Claes' parentage is proven by an inheritance agreement which was dated 16 Dec 1666. It gives us no clue as to where he was born and even when he was born is ambiguous.

Immigration

No record of Claes Janszen having taken the 1687 Oath of Allegiance to the British king has been found. However, his brother Stoffel did take the oath and stated that he had lived in the province for 34 years. The assumption is that the family came together as a group at the same time. This would make 1653 the year of their arrival.

1. ↑ Flatbush Town Records. Auke Jansen/Leysebet Jans inheritance agreement. (Liber D. Court Minutes, Vol. 1, 1665-1670, p. 189).

   The text of the agreement can be found at the above link.

2. ↑ Will of Claes Jansen Romeyn, in New York. Surrogate's Court (New York County); New York. Prerogative Court; Robert H Kelby; and William Smith Pelletreau. Abstracts of wills on file in the Surrogate's Office, City of New York, 1665-1801. (New York, New York: Printed for the New York Historical Society, 1893-1909 [i.e. 1913])
   3:2.

   "In the name of God, Amen. This 31 day of October, 1718, I, CLAAS ROMEYN, of the outward of the City of New York, being in perfect health. I bequeath my soul into the hands of Almighty God who gave it me, trusting to be saved through the only merit of my Saviour and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. And as touching the disposal of my temporal estate as follows. I leave to my wife, Chrystintie Romeyn, for her natural life (she remainging my widow and not otherwise), all my estate, real and personal. After her death I give to my eldest son, John Romeyn, in preference to all other gifts, all that land and farm now in my possession, on New York island, which I bought of Captain Edward Blagge, and he is to pay for the same, for the use of all my heirs, the sum of 600 Pounds. If he refuses to do so, my executors are to sell the same, and my son Samuel is to have the use of 100 Pounds for six years without interest. The 600 Pounds of the proceeds of the farm, are to be divided among my children and grandchildren, namely, John, Albert, Daniel, and Samuel Romeyn, Gertrude, wife of Danie [David] Akerman. The four children of my daughter Leysbet, wife of John Sabrissie, deceased (for one share), Lydia, wife of Johanes Slingerland, and Saertie, wife of Hendrick Van Giesen. All the rest of my estate, after my wife's decease, is to go to all my children. I appoint my sons, John, Daniel, and Albert, executors." Witnesses, Esther Chevalier, Rip Van Dam, Jr., Stephen Bayard. Proved, November 16, 1730, before Frederick Morris, "being by me delegated thereto." John Montgomerie.

3. ↑ 1687 Oath of Allegiance, in O'Callaghan, E. B. (Edmund Bailey), and New York. Secretary of State. The documentary history of the State of New-York. (Albany, New York: Weed, Parsons & Co., 1849)
   1:661.