Collection Overview
Title: German Immigrant Papers Collection, 1847-2007
ID: COLL/079
Extent: 3.0 Boxes. More info below.
Arrangement: Folder level description
Abstract
The collection includes letters, memoirs, and recollections from Germany. The materials are written in German, Dutch, and/or a dialect. This mixture of languages is due to the geographic proximity of Germany and the Netherlands, plus the historic border alterations. Part of the collection has been transcribed and translated. Also includes a booklet entitled "Beloved family and friends: letters between Grafschaft Bentheim, Germany and America," Volume 1, 1847-1914. Compiled by Swenna Harger and Loren Lemmen, 2007 (with surname index).
Box and Folder Listing
- Series 1: Last Name: A
- Box 1
- Folder 1: Arends, Geert. Memoirs and letters: 11 p., photocopy, translation only. Uelsen, Germany - Graafschap, Michigan; G. Arends to children --- 1881-1892
- Folder 2: Augenstein, Matthew. Letter: 1 item, photocopy, translation only. Lowell, Ohio - Germany; M. Augenstein to W. Bischoff --- 1880
- Series 2: Last Name: B
- Box 1
- Folder 3: Baker, Sue. Letter: 1 item, photocopy, with translation. Osterwald, Germany - Holland, Michigan; Grete to Sue Baker --- 1978
- Folder 4: Baumann, O. J. Letters: 4 items, photocopy, with translations. Bunde, Germany - Holland, Michigan; O.J. Baumann to Sue Bakker --- 1947-1948
- Folder 5: Beckmann, Harmina. Letters: 9 items, photocopy with translations. Itterbeek, Germany - Graafschap, Michigan; H. Beckmann to B. Hindrick --- 1902-1949
- Folder 6: Beckmann, Zwenne. Letters: 6 items, photocopy, with transcription and translation. Itterbeek, Germany - Saugatuck, Michigan; Z. Beckman to her son, Jan. --- 1901-1918
- Folder 7: Beckman, S. Letters: 5 items, photocopy, with translations. Itterbeek, Germany - Saugatuck, Michigan; S. Beckman to relatives --- 1947-1948
- Folder 8-10: Bielefield Family. Letters: 43 items, photocopy, with translations. Grafschaft, Bentheim - Holland, Michigan. Bielefield family to relatives --- 1887-1954
- Folder 11: Boerrichter, Johanna. Letter fragment: 1 item, photocopy, with translation. Osterwold, Germany - Graafschap, Michigan; J. Boerrichter to relatives --- undated
- Folder 13: Bouws, Gerrit. Letter: 1 item, photocopy, with transcription and translation. Holland, Michigan -Emmelenkamp, Germany; G. Bouws to Harm Bouws --- 1847
- Folder 14: Bouws, Rieks. Recollections: Translation only. Grafschaft Benthiem, Germany - Graafschap, Michigan --- 1881
- Folder 15-16: Brandorf. Letters: 33 items --- 1873-1990
- Box 2
- Folder 39: Beerlink, Aleida Oortman. Letters: 7 items, photocopy (3), with translation. Nordhorn, Grafschaft Bentheim - Lamont, Michigan. A. Beerlink to Hindrikin (Hattie) Harmellink Harmsen and other relatives --- 1946-1948
- Series 7: Last Name: K
- Box 1
- Folder 12: Kunn, Koene. Letters: Clara City, Minnesota - unknown --- [1940s]
- Box 2
- Folder 9: Knoll, Memo. Letter: 1 item, photocopy with translation. Vollenerfehn, Germany - Holland, Michigan; M. Knoll to Baker family --- 1947
- Folder 10: Koning, D. Letters: 4 letters, photocopy, with translations. Itterbeck, Germay - U.S.A.; D. Koning, to Beckman family --- 1947-1948
- Folder 11: Koning, H. Letters: 2 items, photocopy,with 1 item translated. Itterbeck, Germany - U.S.A.; H. Koning to relatives --- 1905 - 1909
- Folder 12: Krake, Albert. Letter: 1 item, transcription, with translation. Kalamazoo, Michigan - Bentheim, Germany; A. Krake to sister --- 1876
- Series 3: Last Name: D
- Box 1
- Folder 17: De Frel, Rieka Ensing. Letters: 13 items, transcription with translation. Graafschap, Michigan - Kleinringe, Germany --- 1874-1968
- Series 4: Last Name: E
- Box 1
- Folder 18: Elbert, Fritz. Letter: 1 item, photocopy, with translation. Osterwald, Germany - U.S.A.; F. Elbert to relatives --- 1948
- Folder 19: Elbert, U.V.G. Letters: 11 items, photocopy. Itterbeek, Germany - U.S.A.; U.V.G. Elbert to friends --- 1904-1912
- Folder 20: Ensing, Harm. Letter: 1 item, transcription with translation. Fremont, Michigan - Laar, Germany. --- 1891
- Folder 21: Ensing, Hillegien Arens. Letter: 1 item, transcription with translation. Graafschap, Michigan - Nelsen, Germany. --- 1920s.
