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Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Family history 1939 1950s
Christiaan Andries Van Doodewaard
Born in Rotterdam, The Netherlands on April 25, 1942.
Parents
Father: Anne Antoon Johannes Van Doodewaard (1916-1999)
Mother: Plonia Van Doodewaard – Jansen (1915-1992)
Grandparents:
Grandfather: Gerardus Johannes Van Doodewaard (1858-1925)
Grandmother: Lukina Van Doodewaard – Hukema (1886-1975)
Grandfather: Christiaan Andries Jansen (187?-1943)
Grandmother: Leentje Jansen – Van Mullem (1875-1957)
My parents were married on August 30, 1939 and
had six children:
Lukina (Ina) Den Hartog – Van Doodewaard (1941- )
Christiaan Andries Van Doodewaard (1942- )
Gerardus Johannes Van Doodewaard (1944-1996)
Lena (Lenie) Engelfriet-Van Doodewaard (1947- )
Anne Antoon Johannes (Andrew) Van Doodewaard (1950- )
Johannes Cornelis (John) Van Doodewaard (1953- )
I was born in the large industrial city Rotterdam, The Netherlands, right in the middle of World War II.
The country was occupied by the German occupation forces of Hitler (as was the rest of Europe), and although the Germans were well fed, the Dutch literally starved. Not a good time for my parents. My father was working at a grain elevator where grain was processed at the quay of one of Rotterdam’s many harbours: the Maashaven. The company understood that people without food could not do very much work. The employees were allowed to take some grain home from time to time to feed their families. This kept our family alive during the war. We can see that the Lord was gracious and cared for us. In the war period (1939-1945) there was an immense dearth of food. People who had administrative jobs often did not have any food at all for long periods of time.
Many people who did not have “connections” - relatives who had a farm- or money, died. In a large city nothing grew that could be eaten. Tulip bulbs had long been consumed. In the winter of 1944 – 1945 (an extremely cold one) people had little food, nor fuel for warmth. Not many trees survived that winter. Inside the homes, all unnecessary wood (doors, trim, stairs etc. were burned to have heat). Many people froze to death, many people starved to death. Each new morning found trucks picking up the dead off the streets for burial.
During this war period my sister Ina (1941) I, (1942) and my brother Gerard (1944) were born. We were born in the Van Haeftenstraat in Rotterdam. When the German war effort started failing, they mobilized all able bodied Dutch men between 16 and 45 to work in the factories in Germany. Their own work force, of all ages, (including children of 14 and retired men) was away from home fighting their wars. Vassal countries were emptied of all able bodied men, who had to work without pay in Germany. The alternative was the cemetery. Most complied, including my father’s brothers, because they thought the risk inherent in non compliance was too high. A few did decide not go to Germany, and just disappeared. They hid in homes, or with friends, and could never show themselves anywhere on the streets since their age would give them away, and they would be captured by the everywhere present German military. If caught they were usually executed, or sent to a concentration camp, and a few were sent to work in Germany anyway. Dad Van Doodewaard was determined not to work for the Germans. He knew he could easily lose his life doing this.
As the fateful morning came, when all able bodied men had to line up in the street to be taken away to Germany, my father was missing. The neighbours asked my mother why he was not there. All their men were lined up. After tearful good-byes, they were marched off and loaded into trucks, some never to be seen again.
My parents lived on the second floor of a row house, with a short, level landing behind the front door, (just deep enough to accommodate a bike) and then there was a staircase to the second floor. My father had made an opening in the floor just behind the door, and built a very sturdy (flush) cover for it. When closed, everything was covered by the runner that went straight up the stairs. Under the floor the building was open and you could crawl under all the houses in that row. Not a pleasant place. But in case the opening was found, he would hide in a far corner behind some concrete posts. If hiding places were found, the Germans had the habit of throwing in a few hand grenades. Rats and other vermin also had it as their territory, and there was no heat. The front door was always left doubly locked when my father was in the house, and the trap door cover was always left open. My father would run (quietly, so the neighbours on the main floor or in the next house would not hear him) down the stairs, disappear into the open hole, while my mother walked down the stairs normally. She would make sure the cover was closed properly, unroll the runner, unlock the door, and let the visitor in. If asked, she said that she double locked the door since she was now alone. None of the relatives, nor her mother or dad’s mother ever knew dad was in the house. Many a time a relative visited, while dad was listening in the next room. Mom sometimes had to go to great lengths to keep her mother or sister from just getting the crying baby in the back room. All signs of male (or double) occupancy had to vanish, before any visitor could be admitted. The price to pay was too high in case the secret leaked out. My father was a member of the “underground” resistance, and with others, planned sabotage actions, and helped the Jews, and looked after false identification papers for the resistance.
He also had weapons at home, and my sister and I on one occasion carried a machine gun through the city for him, under the noses of the Germans. It was a sten gun (taken apart) with diapers and baby clothes on top, carried in a bag with two handles, one, being held by Ina (4 years old) and one by Chris (3 years old). Mom pushed the baby stroller with Gerard in it. Every one thought we looked so cute helping Mommy carry the bag. The gun got to its destination safely, and so did we. Towards the end of the war things got too hot in Rotterdam, and my dad traveled (by underground) to Overijssel (another province in the northern part of Holland) and went “underground” there. He lived on a farm in the haystack. A tunnel had been made and a space opened inside to hide. Pepper was regularly scattered around the area, to throw off the dogs the Germans used to hunt for fugitives.
Before the end of the war he was able to return home again and help in resistance preparations for the normalization after the German defeat.
Church history
Our family members were all members of the Gereformeerde Kerk. Mom’s parents, the Jansen family, were from a small place called Strijen where my grandfather operated a transport company. Don’t think of trucks, think horses and wagons. (1920-1940) Company name: Sleperij Jansen. Their roots were with Kuypers doleantie church, and they became Gereformeerd after 1896.
My fathers family also was part of the Kuyper merger, but they came from the experiential Christelijke Gereformeerde Kerk prior to 1892. They also became Gereformeerd in 1896.
So it is clear that all my grandparents witnessed and went along with the Kuyper merger in 1896 and beginnings of the Gereformeerde Kerken. However, in the family on my fathers side there was dissatisfaction with the Gereformeerde Kerken. My dad left the Gereformeerde Kerken and joined the Gereformeerde Kerken vrijgemaakt when issues came to a head in 1944. The main issue at that time was the competency of a synod in deposing consistories, pastors and office bearers. Church order indicated that this belongs to the jurisdiction of the highest body in the churches, the local consistory. A classis and synod are advisory bodies, and their decisions are accepted by common consent. These bodies do not have the power to call, depose or remove an office bearer, but may advise the consistory to do so.
Immigration
My father worked in the Netherlands in the immediate post-war period of 1945-1951, and then moved to Canada. Holland had been devastated by the war, it’s infra structure destroyed, and work was poorly paid and scarce. Most of the city of Rotterdam had been burned to the ground by the German bombing attack in the beginning of 1940. Acute housing shortages were a problem that would plague the country for decades to come. A flood of Dutch immigrants moved to overseas countries that had not seen the ravages of war, where life was good, jobs plentiful, lots of space and freedom to start whatever they wanted. So they thought. Only the last point was accurate. All these countries had repatriated their veterans and wounded home. There was a plethora of workers available for few jobs.
So many Dutch decided to become immigrants to foreign lands. Anne and Plonia Van Doodewaard-Jansen applied for and received their papers to immigrate to Canada in 1951. They had five children at that time. They said their farewells and in August of 1951 boarded the MS.Volendam for the trip, via LeHavre (France) to Halifax. On the Lordsday we all listened to some good sermons held by Rev. J. Tamminga who was also emigrating to Canada, and becoming the new pastor of the Free (Christian) Reformed church of Chatham, Ontario.
Our destination was Vancouver Island in B.C., and dad would work in the forests there as a logger. In Halifax we boarded the train for the long journey across the Canadian provinces. In Holland they could cross a province in the train in 15 minutes, and the entire country in four hours, and here some provinces took three days! The scale of Canada was awesome. An den de “rokkee mountens”. Dey werr rrreally sometink!
Really something were also the sturdy wooden train benches without any trace of luxury. After 6 days of that we were all quite square and flat on one side. The endless dum-dum----dum-dum----dum-dum of the tracks never left us for weeks thereafter. Finally we arrived in Vancouver, ready to travel the last leg of our journey to Vancouver Island. In Vancouver we were told to disembark, because we could not travel on. Forest fires on the island made work impossible. The Dutch field man, (person looking after immigrants) picked us up and put us in a motel in Sapperton. From there we moved to the top floor of a house in New Westminster owned by a Mrs. Bell. So, there we were in Canada: No job, no income. Yet, the Lord cared for us.
