My Dutch Heritage: Friesland, Netherlands

This page highlights work done from 1999-2002 on my Dutch ancestry 
from the province of Friesland, Netherlands
as part of the Wisteria genealogy blog and is copyrighted. 
Surnames include Katsma, Van der Herberg, Kiel and Siegers. 
Contact me at daylight398 (at) gmail (dot) com for additional information.


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Katsma

1. Claes Sijbes1 Catsma was the first known of the family. Because of the naming customs, it's probable that the name of Claes' father was Sijbes. Claes came from the town of Bolsward in the Friesland province of the Netherlands. He was married in a church in Niawier (also a town in the Friesland province) on 26 January 1696. His wife was Gertie Arends Koning. She was from the town of Metslawier, Friesland.1

In the time before even Claes was living, people had only given names. But later it became necessary to add other means of identification to better distinguish between persons with the same given names. These additions were often based on occupations, areas of residence, personal peculiarities and other things. But the most common means of identification was the addition of the father's given name (called a patronymic). In the province of Friesland, an additional patronymic naming pattern was used in very early periods. The endings sa, ga, inga, ma, and sma were added to the father's name. It wasn't until 1811 by decree of the Emperor Napoleon that Netherlands families had fixed surnames.2

The surname Koning has two origins listed. One is German for King. The other is Jewish (Ashkenazic), chosen as a translation of the Yiddish male given names Meylekh (from Hebrew Melech meaning King).3

Claes and Gertie had:

1. i. Kornelis Klases2 Catsma, christened 6 February 1701.
2. ii. Janneka Klases Catsma, christened in Anjum, Friesland 11 February 1703.
3. iii. Sijbe Klases Catsma, christened on 13 December 1705.
4. iv. Aaltje Klases Catsma, christened in Anjum, Friesland 10 March 1709.
+ 5. iv. Siemon Klases Katsma, christened in Anjum, Friesland 3 November 1713.


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1. Information on this family taken from copies from a undocumented booklet sent to writer by Opal Katsma in 1999. Opal received the unidentified booklet from a descendant, Tena Katsma Burmania of Wisconsin.
2. Taken from a research paper entitled "The Origins of Names and Their Effect on Genealogical Research in the Netherlands, Series C, No. 28, copyright 1977, 1978 by the Corporation of the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS).
3. Patrick Hanks & Flavia Hodges, A Dictionary of Surnames (Oxford, New York: Oxford Press, 1988 reprinted 1996), p. 303.

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5. Siemon Klases2 Katsma (Claes Sijbes1) was christened in Anjum, Friesland 3 November 1713.

He was married to Doetje Jacobs. They were married in a church in Anjum, Friesland on 2 August 1739.

Siemon and Doetje had:

6. i. Klaas Siemons3 Katsma, christened in Anjum, Friesland 15 May 1740; married Jierseltje Pieters 17 May 1767 in Anjum.
7. ii. Jacob Siemons Katsma, christened in Anjum, Friesland 15 October 1741.
8. iii. Jacob Siemons Katsma, christened in Anjum, Friesland 9 December 1742.
+ 9. iv. Gerrit Siemons Katsma, christened 7 October 1745.
10. v. Gertje Siemons Katsma, christened in Anjum, Friesland 24 August 1749.
11. vi. Aaltje Siemons Katsma, christened in Anjum, Friesland 1 October 1752.
12. vii. Antje Siemons Katsma, christened in Anjum, Friesland 7 April 1754.
13. viii. Siebe Siemons Katsma, christened in Anjum, Friesland 13 March 1757.

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Information on this family taken from copies from a undocumented booklet sent to writer by Opal Katsma in 1999. Opal received the unidentified booklet from a descendant, Tena Katsma Burmania of Wisconsin.
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9. Gerrit Siemons3 Katsma (Siemon Klases2, Claes Sijbes1) was christened on 7 October 1745. 1

He was married to Ientje Abes. They were married in a church in Anjum, Friesland on 22 May 1768.

Gerrit and Ientje had:

+ 14. i. Siemon Gerrits4 Katsma, born in Anjum, Friesland, christened in Anjum 12 May 1771.
15. ii. Abe Gerrits Katsma, born 9 February 1774 christened in Anjum, Friesland 20 February 1774.
16. iii. Aaltje Gerrits Katsma, born in Engwierum, Friesland 24 December 1775, christened in Anjum, Friesland 30 December 1775.
17. iv. Jacob Gerrits Katsma, born in Engwierum, Friesland 30 August 1778, christened in Anjum, Friesland 14 September 1778.
18. v. Doetje Gerrits Katsma, born 13 October 1786 christened in Anjum, Friesland 22 October 1786.
19. vi. Doetje Gerrits Katsma, born 18 May 1788(?) christened in Anjum, Friesland 27 May 1788(?).2
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  1. Information on this family taken from copies from a undocumented booklet sent to writer by Opal Katsma in 1999. Opal received the unidentified booklet from a descendant, Tena Katsma Burmania of Wisconsin.
2. The booklet gave year of birth and year of christening as "18781" on this last child. There was a marriage record registered between Doetje Gerryts Katsma and Beerent Botes Braaksma in the town of Anjum on 24 April 1812 (www.ryksargyf.org, Oostdongeradeel region).
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14. Siemon Gerrits4 Katsma (Gerrit Siemons3, Siemon Klases2, Claes Sijbes1) was born in Anjum, Friesland and christened there on 12 May 1771.1

