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Collection Overview
Abstract
The Dutch Immigrant Letter Collection includes a wide spectrum of Dutch immigrant experience-Protestant, Catholic, and secular-and it is the only major collection of its kind. To assemble the Immigrant Letter Collection the archives conducted four major manuscript collection campaigns in the Netherlands and the United States between 1976 and 1990. These efforts accumulated at least eight thousand items-letters, travel accounts, immigrant memoirs, and photographs.
Of the 4,970 letters gathered (1838-1958), 2,793 were American postings and 2,179 were from the Netherlands to the United States. Half of the letters from immigrants cluster between 1873 and 1893, accurately reflecting the numerical configuration of Dutch immigration. Moreover, immigration peaks in 1848-1857, 1867-1888, and 1892-1915 are followed a year or two later by peaks in correspondence.
Unfortunately we acquired no useful examples of two-way correspondence. Furthermore, the immigrant letters represent at best 0.0032 percent of an estimated 889,000 letters mailed from the United States to Holland between 1890 and 1930.
All names reflect the original spellings, so try variants spellings (i.e. ij / y); variant spacing (i.e. vanden / van den); and variants of v.d. names (i.e. van de / van den / van der).
The collection includes letters, diaries, travel accounts, memoirs, recollections, and journals. These sources provide a wide range of viewpoints and materials for discovering the spirit and character of the immigration experience. Herbert J. Brinks, curator of the Archives from 1972-1995, collected and used the letters in the research for the following books: Schrijf Spoedig Terug, 1978; Write Back Soon, 1986; and Dutch American Voices, 1995. Nearly all the material in this collection has been transcribed and translated. This is indicated for each item in a separate alphabetized guide, Dutch Immigrant Papers Guide, and on our web site: http://library.calvin.edu/guide/collections/hh/in_house_resources/immigrant_letters/dutch_letters. Additions continue.
Subject/Index Terms
Box and Folder Listing
Browse by Series:
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Series 1: Last Name: A],
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Series 2: Last Name: B],
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Series 3: Last Name: C],
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Series 4: Last Name: D],
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Series 5: Last Name: E],
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Series 6: Last Name: F],
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Series 7: Last Name: G],
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Series 8: Last Name: H],
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Series 9: Last Name: I],
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Series 10: Last Name: J],
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Series 11: Last Name: K],
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Series 12: Last Name: L],
[Series 13: Last Name: M],
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Series 14: Last Name: N],
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Series 15: Last Name: O],
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Series 16: Last Name: P],
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Series 17: Last Name: Q],
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Series 18: Last Name: R],
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Series 19: Last Name: S],
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Series 20: Last Name: T],
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Series 21: Last Name: U],
