Up until now, I’ve written very little about my great-great-grandfather Johannes Zuijdweg (Zuidweg). He was married to Jennie Bomhoff Zuidweg. I wrote about her knitting skills for U.S. troops here. Johannes and Jennie were my grandfather’s paternal grandparents. He talked about Jennie to me, but he didn’t really know his grandfather who died when Grandpa was only three.
The birth of Johannes is an important moment in the history of our family because his parents tie together the Zuijdwegs/Zuidwegs and the Mulders. Grandpa was a Zuidweg, and Grandma was a Mulder. Both families were from Goes, Netherlands, and they both are descended from Karel Mulder, the jailer’s hand.
The record of the marriage of Johannes and Jennie I found at wiewaswie. Here is a transcription of the marriage document:
BS Huwelijk met Johannes Zuijdweg
- Groom
- Johannes Zuijdweg
- Profession
- kruideniersknecht
- Birth place
- Goes
- Age
- 26
- Bride
- Jenneqien Bomhoff
- Profession
- dienstbode
- Birth place
- Zwolle
- Age
- 31
- Father of groom
- Adriaan Zuijdweg
- Mother of the groom
- Johanna Mulder
- Profession
- Arbeidster
- Father of bride
- Lúcas Bomhoff
- Mother of the bride
- Johanna Danser
- Event
- Huwelijk
- Event date
- 04-11-1869
- Event place
- Goes
To read (in Dutch) the pages of the record, read the page on the right of the first image and the page on the left of the second image.
If you look at the signers on the document itself you will see that one of the signers was a Van Liere. That is another family that has shared a path with my family.
Johannes was born in Goes on 23 December 1842. Here is the transcription on wiewaswie:
BS Geboorte met Johannes Zuijdweg
- Child
- Johannes Zuijdweg
- Birth date
- 23-12-1842
- Birth place
- Goes
- Gender
- Man
- Father
- Adriaan Zuijdweg
- Mother
- Johanna Mulder
- Event
- Geboorte
- Event date
- 23-12-1842
- Event place
- Goes
- Document type
- BS Geboorte
- Institution name
- Zeeuws Archief
- Institution place
- Middelburg
- Collection region
- Zeeland
- Archive
- 25
- Registration number
- GOE-G-1842
- Sourcenumber
- 171
- Registration date
- 24-12-1842
- Certificate place
- Goes
- Collection
- Goes geboorteakten burgerlijke stand
birth record of Johannes Zuijdweg
In the Netherlands, Johannes worked as a grocer’s hand, a crier, and a merchant. Johannes and Jennie had three children. When Johannes was in his fifties, on 4 April 1894, the youngest child, Lucas (now a young man) was killed in an accident. According to Grandpa, he fell on a boat anchor. Within a few months of the death of Lucas, there was an astonishing development in Johannes’ life. He was sentenced to prison!
On the Facebook group “Dutch Genealogy,” a kind person translated as much of the document as he could.
Column 1: (record number) 496 —
Column 2 (First Names and (last) names) Johannes Zuidweg —
Column 3: Occupation koopman (merchant) —
Column 4: (Location and date of birth) Goes on 20 December 1842 —
Column 5: (Place of Residence) Goes —
Column 6: (not sure, I guess date entered in the book?) 19 June 1895 —
Column 7: (again nit sure, I guess date of judgement) 31 May 1895, Jurisdiction Court Middelburg —
Column 8: (description of offense) Diefstal (Theft) —
Column 9: (Opgelegde Straf,, Punishment) twee maanden gevangenstraf (two month imprisonment) — \
Column 10: (dagtekening straf ingaat , start of punishment) 19 June 1895
Column 11: (dagtekening straf eidigt, end of punishment) 18 August 1895
Column 12: (again, nut sure. Date of transfer?) 19 June 1895 (and signatures)
Column 13: ( ) 19 June 1895
Column 14: () had te kenning gegeven dat hij een verzoek om gratie had ingedient ( he noted that he had requested clemency)
Column 15 (): Officier van Justitie, Middelburg, 19 June 1895 —
Column xx: () Geene (none)
Column xx () Geslacht (gender) Mannelijk (Male)
Vader (Father) Adriaan
Moeder (Mother) Johanna Mulder
Nationality : Nederlandse
Burgerlijke Stand (civil status): Gehuwd (Married)
Godsdienstige gezindte (religious affiliation): Gereform. (I think, reformed)
Lager onderwijs genoten (elementary education): yes
Ouderdom (bij opneming) (Age at time of entering prison): 52 years
Gedrag in het gesticht (behavior in institute): (not filled in; he may have served)
Column yy (): Length 1m 60 cm; Color Hair: Blond; Eyebrows: Blond; Forehead: low; eyes: grijs (grey) neus (nose): groot (large); mond (mouth) )can’t read; kin (chin) round; baard (beard) none, aangezicht (face) round; kleur (facial tint): gezond (healthy); gewone taal (ordinary language): (—) Byzondere teekenen: geene (none). Handteekening (signature) (blank space)The attached page is a telegram from the courthouse in Middelburg to the Prison in Goes, stating that “Nu Zuijdweg verklaart gratie the hebben gevraagd moet hij niet worden opgenomen, doch moet de beslissing op zijn verzoek afgewacht worden” (Now that Zuijdweg declares that he asked for clemency, he must not be taken in, but await the decision on his request), signed by the officer of the court, Van Hoek.
