Jacob Derks Kruizenga - Only Son
Leermans Church
where Jacob would have been baptized.
where Jacob would have been baptized.
- Jacob Derks Kruizenga was born on 24 Feb 1830 in the town of Leermans, Groningen (see 't Zandt map).
- Jacob came from a family of 7 children: 4 girls and 3 boys. Both Jacob's younger brothers named Jan died as infants. This means that Jacob was the sole surviving male of the Derk Jacobs lineage.
- The Kruizinga family, like most Groningers, were poor farmers and day laborers.
- Jacob married Janna Nannenga (born 5 Feb 1834 in t' Zandt) on 18 Apr 1857 in Uithuizen, Groningen.
- Janna's parents were: Lucas Nannes Nannenga and Jacobje Berends Bosma.
- On Jacob and Janna's marriage certificate, Jacob's surname is spelled KRUIZINGA but he signed his name with an "e" rather than an "i" - KRUIZENGA.
- Jacob's paternal grandmother Eiske Jacobs Dam passed away on 24 Oct 1838; his own mother Gerritje Jans Knol passed on Sat. 14 Sept 1844 (death certificate below).
- It is uncertain why Jacob and his siblings chose to emigrate to America. Strong motivators may have been the potato famine of the 1840s, the changing political climate of the Netherlands, or possibly for religious reasons (many Hollanders followed their religion - the Netherlands Reformed Church). Or more likely is the fact that they wanted a better life which America seemed to promise. Jacob and Janna were newlyweds when they made the decision to emigrate. Could the fact that Janna was pregnant prior to marriage be a motivating factor?
| Timeline...
Age 5 - younger brother Jan dies.
Age 8 - paternal grandmother Eiske Damhof dies. Age 11 - younger brother Jan (the second) dies. Age 14 - his mother Gerritje Jans Knol dies. Age 27 - marries Janna Nannenga. Age 27 - emigrates to America. Next... Voyage to America.
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Above is the Militia Certificate of Jacob Derks Kruizenga. This document reveals the physical description of Jacob.
 Birth Record for Jacob Derks Kruizenga Feb. 24, 1830 - Leermens Father: Derk Jacobs Kruizinga Mother: Gerritje Jans Knol |  Birth Record for Janna Nanninga Feb. 5, 1834 at 't Zandt Father: Lucas Nannes Nanninga Mother: Jacobje Berends Bosma |
 Death Record: Gerritje Jans Knol Died in 1844 at Leermens |  Death Record: Jacobje Berends Bosma Died in 1842 at Uithuizen |