Dad could find work at a feed mill in New Westminster; Brackman and Kerr, and worked there for some years. We could purchase a house on Godwin Avenue in Burnaby, and it had some land. Dad started building a big chicken coop, and a barn, and bought goats, and raised chickens. The children sold the eggs door to door. The goats were milked, and the hospital had a requirement for goats milk for some patients. So we could sell the milk. The vegetables in the garden were plentiful, so dad bought a pickup truck, and hammered together a display stand on the back and started selling our veggies door to door.
This went so well that besides growing them, he started buying them at market early in the morning in Vancouver. He had things running like a train, when the Chinese moved in. The Chinese are nice people, but they live on rice only, they push their carts and do not use gasoline, they (seem to) never sleep.
Where several neighborhoods will nicely support one Dutchman, it also seems, that instead, the same area is able to support 10 Chinese who sell below wholesale prices. End of that business.
Born in Rotterdam, The Netherlands on April 25, 1942.
Parents
Father: Anne Antoon Johannes Van Doodewaard (1916-1999)
Mother: Plonia Van Doodewaard – Jansen (1915-1992)
Grandparents:
Grandfather: Gerardus Johannes Van Doodewaard (1858-1925)
Grandmother: Lukina Van Doodewaard – Hukema (1886-1975)
Grandfather: Christiaan Andries Jansen (187?-1943)
Grandmother: Leentje Jansen – Van Mullem (1875-1957)
My parents were married on August 30, 1939 and
had six children:
Lukina (Ina) Den Hartog – Van Doodewaard (1941- )
Christiaan Andries Van Doodewaard (1942- )
Gerardus Johannes Van Doodewaard (1944-1996)
Lena (Lenie) Engelfriet-Van Doodewaard (1947- )
Anne Antoon Johannes (Andrew) Van Doodewaard (1950- )
Johannes Cornelis (John) Van Doodewaard (1953- )
I was born in the large industrial city Rotterdam, The Netherlands, right in the middle of World War II.
The country was occupied by the German occupation forces of Hitler (as was the rest of Europe), and although the Germans were well fed, the Dutch literally starved. Not a good time for my parents. My father was working at a grain elevator where grain was processed at the quay of one of Rotterdam’s many harbours: the Maashaven. The company understood that people without food could not do very much work. The employees were allowed to take some grain home from time to time to feed their families. This kept our family alive during the war. We can see that the Lord was gracious and cared for us. In the war period (1939-1945) there was an immense dearth of food. People who had administrative jobs often did not have any food at all for long periods of time.
Many people who did not have “connections” - relatives who had a farm- or money, died. In a large city nothing grew that could be eaten. Tulip bulbs had long been consumed. In the winter of 1944 – 1945 (an extremely cold one) people had little food, nor fuel for warmth. Not many trees survived that winter. Inside the homes, all unnecessary wood (doors, trim, stairs etc. were burned to have heat). Many people froze to death, many people starved to death. Each new morning found trucks picking up the dead off the streets for burial.
During this war period my sister Ina (1941) I, (1942) and my brother Gerard (1944) were born. We were born in the Van Haeftenstraat in Rotterdam. When the German war effort started failing, they mobilized all able bodied Dutch men between 16 and 45 to work in the factories in Germany. Their own work force, of all ages, (including children of 14 and retired men) was away from home fighting their wars. Vassal countries were emptied of all able bodied men, who had to work without pay in Germany. The alternative was the cemetery. Most complied, including my father’s brothers, because they thought the risk inherent in non compliance was too high. A few did decide not go to Germany, and just disappeared. They hid in homes, or with friends, and could never show themselves anywhere on the streets since their age would give them away, and they would be captured by the everywhere present German military. If caught they were usually executed, or sent to a concentration camp, and a few were sent to work in Germany anyway. Dad Van Doodewaard was determined not to work for the Germans. He knew he could easily lose his life doing this.
As the fateful morning came, when all able bodied men had to line up in the street to be taken away to Germany, my father was missing. The neighbours asked my mother why he was not there. All their men were lined up. After tearful good-byes, they were marched off and loaded into trucks, some never to be seen again.
My parents lived on the second floor of a row house, with a short, level landing behind the front door, (just deep enough to accommodate a bike) and then there was a staircase to the second floor. My father had made an opening in the floor just behind the door, and built a very sturdy (flush) cover for it. When closed, everything was covered by the runner that went straight up the stairs. Under the floor the building was open and you could crawl under all the houses in that row. Not a pleasant place. But in case the opening was found, he would hide in a far corner behind some concrete posts. If hiding places were found, the Germans had the habit of throwing in a few hand grenades. Rats and other vermin also had it as their territory, and there was no heat. The front door was always left doubly locked when my father was in the house, and the trap door cover was always left open. My father would run (quietly, so the neighbours on the main floor or in the next house would not hear him) down the stairs, disappear into the open hole, while my mother walked down the stairs normally. She would make sure the cover was closed properly, unroll the runner, unlock the door, and let the visitor in. If asked, she said that she double locked the door since she was now alone. None of the relatives, nor her mother or dad’s mother ever knew dad was in the house. Many a time a relative visited, while dad was listening in the next room. Mom sometimes had to go to great lengths to keep her mother or sister from just getting the crying baby in the back room. All signs of male (or double) occupancy had to vanish, before any visitor could be admitted. The price to pay was too high in case the secret leaked out. My father was a member of the “underground” resistance, and with others, planned sabotage actions, and helped the Jews, and looked after false identification papers for the resistance.
He also had weapons at home, and my sister and I on one occasion carried a machine gun through the city for him, under the noses of the Germans. It was a sten gun (taken apart) with diapers and baby clothes on top, carried in a bag with two handles, one, being held by Ina (4 years old) and one by Chris (3 years old). Mom pushed the baby stroller with Gerard in it. Every one thought we looked so cute helping Mommy carry the bag. The gun got to its destination safely, and so did we. Towards the end of the war things got too hot in Rotterdam, and my dad traveled (by underground) to Overijssel (another province in the northern part of Holland) and went “underground” there. He lived on a farm in the haystack. A tunnel had been made and a space opened inside to hide. Pepper was regularly scattered around the area, to throw off the dogs the Germans used to hunt for fugitives.
Before the end of the war he was able to return home again and help in resistance preparations for the normalization after the German defeat.
Church history
Our family members were all members of the Gereformeerde Kerk. Mom’s parents, the Jansen family, were from a small place called Strijen where my grandfather operated a transport company. Don’t think of trucks, think horses and wagons. (1920-1940) Company name: Sleperij Jansen. Their roots were with Kuypers doleantie church, and they became Gereformeerd after 1896.
My fathers family also was part of the Kuyper merger, but they came from the experiential Christelijke Gereformeerde Kerk prior to 1892. They also became Gereformeerd in 1896.
So it is clear that all my grandparents witnessed and went along with the Kuyper merger in 1896 and beginnings of the Gereformeerde Kerken. However, in the family on my fathers side there was dissatisfaction with the Gereformeerde Kerken. My dad left the Gereformeerde Kerken and joined the Gereformeerde Kerken vrijgemaakt when issues came to a head in 1944. The main issue at that time was the competency of a synod in deposing consistories, pastors and office bearers. Church order indicated that this belongs to the jurisdiction of the highest body in the churches, the local consistory. A classis and synod are advisory bodies, and their decisions are accepted by common consent. These bodies do not have the power to call, depose or remove an office bearer, but may advise the consistory to do so.
Immigration
My father worked in the Netherlands in the immediate post-war period of 1945-1951, and then moved to Canada. Holland had been devastated by the war, it’s infra structure destroyed, and work was poorly paid and scarce. Most of the city of Rotterdam had been burned to the ground by the German bombing attack in the beginning of 1940. Acute housing shortages were a problem that would plague the country for decades to come. A flood of Dutch immigrants moved to overseas countries that had not seen the ravages of war, where life was good, jobs plentiful, lots of space and freedom to start whatever they wanted. So they thought. Only the last point was accurate. All these countries had repatriated their veterans and wounded home. There was a plethora of workers available for few jobs.
