Our guests of 2005
Date: Sun, 18 Dec 2005 17:47:03 -0800
From: afriess afriess@earthlink.net
Subject: Guestbook
I will be visiting Friesland for the first time, from December 28 through
December 30th and if any of the guestbook readers have suggestions on places I
should visit, particularly if there is a link to my ancestors (immigrated to the
US in the late 1800s) they can email me at afriess@earthlink.net. Happy
Holidays!
- Art Friess
Date: Sun, 11 Dec 2005 17:05:56 -0500 (EST)
From: Janice (Hettenvan) Tucker Cowbarn@aol.com
Subject: Guestbook
Greetings Maarten,
I first wrote in 1999, prior to visiting in 2000 for the first time (my cousin,
his wife, daughter & I made the trip) and I said it then, & I'm saying it again,
thank you for creating and overseeing this wonderful site. Since the trip in
2000, I visit this page several times a year & continue to read other's
postings. When we made the trip in June, 2000, we stayed in Amsterdam for a
couple of days & then headed for our final destination in Saint Annaparochie to
stay with cousins. That week went so fast, we all wished we would have skipped
staying in Amsterdam & just headed north but as it was, my luggage didn't arrive
until the next evening so it was a good thing we were staying for a couple of
days. I was glad of packing a few extra things in my carry on bag. During our
stay we stayed with cousins that we knew & met some that we didn't know, I got
alot of good information on the Hettenvan family history but was still without
knowledge on my Great-grandmother's side (DeJong) as my Great Grandfather was
married 3 times, the first wife which produced my Dad's Father & Uncle died
early, the 2nd wife who produced sons & daughters of the cousins we visited died
as well & the 3rd wife, came with children. As of this past week, a "cousin"
who lives in Amsterdam has contacted my 1st cousin & me indicating his
relationship would be from our great-grandmother's mother's side (I think I got
that right) so we're in the middle of trading email. I'm hoping that this will
fill in some blanks. I only wish that my Dad & his 2 brothers were still here
to share in this find, but I did extend some information to my Uncle who turned
79 on Dec 10th. Thank you, again.
Janice (Hettenvan) Tucker Cowbarn@aol.com
Date: Tue, 29 Nov 2005 11:35:45 -0800 (PST)
From: andrew lemstra dogitmar@yahoo.com
Subject: terug naar "myn heitelan"
Beste Maarten. Al jarenlang ben ik een bezoeker van deze site. In Dec kom ik
weer terug en hier is myn verzoek. Van 1947 t/m 51 zat ik op de Chr Mulo School
in Sneek. Eerst waren we in het Rehoboth Gebouw achter de Martini Kerk. Later in
een nieuw gebow langs de Leeuwarder Weg. Ik kan me een Dieuwke Bootsma uit Top
en Twel herinneren. Dat was een leuk en mooi meisje. Zyn er misschien nog
anderen die my herinneren? Myn naam is Atze Lemstra uit Heeg. E-mail:
dogitmar@yahoo.com. Vanaf Zondag as ben ik onderweg en vanaf 7 Dec in Heeg, tel;
5154 42573. By voorbaat van harte bedankt.
Date: Mon, 28 Nov 2005 15:27:44 -0700
From: Teade Sysling teddutch@msn.com
Subject: Guestbook
Het is alweer meer dan vijf jaar geleden dat mijn vrouw en ik een bezoek aan
Friesland maakten ter gelegenheid van Simmer 2000. Zijn er enige plannen voor
een volgende reunie?
Prettige feestdagen en een gelukkig Nieuwjaar toegewenst van een Fries in
Amerika.
Teade Sysling, Arvada, Colorado
Teddutch@msn.com
Date: Mon, 28 Nov 2005 21:22:03 +0100
From: Mitch Plat mitch@depsychiatrie.com
Subject: Bericht posting
In de eerste plaats de complimenten voor de leuke en interessante site en "folle
lok in 't nije ier" voor alle "oprjuchte" Friezen.
Ik woon nu al 22 jaar in Frankrijk en gebruik internet om zo nu en dan weer in
Friesland te verbljiven tussen de echte bezoekjes door.