Siemon's wife was Neeltje Botes, who was also born in Anjum. They were married in a church in Anjum on 15 May 1796. Neeltje was christened in Anjum on 25 March 1770. She was the daughter of Bote Ijes and Lijsbeth Klases.2

Neeltje died on 10 April 1813. Her husband Siemon died twelve years later on 17 June 1825.3

Siemon and Neetje had (all born in Anjum, Friesland):4

20. i. Bote Siemons5 Katsma, born 19 February 1797; married Aaltje Lieuwes Westerga 23 May 1823.
21. ii. Gerrit Siemons Katsma, born 13 February 1799; died 24 October 1823. 5
22. iii. Jacob Siemons Katsma, born 7 January 1802, christened in Anjum, Friesland 24 January 1802; married Ijke Pieters Faber 27 May 1830; died 13 October 1846. 
23. iv. Sippe Siemons Katsma, born 15 February 1804; married Stijntje Marks de Vries 16 May 1831; died 18 April 1836. 7
24. v. Klaas Siemons Katsma, born 21 October 1806; Antje Marks de Vries 17 May 1836; died 24 December 1839. 8
25. vi. Jinne Siemons Katsma, born 21 January 1810; married Trijntje Pieters Faber 21 May 1840. 9
+ 26. vii. Siebe Siemons "Simon" Katsma, born 21 September 1812; married first Attje Sakes van der Herberg 11 May 1844 in Oostdongeradeel, Friesland, second Antje Hendriks Elzinga 16 May 1861 in Metslawier, Friesland; died in Niawier, Friesland 14 February 1872. 10
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1. Information on this family taken from copies from a undocumented booklet sent to writer by Opal Katsma in 1999. Opal received the unidentified booklet from a descendant, Tena Katsma Burmania of Wisconsin.
2. International Genealogical Index [IGI], version 4.01, (Salt Lake City: Family History Library, 1999). The IGI cites film #45500, page 157, which is an endowment card for Neeltje Botes or Katsma that lists her christening date, death date and parents' names as shown. Other endowment cards for members of her family are included on the film. These "endowments for the dead", an LDS church ritual, were all submitted by Johannes Peter Timmers who gave his relationship to Neeltje as second cousin, four generations removed. The ritual work was done at the St. George temple in 1966.
3. Ibid. There is also an endowment card (#174) for Sijmon Gerrits Katsma that lists his deathdate and lists his parents as Gerrit Sijmons and Jentje Abes. These death dates are listed as such on the computerized civil registration records for the Friesland province (located online at www.ryksargyf.org, downloaded April 2002).
  1. Birthdates taken from entries on these children in the International Genealogical Index [IGI], version 4.01, (Salt Lake City: Family History Library, 1999), citing film #455003, various ordinances and page numbers. See above note.
  2. Death date from www.ryksargyf.org (see note 3).
  3. Ibid.
  4. Death date from www.ryksargyf.org (see note 3).
  5. Ibid.
  6. Marriage date from www.ryksargyf.org. Not listed in the death registrations for that region.
  7. The website www.ryksargyf.org listed Sybe Katsma born in Anjum 21 September 1812 son of Siemon Gerrits Katsma and Neeltje Botes. There was also a Sybe Symon Katsma who died in Ee 30 November 1812 aged nine weeks (“9 weken”) which is puzzling. The marriage record listed Sybe Siemons Katsma and Attje Sakes van der Herberg 11 May 1844 leaving little doubt that a Sybe Siemon Katsma reached adulthood. It was customary to give the next child the same name as the one who died, but there are no later records listed for another child of this same name.
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26. Siebe Siemons5 "Simon" Katsma (Siemon Gerrits4, Gerrit Siemons3, Siemon Klases2, Claes Sijbes1) was born in Anjum, Friesland on 21 September 1812. He was a member of the Christian Reformed Church and was a gardener. He lived in Niawier, Friesland where he died on 14 February 1872.1

Siebe married twice. His first wife was Attje Sakes van der Herberg. Attje was born 17 July 1820 in the Oostdongeradeel region of the Friesland province to Sake van der Herberg and Dieuwke Louwes. Siebe and Attje were married in Oostdongeradeel, Friesland on 11 May 1844. Attje died 10 October 1860 in Oostdongeradeel. 2

