Quick Tip – The Pull of the Dutch East and West India Companies

The Dutch East India Company and West India Company attracted workers from all over Europe. Many came from the German states or the Baltic.

So if your ancestor was employed by one of these companies and settled in the West Indies, South Africa, New Netherland or the East Indies, it is possible that they were not Dutch at all.

View of New Amsterdam

View of New Amsterdam, 1665

About Yvette Hoitink

Yvette Hoitink, CG®, QG™ is a professional genealogist in the Netherlands. She holds the Certified Genealogist credential from the Board for Certification of Genealogists and has a post-graduate diploma in Family and Local History from the University of Dundee. She has been doing genealogy for over 30 years and helps people from across the world find their ancestors in the Netherlands. Read about Yvette's professional genealogy services.

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