Ik ben nu op zoek naar oude vrienden om te emailen en om elkaar weer te zien :Ik
denk aan Andries Miedema en Harm Jan Meijer van de HTS bouwkunde en ook Henk de
Jong en Herman Wassenaar van de MULO in't Nijlân.
Bedankt bij voorbaat voor de reacties.
Groeten
Mitch (Wieberen) Plat
Mijn website: http://www.depsychiatrie.com/
Date: Tue, 15 Nov 2005 22:10:45 -0500
From: Jacob van der Laan jacobvdl@sympatico.ca
Subject: EUROPE & APELDOORN 2006 VIA VERSTRAETE TRAVEL
- Germany, Austria, Switzerland & Apeldoorn, The Netherlands.
European tour hosted by Jack & Theresa van der Laan - visiting Germany, Austria,
Switzerland & Apeldoorn, The Netherlands.
Dear All,
Theresa and I (D.V.) hope to host the 2nd Annual Friendship Tour in 2006 to
Europe. This is the first bit of information available from Verstraete Travel.
If you or if you know of people who may enjoy this trip please contact us or
Verstraete Travel. In the new year more information will be made available.
Theresa and I are looking very much forward to this trip. Please join us:
The itinerary/route for the tour group is planned as follows:
| Aug.21 | fly Toronto - Amsterdam
|
| Aug.22 | arrive Schiphol and drive to Konigswinter (overnight)
|
| Aug.23 | overnight Nurnberg
|
| Aug.24/25 | in Salzburg
|
| Aug.26 | overnight in Innsbruck
|
| Aug.27/28 | in Lucerne Aug.29 overnight Koblenz
|
| Aug.30/31/Sept.1 | 3 nights at Hotel Astra in Apeldoorn - Twin City of Burlington, Ontario
|
| Sept.02 | fly Amsterdam – Toronto
|
The Canada Netherlands Friendship Day celebrations will take place on Saturday,
April 29th, 2006 at the http://www.rbg.ca
Friendship
wishes,
Jack & Theresa van der Laan
The Canada Netherlands Friendship Association
2031 Mount Forest Dr.
Burlington. ON
905-332-7000 (work)
905-529-2078 (home)
Verstraete Travel & Cruises
300 - 14845 Yonge Street
Aurora, ON L4G 6H8
Phone: 416-969-8100 or 1-800-565-9267
email: aurora@verstraete.com
website: http://www.verstraetetravel.com
Date: Mon, 24 Oct 2005 08:50:26 -0600
From: froukje1@sasktel.net
Subject: Guestbook
Dear Maarten,
I have been checking in on your guestbook since the early days in 1996. My
compliments to you for your dedication.
I would like to share news of another website with you, and your readers. This
is also a "labor of love" done by volunteers in Nederland. This website began
about April 2005 and offers pictures of individual headstones. The site is
searchable by individual name, or by the name/ location of the cemetery. It
covers the three provinces of Friesland, Groningen and Drenthe. Of course, as a
volunteer project, the work is ongoing and not yet complete. Nonetheless they
have 189,000 names listed. If you find the name on a headstone that you would
like to see, an email request is made and the photograph is emailed back to you.
And the best part.......it's free. It's an amazing idea, and so generous of the
volunteers to share this with us around the world.
The website is www.graftombe.nl
Regards, Jeannette Miller
researching; de Vries (Sloten), Bruinsma (Kollumerland), Mulder (Wijnjeterp) and
Zwanenburg (Schoterland)
Date: Sun, 23 Oct 2005 16:46:42 +0200
From: Janet Siesling
Subject: Guestbook
Hallo Maarten,
Wat een prachtige site is dit waar je veel over het Friese verleden tegen
komt.
Nu ben ik ook net als velen voor mij op zoek naar mijn voorouders.
Het gaat hierbij om Siesling ( Sysling ) Jan Jans geboren ,deze was in
1811 bij de tenaamstelling 70 jaar en dus geboren in ±1741.
De kinderen van deze voorouders heb ik , maar mijn vraag is:"
wie zijn de ouders van Siesling (Sysling) Jan Jans ??"
Iedereen alvast bedankt voor het meedenken/zoeken.
Berichten van naamgenoten zijn natuurlijk welkom.
