The Dutch first discovered Australia in 1606, exactly 400 years ago. Since then, many Dutchmen have emigrated to Australia. Most of them left the Netherlands after World War II. … [Read more...]
Sinterklaas
1 December 2005 by 1 Comment
It's almost December 5th, Saint Nicholas day. In the Netherlands that's a big event for small children, like Santaclaus in the US. In this article I will describe how Sinterklaas is celebrated in the Netherlands and our own family traditions around this holiday. … [Read more...]
Emigration lectures in Winterswijk and Oostburg
12 September 2005 by Leave a Comment
Thousands of people from the Achterhoek and Zeeland emigrated to the United States in the nineteenth century. One of the descendants of that emigration wave, Mary Risseeuw, is going back to her roots for a while. She'll be in the Netherlands for a couple of weeks to research her Dutch ancestors together her distant cousin Yvette Hoitink (that would be me).We'll also take this opportunity to give lectures together about the Dutch emigration to the US in the nineteenth century in two different … [Read more...]
Suffixes in surnames
11 August 2005 by 41 Comments
Different regions in the Netherlands have different customs. This applies to Dutch surnames as well as to many other traditions. Some areas use suffixes that are typical for that region. Knowing about the suffixes in Dutch family names can help you in trying to find out in which province to look for your ancestors. More information about regional customs can also be found in the articles about the different provinces in the Geography section. … [Read more...]
Debbink, Hendrik Jan and Berendina Dunnewold
21 July 2005 by 3 Comments
Hendrik Jan Debbink and Berendina Dunnewold were a part of the second emigration wave to hit Winterswijk in the 1860s. They emigrated when he was already 69 years old, together with their family of four children. They joined Berendina Dunnewold's brother, Jan Willem Dunnewold, who was a minister in Sheboygan County, WI. … [Read more...]
Huinink, Derk Willem X Catharina Jentink
19 July 2005 by 1 Comment
Derk Willem Huinink and Catharina Jentink were part of the second emigration wave in the nineteenth century. They emigrated from their Aalten home in 1869 together with their extended family. They settled in Town of Holland, Sheboygan County, WI. … [Read more...]
Pennsylvania Dutch – Not Dutch at all!
8 July 2005 by 3 Comments
One group of emigrants in the 18th century is known as the Pennsylvania Dutch. But did you know they weren't Dutch at all? Most Pennsylvania dutch are actually German or Swiss. But even though their ancestors were not from the Netherlands, many Pennsylvania Dutch used Dutch ports to travel to the United States so there is a Dutch connection. … [Read more...]
Boerrigter, Jan Antonie
6 July 2005 by 1 Comment
Jan Antonie Boerrigter emigrated to the United States in 1910 from Overijssel. Almost half a century later, he wrote to his aunt and uncle in the Netherlands. He shares much information about his family and is curious about the Netherlands. … [Read more...]
Call for emigrant letters
6 July 2005 by Leave a Comment
Emigrant letters are a great source for information about the pioneer generation. Yesterday, I asked for emigrant letters on a newsgroup. Already, I've received two letters that were not widely known yet. … [Read more...]
