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.

Burgardus van Duijn (1780-1829)

Burgardus van Duijn was born on 25 June 1780, and baptised on 9 July in Strijen, Holland, with witness Maria van Millegen, his maternal grandmother. Burgardus is the eldest son of Hubertus van Duijn (±1750-1820) who originated in Vlaardingen, Holland. Hubertus' first wife, Margaretha Oskamp, was the mother of his 6 children. On 31 October 1798 in Leiden, Hubertus married his second wife Anthonetta van Elder.

Burgardus van Duijn was married in Willemstad on 24 october 1801 to Elisabeth Geertruij Ophorst. She was baptised in the village Fijnaart and Heijningen on 25 April 1779. Her parents are Adrianus Ophorst and Lucia Botbijl (1747-1790). Adrianus and I have common ancestors in Arnoldus Janssen Ophorst (±1661-1737) and Peeter Aerts Oerlemans (±1579-1660).
The first child of Burgardus van Duijn and Elisabeth Geertruij Ophorst was buried on 15 February 1803 in Willemstad. Their daughters Margreetje and Lucia were born in Willemstad, too. A son Adrianus van Duijn (1811-1867) was born in Hoogeveen. Catharina Maria Gerarda (1815-1817), Gerharda Catharina Cornelia and Pieter Benjamin were born in Utrecht.
Burgardus van Duijn died suddenly, aged 48, on 3 March 1829 in Dendermonde, Belgium. At the time Belgium and The Netherlands were still one country. His widwo Elisabeth Geertruij Ophorst died at the age of 63 on 3 January 1843 in 's-Hertogenbosch in Brabant.

Opregte Haarlemsche Courant, 10-3-1829

Sources: WieWasWie.nl, Delpher.nl, WestBrabantsArchief.nl, Solgen.Keevel.eu.

Teacher Leendert Bras (1828-69) in Haarlemmermeer

Leendert Bras was born on 22 March 22 1828 in De Werken in Brabant, southeast of Gorinchem in Holland. His parents are Leendert Bras (1793-1862) and Sijke van Drunen (1797-1874). Among Leendert's siblings were Bastiaan Bras (1819-1898) and Adriaan Bras (1830-1881). Their father worked as a workman, miller and innkeeper.

In Utrecht on 17 July 1850, at the age of 22, Leendert Bras did exams to become a teacher. He acquired a 4th rank as teacher on 29 April 1851. He was working as an assistant teacher in Utrecht, when he acquired his 2nd rank as teacher on 6 April 1853 at the age of 25. In the autumn of 1854 Leendert Bras was appointed as a teacher in a specialized Day and Boarding School for boys in Zuilen, west of Utrecht.

On July 17, 1850, Leendert Bras did his exam to become a teacher

Leendert Bras had been married on17 May 1852 in De Werken to Jannigje Pruissen. Jannigje was born on 28 December 1828 in De Werken. Her parents are Jan Pruissen and Hasia van Dijk. Leendert Bras and his wife were to have 11 children but 3 of them died young.
At first they lived in De Werken, but around 1860 they moved to Haarlemmermeer, a polder, consisting of land reclaimed from water. First, a 61 kilometres long canal had been dug around the lake to carry the water drainage and traffic. All of the pumping was done by steam mills, an innovation contrasting with the historic Dutch practice of draining polders using windmills. The first church was built in 1855. By 1860 Haarlemmermeer's population was 7237 people.
Leendert's father had died on 5 Janaury 1862 in Almkerk in Brabant. His mother remained in Almkerk until her death on 16 January 1874. Leendert died at the early age of 40 on February 14, 1869, in Haarlemmermeer. Six months later his widow, Jannigje Pruissen, gave birth to her last child, a daughter named Govertje after her brother Govert who had died the year before. Jannigje survived her husband for 26 years and died in Haarlemmermeer on 12 December 1895, aged 66.
Their daughter Anna was married in 1880, and had a son in 1881. On 9 May 1902 Anna and her husband and son left the Haarlemmermeer for the USA.

Willem Hendrik Kooijman of Vianen

In 1928, Willem Hendrik Kooijman (37), his wife Grietje (37) and their sons Frederick (14) and Albert (9) crossed the border from Canada to the United States.

Willem Hendrik Kooijman was born on 1 November 1890 in Vianen, Utrecht. His parents are Frederik Kooijman (1856-1924) of Vianen and Frederike Niemann of Hagen, Westphalia, Germany, who were married in Vianen on 28 October 1887. His paternal grandparents are Cornelis Kooijman (1825-1909) and Maria Adriana van de Koppel. His paternal great-grandparents are Aart Kooijman and Adriana de Bont (1802-1846).

