Genealogy Chat

Hi, I have managed to trace one of my ancestors back to Holland but have now hit a brickwall. Does anybody have any ideas on how I can go back even further? My ancestor was born c1666 and moved to England before 1692. There is rumour that he came over with (King) William and may have stayed here afterwards. Does anybody know how I might be able to check this out? Laurie

Hi Lynda, Thanks for that. laurie

Hi laurie I've spotted you!! You don't say what your ancestor's name was, there are some Dutch records on the IGI. Failing that, if you know the area where he came from, you could contact the Local Authority (Gemeente) and they should hold records at the town hall (Gemeentehuis). I'll stand corrected here, but I do believe there are no central records here in Holland. I can find the address and phone number for you on the net. An awful lot of people speak English here, and I'm sure if you phone, then someone there would be able to talk to you, likewise, if you write a letter. Let me know the area (county) or town, and I'll have a look for you. Lisa xx

Hi Lisa, Unfortunately I don't have a specific area. The only details I have is: John Van Donge b c1666 Zuid Holland. He married in Cranbrook, Kent 1692. I have had an email saying that Van Donge is a common name in Holland but have not come across anybody over there researching it. Every relative I have come across all get stuck on this particular person. What can I do next, any ideas? Laurie

Hi Laurie Well, without my hubby (who is at work at the mo, and I can ask him later), I would say this. Van Donge is probably a corruption of Van Dongen which means literally "from Dongen". Dongen is a town in Noord (north) Brabant (I have been there many times). A small town. I have found on the family search site, a Van Dongen from that town way back in 1440 something, so I would hazard a guess that this town is where the name originated, since when the Dutch first took surnames, like the English, the had the choice of a nickname, or where they came from, trade, etc. Regarding the Zuid (south) Holland bit. That is an area of Holland, a county if you like. It is infact just above us (I live in Zeeland). Rotterdam is in it, and since that is a big city, I would hazard a guess that it is the capitol of the county. I have looked on the net, and found a website for the town hall. You could write or phone them, and see what they can come up with. If they don't hold records there, they might be able to tell you where you might find them. It is : www.rotterdam.nl (and you can view it in English) The address of the town hall (stadhuis) is : Coolsingel 40 3011 AD Rotterdam Nederland Tel : 0031 (0)10 4179111 This is all on the website I hope this helps, if my husband comes up with anything else, when he gets home, I'll let you know. Best of luck Lisa xx

just bumping up for Laurie

Hi Lisa, Thank you so much for the info. I had heard that his surname meant from Donge/n, but didn't have any idea whereabouts in Holland it was. Thanks again you have been a great help. Laurie

Hi Laurie, I ordered some microfilms from the lds family history centre for my Dutch friend last year.If you look in the family history library catalogue on familysearch or go to a family history centre in person they'll tell you what records they have for the area you want. Good luck, Wendyl

Netherlands?, they do a lovely lager called Orangeboom, much better than Amstel, PS what was the question? Derek in France

Derek, you are naughty, butting into Laurie's thread and talking about beer! You are right though, Oranjeboom is much nicer than Amstel, not that my husband would have that though, he is an Amstel fan, and Dutch!!!!! Cheers! Lisa xx

Hi Wendy, Thanks for that I will give it a try. Sorry Derek never heard of it. Have had Amstel before but I'm more of a red stripe fan. Laurie.