Family:Anne Hamstra and Grietje Vellema (1)

Parents: Joeke Hamstra and Jantje Heslinga Anne Joekes Hamstra b. 23 Jul 1867 Blija, Ferwerderadeel, Friesland, Netherlands d. 16 Apr 1948 Olive, Ottawa, Michigan, United States

Parents: Frans Vellema and Eekje Boersma Grietje Vellema b. 12 Jan 1867 Blija, Ferwerderadeel, Friesland, Netherlands d. 23 Nov 1934 Olive, Ottawa, Michigan, United States

m. 2 Apr 1892 Ferwerderadeel, Friesland, Netherlands

Six children were named from Anne's family and six were named from Grietje's family.

After purchasing 40 Acres on the NW corner of Polk Street and 104th Avenue in 1901, Anne built a sod house for the family.

Between 1910 to 1912 Anne and his older sons built the "new house" on the 80 Acres on the SW corner of Polk Street and 104th Avenue. In 1916 the landmark Twin Silo Barn was built on the same site by a "Barn Builder from Fremont" (reportedly two of the Siems brothers worked on this barn). This farmstead has remained in the Hamstra/De Wind family for over a century, with the house occupied for many years and the barn still in good condition.

The first Hamstra family reunion was held at this farm on 21 July 1921 to celebrate Anne Hamstra's 54th birthday. It has been the site of many more family reunions increasing to 600 participants at the most recent Hamstra/De Wind reunion.

The final family gathering was held in the summer of 2012, with the farm having remained in the family for over a century. However the descendants who currently own the property have reluctantly decided to sell the land, and it will eventually pass out of the family and into other hands.

Building the twin silo barn

1950 Hamstra reunion

1954 Hamstra wives

1992 Hamstra reunion

1.   Jantje (Hamstra) Van Duinen and one of her children. Branches and Twigs. (privately published in 1984).
2.   Calvin Arthur Hamstra. The Life and Times of Anne and Grietje's Kids. (privately published in 1997).
3. ↑ ^3.0 3.1 Olive Township, Borculo, Crisp, Harlem, Ottawa [1], in Historic Map Works [2].
4. ↑ Robinson Township [3], in Historic Map Works [4].
5. ↑ Toegangnr: 30-11
   Inventarisnr: 2032
   Aktenummer: 5
   http://www.genlias.nl/nl/searchDetail.jsp?val=0&xtr=8195210