Hendrik Kooijman was born in Versailles in 1816

For some unknown reason Dutchman Hendrik Kooijman was born on 27 August 1816 in Versailles in France. His parents are workman Johannes (“Jan”) Kooijman and Johanna Jansen. The couple had an earlier son, Henricus Anthonius Kooijman, baptized on 29 March 1808 in Utrecht with Roman Catholic rites. Jan, however, had been baptized on 12 January 1775 in Vianen in a Dutch-Reformed church as a younger son of an elder Jan Kooijman and his wife Hendrikje Vreeswijk (±1733-1821) who had been married in Utrecht on 6 November 1757. Hendrikje's parents are Lambertus (“Lammert”) Vreeswijk and Antonia (“Teuntie”) Vermeulen.

Hendrik Kooijman was born in Versailles on 27 August 1816.

Hendrik Kooijman had two siblings named Jan who both died young, as did a sister named Paulina. Additionally Hendrik had a sister Hendrika born on 23 September 1826 in Vianen. Hendrik and his brother Peter (1823-1884) seem to be the only two of these siblings who reached adulthood.
Hendrik's father, Jan Kooijman, died on 8 October 1854 in Vianen, aged 79. His widow, Johanna Jansen, died on 14 November 1858 in Vianen, aged 72.

Hendrik Kooijman was married in Vianen on 27 November 1841 to Cornelia Kortenhoeven (1817-1862). As a widower Hendrik married Johanna Jacoba Paalhaar (1830-1881) on 3 February 1865 in Vianen. Hendrik had children from both his marriages. Hendrik's younger brother Peter Kooijman married twice, too.

Wedding Wednesday - Willem Houtmeijer married Hendrikje Nout in 1796 in Linschoten

Willem Houtmeijer was born in Lienen to the south of Tecklenburg in Germany. In 1796 he lived in Nieuwerbrug in South-Holland. He was married in Linschoten on 17-4-1796 to Hendrikje Nout. She was born in Lageweide, to the west of Utrecht City. At the time of her marriage she was living in Barwoudswaarder to the northwest of Woerden. The villages of Nieuwerbrug and Barwoudswaarder are at a walking distance of just 3 km.

Tecklenburg

Harmen Hilgeman was born in Lengerich in Germany - Wedding Wednesday

Johan Harmen Hilgeman was born in Lengerich near Tecklenburg in Germany. He was married in Linschoten, Utrecht, The Netherlands, on October 24, 1802, to Henrica Nout, born in Linschoten, but at the time living in Wulverhorst near Houten to the south of Utrecht City. They had several children.

Tecklenburg

Their daughter Catharina Hillegeman was married, aged 23, on March 13, 1828, in Barwoutswaarder to Coenraad Hendrik Bardelmeijer (27), born in Lienen near Tecklenburg in Germany. He was as son of Coenraad Hendrik Bardelmeijer snr. and Christina Gessie. Catharina died on March 4, 1829, aged 24.

Sources: wiewaswie.nl & Brouwer's Utrecht Genealogy.

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.

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")

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

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

De Tribune, 19-4-1914

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

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

Algemeen Handelsblad voor Nederlandsch-Indië, 9 July 1924

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

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

Barend Karssemeijer (1732-1821) from Lengerich in Germany

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

Barend Carssemeier was married in 1764 in Breukelen.

Barend Karssemeijer and Jannetje Holling were the parents of

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

Hermanis Karssemeijer was baptized on 20 March 1768 in Breukelen.

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

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

A view at Bodegraven around 1749

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kockengen, Utrecht, The Netherlands

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

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

Tecklenburg in Germany

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

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

Hermanus Westervrolijk & Bartha van der Veen in 1760 - Wedding Wednesday

Hermanus Westervroolijk was born in Versmold, Germany. On January 30, 1760, in Breukelen, Utrecht, The Netherlands, Hermanus married Bartha van der Veen. At the time both were living in Breukelen. Bartha was baptised in Rijswijk, Holland, as a daughter of Dirk van der Veen and Henrica van Breukum. They were the parents of the following children: 