Johannes was 5’4 1/2 inches tall. While this seems short for a Dutch man by today’s standards (today the average height for a Dutch man is over 6′ tall), it probably was not that unusual in the 1800s.
According to the translation, Johannes was sentenced to two months in the penitentiary. The person who translated the document believes that Johannes was given clemency and did not serve the time. There might be other documents relating to this issue, and I will keep probing to try to find out more information.
I have been told by several Dutch people that times were very different then, and that it was very “easy” to end up in jail over minor infractions. I believe that this had something to do with the death of Johannes’ youngest son a few months before, but that is just a guess. I do wonder if this happening had something to do with the decision of Johannes and Jennie, both older people, deciding to emigrate.
In 1901, Johannes and Jennie followed their son Adriaan to Michigan. Three years later, their remaining child, Johanna Zuidweg Van Liere, immigrated with her husband, Marinus, and son to Michigan. Marinus owned a shoe store on Burdick Street.
In Kalamazoo, Michigan, Johannes and Jennie lived in at least two different homes, if not more. For a while they lived in one of the houses owned by Richard DeKorn. Sometimes Johannes’ name is spelled John. He passed away after living in the United States for ten years.
In one of the many changes in birthdates I’ve found in researching family history, Johannes’ birth record shows that he was born in 1842, but his headstone states that he was born in 1843. I believe the birth record, as the Dutch records are astonishingly well documented. I wish I knew more of what Johannes’ life was like in that last decade of his life. He was surrounded with male grandchildren as Grandpa was the only child of son Adrian and daughter Johanna and Marinus had eight boys!
The Family Kalamazoo 
That criminal record is quite interesting—too bad there is no detail on the theft itself, but the detailed description of his appearance is wonderful. It doesn’t quite jive with the photo—I don’t see a round face—but overall it seems an accurate description. When was the photo taken?
I hope there was clemency because I bet you’re right that grief had something to do with the “theft.”
Thanks, Amy. I hope there was too. Since the sentencing was a few months after the death, it stands to reason that the “crime” happened very close to Lucas’ death. It looks as if there might be other documents relating to this case, but you have to order and pay for them, and I would like to know what I am ordering so I don’t end up with a lot of duplicates, but I can’t understand the Dutch. Going to be difficult to Google translate, but I will see if it helps at all.
I was interested in the description as well. Notice how it says he’s blond? Well, he was already in his fifties, so maybe, but in the photo his hair appears gray and with dark in it. I know that sometimes when blonds start to gray the hair that isn’t gray can appear darker. So who knows. It’s true that their daughter Johanna looked very much like her father and she was blonde. I was thinking maybe fifties for the photo? Lots of wrinkles around the eyes, but other than he seems youngish. As far as face shape, if they used the basics of round, oval, long, I would go with round, I think, although his angular bone structure makes round seem wrong.
Well, I still call my husband a blond even though most of his hair is gone and what’s left is gray! And my daughters always said he was NOT a blond, but had light brown hair. To me and most of my peers from the NY area when we were first dating, he was blond. His hair was just lighter than most of the men we knew. I guess it’s all relative!
I do understand the reluctance to spend money on documents that may not be useful. I’ve certainly made that decision many times—where it’s not a critical record or where it’s too distant a relative. And then there are the times I’ve regretted spending the money on records that end up being useless, irrelevant, or worse yet—for the wrong person.
I understand about the relativity of hair color. I thought my husband’s hair was black, only to discover it’s dark brown. Same with my kids. And my brown-brown hair was considered black by some people and blonde by others hahaha. That always bugged me because I felt the person wasn’t really “seeing” me, you know?
Oh, that’s annoying to discovered you’ve bought a record for the wrong person! Horrible. But sometimes you can’t tell ahead of time. Until you see the parents’ names, for instance, how can you know?
I think it’s also a cultural thing. People expect Jews to have dark hair, so having anything light is seen as blond!
That is true, although I know a lot of Jewish blonds! And also strawberry blonds, as well as redheads.
My mother, her sister, her mother, her aunt, and lots of other Brotmans were red heads! And, of course, it’s a stereotype and obviously often an inaccurate one!
Lots of ridiculous stereotypes in this world! I am always amazed when someone I wouldn’t expect to be tied to them is.
Yep. Still lots of stupidity and narrow-mindedness out there.
Grief can make people do weird things. I’m glad he was granted clemency. Interesting about the height, too. I’ve been surprised to learn how short some of my German and Austrian ancestors were.
Yes, his height was a little surprising. I hope he was granted clemency. We’re not yet sure. There might be other documents I can get ahold of about the case. It seems to me this must have happened around the time of Lucas’ death, so it makes me think it might even have involved the death in a way. Or his grief caused it. It does sound as if they have been lenient, so fingers crossed!