So many Dutch decided to become immigrants to foreign lands. Anne and Plonia Van Doodewaard-Jansen applied for and received their papers to immigrate to Canada in 1951. They had five children at that time. They said their farewells and in August of 1951 boarded the MS.Volendam for the trip, via LeHavre (France) to Halifax. On the Lordsday we all listened to some good sermons held by Rev. J. Tamminga who was also emigrating to Canada, and becoming the new pastor of the Free (Christian) Reformed church of Chatham, Ontario.
Our destination was Vancouver Island in B.C., and dad would work in the forests there as a logger. In Halifax we boarded the train for the long journey across the Canadian provinces. In Holland they could cross a province in the train in 15 minutes, and the entire country in four hours, and here some provinces took three days! The scale of Canada was awesome. An den de “rokkee mountens”. Dey werr rrreally sometink!
Really something were also the sturdy wooden train benches without any trace of luxury. After 6 days of that we were all quite square and flat on one side. The endless dum-dum----dum-dum----dum-dum of the tracks never left us for weeks thereafter. Finally we arrived in Vancouver, ready to travel the last leg of our journey to Vancouver Island. In Vancouver we were told to disembark, because we could not travel on. Forest fires on the island made work impossible. The Dutch field man, (person looking after immigrants) picked us up and put us in a motel in Sapperton. From there we moved to the top floor of a house in New Westminster owned by a Mrs. Bell. So, there we were in Canada: No job, no income. Yet, the Lord cared for us.
Dad could find work at a feed mill in New Westminster; Brackman and Kerr, and worked there for some years. We could purchase a house on Godwin Avenue in Burnaby, and it had some land. Dad started building a big chicken coop, and a barn, and bought goats, and raised chickens. The children sold the eggs door to door. The goats were milked, and the hospital had a requirement for goats milk for some patients. So we could sell the milk. The vegetables in the garden were plentiful, so dad bought a pickup truck, and hammered together a display stand on the back and started selling our veggies door to door.
This went so well that besides growing them, he started buying them at market early in the morning in Vancouver. He had things running like a train, when the Chinese moved in. The Chinese are nice people, but they live on rice only, they push their carts and do not use gasoline, they (seem to) never sleep.
Where several neighborhoods will nicely support one Dutchman, it also seems, that instead, the same area is able to support 10 Chinese who sell below wholesale prices. End of that business.
Family history 1913 - 1938
The family history of Gerhardus Johannes Van Doodewaard and Lukina Hukema, written by their son Anne Antoon Johannes Van Doodewaard (1916-1999)
Date of marriage October 2, 1913 in Groningen, the Netherlands.
Children (5 sons):
Gerardus J.A.A. born on the ship in Rotterdam (August 10,1914)
Anne A.J. born on the ship in Amsterdam (November 13, 1916)
Antoon born on the ship in Rotterdam (Zalmhaven) (January 30, 1918)
Dirk Klaas born on the ship in Rotterdam (Waalhaven) (June 24, 1921)
Nico born in Rotterdam, Valkenoordsekade. (August 1, 1923)
My father was a single man to his 55th year. He was captain of a Rhine freighter for the widow Warnas or Warnaar and inherited her vessel.
He married my mother when she was 28 years of age and they purchased a new ship of 660 tons, a Kempenaar (type of vessel) and named it Emanuel. With this ship we traveled to France, Strassbourg, Belgium and Germany. This was in the First World War (WW1). We wore shoes with wooden soles at the time.
My father was asked to smuggle contraband into Germany, that would be concealed between the load of iron bars the ship was carrying. My father refused. When we approached the German border the customs confiscated our ship, and put in into a drydock. The entire load of steel was unloaded, they even sawed the legs off our table, and broke through the paneling. They found nothing, because there was nothing to find. Later we found out that they had been told we were smuggling. The vessel ahead of us did agree to take on contraband, and they did pass safely.
We have made many journeys with the Emanuel. Once we were crossing the North Sea close by the Dutch coast and the weather was stormy. My mother was cooking white beans on the stove when the pan flew off the stove and scattered the beans throughout the kitchen. We all sat on the floor, since due to the rough weather we could no longer stand, and ate the beans off the floor. Nothing was wasted.
After those experiences we remained inside the Netherlands for the duration of WW1.
But there was very little to eat, since our borders were blocked because the Netherlands wanted to maintain its neutrality.
After WW1 we continued to ship for some time. My brother Gerard had an accident and got his little finger mangled in the gears of the steering wheel. You can see the scars to this day. Gerard also fell from the walkway on the top of the ship into the hold. The Lord spared his life. It was quite a depth and he landed on the metal bottom. I also had a small “accident”. On the wooden cover of the hold we had a small wooden wagon tied down. I went and sat in it, and wiggled the rope until it finally became untied. The wagon caught speed down the steep slope and was only forcefully stopped by the edge of the ship, dumping me, face down, over the side onto the paved quay. My father jumped after me, and I was quickly pulled back on board, be it with a skinned face and bleeding nose. Fortunately everything did heal.
Gradually it became more difficult for my father to drive our ship, because he was diagnosed with cancer.
We started looking for a place to live off the water. My parents negotiated with the owner of a general store in Delfshaven to purchase it, but could not come to terms. My dad had given indication that he wanted to sell the Emanuel, and two shippers, a Mr. Koedoot and a Mr. De Vries had some interest, and wanted a 5% commission if they would sell the vessel. My father had himself found another interested party, a Mr. Moore, who did decide to purchase the vessel for 26.500 guilders. We delivered the vessel to him at the Oostkous in Rotterdam Delfshaven. After much effort, a general store was found for sale and purchased from Mr. Kil in the southern part of Rotterdam, on the Varkenoordsekade. We then became landlubbers, and started our waterless, and stationary future. We sure did miss our travels!
In the meanwhile the shippers Koedoot and de Vries had started a legal procedure against my father, which took a whole year to conclude. They both lied under oath and were sentenced to a year in jail for attempting to defraud. That year our case was repeatedly in the news. It was also published in Het Rotterdams Nieuwsblad. This whole court process did cost us the royal sum of 5000 guilders!
It was 1922 when we purchased the general store, but this also could not continue. My father’s illness worsened. The store was infected with mice, and mother had found a cat, which could solve the problem. The next morning it looked like a hurricane had struck the store. We could salvage a few bags of beans and peas off the floor, but the damage was so substantial that we decided to close the store.
My father decided to buy rental properties and in the same year (1922) purchased new homes in the Botha Street in Rotterdam. Four buildings, containing 12 dwellings, 1 cigar store and a storage building. We then again had a good source of income. The rental income was for each (1) dwelling: 12,00 guilders per week. The cigar store was rented for 28,00 guilders per week, and the storage building for 8,00 guilders per week. After some time, rents started to decline, and we were forced to have double occupancy in some homes. In doing this, we were getting undesirables as tenants. The houses deteriorated and became filthy and rental arrears skyrocketed. We had to sign over two houses to the bank.
Terminal illness
My father now often visited Dr. Bijsterveld, in the Graaf Florisstraat, Rotterdam. The doctor told my mother that Dad’s cancer was incurable. Dr. Bijsterveld was a physician who practiced with mostly natural remedies, and inspired unlimited confidence in some, and none in others.
It was on a Saturday evening that my father had a stroke. He fell to the ground with foam on his mouth. I immediately ran to “the houses” where my mother was meeting with uncle Willem, whom they had appointed superintendent for the houses. We all rushed home, and found Dad sitting in a chair. They phoned Dr. Dijkhuizen who came right away. He told us to open all the windows. My mother immediately sent a telegram to her mother and her daughters, sisters of my mother, who lived in Gouda. My grandmother was Klazina Hukema-de Wilde (deceased in 1927 and buried in Gouda).
Sunday morning at nine am they were all on our doorstep. Dad had improved somewhat, and asked: "What are you doing here?" “We are coming to visit and see you.” They stayed all day Sunday. My dad always retired early (always early to bed and early to rise) at 9 pm. His last daily duty was to wind all the clocks and his gold watch. He would say, "see mother, that is now my daily work, to keep them going." He went to bed as usual and passed away an hour later. He was buried in the Krooswijk cemetery, in Rotterdam in the family grave of my grandfather Anne Hukema, who passed away at the age of 55 years.
We then moved into one of our houses in the Botha street (nr.26), and also sold the general store. Uncle Willem was no longer superintendent, and mother appointed a carpenter in his place, a Mr. Koedoot.