Siebe and Attje had: 3

27. i. Simon6 Katsma, born in Niawier, Friesland 28 March 1845; died 21 July 1864. 4
28. ii. Sake Katsma, born in Niawier, Friesland 7 September 1847. 5
29. iii. Marten Katsma, born in Niawier, Friesland 17 December 1849; died 24 December 1849.
+ 30. iv. Marten Katsma, born in Niawier, Friesland 2 February 1851.
31. v. Dieuwke Katsma, born in Niawier, Friesland 24 September 1853. Dieuwke moved 8 June 1876 to Burum in the Groningen Province.
32. vi. Neeltje Katsma, born in Niawier, Friesland 1 March 1857. Neeltje moved 5 May 1880 to Visvliet in the Groningen Province.
33. vii. Klaas Katsma, born 8 August 1859; died 14 August 1859. 6
34. viii. Japke Katsma, born 8 August 1859; died 16 August 1859. 7


Siebe was next married to Antje Hendriks Elzinga. They were married on 16 May 1861 in Metslawier, Friesland. Antje was born in Lioessens on 21 June 1833 and died in Ee on 17 March 1916. She was the daughter of Hendrik Fetses Elzinga and Aafke Jans de Jong. Antje had previously married Bauke Hanzes Blom. 8

Siebe Katsma and Antje Elzinga had:

35. viii. Klaas Katsma, born in Niawier, Friesland 1 May 1863; married Grietje Douma 4 July 1885; died 1942.
36. ix. Aafke Katsma, born in Niawier, Friesland 30 October 1864. 9
37. x. Sijmen Katsma, born in Niawier, Friesland 13 March 1866; married Grietje Woudwijk 16 May 1891 Metslawier, Friesland; died 23 June 1931.
38. xi. Fetze Katsma, born in Niawier, Friesland 16 January 1869; married Ida Bischop 14 April 1900 Ottawa County, Michigan.10 Fetze emigrated to Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA in 1893.

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  1. Information on this family originally taken from copies from a undocumented booklet sent to writer by Opal Katsma in 1999. Opal received the unidentified booklet from a descendant, Tena Katsma Burmania of Wisconsin. The computerized civil registration records for the Friesland province (located online at www.ryksargyf.org, downloaded April 2002) listed Sybe Katsma born in Anjum 21 September 1812 son of Siemon Gerrits Katsma and Neeltje Botes. There was also a death record listed for a Sybe Symons Katsma who died in Ee 30 November 1812, age nine weeks which is puzzling.
  3. The civil registration records on these children located online (see note 2) correspond with the information from the Burmania booklet (see note 1) with some discrepancies. The dates from the registration records were used in this compilation.
  4. www.ryksargyf.org (death date).
  5. There was a marriage registration for Sake Katsma and Hendrikje Bouma filed in the Oostdongeradeel region 12 May 1870.
  6. This child and his apparent twin were not listed in the Burmania booklet.

  1. See also Japke Katsma entry, International Genealogical Index [IGI], version 4.01, (Salt Lake City: Family History Library, 1999), citing film #537983, ordinance #48500 (no page number listed).
  2. Burmania booklet.
  3. There was a marriage registration for Aafke Katsma and Gerhardus Meindersma filed in the Oostdongeradeel region 16 June 1898.
  4. Kent County Marriage Book 12, p. 286, County Clerk's Office, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
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30. Marten6 Katsma (Siebe Siemons,5 Siemon Gerrits4, Gerrit Siemons3, Siemon Klases2, Claes Sijbes1) was born on 2 February 1851 in Niawier in the Friesland province of the Netherlands.1


Marten married Tjeerdje Terpstra on 16 May 1872 in Westdongeradeel, Friesland, Netherlands. 2 She was alternately listed in records as Tjittje or Jertje. 3 Descendants in America referred to her as Tillie. She died around 1891 according to a descendant.4 Tjeerdje was born 2 January 1853 in Friesland, Netherlands to Wieger Sybes Terpstra and Jeltje Popkes Braaksma. 5 A death record for Tjeerdje could not be located in the records available online from the Friesland archives. 6

Marten took his remaining family to America and settled in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan. He signed a declaration of intent to become a naturalized citizen on 26 September 1894, which was filed in Kent County.7

Marten and Tjeerdje’s known children were:

  1. Jeltje7 Katsma, born 19 February 1873 in Brantgum, Friesland, Netherlands; 8 died 27 January 1884 Kollumerland, Friesland, Netherlands. 9
  2. Attje Katsma, born 31 December 1874 in Brantgum, Friesland, Netherlands. No further  records. 10
  3. Dora (Dieuke) Katsma, born 11 April 1878 in Brantgum, Friesland, Netherlands;11married Henry Jolman in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan on 20 October 1898; 12 died in 1947 in Grand Rapids.13
  4. Neeltje Katsma, born 26 December 1879 in Brantgum, Friesland, Netherlands; died 29  September 1881 Friesland, Netherlands. 14
  5. Wieger Katsma, born 29 June 1881 in Brantgum, Friesland, Netherlands; died 10 September 1881 in Friesland. 15
  6. William (Wieger) Katsma, born 5 January 188316 in Kollumerland, Friesland, Netherlands;17 married Henrietta Kiel 18 July 1902 in Grand Rapids;18 died 24 December 1958 in Grandville, Kent County, Michigan.19
  7. Jessie M. (Jeltje) Katsma, born 14 July 1886 Kollumerland, Friesland, Netherland; 20married George Esveld; died 28 October 1966 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.21
  8. Simon (Sybe) Katsma, born 19 October 1887 in 1886 Kollumerland, Friesland, Netherlands;22 died unmarried in Wisconsin23 after 1903.24