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Series 22: Last Name: V],
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Series 23: Last Name: W],
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Series 24: Last Name: Y],
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Series 25: Last Name: Z],
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- Series 13: Last Name: M
- Box 38
- Folder 14: Maas, J. H. W. and H. J. Letters: 2 items, photocopy, with transcription and translation. Cincinnati, Ohio - Kotten and Winterswijk, Gelderland. J. H. W. and H. J. Maas to J. D. Vardink and J. W. Tennink. --- 1878-1926
- Folder 15: MacPherson, J. H. Letter: 1 item, photocopy. Heemstede, Noord Holland - Den Helder, Noord Holland. J. H. MacPherson to C. Lebbe. --- 1934
- Folder 16: Madru, Ethel Velders. Letter: 1 item, photocopy, English. New York, New York -unknown location. E. Madru to relative. --- 1946
- Folder 17: Maigret, J. Letter: 1 item, photocopy, with translation. Utrecht, Utrecht - Williamson, New York. J. Maigret to Maryn Van der Boegh. --- 1872
- Folder 18: Mantel, Jan. Letters: 5 items, photocopy. Fresno, California - Andijk, Noord Holland. J. Mantel to relatives. --- 1901-1931
- Folder 19: Mantingh, Jantien. Letter: 1 item, photocopy, with translation. Holland, Michigan - Netherlands. J. Mantingh to relatives. --- 1881
- Folder 20: Marsilje, Isaac. Recollections: 1 item, 17 leaves. Groede, Zeeland - Holland, Michigan. --- 1846-1865
- Folder 21: Mast, Jan. Letter: 1 item, photocopy. Zeeland, Netherlands -unknown location. J. Mast to relatives and friends. --- 1885
- Folder 22: Maurits, Arie and Trijnie. Letter: 1 item, photocopy. Oud Beyerland, Zuid Holland - Hawthorne, New York. A. and T. Maurits to Jan De Man. --- 1979
- Folder 23: Mazereeuw, Nellie. Letters: 3 items, photocopy. Grand Rapids, Michigan - Netherlands. N. Mazereeuw to friends. --- 1913-1915
- Folder 24: Medema, Geert J. Letter: 1 item, photocopy. Creston, Iowa - Giekerk, Friesland. G. J. Medema to uncle. --- 1886
- Folder 25: Medendorp, J. van der Veen. Recollections: 1 item, 4 leaves, with translation. Haren, Groningen - USA. Entitled, My Trip to America in 1920. --- 1987
- Folder 26: Meekhof, Mijne and Willemiene. Letters: 6 items, photocopy. Lucas, Michigan - Havelte, Drenthe. M. and W. Meekhof to relatives. --- 1915-1938
- Folder 27: Meer, Ysbrand. Recollections: 1 item, 1 leaf, translated photocopy. Netherlands - Chicago, Illinois. --- 1910
- Folder 28: Meijer, G. H. Letter: 1 item, photocopy, with translation. Pella, Iowa - Bloomington, Indiana. G. H. Meijer to Hendrik van Asselt. --- 1848
- Folder 29: Meijer, J. Travel account: 1 item, 13 leaves, photocopy. Groningen, Groningen - London, Ontario. --- 1949
- Folder 30: Meindersma, Geziena. Recollections: 1 item, 34 leaves, transcribed photocopy, with translation. Beetsterzwaag, Friesland - Lacombe, Alberta. Entitled, The Story of Durk and Geziena Meindersma. --- 1914-1982
- Box 39
- Folder 1: Meinen, G. J. Letters: 4 items, photocopy. Lintelo, Gelderland - Oostburg, Wisconsin. G. J. Meinen to Jan Willem Klanderman. --- 1887-1898
- Folder 2: Meisner, Albert. Letter: 1 item, photocopy, with transcription and translation. Plainfield, New Jersey - Netherlands. A. Meisner to relatives. --- 1856
- Folder 3: Mellema, Adriaantje Boonstra. Letters: 3 items, photocopy. East Palmyra, New York - St. Annaparochie, Friesland. A. Mellema to Aaltje Hoitsma Boonstra. --- 1929-1947
- Folder 4: Mellema, Jacob Pieters. Travel account and business records, 1 item, 67 leaves, photocopy. St. Annaparochie, Friesland - Rochester, New York. --- 1889-1915
- Folder 5: Mensenk, M. Letter: 1 item, transcription, with translation. Albany, New York - Netherlands. M. Mensenk to friends. --- 1846
