This book has been written by myself, Cornelis De Jong, one of the sons-in-law of Albert and Wilhelmina Brouwer.  Since I was not a member of this family until 1957 my information of the Brouwer history  came from several sources, but much of it came from Oma’s life story.  Oma wrote her life story very late.  She was 79 years of age when she started and by that time her memory was not always too clear.  Unfortunately, her book was somewhat mixed up and it was not feasible to translate it into English, but much of Oma’s writings about the years in Holland have been included in this book.

Not much was known about Albert Brouwer’s (Opa’s) parents and grandparents until a genealogy  of the Reewinkel family was compiled by Rien Hupkes.  Mr. Hupkes was a great-grandson of Antje Brouwer, who had married Albert Reewinkel.   Antje was a sister of Opa’s father and for this reason he had extensively researched the Brouwer family.  It is from his book that much of the family history and other information has been taken.  

In this book the family member is always mentioned first and then the in-law.  Whenever Opa and Oma are mentioned, the reference is to Opa and Oma Brouwer.  All others Opas and Omas have their last name included to avoid confusion. 

Although the finishing touches were worked on in the early months of 1999 the story of the Brouwer family is concluded at the end of 1998.

I would like to thank all those who contributed to this book by passing on their stories, or by writing their own memories.  Thanks to everyone for sharing their pictures with us.  I would like to especially thank my daughter Wendy who typed, edited and published this book.

                                               Cor De Jong, July 2000

Continue on with
“Family Names and History“
Chapter 1