This week I worked on Grandpa’s grandmother, Jennegien (Jennie) Bomhoff Zuidweg, born 5 March 1838 in Zwolle, Overjissel, Netherlands. Unlike most of my Dutch ancestors, Jennie was not born in Zeeland. Overjissel is in the eastern part of the country and centuries ago was part of Utrecht. It might always remain a mystery how she came to marry a man from Zeeland.
You can find out about Jennie in these posts. A lot of information can be found there.
What Did She Keep in All Those Pockets?
Kalamazoo Woman Supports WWI Troops
Jennie died when Grandpa was about 16 years old. I wish I could ask him more information about her now, but maybe he didn’t remember that much about her. Jennie and Johannes Zuidweg were almost a generation older than Grandpa’s other grandparents, Richard and Alice DeKorn. They also immigrated when they were pretty old, whereas Richard was a tiny boy and Alice a teen, so Johannes and Jennie’s habits would have been European and not American. My impression is that it’s likely that the Zuidwegs were not as central to the lives of the rest of the family in the way that the DeKorns were.
A curious story that my grandfather told me very insistently was that Jennie’s family was Jewish and that made his father Jewish. Because Grandpa was sure, I was sure. However, once Jennie’s documents were discovered it became clear that this could not be true. I don’t know where the story originated or if there is some truth hidden somehow behind the documents. Without more information, my conclusion is that Jennie came from a Protestant family.
I had marriage, death, 1910 census, headstone, photo, and I manage her memorial page on Findagrave. One point about her marriage. Jennie and Johannes married in 1869 in Goes, Zeeland. That is about 150 miles away from where Jennie was born and lived. According to Yvette Hoitink, “that is an uncommonly large distance for somebody to travel in the 19th century, especially for an unmarried woman from the working class. Further investigation showed that her brother Albert Bomhoff was married in Goes in 1867. It must be through this connection that Jennegien moved to Goes, where she worked as a maid prior to her marriage.”
I also had her birth record, but hadn’t loaded it on Ancestry or really done anything with it. I asked people on Dutch Genealogy group on Facebook to read the birth record for me. I was able to confirm the birth date that I had of 5 March 1838, the place being Zwolle, and the names of her parents. I also received the names of the witnesses: 1) Lambert Velthuis, age 37 job peat carrier living in Zwolle 2) Johannes Weijl age 40 peat carrier living in Zwolle.
This week I made a computer folder and put all Jennie’s records in it. I also ordered her obituary from the Kalamazoo Public Library. Since Michigan is locked down right now, it might be awhile, but I hope eventually they can find it
As with Jennie’s husband, Johannes, I’m waiting immigration and naturalization info from Amberly.
I am particularly grateful that I have three photographs of Jennie, and that Grandpa actually knew her. Because of my grandfather’s stories, he has brought to life for me all the family members that he once knew when he was young.
The Family Kalamazoo 
Hi Luanne ~ have you done your DNA? (I can’t remember if we have ever discussed this or I saw a posting on it) I would imagine if you had there might be some indication of Jewish DNA for you or a family member. This would give you a clue. That is such a classic photo of Jennie, hat, dress and hand on hip – love the photo 🙂
I have had my DNA done. There isn’t a lot, but then she would be (averaged) 1/16 of my DNA. But then I read some articles, and it’s very common for someone not to have ANY DNA from a great grandparents, not to mention a great-great, so I dunna know. I’m going with the records for now on Jennie . . . . I know, that hand on the hip is so classic. hahaha
Wonderful as always, Luanne. How lucky you were to be able to hear stories from your grandfather – that makes them come to life again as you are able to do in your writing. I am always thrilled when you put the puzzle pieces of your ancestry in place and time together.
I have very vivid memories of Grandpa’s stories AND of the special time we spent together over the old photos when I was in college. You have an idea of how many old photos we have in our family, so imagine if nobody had learned about them!!!!
You are so right about that. It doesn’t take long for the identification of family photos to be completely lost.
There are already people in my own photos (that I’ve taken) who I can’t remember!
Mine, too!!
I think it’s not uncommon that the maternal side is closer than the paternal side of a couple’s family (it was true for me growing up and true for Harvey’s family also; my kids saw of my parents than their other grandparents but that’s because my parents were a generation younger and able to travel more—but they were just as close to Harvey’s family and still are).
Where is Amberly looking for all these immigration records?
Good luck finding the other records!
Interesting theory. You might be right! Yes, I think the younger grandparents might often be more involved. Amberly found a lot of records for me at RootsTech. Now she is organizing. Woot!
I think it’s not uncommon that the maternal side is closer than the paternal side of a couple’s family (it was true for me growing up and true for Harvey’s family also; my kids saw of my parents than their other grandparents but that’s because my parents were a generation younger and able to travel more—but they were just as close to Harvey’s family and still are).
Where is Amberly looking for all these immigration records?
Good luck finding the other records!
I don’t think I’ve seen witnesses on a birth record before. Is this from a church registry or civil?
Your so fortunate to have your grandfather’s stories. I got a little from my grandfather, but I never really took time when I was younger to ask them about their ancestors.
Civil. And I think Dutch, German, and French all have witnesses. The German are parish records, Dutch and French civil, I believe. I kind of fell into starting the conversation because I was a history major, but Grandpa was a great storyteller.
I think I read somewhere that the “Jewish-ness” passes through the mother, rather than the father, to the children. Also, Hebrew (Jews) is considered a nationality and not necessarily a religion. So, especially if DNA doesn’t pick up your great-grandparents, you possibly could have some “Jewish” background even though she was a Protestant.
It is possible. The info Grandpa had had to have come from somewhere. So frustrating when the pieces don’t fit!
Kind of new to the online research options and was interested in that you found a Facebook group to read the document. Good to learn this!!
There are some really helpful groups!