Janet Siesling.
j.siesling@hetnet.nl
Date: Mon, 17 Oct 2005 13:00:20 +0100
From: Nick and Alicia Dance dancers@blueyonder.co.uk
Subject: Guestbook
Hello fellow Frisians!
I was born in the USA, but most of my relatives come from, or still live in,
Toppenhuisen and the area around Snits. I would like to find a written history
of Friesland, but in English, so that my husband and other family can read and
understand something of my heritage. Does anyone know
of such a book, available either in the USA, England or Friesland? Thanks.
Alicia Atsma Dance
Date: Mon, 03 Oct 2005 10:10:26 -0700 (PDT)
From: Ross Hoekstra reh22@yahoo.com
Subject: Hoekstra
I Marrten,
My name is Ross Hoekstra and I live in the Grand Rapids, Michigan USA
area. Enjoy your guestbook. I have been looking for information on my family. I
have done various searches in the Friesland Geneology section with no success.
Great Grandpa was Hendrik Hoekstra born Sept 13, 1836 and Great Grandma was
Tjitske Bloem (not sure spelling is right)born Oct 22, 1831. They had eight
children, one died a month after birth.
| Fokke |
born |
Oct 3, 1860 |
| Guitsen |
|
Feb 27, 1862 |
| Geerd |
|
Aug 13, 1864 |
| Klaaske |
|
Sept 26, 1867 |
| Grietje |
|
May 3, 1869 |
| Johannes |
|
Sept 23, 1871 |
| Geeske |
|
Dec 3, 1874 |
They moved to America went Johannes was 3 years old. I would like to know what
part of Friesland they were from. Were did they sail from. I look in Ellis
Island and could not find what ship they sailed from. Any information will be
appreciated.
Thanks, Ross
Date: Tue, 27 Sep 2005 13:16:36 -0700 (PDT)
From: Brian Frisbie djwhamo@yahoo.com
Subject: For the guestbook
Despite the fact that there are scare records of it in my family, I have always
been both proud and curious about our history. While our family Coat of Arms
says we are Normans, I recently discovered a breakthrough: That we were in fact
Frisians who, after being conquered by Jarl Granger of Norway, were made to
conquer that land. I am overjoyed to learn of this new chapter in my family's
history, our TRUE heritage, and am trying very hard to find more info on
Friesland and Frisians in America. If you have any info, please contact me!
Date: Tue, 20 Sep 2005 21:14:13 -0400
From: John & Louise Stephens jstephens@sympatico.ca
Subject: Guestbook
I'm trying to help my husband trace his family tree. mother's family came from
Friesland. The names I am researching are deBruin, Rienks, Reitsma, Bakker and
Jensma. I have a photocopy of a document entitled "Trouwboekje",for Theunis
Hendriks deBruin and Sibbletje Harkes Reitsma dated 1875 which is about the size
of a passport with 6 pages. I can get the gist of it, but can someone tell me
what "Trouwboekje" means, (does it refer to marriage?) and maybe where I can get
the 5 or 6 paragraphs translated, even roughly?
I would appreciate it very much.
My email address is jstephens@sympatico.ca
Louise Stephens
Date: Sat, 03 Sep 2005 16:07:34 -0600
From: donna bolzendahl donnab@mstar2.net
Subject: Guestbook
Looking for Tyjs Bokman, born 1869 Sneek, immigrated to US, arriving New York
Sept 1890. Have passenger arrival list but no further information of him.
Family in Friesland never heard from him, or of him, after he left Friesland.
New email address since previous posting is:
donnab@mstar2.net
Date: Tue, 23 Aug 2005 02:43:31 -0500
From: tjallen tjallen1@cox.net
Subject: Guestbook
We are doing research for a family tree and have reached a dead end. My
grandfather is Klaas deJong. He was born in Ysbrechtum Netherlands July 9, 1882
and passed away October 8, 1973. His parents were Gerben deJong and Liefke
deJong. He had 2 sisters and 3 brothers but he was the only on to come to the
US. Unfortunately we don&'t know the names of his siblings. He was married to
Tettje Blauw She was born January 14, 1887 and passed away January 24, 1938.
Her parents were Anne Blauw and Cornelia Baanstra. Klaas and Tettje had 2 girls,
Cornelia (my mother) and Liefke. They came to the US in 1923 and settled in
Omaha Ne. If anyone has any information or who we might contact would be
greatly appreciated.