Marten married Berdena Ligtenberg Heuwelhos 14 May 1894 in Grand Rapids.25 On 28 December 1901, he married Botje (Bessie) Boersma in Grand Rapids.26 Bessie died 2 November 1925 and was buried in the Fulton Street Cemetery in Grand Rapids.27

 His occupation when he married in 1894 was stated as a teamster. His occupation was listed as miller when he married in 1901. The 1900 Grand Rapids City Directory, listed his occupation as laborer in and he lived at 40 Barendse Court. In 1903, his address was 46 Barendse Court. Still there in 1907, his occupation was listed then as a janitor at the Coade Avenue Christian School.28

His granddaughter, Jessie Potter, stated that he lived at one time in Grand Rapids above a store on Eastern Avenue and Sherman Street and that he was an elder in the Dennis Avenue Christian Reformed Church. She also remembered that Marten's last wife "wasn't very good to him". Jessie refused to take a cookie from her when she was young and got scolded by her mother for telling Marten's wife that she didn't want the cookie because she wasn't nice to her grandpa.29

Marten lived in Grant, Michigan during the 1910 census.30 According to Jessie Potter, he moved there because of his third wife.31 His granddaughter, Theresa Timmer, remembered visiting him in Grant. Theresa and her siblings loved to take the trip, but were bored while they were there. They always had soup and brie to eat.32

After Marten's wife died, he went to live with his son Will on their dairy farm in Grandville. Theresa remembered him being there while her sister Gertrude was dating. He slept in the dining room and Gertrude would be in the living room with her date.33 When Marten died on 5 April 1926, the funeral was held at his daughter Dora's home.34 He was buried in Garfield Park Cemetery in Grand Rapids.35 His cause of death was listed as "cardiac asthma" in Kent County records. His age was given as 75 years, 1 month, and 14 days old. His father was listed as Simon Katsma.36

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References:
  1. Archive records of the Friesland province available online at: www.ryksargyf.org. (Information downloaded April 2002). “Region 2: noordoost Friesland - Geboorteakte (birth certificate) Oostdongeradeel, 1851. Aangiftedatum (declaration date) 3 February 1851, blad nr. 11, Marten Katsma, geboren (born) 2 February 1851, son of Sybe Simons Katsma and Attje Sakes van der Herberg wonende te Niawier.” Information on Marten's ancestry was originally taken from copies from a undocumented booklet sent to writer by Opal Katsma in 1999. Opal received the unidentified booklet from a descendant, Tena Katsma Burmania of Wisconsin.
2. www.ryksargyf.org: “Huwelijksakte Westdongeradeel, 1872. Man Marten Katsma, Vrouw Tjittje Terpstra, datum: 16 Mei 1872 Akte (document) nr. 21.”
3. Henry Jolman and Dora Katsma marriage record. Dora's mother was listed as “Jertje Terpstra.” Kent County Marriage Book 12, p. 159, County Clerk's Office, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
  1. Telephone interview with Jessie (Jolman) Potter (Mrs. George Potter, 5560 Greenboro, Kentwood, MI 49508, phone 534-3024) by Dawn Westfall, 4 August 1992. Transcript held by Westfall. Mrs. Potter stated that her mother Dora's mother died when she was thirteen years old.
  2. www.ryksargyf.org: “Geboorteakte Westdongeradeel, 1853, blad nr. 1, Tjittje Terpstra, born 2 January 1853, dau. Of Wyger Sybes Terpstra and Jeltje Popkes Braaksma”
  3. As of April 2002, it appears that records in all but one region of the province was available online. The closest record that matched a T Terpstra dying in the 1890s was listed in Bolsward, 13 January 1893: 41 year old married Jeltje Terpstra daughter of Wiebren Terpstra.
  4. Declaration of Intent for Marten Katsma, 26 September 1894, book 3, p. 550. Copy obtained from the Michigan State Archives, Lansing, Michigan. The "Naturalization Index" (Vol. 1, p. 364, microfilm housed at Grand Rapids Public Library) does not indicate any additional immigration papers were filed for Marten.
  5. www.ryksargyf.org: “Geboorteakte Westdongeradeel, 1873, akte nr. 35, Jeltje Katsma, born 20 February 1873, daughter of Marten Sybes Katsma and Tjeerdtje Wiegers Terpstra.”
  6. www.ryksargyf.org:
  7. Ibid.
  8. Ibid.
  9. Kent County Marriage Book 12, p. 159. The 1910 U. S. census indicated he immigrated in the year 1891.
  10. Dora Jolman tombstone “1878-1947,” Garfield Park Cemetery, Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan; transcribed by writer 4 August 1992.
  11. www.ryksargyf.org:
  12. Ibid.
  13. William Katsma, death certificate, state file no. 77536, local file no. 58-2079, Kent County Clerk's office, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
  14. www.ryksargyf.org:
  15. Kent County Marriage Book 13, p. 155, County Clerk's Office, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
  16. William Katsma county death certificate.
  17. www.ryksargyf.org:
  18. Annabelle P. LeClare, submitter, "George Edward Esveld-Jessie M. Katsma family group record" (undocumented); ancestral file numbers 1V35-4X9 and 1V36-GL3), Ancestral File, version 4.19 (1999), Family History Library (FHL), as noted on the FamilySearch Internet Genealogy Service website, 31 May 1999. This family group record did not list any children, nor Jessie's parentage and appeared to be submitted by an Esveld researcher.
  19. www.ryksargyf.org:
  20. Telephone interview with Jessie (Jolman) Potter (Mrs. George Potter, 5560 Greenboro, Kentwood, MI 49508, phone 534-3024) by Dawn Westfall, 4 August 1992. Transcript held by Westfall.
  21. Grand Rapids City Directory for 1903, original housed at Grand Rapids Public Library. Simon is listed at the same address as his brother William.
  22. Kent County Marriage Book 11, p. 175, County Clerk's Office, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
  23. Kent County Marriage Book 13, p. 101.
  24. Fulton Street Cemetery Book (Bessie Katsma in lot 25, block 9), book housed at Grand Rapids Public Library.
  25. Grand Rapids City Directories for years 1900, 1903 and 1907, originals housed at Grand Rapids Public Library.
  26. Telephone interview with Jessie (Jolman) Potter by Dawn Westfall, 4 August 1992.
  27. Martin Katsma household, 1910 U. S. Census, Newaygo County, Michigan, Grant township, ED# 112, p. 236B, dwelling no. 68, family no. 68.
  28. Telephone interview with Jessie (Jolman) Potter.
  29. Interview with Theresa Timmer, 1992 by writer.
  30. Ibid.
  31. Telephone interview with Jessie (Jolman) Potter.
  32. Martin Katsma tombstone, Garfield Park Cemetery, Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan; transcribed by writer 4 August 1992.
  33. Kent County Death Records Book 12, p. 446, County Clerk's Office, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
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36. William7 Katsma (Marten6, Siebe Siemons5 "Simon", Siemon Gerrits4, Gerrit Siemons3, Siemon Klases2, Claes Sijbes1) was born on 5 January 18831 born in Kollumerland in the province of Friesland, Netherlands.2 After his mother died in 1891,3 when he was about seven years old, he moved with his father and sisters to the United States.