Brielle, Holland

1. Elsje, born in Breukelen, Utrecht, married on Nov. 4, 1813, in Brielle, Holland, Arij Brouwer, born in Brielle as son of Pieter Brouwer and Maartje Groenenberg. They had a daughter named Maartje. Elsje died on Jan. 18, 1837, in Brielle, aged 75. 
2. Hermanus, born in Breukelen in 1768, died on May 3, 1845, in Charlois, aged 76 years, 4 months, 1 week and 6 days.
3. Dirk, born in Breukelen, living in Pernis, Holland, where he was married on August 2, 1794, to Johanna (Anna) Kok, born in Charlois as a daughter of Hermanus Kok and Maria van Zuijlen; Dirk & Anna lived in Pernis where she gave birth to the children Bartha (†1794), Bartha (†1795), Hermanus (1796-1823), Willem (1799-1801), Marinus (†1801) & Willem (1802-1887). At the baptism of his youngest child on Sept. 26, 1802, in Pernis, Dirk was absent due to an illness. On Oct. 15, 1802, Dirk was buried outside of the church of Pernis. His widow, Anna Kok, died on Oct. 19, 1840, in Katendrecht, Rotterdam. Their youngest son Willem had descendants.
4. Hendrik, born in Breukelen, Utrecht, died on Sept. 3, 1827, in Charlois, Rotterdam, Holland, aged 53.
5. Jacob, born in Breukelen around 1778, died on Feb. 1, 1846, in Charlois, aged 67.

On January 1, 1782, in Utrecht, widower Hermannus Westervrolijk remarried. His bride was Johanna Jurink, widow of Jan van Eldijk. Hermanus Westervrolijk was likely buried in Charlois on November 22, 1796. Johanna Junink, widow of Hermanus Westervrolijk, was buried in Charlois on April 22, 1811. At that time she had 5 children that were still alive.

Bronnen: G. Brouwer: Utrecht Prov. Gen., Digitale Stamboom Rotterdam, WieWasWie.nl.

Born at the Battle of Waterloo

The Battle of Waterloo was fought on Sunday, June 18, 1815, near Waterloo in present-day Belgium, then part of the United Kingdom of The Netherlands. June 18, 1815, is also the birthdayof  Frederika Louisa Wilhelmina van Beusekom, daughter of Gijsbertus van Beusekom and Anna Verkerk, who gave birth "on the battlefield between Quatre-Bras and Waterloo". The Battle of Quatre-Bras had been fought on the 16th.
Gijsbertus van Beusekom was a soldier in the 7th battalion of the ground forces. Obviously, the baby girl was patrioticly given the same name as the Queen Consort of Dutch King William I, Frederica Louisa Wilhelmina of Prussia (1774-1837).

Rotterdamsche Courant, 5-6-1865

Saleswoman Frederika Louisa Wilhelmina van Beusekom (48) married Jean Paradies (51) on May 18, 1864, in Utrecht, The Netherlands. Jean was born on July 30, 1812, in Vlissingen, The Netherlands. He was a son of a bricklayer Johannes Paradies and his wife Cornelia Pietersen. Jean died on December 14, 1884, in Utrecht. Frederika Louisa Wilhelmina died in Utrecht, too, on November 1, 1886.

Hendrik Strik was a miller in Reijerscop

On November 8, 1750, in Breukelen, The Netherlands, Hendrik Strik, young man, born in Tecklenburg, Germany, and then living in Kamerik, The Netherlands, announced his intention to marry Catharina ("Caatje") Dildeij, widow of Jan Houweling, and living in Breukelen, The Netherlands. Hendrik Strik was assisted by his mother, Catharina Hooge, widow of Hendrik Strik, and still living in Tecklenburg. Hendrik and Caatje were married in Kamerik in November 1750. On October 20, 1750, Catharina Dild[e]ij, widow of Jan Foppen Hou[we]ling, had received permission to move from Harmelen to Linschoten.

Tecklenburg in Germany



Catharina Dildeij originated from Linschoten. On December 4, 1728, she had married Jan Foppe Houweling, born in Kamerik, living in Breukelen. Their children were Dievertje, Fop, Elisabeth, Grietje and Hendrik. Jan Foppe Houweling was buried on December 18, 1747, in Breukelen.

 
In June 1760 Hendrik Strik is mentioned as a miller in Reijerscop, Utrecht. On March 24, 1761, Caatje Dild[e]ij is mentioned as having died, as had her brother-in-law, Willem Houweling. Her son Fop was then living in Amsterdam. Her daughters Elisabeth and Grietje were both married. Her son Hendrik was still a minor.

Sources: Provincie Utrecht CD-Rom & Hogenda & RHC Rijnstreek en Lopikerwaard.