Date: Thu, 28 Jul 2005 19:39:18 +0100
From: Susan Sybenga ss0020841@blueyonder.co.uk
Subject: Guestbook
Hello My name is Christopher SYBENGA and I am currently researching my family
tree. I have traced my familys roots from England back to Friesland in the early
19th Century. I am interested to hear from any English Speaking people with my
same family name who reside in Friesland namely SYBENGA.
PS.Great Web Site!
sybenga.chris@blueyonder.co.uk
Date: Sun, 24 Jul 2005 11:50:02 -0500
From: CLAUDE FRIESLAND cfriesland@email.uophx.edu
Subject: Guestbook
My name is Claude Friesland as if you notice my last name you will know my
curiosity. I have only a brief amount of family information, that being my
great-great-great grandfather came to America during the Revolutionary War as a
Hessian Soldier (I think that is how it is spelled). Just curious if anyone can
provide more information and my wife and I would love to make a visit.
Claude Friesland
Date: Sun, 24 Jul 2005 08:04:20 -0500
From: Wayne Sturdevant sturde-gen@austin.rr.com
Subject: Guestbook
I am looking for any Frisian roots for the name Sturdevant or Stur de vaant or
similar spellings. I believe that families with our name emigrated from
Friesland to northern England in the 1000's to the 1300's.
I wish to communicate with anyone with similar interests and information.
Thank you, Wayne Sturdevant
Date: Thu, 21 Jul 2005 19:51:43 -0400
From: Carolyn Zwaga flamingo51@bellsouth.net
Subject: Zwaga Geneology
My wife and I are searching my Freisian"roots".
My grandfather(Wiebe Gerke Zwaga) was born in Akkrum in 1887 to Hendrik Gerkes
Zwaga and Ijtje(Ytje) Wiebes van Seijen(van Seyen).
My Great-grandfather, Hendrik G Zwaga (born about 1845, buried 1905 in
Utingeradeel) was the son of Gerke Willems Zwaga(Swaga) born 1818 and buried in
Haskerland in 1887 and Evertje Hendriks Kragt (Kracht) born in 1816 also buried
in Haskerland(1864).
My Great-grandmother Ijtje was born in 1851 in Beets and buried in Utingeradeel.
She was the daughter of Weibe Adams van Seyen(no further information) and
Tjitske Jans deJong(no further info)
We can't get back any further, any help or direction is greatfully appreciated.
Danku wel, Jerry Zwaga at jzman45@bellsouth.net
Date: Wed, 06 Jul 2005 20:36:25 -0800
From: Donna Hamshar DonnaH@jamhi.org
Subject: Guestbook
Hello,
My mother is from Workum. Her maiden name is Pruiksma. I
visited there in 1970 for the first time. I corresponded with a good friend, Douwe
Bosch who lived near Dokkum. He has moved in the last year. Any ideas where I
can find his address, now?
Donna Hamshar
Date: Sun, 05 Jun 2005 13:34:57 +0200
From: j.Kamp j.kamp28@chello.nl
Subject: Guestbook
I am Johannes van der Kamp, and I am seacing for Emely van der Berg or Burg she
was living till 1972 in Gorredijk we were in the same school the Burgemeester
Harmsma school, and she went to Australia, Her father had a shop named Benvo in
Gorredijk.
I like to know where she is living now what did after she went to Australia.
Johannes van der Kamp
j.kamp28@chello.nl
Date: Wed, 18 May 2005 15:09:00 -0400 (EDT)
From: OICU81244@aol.com
Subject: Guestbook
Hi Again...the email, Koningsspoor7@zonnet.nl does not work but here is Rob
Waterlander's email who may be in charge of the site I emailed you earlier.