William's father Marten married a widow named Berdena in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan in 1894.4 In the Grand Rapids City Directory for the year 1900, William Katsma is listed as a machine hand boarding at his father's home at 40 Barendse Court.5

He was still a machine hand when he married Henrietta Kiel on 18 July 1902 in Grand Rapids.6 The 1903 City Directory shows William as a machine hand for the Waddell Manufacturing Company living at 123 Shirley Street. His brother Simon was living with him also.7 In the 1910 census, William Katsma was listed as a rip sawyer in a furniture factory in Grand Rapids.8 In 1920, the family was listed at 437 Shirley Street.9

According to William's daughter, Theresa, all the children were born in the house on Shirley Street, except for the youngest child, William, who was born after the family moved to a dairy farm in Grandville.10

Henrietta died on 20 May 1947 of heart problems, she also had diabetes.11 William died on the night of Christmas Eve in 1958 after spending three weeks in the Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids.12

In an interview with their granddaughter Helen, she remembers visiting them in a huge old farmhouse where they had a large fireplace. The fireplace wasn't used anymore and an old pot bellied stove stood in front of it and was connected to the chimney of the fireplace. William and Henrietta used to sit on either side of the stove. When visiting, their daughter Theresa would sit on her mother's side and her husband Henry would sit on his father-in-law's side and talk and the children would go play. They had all old fashioned stuff, such as an old horsehair couch.

William and Henrietta had six children. Before he died, William wrote down a family record of births and included his birthdate, his wife's and those of his children. He even wrote down the time that each child was born:13

39. i. Gertrude8 Katsma, born 1 August 1903 at 2:00am; married Cornelius Houtstra 23 March 1926 Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan; died 23 December 1964 in Grand Rapids; buried in the Floral View Cemetery in Grandville, Kent County, Michigan.
40. ii. Martin Katsma, born 16 November 1905 at 7:00pm; married Agnes Van Der Werf; died 17 November 1967; buried in Washington Park Memorial Gardens, Grand Rapids.
41. iii. Gerard Katsma, born 29 April 1907 at 3:00am; married Lillian Gibson in 1928 in Grand Rapids; died 1963 in South Dakota.

42. iv. Theresa Katsma, born 22 September 1913 at 1:00am; married Henry J Timmer 15 May 1933 in Hudsonville, Kent County.
43. v. Margaret Katsma, born 10 June 1915 at 1:00am; married William DeWitt 27 July 1934 in Grandville, Kent County, Michigan.
44. vi. William Katsma, born 15 September 1921 at 9:00pm; married Ruth Temple 24 April 1943; died 2 November 1971 in the Grand Valley Nursing Centre; buried in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Grand Rapids.

