Books

By Derk Jordaan H.J.N.zn

2024

‘Van Timertsma tot Tiemersma’
Softcover, glossy coating on front and back, 210 x 297 mm, 52 pages (color), Dutch

This book presents a fascinating family history of a Frisian family whose name derives from the historic Timertsma-zathe, a farm located north of Grouw. In the seventeenth century, this zathe was one of the largest voting farms in Grouw, but inheritance caused the property to become fragmented. The original Timertsma lineage died out in the male line, and the name was subsequently adopted by the descendants of Gerbrich Taekeles Tiemersma (b. 1713). This second Tiemersma family, which is the focus of this book, consisted of entrepreneurs and civil servants in Wommels.

The history of this family is marked by social rises and declines. A low point occurred during the French era when Tjibbe Tiemersma likely perished during Napoleon’s disastrous Russian campaign. In contrast, pride stems from the fact that his brother Siebolt was part of the allied forces that ultimately defeated Napoleon at Waterloo in 1815. The family maintained close ties with the noble Van Eysinga family, grietmannen of Hennaarderadeel, who resided at the Sminia-State in Wommels.

In the second half of the nineteenth century (1852-1903), the family played a prominent role in the Wommels town hall, where members served as caretaker, civil servants, secretary, council member, and alderman. This branch of the Tiemersma family died out in the male line in the twentieth century. The book narratively describes the lives and backgrounds of this family, making it especially appealing to direct relatives.

It is important to note that this family should not be confused with another Tiemersma family from Wommels, which descended from Sake Floris Tiemersma (1793-1854). The latter family has no connection to the Timertsma-zathe in Grouw. The name was mistakenly recorded by civil registry officials as Tiemersma instead of Tiemensma, referring to Sake’s father, Floris Tijmens.

2022

“Aalders; een familiekroniek uit het kerspel Voorst“
Hardcover, green linen cover with traditional gold foil embossing, 148 x 210 mm, 236 pages, Dutch

(ISBN: 978-94-93226-91-3; € 14.95, self-published, available via derk.jordaan@icloud.com)

This book is the result of years of research, primarily conducted in the old judicial archives of Veluwe and Veluwezoom. A wealth of information was uncovered, painting a vivid picture of the early generations of the Aalders family and their immediate surroundings. The Eighty Years’ War plays a significant role in the lives of these ancestors. Due to the devastating war in the Zutphen region, rural areas were abandoned, and upon return, many misunderstandings arose concerning land ownership. The dispute over tithe rights required numerous witness testimonies, which provided a rich source of information. The book follows the lives of the Aalders family up to around the year 1800, focusing on rural life in Voorst and Wilp, while also examining the migrations of family members to Zutphen, Amsterdam, The Hague, and Suriname. Later, the family spread across the country to cities such as Rotterdam, Spankeren, and the Dutch East Indies. The result is a vivid family chronicle filled with captivating stories and details.

2021

“Het Geslacht Aalders”
Hardcover, red linen cover with traditional silver foil embossing, 210 x 297 mm, 76 pages, Dutch

(Sold out)

This genealogical record presents the updated lineage of the Aalders family, originally from the parish of Voorst, dating back to the 16th century. The family’s patriarch, Dobbe, is mentioned as early as 1507 as a resident of the village Empe. In the 16th and 17th centuries, Dobbe’s descendants primarily worked as farmers, innkeepers, and deputy sheriffs. Starting in the 18th century, the first family members sought opportunities in cities such as Zutphen, Amsterdam, and Suriname. This genealogy centers on the Amsterdam branch of the family, particularly focusing on Reverend Willem Jan Goossen Aalders (1837-1900), and includes various biographical sketches. Due to privacy concerns, this book was published only within the family circle