Dutch term – Dijkgraaf

21 November 2016 by 1 Comment

A dijkgraaf is a dike reeve, the head of a waterschap [water board]. He is responsible for the water management, including flood control, in his district. His function is similar to a mayor of a municipality. 

Nowadays, a dijkgraaf is appointed by the King for a period of six years.

Historically, a dijkgraaf was usually somebody who had extensive property in the district for which he managed the water, to ensure he would do his best to keep the land dry. If your ancestor was a dijkgraaf, you may find out more about him in the water board archives.

Flood

Flood in the Achterhoek, 1946. Credits: Ab Hakeboom, collection Nationaal Archief (CC-BY)

Source

  • “Dijkgraaf (waterschap),” Wikipedia (https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dijkgraaf_(waterschap) : rev. 29 sep 2016 20:44‎).
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About Yvette Hoitink

Yvette Hoitink, MLitt, CG®, QG™ is a professional genealogist, writer, and lecturer in the Netherlands. She has a Master of Letters in Family and Local History from the University of Dundee, and holds the Certification of Genealogist and Qualified Genealogist credentials. Yvette served on the Board of Directors of the Association of Professional Genealogists and won excellence awards for her articles in the National Genealogical Society Quarterly and the Association of Professional Genealogists Quarterly. Yvette has been doing genealogy for over 30 years. She helps people from across the world find their ancestors from the Netherlands and its former colonies, including New Netherland. Read about Yvette's professional genealogy services.

Comments

  1. Coen Dijkgraaf says
    10 February 2022 at 12:52 am

    And of course there as some families that inherited the occupation as their surname

    Reply

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