Rob.Waterlander@Inter.NL.net
Date: Wed, 18 May 2005 14:42:05 -0400 (EDT)
From: OICU81244@aol.com
Subject: Guestbook
I wish to post this site to the guest book. It is a genealogical tree. My
lineage is in here from Friesland and I thought it would help other people
trying to find their family back round.
http://web.inter.nl.net/users/koningsspoor7/waterlander2/waterla.HTM
Date: Sat, 07 May 2005 06:11:34 -0700 (PDT)
From: Lynnette Oberholzer lynnette_oberholzer@yahoo.com
Subject: Botma family name
Hello,
My name is Lynnette Oberholzer, currently living in England. Originally
from South Africa. I'm doing research on the family name BOTMA as my
grandmother's great, great, great... grandfather was the famous STEVEN JANZ
BOTMA, originally from a small town Morra in Friesland. He arrived with Jan van
Riebeeck in THE CAPE (1957) and was the first person to be granted free
burgher-ship. If anybody have more information on this or any family history or
relations still living in Friesland, I would much appreciate.
Indien U nie Engels verstaan, my moedertaal is Afrikaan, so ek voorsien dat ons
wel kan komminikeer.
Vele dank.
Lynn Oberholzer
lynnette_oberholzer@yahoo.com
07795 361 663
Date: Tue, 19 Apr 2005 16:15:48 -0400
From: Mary Barton Mbarton@americanshare.com
Subject: Guestbook
We are visiting the Netherlands in a couple of weeks and just got the names of
some family the came to the states from the Netherlands way back when!
My great grandfather was Peter Rijpkema or Rypkema as spelled here and was born
in who knows when and came to Holland Michigan where my grandfather was born in
1898.
My great grandfather married Maria Christine VanLangevelde or Van Langevelde or
Van Lan Gevelde
Would just love to see if I could contact a relative.
Great Site!
Mary Barton
mbarton@americanshare.com
Date: Mon, 18 Apr 2005 14:13:00 +0200
From: Agnes Brunia agnesbrunia@tele2.nl
Subject: Guestbook
Hallo myn namme is agnes brunia ik sykje twa kaarten foar de alve stede tocht
leafst groep 8. Kin jimme my dr oan helpe? mei freonlike groet en ut eksmoarre
Date: Fri, 15 Apr 2005 03:53:07 -0400
From: eulogos eulogos@stny.rr.com
Subject: Guestbook
My maiden name was Susan Ferwerda. Both my grandmother and grandfather
Ferwerda also had deVries in their family tree.
I was told that there were quite a few family names with werda , that it meant
something like a precinct, or "ward" and that there was a "high ward, a low
ward, a far ward (Ferwerda) etc. Is this the true derivation of the name? I see
that there is a town named Ferwerd on the map.
I also have been told that Ferwerdas were among those involved in the martyrdom
of St. Boniface. Does anyone know anything about this? I was told there was
some kind of curse of excommunication on all those involved "in blood, unto the
thousandth generation." Has anyone heard this story and is there any grain of
truth in it?
Unfortunately my father, who speaks Dutch and Frisian, now has Alzheimers.
Susan Peterson
Date: Tue, 12 Apr 2005 03:48:36 -0400 (EDT)
From: Azayzael@aol.com
Subject: Guestbook
Hello,
My name is Eltjo de Vries and I am trying to find out the origins and
meaning of my first name. If anyone has any information please feel free to
email me. Great site btw.
www.eltjo-theatre.net
Date: Mon, 21 Mar 2005 22:11:58 -0600
From: john grzybowski grzybows@earthlink.net
Subject: Guestbook
Pieter van der Hoop
Back in the late 70s or 80s we hosted a foreign exchange student by the name of
Pieter van der Hoop. I believe he was born in 1962 in Sneek and at the time he
was visiting us, he was living in Makkum with a sister, mother and father.
After spending about 8 months with us he returned to Holland and came to visit
us twice in the next five years. Since his last visit we have lost touch with
him and my last letters to his old address in Makkum have been unanswered. Any
information you may have as to his current location will be appreciated.
My last address for him:
Peiter vander Hoop
Hegedyk H6
Mantgum Holland 9022BW
Thank you
John Grzybowski
Urbandale, Iowa
USA
grzybows@earthlink.net
Date: Sat, 12 Mar 2005 17:06:07 +1100
From: bill wybenga ridgeway@vic.chariot.net.au
Subject: Guestbook
dear Maarten,
I have received a few emails re the program on the Australian TV session re the
origin of the English language.
The program starts with a Friesian farmer saying
something in the old Friesian language. This was the beginning of the present
English language.