Theresa Katsma was to be named after her grandmother, Jertje (called Tillie), but when Theresa was born, her Aunt Jessie had just had a baby and named her Tillie. Henrietta (Theresa's mother) was not happy about that, but named her new daughter Theresa. Theresa's cousin, Jessie Potter, thought the name Theresa was the correct English translation of Jertje anyway.

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References:

  1. William Katsma, death certificate, state file no. 77536, local file no. 58-2079, Kent County Clerk's office, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
  2. www.ryksargyf.org Archives of the Friesland province.
3. Telephone interview with Mrs. George (Jessie Jolman) Potter, 5560 Greenboro, Kentwood, MI 49508, phone 534-3024 by Dawn Westfall, 4 August 1992. Transcript held by Westfall. Mrs. Potter stated that her mother Dora's mother died when she was thirteen years old.
4. Kent County Marriage Book 11, p. 175, County Clerk's Office, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
5. Grand Rapids City Directory for 1900, original housed at Grand Rapids Public Library.
6. Kent County Marriage Book 13, p. 155, County Clerk's Office, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
7. Grand Rapids City Directory for 1903, original housed at Grand Rapids Public Library.
8. William Kaatsma household, 1910 U. S. Census, Kent County, Michigan, population schedule, city of Grand Rapids, precinct 4, fifth ward, house 123, dwelling 189, family 206. p. 138B; National Archives micropublication.
9. 1920 Soundex to the census, William Katsma household.
10. Interview with Theresa Timmer, 1992 by writer.

11. Henrietta Katsma, death certificate, state file no. 39239, local file no. 66, Kent County Clerk's office, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
12. William Katsma, county death certificate.
13. Information from Opal Katsma, 1999. Mrs. Katsma sent a copy of the family record of births and indicated that it was written in William's hand. Additional information on William's children were taken from family group records compiled by Mrs. Katsma.

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Van der Herberg


When Marten Katsma married for the second time in 1894 in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan, the marriage record listed his parents as Siebe Katsma and Artje Van Der Herberg. 1 Copies of pertinent pages of a booklet on the Katsma family tree indicated that Marten’s father was Sijbe Siemens Katsma who married on 11 May 1844 Attje Sakes van der Herberg, daughter of Sake van der Herberg and Dieuwke Louwes. 2

A check of the online civil registrations for the Friesland province provided addditional information on the van der Herberg line. The registrations confirmed Marten’s birth on 2 February 1851 in Niawier to Sybe Simons Katsma and Attje Sakes van der Herberg. 3 Sybe’s and Attje’s marriage record were also found there. 4

Aatje Sakes van der Herberg died 10 October 1860 at the age of 40 years, she was married. The death was recorded in the Oostdongeradeel region of the Friesland province. 5 Her birth was also recorded there on 17 July 1820. Her parents were listed as Sake Jans van der Herberg and Dieuke Louwes. 6 Because of the naming customs, it can be deduced that Sake’s father was Jan van der Herberg, another generation back. No additional name was listed for Sake’s wife, so her parentage remains unknown.

Sake Jans van der Herberg died on 23 September 1855 at the age of 73 years. He was a widower. His death was recorded in the Oostdongeradeel region. 7 Also recorded there was the death of Jan Sakes van der Herberg on 29 March 1823. Jan was a widower, aged 81. 8 Was this Sake’s father? The dates fit.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~
  1. Kent County Marriage Book 11, p. 175, County Clerk’s Office, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
  2. Pertinent pages copied from an undocumented booklet sent to writer by Opal Katsma in 1999. Opal received the booklet from a descendant, Tena Katsma Burmania of Wisconsin.
  3. www.ryksargyf.org> downloaded April 2002, Oostdongeradeel region, “Geboorteakte” (birth document) record no. 11.
  4. Ibid., “Huwelijksakte” (marriage document) record no. 19.
  5. Ibid., “Overlijdensakte” (death document) record no. 41.
  6. Ibid., “Geboorteakte”, record no. 93.
  7. Ibid., “Overlijdensakte”, record no. 31.
  8. Ibid., “Overlijdensakte”, record no. 10.
The Friesland archives also has online a section entitled “Family Names 1811.” Prior to 1811, surnames were not required in the Netherlands. Instead they most commonly used a patrynomic naming system, adding the name of their father as identification. The Emperor Napoleon decreed in 1811 that Netherlands families have fixed surnames and be required to declare them. This decree resulted in the “Family Names 1811” records. 9

A check for the surname van der Herberg yielded the declaration of “Herberg, Jan Sakes, van der, Nyawier.” His children were listed as Gettje age 42 in the town of Ee, Pytter age 39 in Nyawier, Gryttje age 37, in Ee, Jauke age 31, Sake age 29, Willemke age 26 all in Nyawier. Jan’s grandchildren were listed as (van Pytter) Martzen age 14, Wieger age 10 and from (van) Sake, Jan age 1. 10

This appears to be the same family. Sake’s death record indicated he died at the age of 73 in 1855 making his birthdate around 1782. This Sake son of Jan was 29 in 1811, so his birthdate also was around 1782. Jan Sakes van der Herberg was 81 when he died in 1823 making his birthdate around 1742. He would have been about 40 years old when Sake was born.