- Folder 6: Mensink, Herman. Letter: 1 item, photocopy. Diamond, Missouri - Dalfsen, Overijssel. H. Mensink to G. H. Neuteboom. --- 1955
- Folder 7: Mensonides, Ruth Oost. Letters: 3 items. Akkrum, Friesland - Alden and Woodstock, Illinois. Friends to R. Mensonides. --- 1914-1955
- Folder 8: Merizon, Wilhelmina. Letters: 4 items, photocopy, with translation. Colijnsplaat, Zeeland - Kalamazoo, Michigan. W. Merizon to relatives. --- 1889-1907
- Folder 9: Meulink, Berend and Lubbigje Schaapman. Letters: 47 items, photocopy. Ripon, California - Hasselt, Overijssel. B. and L. Meulink to relatives. --- 1916-1962
- Folder 10: Meulink, Berend and Lubbigje Schaapman. Letters: 2 items, photocopy, with translation. Ripon, California - Hasselt, Overijssel. B. and L. Meulink to H. Meulink, M. Schroten, and A. Dijk. Compiled by J.Schroten. Translated by M. J. Ehlers and D. Hoogland. --- 1913-1939,1961-1963, 1995
- Folder 11: Meyer, G. H. Letter: 1 item, translated photocopy. Pella, Iowa - Netherlands. G. H. Meyer to H. Van Asselt. --- 1848
- Folder 12: Meyer, Hans. Letters: 11 items, photocopy, with transcription and translation. Holland, Michigan - Leens, Groningen. H. Meyer to H. and A. Riesma. --- 1871-1880
- Folder 13: Meyer, Steven. Letter: 1 item, photocopy. Grand Haven, Michigan - Netherlands. S. Meyer to relatives. --- 1890
- Folder 14: Meyers, H. Letters: 4 items, photocopy, with transcription and translation. Keokuk, Iowa - Leens, Groningen. H. Meyers to relatives. --- 1888-1890
- Folder 15: Michell, J. Else. Letters: 3 items, photocopy, with one translation. Amsterdam, Noord Holland - Chicago, Illinois. J. E. Michell to A. Leenstra. --- 1979
- Folder 16: Michmershuizen, Hendrik Grypmoet. Recollections and cemetery records: 1 item, 3 leaves, photocopy. Overisel, Michigan. --- 1840-1890
- Folder 17: Middag, Barend and Geertruida van Doorne. Letters: 3 items, photocopy, with translation. Culemborg, Gelderland - Grand Haven, Michigan. B. Middag to parents and Martinus Van Doorne. --- 1862-1878
- Folder 18: Miedema, Benjamin and Mulder, Froukje. Letter fragments: 1 item, 6 leaves, photocopy. Friesland - Wisconsin. B. Miedema, F. Mulder to Y. K. Tamminga and other relatives. --- 1851-1886
- Folder 19: Miedema, F. J. Letter: 1 item, photocopy. Netherlands - [Pella, Iowa]. F. J. Miedema to sister and brother-in-law. --- undated
- Folder 20-21: Miedema, Wybe and Ann. Letters: 57 items, with a 1 volume translation. Manitoba and Ontario, Canada - Hallumeer Hoek, Netherlands. Entitled, The Miedema Letters. --- 1951-1956
- Folder 22: Mierop, C. Letter: 1 item. Rehoboth, New Mexico - Grand Rapids, Michigan. C. Mierop to Jan Jansma. --- 1931
- Box 40
- Folder 1-4: Minnema, Frank and Renske. Letters: 42 items, photocopy. Randolph, Wisconsin - Midwolda, Friesland. --- 1920-1945
- Folder 5: Mol, Joseph. Letter: 1 item, photocopy. Grand Rapids, Michigan - Rilland, Zeeland. J. Mol to Abraham Mol. --- 1905
- Folder 6: Molenaar, Jacoba Akkerman. Letters: Roseland, Illinois - Heer Hugowaard, Noord Holland. J. A. Molenaar to K. Leegwater family. --- 1878-1884
- Folder 7: Molendijk, Helena Meijboom. Letters: 5 items, photocopy, with translation. Pernis, Zuid Holland - Holland, Michigan. H. M. Molendijk to relatives. --- 1946
- Folder 8-9: Monnee, Cornelis and Jacoba Cornelia van der Veeke. Letters: 18 items, photocopy,with transcription and translation. New York, New York - Zierikzee, Zeeland. C. and J. C. Monnee to Dingenes van der Veeke. --- 1847-1873
- Folder 10: Monshouwer, A. Letter: 1 item, photocopy, with transcription and translation. Tzum, Friesland - Hawthorne, New York. A. Monshouwer to Jan de Man. --- 1978
- Folder 11: Monshouwer, Gert. Letter: 1 item, photocopy, with transcription and translation. Nieuwendijk, Zuid Holland - Hawthorne, New York. G. Monshouwer to Jan de Man. --- 1979