The mail respondents tell me that they could not access the Internet Site.
Here is it again:
www.sbs.com.au
The program was entitled: " Lost Worlds"
Regards Bill Wybenga
Date: Mon, 07 Mar 2005 16:31:41 -0500
From: Stan Olthuis stan@sharpshooterinc.com
Subject: Guestbook
My mother's name is Tuininga and she said she is Frisian by heritage and
born in Oosterand Hollandia. I remember her saying she was from Groningen.
How would I find record of her birth and relatives. Is there a good
historical account in English of Friesland?
--
Stan Olthuis
Date: Sat, 26 Feb 2005 (Mon, 13 Sep 1999 01:10:12 +1000)
From: bill wybenga ridgeway@vic.chariot.net.au
Subject: Guestbook
Hello Maarten,
I was browsing through the Guest a few days ago and I read a letter by a 11 year
old student who wanted to know something about the Friesian history.
There is a very interesting program running on the SBS television network in
Australia. The program deals with the history of the English language.
The first episode showed a Friesian farmer standing in his field giving a
weather forecast in the Friesian language. It was amazing how many words were
identical to the English language. So it could be said that English started in
Friesland. The website of SIBS is: www.sbs.com.au The program is entitled 'Lost
Worlds" and is a British BBC program
Best wishes from Bill Wybenga Pakenham
Australia
Date: Tue, 25 Jan 2005 18:27:07 +1100
From: Lee de Vries lee.devries@bigpond.com
Subject: Guestbook
Hi Maartin,
I like your web page. Some nice information. I was born in Stroobos in 1948 and
migrated with my family to Australia in 1958.
Whilst we have a fair bit of information on my fathers side (de Vries) little is
know of my mothers side family.
In particular with the child naming rules that applied ( which seemed to have
been strictly applied in the case of my brothers and sisters) , I wonder how
common the Libbe was and possibly what the origin of the name is. I have also
seen the name Lippe and I presume there is a connection?
I was called Lippie when I was young and at that time I hated my name! It does
not concern me at all now of course.
| Libbe de Vries |
son of |
Hendrik de Vries 1911 |
& |
Sijbregje Meijer 1909 |
|
|
son of |
|
daughter of |
|
|
Lammert de Vries & |
|
Libbe Meijer & |
|
|
Tjitske van der Heide |
|
Janke de Graaf |
|
|
(lived at Openda) |
|
(lived at Stroobos & Zandbulten) |
If any one has information I would be quite intersted especially in the
origin/meaning of the name Libbe.
Lee (Libbe) de Vries.
Date: Thu, 13 Jan 2005 16:22:12 -0800
From: Bob Noorlander norship@earthlink.net
Subject: guestbook
Hallo Maarten - ik woon net buiten -7 km- San Francisco California, ik woon nu
45 jaar in USA. Wij hebben een getrouwde zoon met 2 kleinkinderen in Lemmer
wonen, om het jaar komt mijn vrouw en ik naar Friesland. Het is een prachtig
stuk van Holland, de mensen zijn erg gast vrij, haring en Berenburg is
fantasties. Dit jaar hebben we een vakantie huis voor 6 weken in St. Nicolaasga
gehuurt op het Eysinga Estate. Mensen in Amerkaa vertellen wel eens dat ze in
Holland zijn geweest - Amsterdam, enz: Ik zeg altijd, je bent in Amsterdam
geweest -Holland moet je naar het Noorden -Oosten en Zuiden- eigenlijk het land
in. Het geeft niet hoe lang je ergens anders woont - je trekt altijd terug naar
je vaderland - Friesland here I come !! Bouke Noorlander - Californai
Bob Noorlander
norship@earthlink.net
Date: Sat, 01 Jan 2005 17:30:36 -0800
From: Pam & Ben Rudolph rudolph@cogeco.ca
Subject: Guestbook
Dear Guestbook: My Husband Benjamin Rudolph is looking for long lost friends and
possibly relatives - he was orphaned in Indonesia. Born in 1937 in Biltar and
was brought up in orphanages in Surabaya, Malang, Lawang and Batu - can you
offer any help? Thanks Pam & Ben Rudolph from Canada
© Freescape , Maarten Millaard and You!, August 1995
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