It appeared the homes had been built in a low lying area and flooding became a problem. All the cellars were filled with water, including the cellar of the cigar store. Downstairs boxes of costly cigars were floating everywhere. We raised the floors by having cement poured on them, and raised the gardens by having loads of clay applied. A lot of costly work. In the meanwhile the houses continued to deteriorate and we were forced to have double occupancy in all of them.
We had purchased the buildings for 55.000 guilders. As I said before, many tenants were in arrears. It would take up to three months before we could remove them. Eventually we had to sell all our buildings and my mother Lukina** had to look after income to support the family.
Children born from the marriage of Anne Hukema and Klazina De Wilde:
Lukina**, Grietje, Wrister, Tjerk, Johannes, Jaantje, David, Klazina.
My grandparents initially had a vessel named Reoboth. They also had a farm in Wagenborgen, in the province of Groningen.
Written by Anne Antoon Johannes Van Doodewaard (1916-1999).
Translated by his son Chris Van Doodewaard (1942-)
originally written in Dutch by Anne Antoon Johannes Van Doodewaard (1916-1999)
Het gezin Gerhardus Johannes Van Doodewaard en Lukina Hukema.
Gehuwd in Groningen op 2 October 1913.
Kinderen geboren uit dit huwelijk:
Gerardus J.A.A. geboren op het schip te Rotterdam
Anne A.J. geboren op het schip te Amsterdam
Antoon geboren op het schip te Rotterdam (Zalmhaven)
Dirk Klaas geboren op het schip te Rotterdam (Waalhaven)
Nico geboren Valkenoordsekade te Rotterdam
Mijn vader was tot zijn 55e jaar vrijgezel en voer als schipper bij de weduwe Warnas of Warnaar en erfde haar schip.
Hij trouwde met mijn moeder toen ze 28 jaar was en kochten een nieuw schip van 660 ton, een kempenaar genaamd Emanuel. We zijn met dit schip in Frankrijk, Straatsburg, Belgie en Duitsland geweest. Dit was in de eerste wereldoorlog. Wij droegen toen schoentjes met houten zolen. Mijn vader werd aangezocht om smokkelwaar over de grens te brengen, dat zou dan tussen de lading ijzer verwerkt worden. Mijn vader heeft gewijgerd.
Toen wij weer in Duisland kwamen, moest van de duane ons schip een droogdok in. Heel de lading werd gelost, de tafelpoten werden doorgezaagd, schotten werden opengebroken. Er was niets te vinden. Later bleek dat ze gezegd hadden dat wij smokkelwaren aan boord hadden. Maar het schip dat voor ons was had smokkelwaar aan boord, en die kwam er veilig door.
We hebben veel reizen meegemaakt met het schip. Zo ook vlak langs de Nederlandse kust over de Noordzee gegaan en het was een woelige zee. Mijn moeder had een pan met witte bonen op staan en die vloog van de kachel af op de grond. Wij zaten toen met z’n allen te midden van de witte bonen en begonnen ze lekker op te peuzelen. Nadien hebben we steeds in Nederland gevaren durend de eerste wereld oorlog.
Toen hadden we eenheidsworst, en werd er honger geleden, omdat Nederland neutraal wou blijven. Na de oorlog (WW1) hebben wij nog een tijdje door gevaren. Mijn broer, Gerard, had een ongelukje en kwam met zijn pink tussen het kamrad van het stuurrad terrecht. De lidtekens zijn nog te zien. Gerard is nog een keer van de luiken in het ruim gevallen. Gelukkig is dat nog goed afgelopen. Ook ik zelf (Anne) had een ongelukje. Het geval was, er stond een klein houten wagentje midden op het schip op de luiken. Mijn vader had het met een lijn vastgebonden. Ik ben er toen in gaan zitten en heb net zo lang gepeuterd tot dat ik het los had. Het wagentje reed van de luiken af in het gangbord en ik lag met mijn gezicht op de keien. Mijn vader was in een sprong bij mij, Snel was ik weer aan boord met een bloedneus en het vel van mijn gezicht. Gelukkig is het weer beter geworden.
Zo langzamerhand was het voor mijn vader niet meer mogelijk om met het schip te varen, omdat hij kanker had. Toen moest er omgekeken worden om aan de wal een middel van bestaan te vinden. Mijn vader en moeder hebben een gesprek gehad met een kruidenier in Delfshaven om de zaak over te nemen. Maar helaas is de koop niet door gegaan. Inmiddels had mijn vader het schip te koop aangeboden, aan twee bevrachters Koedoot en de Vries. Ze moesten 5% hebben voor de verkoop van het schip. Intussen had mijn vader een zekere schipper Moore ontmoet, en mijn vader bood zijn schip te koop aan. De koop werd besloten voor 26.500 gulden. En we gingen met ons schip naar de Oostkous te Delfshaven. Na veel zoeken en informaties hebben ze een kruidenierswinkel gekocht in Rotterdam Zuid aan de Varkenoordsekade van een zekere heer Kil. Wij zijn toen verhuisd en begonnen een nieuw bestaan aan de wal.
Intussen begonnen die scheepsbevrachters een proces tegen mijn vader, dat een jaar heeft geduurd. Zij hebben beide meineed gepleegd en werden gestraft met een jaar gevangenis straf. Dit proces koste ons 5000 guldens. Geregeld stond er een stuk in het Rotterdams Nieuwsblad. Het heeft een jaar geduurd voordat het afgelopen was.
Wij hebben eerst in 1922 een kruidenierswinkel gekocht, maar men kon de winkel niet handhaven. Mijn vader werd steeds zieker. We hadden veel last van muizen, toen heeft mijn moeder een kat naar binnen geloodst en s'morgens toen wij op kwamen lag alles over de grond. We hebben twee zakken op kunnen scheppen met capucijners en erwten en allerlei andere spullen. We hebben de winkel maar gesloten.
Mijn vader heeft in 1922 nieuwe huizen gekocht in de Botha straat. Vier panden, 12 woningen, 1 sigaren winkel en een pakhuis.We hadden toen een bron van inkomsten. Maar na enige tijd zakten de huren, en wij moesten de huizen dubbel laten bewonen. De huren waren eerst voor een (1) woning: 12,00 gulden per week. De winkel 28,00 gulden per week, en het pakhhuis 8,00 gulden per week. Met het verhuren van de huizen die dubbel bewoond werden kregen we allerlei a-socialen in onze huizen. Wat ten gevolge had vervuiling van de huizen en huurschuld. Later moesten wij twee panden afstaan aan de bank.
Ziekte
Mijn vader ging dikwijls naar Rotterdam, Graaf Florisstraat, naar Dr. Bijsterveld. Deze vertelde aan mijn moeder dat mijn vader kanker had en ongeneeslijk was. Want Dr. Bijsterveld was een waterkijker. Het was op een zaterdag avond dat mijn vader een beroerte kreeg. Hij viel op de grond met schuim op zijn mond. Ik ben toen direct naar de huizen gegaan, waar mijn moeder was met mijn oom Willem. Hij was toen opzichter over de huizen. Ze zijn direct naar huis gegaan, en vonden mijn vader weer zittend in de stoel. Ze belden toen Dr. Dijkhuizen en die kwam. We moesten toen al de ramen openzetten. Intussen heeft mijn moeder toen een telegram naar de familie in Gouda gestuurd. Daar woonde mijn grootmoeder (Klazina Hukema-de Wilde(overleden in 1927 en begraven in Gouda)) en de zusters van mijn moeder.
Zondagmorgen om een uur of negen stonden ze voor de deur. Mijn vader was inmiddels wat opgeknapt en die zei: “Wat komen jullie doen?” “We komen op visite en naar jou kijken.” Ze zijn de hele zondag gebleven. Mijn vader ging altijd om negen uur naar bed. Voor hij naar bed ging wond hij altijd de klokken op en zijn gouden horloge. Ik hoor hem nog zeggen, “kijk moeder, dat is nou mijn werk.” Toen is hij naar bed gegaan en om 10 uur overleden. Hij werd begraven op de begraafplaats Krooswijk, in het graf van mijn grootvader Anne Hukema, overleden op 55 jarige leeftijd.
Daarna zijn wij verhuisd en hebben de winkel verkocht. Wij woonden toen in een van onze huizen Bothastraat no.26. Wij hadden eerst mijn oom Willem als opzichter en later de heer Koedoot. Die had een timmerzaak. We kregen te maken met wateroverlast. De kelders stonden vol met water. Ook de kelder van onze sigaren winkel. De dozen met sigaren dreven in de kelder. We moesten toen al de kelders ophogen met cement en de tuinen met klei. De buurt ging staads maar achteruit zodat wij genoodzaakt waren de huizen dubbel te verhuren. We hadden deze panden voor 55.000 gulden gekocht. Zoals eerder gemeld, de mensen hadden veel huurschuld. Het duurde wel drie maanden voordat wij deze mensen eruit hadden. Later zijn onze huizen verkocht, en moest mijn moeder Lukina** zorgen voor de inkomsten om de kinderen te onderhouden.