- Folder 22: Ensing, Lucas. Letter: 1 item, transcription with translation. Graafschap, Michigan - Kleinringe, Germany; L. Ensing to brother and sister --- 1899
- Folder 23: Ensink, J.H. Letter: 1 item, photocopy, with translation. Haar, Germany - Holland, Michigan; J.H. Ensink to Sue Baker. --- 1977
- Series 5: Last Name: G
- Box 1
- Folder 24: Geerdes, H.H. and R. Autobiographies: 1 booklet, 35 pages, illustrated, transcription in English. Weenermore, Germany - Freeport, Illinois and Kit Carson, Colorado --- 1863-1955
- Folder 25: Gemmen, Gerhard. Letter: 1 item. photocopy, with partial translation. Germany - Holland, Michigan; G. Gemmen to brother --- 1882
- Folder 26: Gemmen, J.A. Letter and army discharge attestation: 2 items, photocopy, with partial translations. East Saugatuck, Michigan - Germany; J.A. Gemmen to Gerhard Gemmen --- 1884, 1877
- Folder 27: Genzink, Albert. Letter: 1 item, transcription with translation. Graafschap, Michigan - Achterhorn, Germany; A. Genzink to a friend --- 1874
- Folder 28: Ghurt, J. Letter: 1 item, photocopy, with translation. Jhrove, Germany - U.S.A.; J. Ghurt to unknown --- 1947
- Folder 29: Grüppen, Hermannus H. Letters: 16 items, photocopy, with partial translations. Graafschap, Michigan - Emlichheim, Germany; H.H. Gruppen to family --- 1898-1934
- Series 6: Last Name: H
- Box 2
- Folder 1-4: Halger, John. Letters: 86 items, photocopy. Germany - Holland, Michigan; Family and friends to J. Halger --- 1901-1920
- Folder 5: Heetderks, Bernhard. Letters: 6 items, photocopy, with translations. Campen, Germany - Holland, Michigan; B. Heetderks to Baker family --- 1948-1950
- Folder 38: Heinz, Deinem (sp.?). Letter: 1 item, original. [?] - Grand Rapids, Mich. D. Heinz to L. Hengst (sp.?) --- 1948
- Folder 6: Hellendorn, L. Letter: 1 item, photocopy, with translation. Vorwald, Germany - Holland, Michigan; L. Hellendorn to Geesje Reinink --- undated
- Folder 7: Hensen, Gerhard. Letter: 1 item, photocopy, with transcription. Coopersville, Michigan -Emlichheim, Germany; G. Hensen to family --- 1922
- Folder 8: Hinrichs, Etta. Letter: 1 item, photocopy, transcription with translation. Grimersum, Germany - Holland, Michigan; E. Hinrichs to Jane Baker --- 1948
- Series 8: Last Name: L
- Box 2
- Folder 13: Lambers, Fenna. Letters: 2 items, photocopy, with translations. Getelomvor, Germany - U.S.A; F. Lambers to relatives --- 1948
- Folder 14: Lefers, H.J. Letters: 2 items, photocopy, with translations. Picardie, Germay - U.S.A.; H.J. Lefers to relatives --- 1906 - 1913
- Folder 15: Litzman, Lodewijk. Letter: 1 item, photocopy, with transcription. Litiz, Pennsylvania - Oostburg, Germany --- 1824
- Series 9: Last Name: M
- Box 2
- Folder 16: Masselink, G.H. Letter: 1 item, photocopy, with transcription. Edgerton, Minnesota - Germany; G.H. Masselink to family --- 1920
- Folder 17: Meier, H. Letter: 1 item, photocopy, with translation. Emlichheim, Germany - unknown; H. Meier to relatives --- 1952