- Folder 12: Monster, C. Letter: 1 item, photocopy, with translation. Ambacht, Zuid Holland - Hawthorne, New York. C. Monster to Jan De Man. --- 1978
- Folder 13: Moolenstee, Cornelis. Letter: 1 item, photocopy, with translation. Prairie Village, Wisconsin - Portsmouth, Ohio. C. Moolenstee to John C. Molster. --- 1837
- Folder 14: More, G. B. Letter: 1 item, photocopy. Grand Haven, Michigan - Grand Haven, Michigan. G. B. More to Teunis (Ton) Schornagel. --- 1943
- Folder 15: Muijrs, M. Letter: 1 item, photocopy. Pocahontas, Arkansas - Nieuwstadt, Limburg. M. Muijrs to relatives. --- 1882
- Folder 16: Mulder, Anje Nieveen. Letters: 3 items, photocopy. Denton, Texas; East Orange, Iowa; Stuttgart, Kansas - Netherlands. A. Mulder to S. Smit and relatives. --- 1883-1891
- Folder 17: Mulder, Charles. Letters: 4 items, photocopy. Holland, Michigan - Staphorst, Overijssel. C. Mulder to A. J. van Spijker. --- 1987-1988
- Folder 18: Mulder, Hendrik. Letters: 3 items, photocopy, with translation. Grand Rapids, Michigan - Lemmer, Friesland. H. Mulder to P. de Rook. --- 1910-1911
- Folder 19: Mulder, J. B. Letter: 1 item, photocopy. Holland, Michigan - Ellsworth, Michigan. J. B. Mulder to John Rubingh. --- 1918
- Folder 20: Mulder, James. Telegram: 1 item, photocopy. Muskegon, Michigan - Amsterdam, Noord Holland. J. Mulder to Abraham Kuyper. --- 1896
- Folder 21: Mulder, Niske. Letter: 1 item, photocopy. Adrian, Minnesota - Menaldum, Friesland. N. Mulder to J. Postema. --- 1923
- Folder 22: Mulder, P. Letters: 2 items, with transcription and translation. Uitwellingerga, Friesland - USA. P. Mulder to relatives. --- 1914-1915
- Box 78
- Folder 1: Muiderman, Hendrick and Johanna (Anna) --- 1910s
- Folder 2: Muiderman, Hendrick and Johanna (Anna) --- 1920s
- Folder 3: Muiderman, Hendrick and Johanna (Anna) --- 1930s
- Folder 4: Muiderman, Hendrick and Johanna (Anna) --- 1940s
- Folder 5: Muiderman, Hendrick and Johanna (Anna) --- 1950s
- Folder 6: Muiderman, Hendrick and Johanna (Anna) --- 1960s
- Folder 7: Muiderman, Hendrick and Johanna (Anna) --- undated
Browse by Series:
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Series 1: Last Name: A],
[
Series 2: Last Name: B],
[
Series 3: Last Name: C],
[
Series 4: Last Name: D],
[
Series 5: Last Name: E],
[
Series 6: Last Name: F],
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Series 7: Last Name: G],
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Series 8: Last Name: H],
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Series 9: Last Name: I],
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Series 10: Last Name: J],
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Series 11: Last Name: K],
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Series 12: Last Name: L],
[Series 13: Last Name: M],
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Series 14: Last Name: N],
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Series 15: Last Name: O],
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Series 16: Last Name: P],
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Series 17: Last Name: Q],
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Series 18: Last Name: R],
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Series 19: Last Name: S],
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Series 20: Last Name: T],
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Series 21: Last Name: U],
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Series 22: Last Name: V],
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Series 23: Last Name: W],
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Series 24: Last Name: Y],
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Series 25: Last Name: Z],
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All]