falck” was wrecked on 18-2-1792, and all those on board were drowned, including Laurens Christian.

The 4 marriages of Cornelis Kootkar (1842-1914)

The Cornelis Kootkar in this story was born on 5 April 1842 in Schalkwijk, south of Utrecht. His parents are Aaltje van Amerongen (1803-1851) and Arie Kootkar (1811-1890), and his grandparents are Hendrika de Jong and Johannis Kootkar (1785-1816). Cornelis' great-grandfather is Hermanus Kootkar of Meppen in Germany.
Cornelis' father Arie, when widowed for 8 months, remarried Heiltje Tukker (1809-1885). Arie Kootkar also survived his second wife, and died on 6 December 1890 in Schalkwijk, aged 79.
Cornelis Kootkar was 9 years old when his mother died, and 10 years old when he acquired a stepmother. His younger brother Hendrikus died at the age of 16 in 1862. Their half-sister Gerdina Kootkar remained unmarried, and died at the age of 46 in 1899.

At the age of 26, on 22 April 1868 in Utrecht Cornelis Kootkar married his first wife, 20-year-old Antoinetta Louisa Maria Vreeswijk. Antoinetta was born in Utrecht on 23-10-1847 as daughter of Gloudi Vreeswijk and Wilhelmina Tieson. Just two months after the marriage, Antoinetta gave birth to a son. In 1871 a daughter was born, but the baby died that same year.

At the request of Antoinetta, a divorce was registered on 12 December 1875 in Rotterdam, and on 18 February 1876 in Zutphen in Gelderland. At that time the residence of Cornelis Kootkar was unknown. His estranged wife was living in Doesburg in Gelderland.

Zutphensche Courant, 26-2-1876: the 1st divorce

On 18 September 1878 in Rotterdam  Cornelis Kootkar (36) married Gommaria Maria Johanna Mathot (27). She was born in Middelburg on 2-11-1850 as daughter of Bernardus Adrianus Mathot en Julia Catharina Bourdeau. At the age of 19, Gommaria had married Jacobus Johannes Baljé, who originated in Vlissingen. Gommaria's divorce had been registered on 11-10-1876 in Middelburg. In 1872 her only child had lived for only 4 weeks.
Gommaria died in Rotterdam on 14 May 1883, aged 31.

Vijgeboom cousin marriage: Elisabeth & Herman Hendrik in Rotterdam

The cousins Elisabeth Vijgeboom (1761-1827) and Herman Hendrik Vijgeboom (1763-1822) were married on 23 February 1790 in Rotterdam. They were both grandchildren of Hermann Wiethoff (†1758) and his wife Anna Elisabeth Fiegenbaum (1711-1770) who lived in Ladbergen, Tecklenburg, Germany.

Tecklenburg

Elisabeth was baptised in Rotterdam on 4 November 1761 as the eldest child of Willem Hendrik Vijgeboom (1734-1804) of Ladbergen, and his first wife Catharina Goudtfijn. Elisabeth had younger sisters named Hendrina and Johanna.
In Ladbergen on 1 May 1763, Herman Hendrik Vijgeboom was born or baptised as son of Johann Diederich Fiegenbaum, a younger brother of Willem Hendrik above. His mother was Elisabeth Hurkeweert.

Herman Hendrik and Elisabeth are the parents of

1. Johan Diederik was born on 13 December 1790, and baptized on the 16th in Rotterdam with witness Adriana Kampsteeg. He died on 1 February 1791, and was buried on the 5th in Rotterdam.
2. Willem Henderik was born on 25 December 1791, and baptized on New Year’s Day 1792 in the Zuiderkerk church in Rotterdam with witness Willem Hendrik Vijgeboom. He was married in 1810 to Geertruide allegonda Vermeer who originated in North-Brabant. Willem Henderik outlived his wife by 4 years, and died on 28 May 1864 in Rotterdam at the age of 75.
3. Anna Catharina Geertruida was born on 6 May 1793, and baptized on the 12th in the Zuiderkerk church in Rotterdam with widness Adolf Vijgenboom. She was 1¾ year old when she died on 14 March 1795 and was buried on the 17th in Rotterdam.
4. Neeltje, born on 31 December 1794, and baptized on 4 January 1795 in Rotterdam with widness Neeltje Vijgenboom. She may have died young, too.
5. Catharina Henderika Herman, born on 5 January 1797, and baptized on the 8 in Rotterdam with widnesses Herman Henderik Kievit and Catharina Viegenbaum. At the age of 18, she was married to Wilhelmus Gerardus Hogendijk on 27-9-1815 in Rotterdam. She died there on 18 May 1817, aged just 20. She had given birth 19 days earlier.
6. Herman Hendrik, baptized on 2 December 1798 in Rotterdam with widness Johanna Francina Steur. He was 1¾ year old when he died in Rotterdam on 12 October 1800.

In the winter of 1790-91 Herman Hendrik and Elisabeth were living in the Zwanestraat opposite a distillery. From early 1792 to early 1797 the couple was living at the Schiedamse Dijk.
Harmen Hendrik Vijgenboom died in Rotterdam on 16 may 1822, aged 59 years and 15 days. His widow, Elisabeth Vijgeboom, died there on 11 Febraury 1827, aged 64.

Rotterdam

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

Elizabeth (“Lijsie”) Starrenburg, born in “Lekkerlandt”

Barend de Bruin was born in the county of Tecklenburg in Germany. Confusingly, Barend was sometimes also called “Jan Barend”. He was married on 23 June 1761 in Rotterdam. His bride was Elizabeth (“Lijsie”) Starrenburg, born in “Lekkerlandt”.