Kinderen geboren uit het huwelijk van Anne Hukema en Klazina De Wilde:
Lukina**, Grietje, Wrister, Tjerk, Johannes, Jaantje, David, Klazina. Mijn grootouders Anne Hukema en Klazina de Wilde hadden een schip genaamd Reoboth.
Ze hebben ook nog een boerderijtje gehad in Wagenborgen, Groningen.
Dit alles opgetekend door Anne Antoon Johannes Van Doodewaard (1916).
Date of marriage October 2, 1913 in Groningen, the Netherlands.
Children (5 sons):
Gerardus J.A.A. born on the ship in Rotterdam (August 10,1914)
Anne A.J. born on the ship in Amsterdam (November 13, 1916)
Antoon born on the ship in Rotterdam (Zalmhaven) (January 30, 1918)
Dirk Klaas born on the ship in Rotterdam (Waalhaven) (June 24, 1921)
Nico born in Rotterdam, Valkenoordsekade. (August 1, 1923)
My father was a single man to his 55th year. He was captain of a Rhine freighter for the widow Warnas or Warnaar and inherited her vessel.
He married my mother when she was 28 years of age and they purchased a new ship of 660 tons, a Kempenaar (type of vessel) and named it Emanuel. With this ship we traveled to France, Strassbourg, Belgium and Germany. This was in the First World War (WW1). We wore shoes with wooden soles at the time.
My father was asked to smuggle contraband into Germany, that would be concealed between the load of iron bars the ship was carrying. My father refused. When we approached the German border the customs confiscated our ship, and put in into a drydock. The entire load of steel was unloaded, they even sawed the legs off our table, and broke through the paneling. They found nothing, because there was nothing to find. Later we found out that they had been told we were smuggling. The vessel ahead of us did agree to take on contraband, and they did pass safely.
We have made many journeys with the Emanuel. Once we were crossing the North Sea close by the Dutch coast and the weather was stormy. My mother was cooking white beans on the stove when the pan flew off the stove and scattered the beans throughout the kitchen. We all sat on the floor, since due to the rough weather we could no longer stand, and ate the beans off the floor. Nothing was wasted.
After those experiences we remained inside the Netherlands for the duration of WW1.
But there was very little to eat, since our borders were blocked because the Netherlands wanted to maintain its neutrality.
After WW1 we continued to ship for some time. My brother Gerard had an accident and got his little finger mangled in the gears of the steering wheel. You can see the scars to this day. Gerard also fell from the walkway on the top of the ship into the hold. The Lord spared his life. It was quite a depth and he landed on the metal bottom. I also had a small “accident”. On the wooden cover of the hold we had a small wooden wagon tied down. I went and sat in it, and wiggled the rope until it finally became untied. The wagon caught speed down the steep slope and was only forcefully stopped by the edge of the ship, dumping me, face down, over the side onto the paved quay. My father jumped after me, and I was quickly pulled back on board, be it with a skinned face and bleeding nose. Fortunately everything did heal.
Gradually it became more difficult for my father to drive our ship, because he was diagnosed with cancer.
We started looking for a place to live off the water. My parents negotiated with the owner of a general store in Delfshaven to purchase it, but could not come to terms. My dad had given indication that he wanted to sell the Emanuel, and two shippers, a Mr. Koedoot and a Mr. De Vries had some interest, and wanted a 5% commission if they would sell the vessel. My father had himself found another interested party, a Mr. Moore, who did decide to purchase the vessel for 26.500 guilders. We delivered the vessel to him at the Oostkous in Rotterdam Delfshaven. After much effort, a general store was found for sale and purchased from Mr. Kil in the southern part of Rotterdam, on the Varkenoordsekade. We then became landlubbers, and started our waterless, and stationary future. We sure did miss our travels!
In the meanwhile the shippers Koedoot and de Vries had started a legal procedure against my father, which took a whole year to conclude. They both lied under oath and were sentenced to a year in jail for attempting to defraud. That year our case was repeatedly in the news. It was also published in Het Rotterdams Nieuwsblad. This whole court process did cost us the royal sum of 5000 guilders!
It was 1922 when we purchased the general store, but this also could not continue. My father’s illness worsened. The store was infected with mice, and mother had found a cat, which could solve the problem. The next morning it looked like a hurricane had struck the store. We could salvage a few bags of beans and peas off the floor, but the damage was so substantial that we decided to close the store.
My father decided to buy rental properties and in the same year (1922) purchased new homes in the Botha Street in Rotterdam. Four buildings, containing 12 dwellings, 1 cigar store and a storage building. We then again had a good source of income. The rental income was for each (1) dwelling: 12,00 guilders per week. The cigar store was rented for 28,00 guilders per week, and the storage building for 8,00 guilders per week. After some time, rents started to decline, and we were forced to have double occupancy in some homes. In doing this, we were getting undesirables as tenants. The houses deteriorated and became filthy and rental arrears skyrocketed. We had to sign over two houses to the bank.
Terminal illness
My father now often visited Dr. Bijsterveld, in the Graaf Florisstraat, Rotterdam. The doctor told my mother that Dad’s cancer was incurable. Dr. Bijsterveld was a physician who practiced with mostly natural remedies, and inspired unlimited confidence in some, and none in others.
It was on a Saturday evening that my father had a stroke. He fell to the ground with foam on his mouth. I immediately ran to “the houses” where my mother was meeting with uncle Willem, whom they had appointed superintendent for the houses. We all rushed home, and found Dad sitting in a chair. They phoned Dr. Dijkhuizen who came right away. He told us to open all the windows. My mother immediately sent a telegram to her mother and her daughters, sisters of my mother, who lived in Gouda. My grandmother was Klazina Hukema-de Wilde (deceased in 1927 and buried in Gouda).
Sunday morning at nine am they were all on our doorstep. Dad had improved somewhat, and asked: "What are you doing here?" “We are coming to visit and see you.” They stayed all day Sunday. My dad always retired early (always early to bed and early to rise) at 9 pm. His last daily duty was to wind all the clocks and his gold watch. He would say, "see mother, that is now my daily work, to keep them going." He went to bed as usual and passed away an hour later. He was buried in the Krooswijk cemetery, in Rotterdam in the family grave of my grandfather Anne Hukema, who passed away at the age of 55 years.
We then moved into one of our houses in the Botha street (nr.26), and also sold the general store. Uncle Willem was no longer superintendent, and mother appointed a carpenter in his place, a Mr. Koedoot.
It appeared the homes had been built in a low lying area and flooding became a problem. All the cellars were filled with water, including the cellar of the cigar store. Downstairs boxes of costly cigars were floating everywhere. We raised the floors by having cement poured on them, and raised the gardens by having loads of clay applied. A lot of costly work. In the meanwhile the houses continued to deteriorate and we were forced to have double occupancy in all of them.
We had purchased the buildings for 55.000 guilders. As I said before, many tenants were in arrears. It would take up to three months before we could remove them. Eventually we had to sell all our buildings and my mother Lukina** had to look after income to support the family.
Children born from the marriage of Anne Hukema and Klazina De Wilde:
Lukina**, Grietje, Wrister, Tjerk, Johannes, Jaantje, David, Klazina.
My grandparents initially had a vessel named Reoboth. They also had a farm in Wagenborgen, in the province of Groningen.
Written by Anne Antoon Johannes Van Doodewaard (1916-1999).
Translated by his son Chris Van Doodewaard (1942-)
originally written in Dutch by Anne Antoon Johannes Van Doodewaard (1916-1999)
Het gezin Gerhardus Johannes Van Doodewaard en Lukina Hukema.
Gehuwd in Groningen op 2 October 1913.
Kinderen geboren uit dit huwelijk:
Gerardus J.A.A. geboren op het schip te Rotterdam
Anne A.J. geboren op het schip te Amsterdam
Antoon geboren op het schip te Rotterdam (Zalmhaven)
Dirk Klaas geboren op het schip te Rotterdam (Waalhaven)
Nico geboren Valkenoordsekade te Rotterdam
Mijn vader was tot zijn 55e jaar vrijgezel en voer als schipper bij de weduwe Warnas of Warnaar en erfde haar schip.
