Tag: Groningen
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My Mother
Read More: My MotherMy mother, Wine Blokzyl, (short for Hebowina Jantina Klazina) was born and grew up in Ten Boer, in the province of Groningen. She spoke the Groninger dialect, while my father talked Terschellings, a Frisian dialect with remnants of the English language. In 1666 Terschelling was occupied by the English for a short time, and because…
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Bible, boat, Canada, Christmas, church, college, family, Groningen, organ, politics, religion, school, ship, Winschoten
Wedderveer
Read More: WedderveerThe farm in Wedderveer. Note the fruit trees close to the barn, the orchard of the neighbour Begeman on the right, the tractor shed at the back, the vegetable garden this side the clothesline and the rows of potatoes between clothesline and shed. On the left the small barn of our immediate neighbour Van der…
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Our Place
Read More: Our PlaceCountry /province /region /town /hamlet /farmhouse In 1945 The Netherlands was a maligned country, reeling from five years of enemy occupation and a final brutal season known as the hunger winter. Infrastructure was largely neglected or destroyed, the economy was in tatters, poverty was widespread. Elation swept across the country from south to north, March…
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Brother Berend
Read More: Brother BerendMother worried a lot about Berend. He ran away so often and then she had to go after him. It was difficult for Berend when they brought him to the deaf-mute institute in Groningen. Mother could finally get more rest. But that day was terribly hard. The director advised us that we should leave quietly,…
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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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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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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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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…
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1909-11-14 Elizabeth to Ena Stuit
Read More: 1909-11-14 Elizabeth to Ena StuitSunday, 1909-11-14. From Elizabeth Stuit to Ena Stuit. Dear sister, [Ena is four years younger than Elizabeth] It’s Sunday afternoon and I had better write again. We have just received your letter and learned that you are in good health which makes us very glad. We too are all in good health. Father is better…
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1908-01-12 Ena Berrelkamp to H. Beekhuis
Read More: 1908-01-12 Ena Berrelkamp to H. BeekhuisSunday, 1908-01-12? from E. Berrelkamp to H. Beekhuis Woldendorp, January 12. Dear cousins [‘cousin’ is multi-generational in Dutch], We hereby inform you that Leena delivered a son. And all is well. Your mother [Tietje] assisted her without the doctor. He is a very heavy Jan. It is now the third day. I wasn’t able to…