It is my belief that we should share the documents we uncover even if they do not reflect the image we have of the ancestor. Luanne, the Dutch, as well as most Europeans, had and have very good record keeping. You may one day find more to the story or at least by sharing this someone else may continue the search for more information.
Cathy, I am hoping that I can have someone who reads Dutch look at the other records I see at the archives from 1894 and 1895. I don’t know if they are the right Johannes or even if the records are duplicates unless someone looks at it. I am going to try Google translate again, but it wasn’t very helpful the first go-round.
Always so interesting to find a ‘dark’ story in one of our ancestor’s history. My mind immediately went from ‘theft’ to theft of food to feed the family or money to support the family after falling into despair over his sons death. I know your aching to find out the facts. Lost facts – hate them. Enjoyed this post Luanne- keep on the hunt for answers
Yes, I was thinking along those lines, too, Sharon. Or maybe even something directly related to Lucas’ death, such as something that belonged to Lucas that someone else had, etc. Or maybe just random theft because he wasn’t “himself.”
Terrific, terrific job of tying parts of your family together!! – That must be very gratifying. As far as jail goes, in my mind, getting clemency says more. As always – thank you
Thanks so much, Spyro! I will be happier yet if I can find out more information about Johannes’ case. I’m still working on it!
How fascinating. And from the beginning, I wondered why they married so late (for that time, wasn’t being 26 and 31 kind of late? And interesting that the bride is older than the groom.) I tend to agree with the other comments here – his arrest must have been linked to his son’s death. Perhaps he tried to hurt whoever hurt his son??
Did I mention to you that I have a lot of “Dutch” in me? My mom’s side is Schuyler. My great great something-great grandfather is General Philip Schuyler. xo
Pam, I wondered about the ages, too. I do know that Jennie, unlike most of the people in my family, came from far enough away (Holland, but not Zeeland) as a single woman that it raises the question of why. She was working as a maid at one point before her marriage. Her father might have been a farmer, but I need to do a lot more work on her line.
No, you didn’t tell me about the Schuylers in your family! Very cool.
My mom, and then my son, have enjoyed looking into our forebears. To be honest, I didn’t think too much about it, until I heard all the hoopla about the musical Hamilton. Elizabeth Schuyler, his wife, is my great great great something-or-other! I do think it’s important to honor our ancestors and learn about their lives and joys and sorrows. Don’t we wish we knew the background story of Jennie!
Oh, that’s right! Hamilton! I knew I knew the name, and it IS from that! I haven’t seen it, but have read so much about it and heard about it from my daughter.
I read a wonderful novel – historical fiction – about Hamilton and his wife: The Hamilton Affair by Elizabeth Cobbs. I highly recommend it!
I’ll get it on my goodreads list. Thanks, Pam!
Saw a magistrates’ book of trials from the early 19th century London. they often took personal circumstances into consideration. Girl convicted of stealing a handkerchief should have been transported but her parents promised to reform her so she was released into their care. Man with several similar convictions was sentenced to death – in big black gothic letters. Chilling stuff. re blonds: they get darker as they age, hence they are seen as so special, and suggest youth
A handkerchief! Think of that. I can’t imagine that happening today over something so small. I think you are right about blonds getting darker. Not all, but many. Or when blonds get their hair layered and all of a sudden it’s a light brown instead of white blonde!
Luanne, I’m not sure how I missed your Entering the Pale blog for the last few months, but I’ve signed up to follow…I’m telling you your missed your calling…you should be a detective!!
I am a longtime believer in The Family Kalamazoo and never disappointed by your research…
Haha! I’ve probably told you that when I was in high school I wanted to be in the FBI as a detective? Then senior year we visited FBI headquarters and they said you had to be 5’8. That’s what they used to do as a first step to keep out a lot of women.
No, you have never told me about your FBI interest, but I totally get that. You would have been perfect – the country’s loss. By now you would have been running the whole show in DC which would have been such an improvement over our current collection of leaders.
I like to think a monkey would be better!
Wow Luanne! I was not expecting that. My great grandpa was sent to prison in the early 1940s for theft also. The really remarkable thing is that his mother, brother, sister, and brother-in-law were also convicted at the same time. I’m glad that Johannes and Jennie were able to join their son in Michigan. I hope his last decade was peaceful. Have you found any newspaper articles about him?
Yes, I wasn’t expecting it either. Very disturbing, especially given his age and the death of his son. Well, that is really odd about so many family members being convicted at the same time. Did you blog about that? Why don’t I remember that?!
I haven’t. My Grandma was sensitive about the whole thing. Her only sibling is still living so I likely won’t write about it until after he is gone. We will see.
I can imagine that she would be sensitive to it. It’s a tough call to figure out when to write and when not to sometimes.
She was four when it all went down so it was hard on her. She was really open about it with me, but sensitive about other family members talking about it.
So she grew up with it all so raw.
Yes. 😢
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