Hij trouwde met mijn moeder toen ze 28 jaar was en kochten een nieuw schip van 660 ton, een kempenaar genaamd Emanuel. We zijn met dit schip in Frankrijk, Straatsburg, Belgie en Duitsland geweest. Dit was in de eerste wereldoorlog. Wij droegen toen schoentjes met houten zolen. Mijn vader werd aangezocht om smokkelwaar over de grens te brengen, dat zou dan tussen de lading ijzer verwerkt worden. Mijn vader heeft gewijgerd.
Toen wij weer in Duisland kwamen, moest van de duane ons schip een droogdok in. Heel de lading werd gelost, de tafelpoten werden doorgezaagd, schotten werden opengebroken. Er was niets te vinden. Later bleek dat ze gezegd hadden dat wij smokkelwaren aan boord hadden. Maar het schip dat voor ons was had smokkelwaar aan boord, en die kwam er veilig door.
We hebben veel reizen meegemaakt met het schip. Zo ook vlak langs de Nederlandse kust over de Noordzee gegaan en het was een woelige zee. Mijn moeder had een pan met witte bonen op staan en die vloog van de kachel af op de grond. Wij zaten toen met z’n allen te midden van de witte bonen en begonnen ze lekker op te peuzelen. Nadien hebben we steeds in Nederland gevaren durend de eerste wereld oorlog.
Toen hadden we eenheidsworst, en werd er honger geleden, omdat Nederland neutraal wou blijven. Na de oorlog (WW1) hebben wij nog een tijdje door gevaren. Mijn broer, Gerard, had een ongelukje en kwam met zijn pink tussen het kamrad van het stuurrad terrecht. De lidtekens zijn nog te zien. Gerard is nog een keer van de luiken in het ruim gevallen. Gelukkig is dat nog goed afgelopen. Ook ik zelf (Anne) had een ongelukje. Het geval was, er stond een klein houten wagentje midden op het schip op de luiken. Mijn vader had het met een lijn vastgebonden. Ik ben er toen in gaan zitten en heb net zo lang gepeuterd tot dat ik het los had. Het wagentje reed van de luiken af in het gangbord en ik lag met mijn gezicht op de keien. Mijn vader was in een sprong bij mij, Snel was ik weer aan boord met een bloedneus en het vel van mijn gezicht. Gelukkig is het weer beter geworden.
Zo langzamerhand was het voor mijn vader niet meer mogelijk om met het schip te varen, omdat hij kanker had. Toen moest er omgekeken worden om aan de wal een middel van bestaan te vinden. Mijn vader en moeder hebben een gesprek gehad met een kruidenier in Delfshaven om de zaak over te nemen. Maar helaas is de koop niet door gegaan. Inmiddels had mijn vader het schip te koop aangeboden, aan twee bevrachters Koedoot en de Vries. Ze moesten 5% hebben voor de verkoop van het schip. Intussen had mijn vader een zekere schipper Moore ontmoet, en mijn vader bood zijn schip te koop aan. De koop werd besloten voor 26.500 gulden. En we gingen met ons schip naar de Oostkous te Delfshaven. Na veel zoeken en informaties hebben ze een kruidenierswinkel gekocht in Rotterdam Zuid aan de Varkenoordsekade van een zekere heer Kil. Wij zijn toen verhuisd en begonnen een nieuw bestaan aan de wal.
Intussen begonnen die scheepsbevrachters een proces tegen mijn vader, dat een jaar heeft geduurd. Zij hebben beide meineed gepleegd en werden gestraft met een jaar gevangenis straf. Dit proces koste ons 5000 guldens. Geregeld stond er een stuk in het Rotterdams Nieuwsblad. Het heeft een jaar geduurd voordat het afgelopen was.
Wij hebben eerst in 1922 een kruidenierswinkel gekocht, maar men kon de winkel niet handhaven. Mijn vader werd steeds zieker. We hadden veel last van muizen, toen heeft mijn moeder een kat naar binnen geloodst en s'morgens toen wij op kwamen lag alles over de grond. We hebben twee zakken op kunnen scheppen met capucijners en erwten en allerlei andere spullen. We hebben de winkel maar gesloten.
Mijn vader heeft in 1922 nieuwe huizen gekocht in de Botha straat. Vier panden, 12 woningen, 1 sigaren winkel en een pakhuis.We hadden toen een bron van inkomsten. Maar na enige tijd zakten de huren, en wij moesten de huizen dubbel laten bewonen. De huren waren eerst voor een (1) woning: 12,00 gulden per week. De winkel 28,00 gulden per week, en het pakhhuis 8,00 gulden per week. Met het verhuren van de huizen die dubbel bewoond werden kregen we allerlei a-socialen in onze huizen. Wat ten gevolge had vervuiling van de huizen en huurschuld. Later moesten wij twee panden afstaan aan de bank.
Ziekte
Mijn vader ging dikwijls naar Rotterdam, Graaf Florisstraat, naar Dr. Bijsterveld. Deze vertelde aan mijn moeder dat mijn vader kanker had en ongeneeslijk was. Want Dr. Bijsterveld was een waterkijker. Het was op een zaterdag avond dat mijn vader een beroerte kreeg. Hij viel op de grond met schuim op zijn mond. Ik ben toen direct naar de huizen gegaan, waar mijn moeder was met mijn oom Willem. Hij was toen opzichter over de huizen. Ze zijn direct naar huis gegaan, en vonden mijn vader weer zittend in de stoel. Ze belden toen Dr. Dijkhuizen en die kwam. We moesten toen al de ramen openzetten. Intussen heeft mijn moeder toen een telegram naar de familie in Gouda gestuurd. Daar woonde mijn grootmoeder (Klazina Hukema-de Wilde(overleden in 1927 en begraven in Gouda)) en de zusters van mijn moeder.
Zondagmorgen om een uur of negen stonden ze voor de deur. Mijn vader was inmiddels wat opgeknapt en die zei: “Wat komen jullie doen?” “We komen op visite en naar jou kijken.” Ze zijn de hele zondag gebleven. Mijn vader ging altijd om negen uur naar bed. Voor hij naar bed ging wond hij altijd de klokken op en zijn gouden horloge. Ik hoor hem nog zeggen, “kijk moeder, dat is nou mijn werk.” Toen is hij naar bed gegaan en om 10 uur overleden. Hij werd begraven op de begraafplaats Krooswijk, in het graf van mijn grootvader Anne Hukema, overleden op 55 jarige leeftijd.
Daarna zijn wij verhuisd en hebben de winkel verkocht. Wij woonden toen in een van onze huizen Bothastraat no.26. Wij hadden eerst mijn oom Willem als opzichter en later de heer Koedoot. Die had een timmerzaak. We kregen te maken met wateroverlast. De kelders stonden vol met water. Ook de kelder van onze sigaren winkel. De dozen met sigaren dreven in de kelder. We moesten toen al de kelders ophogen met cement en de tuinen met klei. De buurt ging staads maar achteruit zodat wij genoodzaakt waren de huizen dubbel te verhuren. We hadden deze panden voor 55.000 gulden gekocht. Zoals eerder gemeld, de mensen hadden veel huurschuld. Het duurde wel drie maanden voordat wij deze mensen eruit hadden. Later zijn onze huizen verkocht, en moest mijn moeder Lukina** zorgen voor de inkomsten om de kinderen te onderhouden.
Kinderen geboren uit het huwelijk van Anne Hukema en Klazina De Wilde:
Lukina**, Grietje, Wrister, Tjerk, Johannes, Jaantje, David, Klazina. Mijn grootouders Anne Hukema en Klazina de Wilde hadden een schip genaamd Reoboth.
Ze hebben ook nog een boerderijtje gehad in Wagenborgen, Groningen.
Dit alles opgetekend door Anne Antoon Johannes Van Doodewaard (1916).
Tuesday, January 2, 2007
Review/Jaaroverzicht (06/07)
2006 has gone by quickly. For us it was a "remarkable" year.
In January 2006 Mary traveled to Holland again, this time to attend her father's funeral. Shortly before Christmas she also visited and could still see him and speak to him. He was very happy that she had come. They could say their final goodbyes. We may know that He is with His Lord and Saviour. That is a great comfort for his loved ones.