Dorothea Wilhelmina Stuart (†1741)

Before 1747, the St. Gertudis Church in Bergen op Zoom, Brabant, The Netherlands, contained a grave stone of Jacob Stuart, born in St. Andrew, Scotland, stating he was the youngest son of Archibald Stuart, who lived at the court of Mary Queen of Scots. It also stated that Jacob had Stuart died on ascension day "anno XVI c XXII", 68 years old. The church was destroyed in a war with the French. 

One of Jacob Stuart's Dutch descendants was Alexander Stuart, a colonel in the Scottish Brigade. He married Gertruijt van Herwaarden on July 19, 1681, in Driel, Gelre, The Netherlands. The couple lived near Rhenen. In 1689 Alexander was captain in the Regiment Balfour. He died, wounded, near Kaiserwerth, Germany, in April 1702. 

After Gertruijt's death her daughter, Dorothea Wilhelmina Stuart, took over the whole inheritance and paid off her brother, Alexander, a captain, on March 27, 1719, in Utrecht. 
On August 18, 1711, in Utrecht Dorothea Wilhelmina Stuart married Philips van Halmael, who then lived in Utrecht. At that time Dorothea Wilhelmine lived in De Grebbe near Rhenen. Philips was a canon in the St. Peter's church in Utrecht. 

Philips and Dorothea Wilhelmina had a son baptized in Utrecht on June 27, 1717, with the names Joan Alexander. The baby must have died soon after birth, because they had a 2nd son baptized in Utrecht on June 5, 1718, with the names Joan Alexander Philip. Witnesses were Joan van Halmael and Alexander Stuart. Philips van Halmael died on January 16, 1719, in Utrecht. 

As a widow, on September 1, 1727, Dorothea Wilhelmina borrowed ƒ2500,- from Johan van Halmael (1644-1725) to buy a house. She remarried on January 4, 1729, in Utrecht. Her 2nd husband's name was Wijnand Blenk. In the past Wijnand had done business with Johan van Halmael. Early 1725 Wijnand was described as a cousin of Johan van Halmael, because he was a son of Jan Blenk and Catharina van Hamael. Wijnand's first wife was Cornelia Borstius.

Notice of Marrriage for Dorothea Wilhelmina Stuart and Wijnand Blenk.

Wijnand and Dorothea Wilhelmina lived at De Kijsersgraft (Emperor's Canal) in Amsterdam, Wijnand's place of origin. Wijnand was buried in Amsterdam on December 10, 1736. Dorothea Wilhelmina Stuart was buried there on January 13, 1741.

Sources: Archieven.nl & dr. J. Mac Lean, "Het geslacht Stewart (Stuart)", De Nederlandsche Leeuw, 91ste jaargang, 1974, & Nederland's Patriciaat, 26e Jaargang, 1940. 

Tuesday's Tip: Don't be afraid to question 3rd party publications - or how to knock down a Brick Wall

In The Netherlands the genealogy magazine "Ons Voorgeslacht" is well known. Years ago, I found an article on ancestors of mine, a Verhoef family in the Lopikerwaard in The Netherlands, in the 1995 edition. This is a translation of the interesting paragraph in the article:

Reijnier Verhoef was baptized in Polsbroek in August 1680 and buried in Gouda in June 1741. He married his 1st wife, Willemijntje Saarse Bouwman, in October 1708 in Moordrecht. Willemijntje was born in Lopik, had 4 children and died in Gouderak in august 1719. Reijnier remarried his 2nd wife Murrigje Willems Kroon in November 1720.

The author of the article was T.F. Verhoef. I assumed that - since the author had the same surname as the people in the article, and he had published in such a well-known magazine - he must be an expert, so I assumed that everything he wrote was right.

That's why my ancestor Willemijntje Bouwman remained a brick wall for years.

Recently, I read DutchGen's tip "A couple usually married in the bride’s home town". I hadn't noticed that in my own research, but I remembered it when, later on, I noticed my Bouwman brick wall again. Since Reijnier Verhoef and Willemijntje Bouman married in Moordrecht, could Willemijntje have originated from Moordrecht instead of Lopik?

Research in Moordrecht's records knocked down this brick wall.

Willemijntje was baptized in Moordrecht on May 1, 1688.  Her parents were Saers Franke and Afie Willems. Willemijntje had 11 siblings. Her grandparents were Vranck Saersen and Appolonia (Pleuntie). Her great-grandfather may have been Saers Pietersz Cos, who was buried on 14-9-1653 in Waddinxveen and married to Barbara Cornelis. Saers Pietersz Cos was a son of Pieter Jansz Cos and Aechgen Saers.