kbylsma@sympatico.caMental IllnessIn our genealogy, there are two occurances of mental illness in members of the extended family. Both occur in the 19th century and are…Jul 5, 2023Jul 5, 2023
kbylsma@sympatico.caSoldierI have recently been in correspondence with Ruurd Stuiver, a former school mate of our cousin Reinschje Hiemstra — Krikke, who is…Apr 9, 2023Apr 9, 2023
kbylsma@sympatico.caParallels through the generationsSometimes in families, there are curious parallels that occur generations apart. I was struck by this when we received an family obituary…Apr 7, 2023Apr 7, 2023
kbylsma@sympatico.caImmigrationImmigration in July, 1950, marked the family profoundly. Leaving behind a family and community as well as a language and culture, we made a…Feb 19, 2023Feb 19, 2023
kbylsma@sympatico.caPersoonsbewijsGenealogical research is based on both personal memories and stories but also on information gained from historical documents. Neither are…Feb 4, 2023Feb 4, 2023
kbylsma@sympatico.caCalendar photosI have been buying photo calendars of Fryslan from the Dutch shop in Ottawa for years. Here are some photos from them with connections to…Dec 31, 2022Dec 31, 2022
kbylsma@sympatico.caAndries Noppert, goalkeeper for OranjeFor the past few weeks, during the World Cup, there has been lots of discussion about the keeper for the Netherlands team, Andries Noppert…Dec 11, 2022Dec 11, 2022
kbylsma@sympatico.caFinding gravestones in FryslânLiving in North America, one usually does not need to worry about whether the graves of ancestors can be located. Grave plots are sold in…Sep 17, 2022Sep 17, 2022
kbylsma@sympatico.caHistorical churches in FryslânOur distant ancestors converted to Christianity from about the year 800 AD. Many of the churches in the province still standing today date…Aug 23, 2022Aug 23, 2022
kbylsma@sympatico.caClimate change and Economic well-beingThis blog has nothing to do with genealogy. It is another political rant, this time about the current debate in the Netherlands about…Jul 28, 2022Jul 28, 2022