To investigate my symptoms I attended University Hospital in London (Neurological clinic) for tests and diagnosis. It appeared to be that, which we expected based on our own research: the diagnosis was ALS, also known as Lou Gerhrigs disease. The Lord has given me peace, an enormous treasure, with how He is planning my future. I am safe in His hand. What He does is always the best for His glory. We, His creatures, are to follow where He leads. He provides strength, comfort, courage and joy in Him for each day. My trust is in God almighty, the creator of all that exists, and I am in His special care.
Mary and I had the privilege and abilities to, in April of 2006, visit our children Peter and Lauralee, in South Carolina. It was a very enjoyable time.
In the weekend we attended Woodruff Road Presbyterian Church in Greenville with them, where Peter is an intern. After that we continued to the mountains in Virginia and stayed at the
We traveled back home through North Carolina – Virginia – New York to Buffalo, and there crossed the border to Ontario. It was a beautiful holiday with summery weather. (25 -28 c).
On June 14th, 2006 our 9th grandchild was born (in Ontario): Peter Christian (II), son of Peter Christian en Lauralee. His family moved to Ontario temporarily for the birth. During this time Peter preached, as intern, for a 10 week period in Cambridge for a pastor who was on a sabbatical. Peter presently studies at Greenville Theological Seminary in Greenville, South Carolina, (US) where he has lived since 2003. He hopes to complete his studies in May of 2007.
Bill and Rebecca, together with their daughter Anna (1 year old) lived in Scotland last year. For the first half of 2006 he studied at the University of Aberdeen, (Highland Theological College), for his doctoral degree. Subsequently he accepted an appointment as professor of church history at the Huntington University in Huntington, Indiana, (US) where he lived the 2nd half year of 2006. This is a one year assignment, which provides him the opportunity to simultaneously continue his PhD studies. The 150 students in his class provide quite a lot of work for this position.
Our daughter Anita (a Christian Highschool teacher) started a friendship with Nick Higgins, (also a Christian Highschool teacher)from Virginia (US)and they celebrated their engagement on January 1st 2007.
They have become great customers of the airlines.(Suffolk, Virginia is 1300 kms from St. Thomas ON.)
Nick flew to Ontario to attend our Christmas dinner on December 22nd, and after that they flew to Florida together (2200 km) to his parents, and after that flew to Suffolk (900 km) for one week, where Nick stayed and Anita flew back to Ontario (1300 km). They are both again teaching their classes at their respective schools.
As you may know, I have been church organist since 1958. In our church I have for several decades promoted the beauty of real pipe organ music versus the sound of our old electronic “organ”. Generally, the church membership did not see any benefit in change. Only when the old electronic started requiring costly repairs, was a shift in thinking noticeable. After many months of committee meetings, a pipe organ proposal was approved by consistory and congregation. In January of 2006 we could commence the building of a three manual organ of 38 stops. First task was to determine the stops, and their character
then develop plans for the organ facade
and then our able organ builders (Koopman Organs) realized the project. The work was completed in September of 2006. Regretfully, due to my ALS, I have not been able to accompany the congregation on our new organ. I do thoroughly enjoy the beautiful pipe organ music every Lordsday. On September 29th an inaugural concert was held with Jan Overduin, International Concert Organist, at the keyboards. Our church choir also participated, and a Jan Overduin, Organ CD was produced to commemorate this wonderful evening.
Make a donation, and get your free copy of the CD here
ALS has also caused me to relinquish other functions and responsibilities. I have had to stop working and close down my company. It was also no longer possible to continue serving in capacities such as elder, organist and member of synodical committees or local committees etc. Increasing weakness has made it impossible for me to drive independantly. I require use of a wheelchair for longer distances.
Because my capacity to breathe is severely weakened, I need to use a machine to breathe. My breathing is too shallow to provide sufficient air. I use a bi-pap machine 16 hours a day for support. I am still able, using this machine, to drive myself and can also attend church services twice each Lordsday. That is a real blessing to me. We are happy at home together, and I am thankful for all the blessings we may receive day after day. The Lord is gracious to me. I am a sinner like every one else. Yet, receiving His love, comfort and care, I may place my trust in Him for my future. Knowing that my Lord died for my sins, I have a glorious future and will see Him face to face.
In March of 2007 we were able to make a trip to visit our children in the USA as well as Anita's future inlaws in Florida, Jim and Terri Higgins, where we enjoyed great hospitality and Christian fellowship.
The Higgins home in Florida.
In April 2007 our daughter Jennifer started getting Red Roses from a young man on our street: Scott Koopman, the son of our pastor.
July 2007
Together with our family, we could rejoice that our daughter Anita was married to Nick Higgins
September 2007
We moved to our new home in St. Thomas ON (handicapped accessible)
October 2007
We were able to travel to visit all our children in the US: to Virginia, South Carolina and Indiana
November 2007
Sale of previous home in Norman, ON.
December 2007
At Christmas 2007 all our Children and grandchildren were able to travel home, so that we could together celebrate the birth of our Saviour
- Het jaar 2006 behoort alweer tot het verleden. Voor ons was het zeker een “merk”waardig jaar.
In January 2006 Mary traveled to Holland again, this time to attend her father's funeral. Shortly before Christmas she also visited and could still see him and speak to him. He was very happy that she had come. They could say their final goodbyes. We may know that He is with His Lord and Saviour. That is a great comfort for his loved ones.
- Marry is begin Januari 2006 nogmaals naar Nederland gereisd om aanwezig te zijn bij de begrafenis van haar vader. Even voor de Kerst heeft ze hem nog kunnen zien en spreken. Hij was erg blij dat ze gekomen was. Ze hebben toen nog afscheid kunnen nemen. We mogen zeker weten dat hij veilig bij zijn Heiland is. Dat is een grote troost voor hen die achterblijven.
To investigate my symptoms I attended University Hospital in London (Neurological clinic) for tests and diagnosis. It appeared to be that, which we expected based on our own research: the diagnosis was ALS, also known as Lou Gerhrigs disease. The Lord has given me peace, an enormous treasure, with how He is planning my future. I am safe in His hand. What He does is always the best for His glory. We, His creatures, are to follow where He leads. He provides strength, comfort, courage and joy in Him for each day. My trust is in God almighty, the creator of all that exists, and I am in His special care.
- In verband met mijn ziekte verschijselen ben ik een aantal malen naar het University Hospital in London (Neurological clinic) geweest voor tests en diagnose. Het bleek inderdaad te zijn wat we verwachten: de diagnose is ALS, ook wel Lou Gerhrigs disease genaamd. De Here heeft mij vrede gegeven met dat, wat hij voor mij heeft weggelegd. Ik weet dat ik veilig ben in zijn handen. Wat de Here doet is altijd het beste voor Zijn eer. Wij hebben alleen te volgen waar Hij leidt. Hij geeft ook kracht en sterkte voor elke dag. Op Hem mag ik elke dag weer vertrouwen.
Mary and I had the privilege and abilities to, in April of 2006, visit our children Peter and Lauralee, in South Carolina. It was a very enjoyable time.
- Marry en ik hebben het voorrecht en de mogelijkheid gehad om in April onze kinderen (per auto 1300 km) te bezoeken in South Carolina. We hebben daar een fijne tijd gehad.
In the weekend we attended Woodruff Road Presbyterian Church in Greenville with them, where Peter is an intern. After that we continued to the mountains in Virginia and stayed at the
- Het weekend zijn we met hen naar Woodruff Road church in Greenville geweest, waar Peter intern (hulp prediker) is. Daarna zijn we verder gereisd naar de bergen in Virginia en verbleven in de
We traveled back home through North Carolina – Virginia – New York to Buffalo, and there crossed the border to Ontario. It was a beautiful holiday with summery weather. (25 -28 c).
- We zijn via North Carolina – Virginia – New York terug gereisd naar Buffalo, en toen overgestoken naar Ontario. Het was een fijne vacantie met mooi zomers weer. (25 -28 c).
On June 14th, 2006 our 9th grandchild was born (in Ontario): Peter Christian (II), son of Peter Christian en Lauralee. His family moved to Ontario temporarily for the birth. During this time Peter preached, as intern, for a 10 week period in Cambridge for a pastor who was on a sabbatical. Peter presently studies at Greenville Theological Seminary in Greenville, South Carolina, (US) where he has lived since 2003. He hopes to complete his studies in May of 2007.
- Op 14 Juni 2006 werd ons 9e kleinkind in Ontario geboren: Peter Christian (II), zoon van Peter Christian en Lauralee. De familie was voor deze gebeurtenis tijdelijk van South Carolina naar Ontario verhuisd, waar Peter 10 weken heeft gepreekt voor een predikant in Cambridge die met studie verlof was. Peter studeert momenteel aan de Greenville Theological Seminary in Greenville, South Carolina, (US) waar hij sinds 2003 woont. In mei van dit jaar (2007) hoopt hij klaar te komen met zijn studie.
