In the early 1900s, a new residence law came in effect to improve the living conditions of poor people. Under this law, houses could be onbewoonbaar verklaard [declared unlivable] and the residents had to move out.
Houses declared unlivable in Amsterdam, 1924. Credits: Stadsarchief Amsterdam (public domain)
About Yvette HoitinkYvette 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.
Yvette Hoitink, MLitt, CG®, QG™ is a professional genealogist, writer, and lecturer from the Netherlands who helps people find their ancestors from the Netherlands and its former colonies, including New Netherland. She has a Master of Letters in Family and Local History from the University of Dundee, and holds the Certified Genealogist and Qualified Genealogist credentials.
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Hello, Yvette. Can you describe more about this type of house? When was it likely constructed? Is it made of peat bricks, even the roof? Did these types of houses have dirt floors?
This particular house was made of brick. If you click on the link in the caption below the photo, that will take you to the zoomable version at the Amsterdam City Archives. Based on the diagonal brick work beneath the roof and the narrow bricks, my guess is that his house dates from the mid to late 1700s. There are wall irons that fix the facade to a timber frame, so it could be older still, with a brick facade added later. The roof is made of thatch, but it looks very worn and probably was not water-tight anymore. Thatched roofs need to be repaired or replaced every twenty years or so. The layer of thatch was thin, so the last time it was thatched it was done on the cheap. Not a good place to live, for sure!
Thanks for your answer, Yvette. I love your page on Facebook and have learned a lot.