Back row: Ollie Van Roekel, Yelle Westerkamp, Gertrude Van Den Vleckkert, Tone Van Roekel,
Aart Van Roekel,
Nellie Visser, Minnie Veenschoten.
Middle row: Steve Van Zee, Jane Van Roekel, Steventje Vander Pol, Lubbert
(Lewis) Van Roekel,
Henry Van Roekel.
Front row: Herman Westerkamp, Minnie Van Roekel, Minnie van Heukelom,
Gerrit Van Roekel.
I have copies of his marriage, birth
and military certificates. "Dutch Immigrants in US Ship Passenger Manifests 1820-1880
Vol. 2" page 1051- lists them traveling on the ship "WA Scholton"
(the Netherlands-American Steam Navigation Company) embarking in Heerde
and arriving in America on 12/30/1874. This date is also confirmed from
a certificate from the Ede town officials stating their move to North
America. The Dutch Immigrants books lists Lubbert as a 40 yr. old farmer.
The family coming over to America included Lubbert and Steventje and their
5 kids: Hendrik, Anthonie, Jantje, Aart, and Aaltje.
Their first child, Jantje, had died as a baby in the Netherlands.
Their last 2 children were born in America: Wilhelmina and Gerrit.
From internet site "Migrants from the Netherlands to Pella": Lubbert Van Roekel, age 38, year immigrated 1874, religion - Reformed, economic class 2 - less well-to-do, not tax paying, coming from Ede, Gelderland, occupation - workman, reason - economic improvement, with wife and 4 kids.
Discrepancy: Aaltje's birthday is listed as August 1, 1875. She would have been born after arriving in America. She is listed on the ship records in the Dutch Immigrants book as age 1, however, Aart is not listed. Aart appears to be the infant, although he is supposed to be older. Aaltje is not listed on the Ede certificate as one of the people leaving to go to America. Was Aaltje's birthday perhaps in 1874 instead of 1875?
They purchased 40 acres of land in Black Oak Township, Section 15, Mahaska County, State of Iowa. The purchase price was $30 per acre. This included a log cabin and a very small barn. It was in this cabin that Wilhelmina and Gerrit were born. They began farming in a very primitive way. In 1882, they purchased an adjoining 80 acres of land in Section 22, Black Oak Township and moved the family on this parcel of land. Purchase price was $46.25 per acre. All of the children were married while they were living on this farm with the exception of the 2 youngest. A new home was built on this farm between 1885 and 1890. Lubbert and Steventje retired and moved to Pella in 1900. Lubbert is buried at Graceland Cemetery at the north edge of Pella, Iowa.
From internet site "Migrants from the Netherlands to Pella": Lubbert Van Roekel, age 38, year immigrated 1874, religion - Reformed, economic class 2 - less well-to-do, not tax paying, coming from Ede, Gelderland, occupation - workman, reason - economic improvement, with wife and 4 kids.
Discrepancy: Aaltje's birthday is listed as August 1, 1875. She would have been born after arriving in America. She is listed on the ship records in the Dutch Immigrants book as age 1, however, Aart is not listed. Aart appears to be the infant, although he is supposed to be older. Aaltje is not listed on the Ede certificate as one of the people leaving to go to America. Was Aaltje's birthday perhaps in 1874 instead of 1875?
They purchased 40 acres of land in Black Oak Township, Section 15, Mahaska County, State of Iowa. The purchase price was $30 per acre. This included a log cabin and a very small barn. It was in this cabin that Wilhelmina and Gerrit were born. They began farming in a very primitive way. In 1882, they purchased an adjoining 80 acres of land in Section 22, Black Oak Township and moved the family on this parcel of land. Purchase price was $46.25 per acre. All of the children were married while they were living on this farm with the exception of the 2 youngest. A new home was built on this farm between 1885 and 1890. Lubbert and Steventje retired and moved to Pella in 1900. Lubbert is buried at Graceland Cemetery at the north edge of Pella, Iowa.
I have a copy of her
birth certificate. I also have a copy of a document stating their move to
North America, thanks to Mabel (Westercamp) Hollingsworth.
Came to America December 1874 with husband Lubbert and 4 children: Hendrik,
Anthonie, Jantje and Aart. Steventje is buried in Graceland Cemetery at the
north edge of Pella, Iowa. Also seen death date as April 25th.
Died at 88 years and 6 days.
Mabel (Westercamp) Hollingsworth tells the story of when she a girl
(about 11 years old). Mabel and her mother Willemina went by train to
visit Mabel's grandmother, Steventje, in Pella.
While Willemina was running an errand in Pella for Steventje,
Mabel stayed at her grandmother's house.
Mabel said Steventje had her doing her silverware and she was very
particular about how she liked things done.
So she was being a bit harsh in instructing Mabel, but Steventje only spoke
Dutch, so Mabel couldn't understand her.
Mabel said she couldn't wait until her mother got back!
Question: I have been trying to link Steventje with other Vander Pol's in
Pella. I asked my grandpa Richard Van Roekel what he remembered about his
grandma Steventje's family. He said there was a relative (brother?) of
hers in town that was a "drifter", so they didn't speak of her family.
He didn't know anything else.