Because of the use of “van der” it seems that van der Herberg was not a patrynomic surname, but instead might have been derived from a geographical location. The following quote is from The Origins of Names and Their Effect on Genealogical Research in The Netherlands. 11

“The nobility were the first to adopt family names from the names of the estates where they originally resided. Various branches of the family, however, chose the names of their separate estates and even more surnames were added by illegitimate sons adopting surnames in the same manner.

After the towns received their charters, as many did during the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, the lower nobility and landed gentry began to establish themselves therein. Some took up trades, while others were active in local government. They mingled socially with the tradesmen and merchant people and often intermarried. Children of these marriages adopted the surnames of their noble parents. Many of these surnames contain prefixes such as van, tho and ter, which are translated as from and at. The terms were actually possessive, however, and indicate ‘a lessee, tenant or owner of’ followed by the name of the estate, mansion or castle.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
  1. Taken from a research paper entitled "The Origins of Names and Their Effect on Genealogical Research in the Netherlands,” Series C, No. 28, copyright 1977, 1978 by the Corporation of the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS).
  2. Familienaam, Oostdongeradeel region, Mairie Metslawier, fol. 69v.
  3. See note 9.

In summary, the family line of van der Herberg begins with Sake1 van der Herberg born prior to 1726 who had one known son, Jan2 Sakes van der Herberg. 1 Jan Sakes van der Herberg was born about 1742 and married before 1769. He lived in the town of Nyawier in the Friesland province in 18112 and died in Friesland (Oostdongeradeel region) on 29 March 1823. 3 Jan had the following known children: 4

i. Geetje3 Jans van der Herberg, born about 1769. Lived in the town of Ee in the Friesland province in 1811.
  1. Pytter Jans van der Herberg, born about 1772; died 17 August 1825. 5 Lived in the town of Nyawier, Friesland in 1811.
  2. Gryttje Jans van der Herberg, born about 1772. Lived in Ee, Friesland in 1811.
  3. Jauke Jans van der Herberg, born about 1780. Lived in Nyawier, Friesland in 1811. 6
  4. Sake Jans van der Herberg, born about 1782; married Dieuwke Louwes; 7 died 23 September 1855. 8 Lived in Nyawier, Friesland in 1811.
  5. Willemke Jans van der Herberg, born about 1785; died 16 June 1858 (widower), Oostdongeradeel; 9 married Hendrik Klazes Vlasma. 10 Lived in Nyawier, Friesland in 1811.

Sake Jans3 van der Herberg (Sake1, Jan Sakes2) was born about 1782. He lived in Nyawier, Friesland in 1811. 1 He died in the Oostdongeradeel region of Friesland, Netherlands 23 September 1855. 2

He married Dieuke Louwes, who died before 1855. 3

Based on the online civil registration records, they had the following known children:

 i.Jan Sakes van der Herberg, born about 1810; died 8 January 1825 Oostdongeradeel region, Friesland, Netherlands. 4
  1. Louw Sakes van der Herberg, born 27 September 1812 Metslawier, Friesland, Netherlands; 5 died 8 February 1863 Oostdongeradeel region, Friesland, Netherlands. 6
  2. Pieter Sakes van der Herberg, born 18 October 1815 Metslawier, Friesland, Netherlands; 7 died 4 April 1902 Oostdongeradeel region, Friesland, Netherlands; 8 married Trijntje Pieters Sjoordema 11 May 1844 Oostdongeradeel. 9
  3. Louw Sakes van der Herberg, born 7 May 1818 Oostdongeradeel, Friesland, Netherlands. 10
  4. Aatje Sakes van der Herberg, born 17 July 1820 Oostdongeradeel, Friesland, Netherlands; 11 died 10 October 1860 Oostdongeradeel; 12 married Siebe Siemons Katsma 11 May 1844 Oostdongeradeel region, Friesland, Netherlands. 13
  5. Marten Sakes van der Herberg, born 1 January 1824, Oostdongeradeel; 14 died 2 June 1847 Oostdongeradeel, Friesland, Netherlands. 15

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kiel


1. Harm Hendrik1 Kiel was born in Veendam, Groningen, Netherlands on 18 February 1808.1 His baptism on 28 February 1808 was recorded in the Dutch Reformed parish registers of Veendam. His parents were listed on the register as Hendriks Harm and Geerjen Lammerts. None of the baptismal entries for this time period list a surname of the child.2 It wasn't until 1811 that all Netherlands families were required to have fixed surnames, by decree of the Emperor Napoleon. In the province of Groningen, the population was mostly Frisian in the coastal area and mostly Saxon in the interior. The Frisians inhabited the coastal areas of what is now the Netherlands since the fifth century. The Saxons were a tribe from West Germany.3 There is a town by the name of Kiel in Groningen near Kolham and Sappemeer in the municipality of Hoogezand-Sappemeer.4

From the birthplaces of his children, Harm lived in Stadskanaal, Groningen, Netherlands around 1844, but before that was in Kolham, Groningen, Netherlands.