Tecklenburg

On 20 November 1761 at the Wester churchyard in Rotterdam they had a nameless child buried. They had a daughter named Cornelia baptised both on 10 October 1762 and 12 April 1767 in Rotterdam, both times with witness Jannetie Starrenburg. Jannetie was also the witness when the couple had their son Jan baptized on 9 September 1763. Their son Teunis was baptized on 9 November 1769 in Rotterdam with witness Magteltje Starrenburgh. At the age of 1, Teunis was buried there on 11 December 1770.

Early 1771 Barend de Bruin died, leaving 2 children. He was buried in Rotterdam on 19 February 1771. His daughter Barendina was born posthumously, and baptized on 29 September 1771 with witness Magdalena Starrenburg. Little Barendina de Bruin was buried at the age of 1½ on 19 July 1773 in Cool.
Elizabeth died at the age of 82 on 4 February 1813 in Rotterdam. Her parents were Jan Starrenburg (†1774) and Cornelia (“Knelia IJmmers”) van Vuuren (†1793). 

Barend's surviving children were Jan and Cornelia, although Cornelia likely died young, too. Their son Jan was a widower when he remarried on 17 April 1803 in Rotterdam. His bride was Everina (“Everijntje”) Maas, widow of both Jean Henri Blacquere and Dirk Hogendam. Everina's parents are Jan Maas and Anna Margaretha van den Berg.
Jan died on 16 April 1821 around 11 o’clock in Rotterdam, aged 56 years, 7 months and 22 days. His widow Everina Maas died on 2-4-1827 in Rotterdam, aged 77 years, 2 months and 24 days.

Rotterdam

Sources: www.stadsarchief.rotterdam.nl, WieWasWie.nl, Families of South Holland Index (“Klappers”).

Julius Zevenbergen (1861-1948) in Iowa

Julius Zevenbergen was born on 3 March 1861 in Barendrecht, Holland, as Jillis Koedood, the illegitimate son of 23-year-old Ida Koedood. Ida was born in Rhoon, Holland, on 20 December 1827 as Ida Cornelia, daughter of Jillis Koedood (1804-1850) and his wife Pietertje van 't Hof. Hence, Ida had named her son after her father.

Jillis was born on 3-3-1861 in Barendrecht as illegitimate son of Ida Koedood.

Ida Koedood, aged 25, was married on 28 May 1863 in Barendrecht to Pieter Zevenbergen, aged 26. They claimed Jillis was their son, and thus he acquired the surname Zevenbergen. It is, however, not likely that Ida's spouse was also the natural father of Jillis.
Pieter Zevenbergen was born on 26 January 1837 in Charlois (now part of Rotterdam). His parents are Arij Zevenbergen (1797-1851) and Pleuntje Lems (1799-1874).
Within her marriage Ida Koedood was 9 more times pregnant. In 1877 there was a stillborn son. Two other children died before the age of 2. Arie (1864-1928), Pietertje (1865-1919), Pleun (1867-1943), Lena (1872-1918) and Pieter (1880-1963) all survived, and remained in The Netherlands. Another son, Jan Zevenbergen (1869-1958), was to follow his brother Jilles to the USA.

On 13 May 1886 in Barendrecht, at the age of 25, Jilles Zevenbergen married Adriaantje de Zeeuw. She was born in nearby Heerjansdam on 5 April 1863. Her parents are the late Jan de Zeeuw (1828-1881) and his wife Aagje Hartman.
Jilles’ eldest son, Arie Zevenbergen, was born on 22 November 1892 in Barendrecht.

Jilles traveled to the USA with his wife and son and took the name “Julius”. His son Ike was born on 21 January 1897 in Middelburg, Sioux County, Iowa, USA. His daughter Agnes Edith was born there on 24 February 1899. They had a total of 10 children. In 1914 the family moved to the vicinity of Ocheyedan, Osceola County, Iowa.

On 15 February 1922 Julius’ daughter Agnes Edith married Tunis Bras, born on 25 January 1895 in South Holland, Cook County, Illinois, as son of Arie Bras (1865-1959) who originated in Almkerk, Brabant, The Netherlands. Tunis' mother was Helena (“Helen”) van der Heijden (1868-1944). Mrs. Helen Bras was killed in the afternoon of March 28, 1944, when the car driven by her husband, Arie Bras, was struck by the southbound Dixie Limited on the C&EI crossing one and a half miles south of Kinney's Corner.
Julius’ son Ike married Jannetje Sara (“Jennie”) Monster (1904-2006). She was a daughter of Dina Hendrina (“Dena”) Verhoek (1879-1968) and her husband Arie Monster (1877-1948). Arie is a male-line descendant of an earlier Arie Monster who lived around 1700 in Sint Anthoniepolder, Holland.

Julius' wife, Adriaantje de Zeeuw, died in Ocheyedan on 28 March 1925, aged 62.
Julius Zevenbergen died at the Hull Hospital, Saturday evening, 24 April 1948, at the age of 87 years. He had been in good health - until a few weeks ago when he was taken to the hospital for an emergency operation, from which he never recovered.

Julius had a son of the same name, born on 25 September 1903 in Middleburg, Sioux County, Iowa. With his wife Ethel Runia (1910-2005), Julius jr. had 2 children. He died on 2 December 2002 in Harris, Osceola County, Iowa, aged 99.

De Volksvriend, 30-10-1947

Julius' younger brother John Zevenbergen had followed him to the USA in 1920.

Sources: FindAGrave.com (Julius Zevenbergen), FindAGrave.com (Tunis Bras), WieWasWie.nl, StadsArchief.Rotterdam.nl, Delpher.nl.