- Folder 18: Meyer, Ida Karsjens. Article: 1 item, photocopy. “My Life Story”. Hanswehrun, Germay - Iowa --- 1888
- Folder 19: Minge, Engbert. Letters: 2 items, photocopy, with translations, Pathuis, Germany - unknown; E. Minge to family --- 1947-1948
- Series 10: Last Name: N
- Box 2
- Folder 20: Nordhof, G. Letter: 1 item, photocopy. Wilsum, Grafshaft Bentheim - Michigan; G. Nordhoff to relatives --- 1891
- Series 11: Last Name: O
- Box 2
- Folder 21: Overweg, J.H. Letter fragments: 3 items, photocopy, with transcription. Oak Harbor, Washington - Germany; J.H. Overweg to Hensen family --- 1912
- Series 12: Last Name: P
- Box 2
- Folder 22: Palmbos, A.H. Letter: 1 item, photocopy, with translation. Gelsenkirchen, Germany - U.S.A.; A.H. Palmbos to sister --- 1909
- Folder 23: Palmbos, A.W. Letter: 1 item, photocopy. Gelsenkirchen, Germany - U.S.A.; A.W. Palmbos to brother and sister --- 1809
- Folder 24: Palmbos, L. and M. Letters: 2 items, photocopy. Gunnigfel, Germany - U.S.A.; L. and M. Palmbos to brother and sister --- 1906-1908
- Folder 25: Plesscher, Z.H. Letter: 1 item, photocopy. Clara City, Minnesota - Germany; Plesscher to relatives --- 1914
- Folder 26: Plesscher, H.H. Letter: 1 item, photocopy, with transcription. East Saugatuck, Michigan - Emlichheim, Germany; H.H. Plesscher to J. Hensen --- 1882
- Series 13: Last Name: R
- Box 2
- Folder 27: Ruirink, J.H. Letter: 1 item, photocopy, with translation. Klein Ringe, Germay - Holland, Michigan; J.H. Ruirink to Susanna Baker --- 1947
- Series 14: Last Name: S
- Box 2
- Folder 28: Scholten, Albert. Letter: 1 item, translation. Graafschap, Michigan - Bentheim, Germany; A. Scholten to brother --- 1870
- Folder 29: Schubert, Dirk. Letter excerpts: Newspaper clippings, photocopy --- 1856
- Folder 30: Spykman, Albert. Travel account: 10 pages, photocopy, transcription, and translation. Emlichheim, Germany - Holland, Michigan --- 1924
- Series 15: Last Name: V
- Box 2
- Folder 31: Veldink, Lukas. Letter: 1 item, photocopy transcription. Zeeland, Michigan - Emlichheim, Germany; L. Veldink to relatives --- 1881
- Series 16: Last Name: W
- Box 2
- Folder 32: Wolters, Joe. Letters: 12 items, photocopy, with translation. East Friesland, Germany - Holland, Michigan; J. Wolters to relatives --- 1947-1948
- Series 17: Last Name: Z
- Box 2
- Folder 33: Zagers, Evert. Articles: 2 items, photocopy --- 1944, 1987
- Folder 34-36: Zondag, J.B. Letter: 1 item, photocopy, transcription, and partially translated. Bentheim - Ostfriesland --- 1847
- Folder 37: Zwafink, Zwenna. Letter: 1 item, photocopy, with translation. Bakelde, Germany - U.S.A; Z. Zwafink to Gerd and Berend Hendricks --- 1948
- Series 18: Misc.
- Box 3
- Folder 1: Beloved family and friends: letters between Grafschaft Bentheim, Germany and America. Volume 1. Compiled by Swenna Harger and Loren Lemmen, 2007 (with surname index) --- 1847-1914
- Folder 2: Rundschrift. Pamphlet --- 1902