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My Language BackgroundSeveral WR members from the Netherlands have been curious about my language background. The only language I speak natively is English. In particular, I do not speak Dutch, and that is a significant personal disappointment. My maternal grandmother spoke Dutch natively, and my maternal grandfather picked up an adequate knowledge of Dutch by growing up in the Netherlands-American community of Grand Rapids. But they only used Dutch in their home as their language for discussing things they didn't want their children to understand, and did not teach Dutch to their children. Quick LinksAhnentafelnMy Paternal Grandparents and Great-Grandparents
My Maternal Grandparents and Great-Grandparents
Parents of my Aunts and Uncles
My Favorite and Prominent Relatives
My Girlfriend's Great-Grandparents
My Girlfriend's Favorite and Prominent Relatives
Various Curious People and Families
Common Ancestor Research ObjectivesSeveral of my research objectives involve a search for common ancestors linking various people. (To claim a reward, the connection should be documented on WeRelate with each added step of the connection sourced.) My Father and my MotherSpecifically, a common ancestor between either of Neale Paul Keegstra and Elizabeth Catherine Ritzema and either of Melvin Houseman and Rena Bouma. The most promising lead is from the area of Burum. That town is the place of origin for the Keegstras, and it also is the birthplace for some of my maternal grandfather's Westras. In addition, it looks possible that the given name Metske originated in a single individual from the area of Burum, so even though this woman is not the ancestor of all the Keegstras, her existence is a hint to look further. My Maternal Grandfather and Maternal GrandmotherSpecifically, a common ancestor between Melvin Houseman and Rena Bouma. While the Friesland line of the former seems mainly from around Kollumerland, and the Friesland line of the latter was from the area around Kimswerd before they moved to Harlingen, both families have Westras (her and her). My Girlfriend and my Brother-in-LawMy girlfriend and my brother-in-law both have lines back to New Amsterdam, but I haven't yet located a common ancestor. The one line seem to be mainly from upstate New York and the other line more from New Jersey. Specifically, my girlfriend's line is through Miriam Quick and my brother-in-law's is through Nellie Covenhoven. (Apologies for the lack of sourcing in both lines.) Jan Tjibbeles Kamp and Sint Hendriks BaronBoth are from Drachten, so it is plausible to seek a common ancestor for Sint Hendriks Baron and Jan Tjibbes Kamp. My Mother and Sint Hendriks BaronWhile there is less reason to suspect the existence of such a connection, a connection between Sint Hendriks Baron and either of Melvin Houseman and Rena Bouma would be even more interesting than the preceding, as it would link my aunt with her late husband. Myself and Fridus Gerards RitsemaAnother connection for which I can't suggest any specific leads, but it would be very interesting if any of my four grandparents (Neale Paul Keegstra, Elizabeth Catherine Ritzema, Melvin Houseman, Rena Bouma) had a common ancestor with Fridus Gerards Ritsema from Ten Boer. (Three of my four grandparents, all but Rena, have strong connections to northern Groningen.) Brick WallsParents for Jacob KeimpesMy line with which I am least satisfied is the one which ends at Jacob Keimpes. His family seems to have been Doopsgezind, so there are no baptismal records from infancy. His parents may have been Ceijmpe Hotses and Aeltje Hendriks, but it is unclear how to prove that.
How Many Different Popke MetskesI see three marriages for Popke Metskes. How many of them are the same person?
A Popke Metskes made Lidmaten in Grijpskerk in Dec 1729. That or another Popke [Metskes] made 'doop volwassene' in Oldehove on 13 Mar 1722. Jan Metskes in that record may be a typo for Metske Jansen, cf genealogieonline. (I have seen this topic in various discussion groups.)
Parents for Abraham DeWitt Vought and link to Chauncey VoughtI suspect that Abraham DeWitt Vought has an immediate ancestor who is a DeWitt from New Amsterdam (either a mother or a grandmother). I also have a report that Abraham's grandson Valoris Virgil Vought was 2nd cousin to Chauncey Vought of the Vought Aircraft Company, i.e. Abraham's father is the common ancestor of the two. Parents for Isaac Lincoln (1773-1843) and Isaac Lincoln (1784-1842)One of the ancestors of my girlfriend is Isaac Lincoln (1784-1842), whose family history is recorded in this family Bible. That family Bible also mentions an Isaac Lincoln (1773-1843). I would like to know the parents for both of these and the nature of the relationship between them. Isaac Lincoln (1773-1843) is one of three persons named Isaac Lincoln born that year:
User and MySource Pages
Railroads and Interurbans of West Michigan(During a key period in the development of Michigan and the American Midwest, the railroads were the crucial linkages mediating that development. Since World War II they have lost that role to the interstate highways, and I would welcome a similar project to tie interstate exits to WeRelate places.) Calvin CollegeDordt CollegeCharter Members of Christian Reformed Church Congregations |