A frequently heard from people who start with genealogy in the Netherlands is, what were popular naming conventions? In general we can say that the first son was often named after his paternal grandfather, the second son after his maternal grandfather. Likewise, the first daughter was named after her maternal grandmother, the second daughter after Read more…
Tag: patron saints
Saint Nicholas trumps Santa Claus
We cannot study our family history well without looking at the context in which things took place. Traditions play an important role in our own life as well as that of our ancestors. Especially in the last weeks of the year traditions are key; whether it is Thanksgiving Day, Sinterklaas or Christmas. Sinterklaas has been Read more…
Young men honor St. Bridget
We spent a few days in one of the most southern town of the Netherlands, Noorbeek in the province of Limburg. Every year young men in this town honor Saint Brigida with a special pine tree. Perhaps Simon Deneij was one of them. Transcription and translation 28 7bris bap[tizatus est] Simon fil[ius] leg[itimus] Petri Deneij Read more…