The word gardenier can have different meanings, depending on the location:
- In Friesland, it typically meant a small farmer, usually someone who grew crops like potatoes or other vegetables.
- In other places it typically meant gardener. Another Dutch word for gardener is tuinman.
If you are unsure which is meant, check other records. If several neighbors were also gardeniers, chances are they were farmers. The same goes if the ancestor owned farm land, which you can find in cadastral, notarial or court records. On the other hand, if your ancestor worked as a gardener, you might find them in records of manors in the area.
Gardenier in Middelburg, circa 1825-1835. Credits: Jean Baptiste Madou, collection Rijksmuseum (public domain)
About Yvette Hoitink
Is the first meaning the same as market gardener in England? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Market_garden
Thank you! This is so helpful. I’ve been finding quite a few gardeniers (gardenieren?) in my ancestors records lately – mostly in the families from Friesland.