Bill and Rebecca, together with their daughter Anna (1 year old) lived in Scotland last year. For the first half of 2006 he studied at the University of Aberdeen, (Highland Theological College), for his doctoral degree. Subsequently he accepted an appointment as professor of church history at the Huntington University in Huntington, Indiana, (US) where he lived the 2nd half year of 2006. This is a one year assignment, which provides him the opportunity to simultaneously continue his PhD studies. The 150 students in his class provide quite a lot of work for this position.
- Bill en zijn vrouw Rebecca woonden samen met hun dochterje Anna (1 jaar oud) in Scotland. Hij heeft het eerste halfjaar van 2006 gestudeerd aan de University of Aberdeen, (Highland Theological College), voor zijn doctorale studie. Daarna heeft hij een benoeming aanvaard als professor kerk geschiedenis aan de Huntington University in Huntington, Indiana, (US) waar hij het 2e halfjaar van 2006 heeft gewoond, en nu nog is. Dit is een eenjarige benoeming, welke hem tegelijkertijd de mogelijkheid bood om zijn PhD studie voor te zetten. Overigens heeft hij het toch wel aardig druk, met het werk nazien van de 150 studenten in zijn klas.
Our daughter Anita (a Christian Highschool teacher) started a friendship with Nick Higgins, (also a Christian Highschool teacher)from Virginia (US)and they celebrated their engagement on January 1st 2007.
- Onze dochter Anita (Christian Highschool teacher) heeft deze zomer verkering gekregen met een jongeman: Nick Higgins, (ook een Christian Highschool teacher) uit Virginia (US) en ze zijn inmiddels (1 januari 2007) verloofd.
They have become great customers of the airlines.(Suffolk, Virginia is 1300 kms from St. Thomas ON.)
- Ze maken wel royaal gebruik van de luchtvaart industrie om elkaar te zien. (Suffolk, Virginia is 1300 kms bij ons vandaan) .
Nick flew to Ontario to attend our Christmas dinner on December 22nd, and after that they flew to Florida together (2200 km) to his parents, and after that flew to Suffolk (900 km) for one week, where Nick stayed and Anita flew back to Ontario (1300 km). They are both again teaching their classes at their respective schools.
- Voor ons kerstdinee op 22 december was Nick hierheen gevlogen, en daarna zijn ze samen naar Florida gevlogen (2200 km) waar zijn ouders wonen, en daarna naar Suffolk (900 km) voor een week, waar Nick is gebleven en Anita (moest helaas) daarna weer naar huis (1300 km). Ze staan nu beiden weer voor hun respectieve klassen.
As you may know, I have been church organist since 1958. In our church I have for several decades promoted the beauty of real pipe organ music versus the sound of our old electronic “organ”. Generally, the church membership did not see any benefit in change. Only when the old electronic started requiring costly repairs, was a shift in thinking noticeable. After many months of committee meetings, a pipe organ proposal was approved by consistory and congregation. In January of 2006 we could commence the building of a three manual organ of 38 stops. First task was to determine the stops, and their character
- Zoals jullie weten ben ik sinds 1958 kerk organist. Ik heb al vele jaren de gedachte gepropageerd dat het veel mooier zou klinken als we ons oude electronische “orgel” in de kerk zouden vervangen met een echt pijporgel. In doorsnee was men niet zo voor dit idee. Totdat het oude pierement veel (kostbare) gebreken begon te vertonen. Na vele maanden werk en planning, was eindelijk de “kogel door de kerk”. Het voorstel werd door de kerkenraad en gemeente goedgekeurd. In Januari 2006 konden we beginnen aan de bouw van een drie klaviers orgel met 38 registers. Eerst de dispositie uitleggen,
then develop plans for the organ facade
- toen plannen voor het orgelfront maken,
and then our able organ builders (Koopman Organs) realized the project. The work was completed in September of 2006. Regretfully, due to my ALS, I have not been able to accompany the congregation on our new organ. I do thoroughly enjoy the beautiful pipe organ music every Lordsday. On September 29th an inaugural concert was held with Jan Overduin, International Concert Organist, at the keyboards. Our church choir also participated, and a Jan Overduin, Organ CD was produced to commemorate this wonderful evening.
Make a donation, and get your free copy of the CD here
- en toen kon het worden uitgevoerd. In September 2006 kwam ons nieuwe kerk orgel gereed.Helaas heb ik het als organist in de eredienst niet meer kunnen bespelen, omdat de ALS ook de spieren in mijn handen heeft aangetast. Wel geniet ik elke zondag van het prachtige orgelspel. Op 29 september is een openings concert gehouden voor een stampvolle kerk. Jan Overduin, internationaal concert organist, verzorgde het programma. Het was een prachtige avond.
ALS has also caused me to relinquish other functions and responsibilities. I have had to stop working and close down my company. It was also no longer possible to continue serving in capacities such as elder, organist and member of synodical committees or local committees etc. Increasing weakness has made it impossible for me to drive independantly. I require use of a wheelchair for longer distances.
- ALS heeft ook andere beperkingen opgelegd. Ik heb voor de meeste functies (ouderling, lidmaatschap van diverse synodale deputaatschappen enz.) moeten bedanken omdat ik dit niet meer kan doen. Mijn spieren laten niet toe dat ik erg ver kan lopen, en gebruik ik dus voor afstanden buitenshuis een rolstoel.
Because my capacity to breathe is severely weakened, I need to use a machine to breathe. My breathing is too shallow to provide sufficient air. I use a bi-pap machine 16 hours a day for support. I am still able, using this machine, to drive myself and can also attend church services twice each Lordsday. That is a real blessing to me. We are happy at home together, and I am thankful for all the blessings we may receive day after day. The Lord is gracious to me. I am a sinner like every one else. Yet, receiving His love, comfort and care, I may place my trust in Him for my future. Knowing that my Lord died for my sins, I have a glorious future and will see Him face to face.
- Omdat ook mijn longen zijn aangetast, gebruik ik een machine die lucht in mijn longen pompt. Mijn ademhaling is te oppervlakkig om voldoende lucht te geven. Ik gebruik deze machine ongeveer 16 uren per dag. Wel kan ik, zonodig met behulp van de “pomp” (bi-pap) nog wel zelf auto rijden. Ook kan ik elke zondag nog twee maal naar de kerk, en dat is een ware zegen. We hebben hier thuis goede dagen samen, en ik ben dankbaar voor alle zegeningen die ik elke dag weer ontvang. De Here is goed voor ons. Met zijn steun kan ik dan ook de toekomst vol vertrouwen tegemoet zien. Als de Here ons deel is hebben we een heerlijke toekomst!
In March of 2007 we were able to make a trip to visit our children in the USA as well as Anita's future inlaws in Florida, Jim and Terri Higgins, where we enjoyed great hospitality and Christian fellowship.
- In maart 2007 konden we onze kinderen in de USA bezoeken en ook Anita's toekomstige schoonouders in Florida. We werden heel hartelijk ontvangen en konden met elkaar spreken over het belangrijkste: wat onze Zaligmaker voor ons heeft gedaan!
The Higgins home in Florida.
- Hun huis in Florida.
In April 2007 our daughter Jennifer started getting Red Roses from a young man on our street: Scott Koopman, the son of our pastor.
- Een interessante ontwikkeling: In april 2007 ontving onze jongste dochter Jennifer van een buurjongen, een zoon van onze predikant, rode rozen. (dat kan nog wel een staartje krijgen......)
July 2007
Together with our family, we could rejoice that our daughter Anita was married to Nick Higgins
- We konden het huwelijk van Nick en Anita meemaken. Een heugelijke dag!
September 2007
We moved to our new home in St. Thomas ON (handicapped accessible)
- We konden onze nieuwe woning betrekken.
October 2007
We were able to travel to visit all our children in the US: to Virginia, South Carolina and Indiana
- We konden nogmaals een reis doen om onze kinderen in de USA te bezoeken.
November 2007
Sale of previous home in Norman, ON.- We konden ons vorige huis verkopen.
December 2007
At Christmas 2007 all our Children and grandchildren were able to travel home, so that we could together celebrate the birth of our Saviour- Alle kinderen en kleinkinderen waren gekomen om samen het Kertfeest te vieren.
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