Category: Memoirs
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Leaving Home
Read More: Leaving HomeBeekhuis Family ~ 1923 I left home when I was 16 [1921] to serve in a family with 6 children. It was good there. But I was happy when I could go home for a weekend. The people were nice, and I was like one of their own. But after 2 1/2 years I went…
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Family Dynamics
Read More: Family DynamicsTrijn had finished school and thus we were both home with mother. Trijn was small and finely built and was close to mother, while I was much closer to my father. That’s why I loved going to the field with him. In the evening Trijn and I sometimes went to the village where we played…
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The Work Begins
Read More: The Work BeginsWhen I was eleven [1916 – now the oldest daughter], my mother suddenly became ill. Her lungs had torn because of lifting things which were too heavy. Mother needed complete bed rest, and I had to leave school to care for her, to cook meals and take care of the youngest children, Meindert and Tiet.…
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School Days
Read More: School DaysLet me start with my first day in school [~1910]. School then always began on May 1st. My mother had no trouble getting me to school, because my sister Tietje took me along. I remember that during morning recess I wanted to go on the street, but my sister called me back. I still see…
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1912-08-13 Ena Stuit to H. Beekhuis
Read More: 1912-08-13 Ena Stuit to H. Beekhuis1912-08-13. From Ena Stuit to H. Beekhuis. Groningen, August 13. Beloved Brother, sister and children. Through the Lord’s goodness I am in good health, and I hope for you the same. First, I congratulate you with the birth of a son. What is his name? Are you better yet Stientje? You must have thought: Ena…
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1994 Dina Beekhuis Remembers
Read More: 1994 Dina Beekhuis RemembersOn May 21, 1994, Dina Beekhuis (van der Laan) told her daughter Stiny the following, while remembering the happenings of long ago: Siepko, who died at age nine, was not “normal”. He would often beat his head against the end of the bed. His mother used to worry about him a lot — what would…
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1912-01-13 Trijn Stuit to H. Beekhuis
Read More: 1912-01-13 Trijn Stuit to H. BeekhuisSaturday, January 13, 1912. From Trijn Stuit to H. Beekhuis. Dear brother and sister. Betje (Elizabeth) is still alive. Yesterday morning the doctor said, “she is dying” and that’s how she lay all day and all night. She was already cold. She was entirely alert and conscious. She is totally ready. She asked twice: “is…
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1912-01 Jan Stuit to H. Beekhuis
Read More: 1912-01 Jan Stuit to H. BeekhuisJanuary 1912. from Jan Stuit to H. Beekhuis. [writing from Kalamazoo, Michigan at age 17, less than a year after emigrating] Beloved brother and sister, We received the sad tiding of the death of your dear little daughter and our niece, Tietje Beekhuis. I was very shocked by this tiding, because I remembered the wonderful…
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1911-04 Trijntje Stuit to H. Beekhuis
Read More: 1911-04 Trijntje Stuit to H. Beekhuis1911-04-??. From Trijntje Stuit to H. Beekhuis. Woldendorp, dear brother and sister, Jan has left [at age 16 for America]. Oh, oh. He left as if he was coming back tomorrow. I have been home since Tuesday. I went to Burema for horses and a carriage to bring us. Uncle Huizinga always takes us. Do…
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1910-11-07 Elizabeth to Ena Stuit
Read More: 1910-11-07 Elizabeth to Ena StuitMonday, 1910-11-07. Prom Elizabeth Stuit to Ena Stuit. Dear Sister, We received your letter in good health and learned that you too are in good health. The boys had managed very well, and Roelf and Marie were oh so glad. Roelf has worn the cape a couple of times already. He looks very good in…