He married Hendrika Jans Siegers before 1838. Hendrika was born in Sappemeer, Groningen, Netherlands on 4 May 1808.5

Harm and his family were enumerated in Stadskanaal in the population registers of 1860-1870. According to this register, he was a baker. It also shows that he, his wife and son Gerhardus left the area and emigrated to the United States on 3 August 1868.6 According to emigration records, he was a workman who came from Onstwedde, Groningen seeking economic improvement in the U. S. His religion was stated as Christian Reformed.7 Onstwedde appears to be the municipality in which the town of Stadskanaal is a part. Records for Stadskanaal are listed under Onstwedde.8

The family was listed in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan during the 1870 U.S. Federal Census, with Harm as head of household, his wife, and two sons. Harm's occupation was stated as laborer. His two sons were listed as carpenters.9

Henderika died on 7 December 1881. Though a death record could not be found on file in the clerk's office of Kent County, Michigan, her burial record shows she died in Grand Rapids of "marasmus" (a general wasting away according to a book of medical terms).10 After her death, Harm lived with his son Gerhardus.11 Harm died on 2 April 1891 of pneumonia. His occupation was listed as baker at the time of his death.12 Both Harm and Henderika were buried in what is now called the Oak Hill-South Cemetery in Grand Rapids.13

Issue:

i. Hendrik2 Kiel (Henry H.), born 10 November 1838 in Foxham, Groningen, Netherlands; married Margaretta Vonk on 26 July 1875 in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan; died 18 September 1909 in Grand Rapids.14

ii. Jan Harms Kiel, born 1841 in Kolham, Groningen, Netherlands; died at 9:00am on 10 May 1852 in Stadskanaal, Groningen, Netherlands.15

iii. Lammert Harm Kiel, born 1844 in Stadskanaal, Groningen, Netherlands; died 1854 in Stadskanaal, Groningen, Netherlands.16

2 ii. Gerhardus Kiel (Herodus, Gerrit H.), born at 11:00am on 9 March 1851 in Stadskanaal, Groningen, Netherlands; married Geertje (Gertrude) Bos 15 November 1881 in Grand Rapids; died 20 July 1907 in Grand Rapids.17


References:

1Population Registers (Bevolking) of Onstwedde, Groningen, Netherlands 1860-1870 (LDS film #0551683).
2Dutch Reformed Parish Registers of Veendam, Groningen, Netherlands Book 838 Baptisms (Dopen) 1804-1811 (LDS film #0109620). Research by Donald Kiel of La Jolla, CA shows a Hendrik Harms Kiel and a Giessen Lammerts Kuiper who married in Muntendam, Groningen, Netherlands on 24 May 1807. This is undoubtedly the parents of my Harm Hendrik Kiel. Donald has researched the ancestry of his great-grandfather Lammert Hendriks Kiel (brother of Harm Hendriks Kiel) and has provided the names of Lammert's and Harm's grandparents and great-grandparents. This research has not been verified.
3Research paper entitled "The Origins of Names and Their Effect on Genealogical Research in the Netherlands, Series C, No. 28, copyright 1977, 1978 by the Corporation of the President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS).
4Research paper entitled "Guide to Genealogical Sources in The Netherlands - Groningen", Series C, No. 6, 1971, by the Genealogical Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Inc.
5Population Registers (Bevolking) of Onstwedde, Groningen, Netherlands 1860-1870 (LDS film #0551683).
6Ibid.
7Swieringa, Robert P., Dutch Emigrants to the U. S., Africa, South America & Southeast Asia 1835-1880
8Research paper entitled "Guide to Genealogical Sources in The Netherlands - Groningen", Series C, No. 6, 1971, by the Genealogical Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Inc.
9Swieringa, Robert P., Dutch Households in U. S. Census 1870
10Cemetery records and on-site visit, August 1994
111884 State Census of Michigan.
12Register of Deaths from the clerk's office in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan.
13Cemetery records and on-site visit, August 1994.
14Birth: Population Registers (Bevolking) of Onstwedde, Groningen, Netherlands 1860-1870 (LDS film #0551683); Marriage: Register of Marriages from the clerk's office in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan; Death: Register of Deaths from the clerk's office in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan. Hendrik and his wife had two sons who both died in infancy.
15Civil Registrations of Onstwedde, Groningen, Netherlands 1851-1852 (LDS film #0235569).
16Ten-Year Tables (Tienjarise Tafels) to Civil Registrations of Onstwedde, Groningen, Netherlands 1843-1882 (LDS film #0235564). This index does not name the parents, so his relationship as not been verified as of yet.
17Birth: Civil Registrations of Onstwedde, Groningen, Netherlands 1851-1852 (LDS film #0235569); Marriage: Register of Marriages from the clerk's office in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan; Death: Register of Deaths from the clerk's office in Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan.











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