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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],
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Series 13: Last Name: M],
[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]
- Series 14: Last Name: N
- Box 40
- Folder 24: Naber, Alvin and Bernice. Letters: 6 items. Holland, Michigan - Ripon, California. A. and B. Naber to John and Alice Nykamp. --- 1938
- Folder 25: Naber, John and Cecil. Letters: 5 items. Three Rivers, Michigan - Ripon, California. J. and C. Naber to Alice Nykamp (Mrs. John W.). --- 1938-1939
- Folder 26: Nabuurs, Jan. Letters: 3 items, photocopy. Cardigan, Prince Edward Island - Westerbeek, Noord Brabant. J. Nabuurs to friends and children. --- 1955-1958
- Folder 27: Nabuurs, Pete. Letter: 1 item, photocopy. Cardigan, Prince Edward Island - Westerbeek, Noord Brabant. P. Nabuurs to H. Lemmen. --- 1964
- Folder 28: Nagelkerke, Cornelis. Letters: 7 items, photocopy. Bergen op Zoom, Noord Brabant - Byron Center, Michigan. C. Nagelkerke to A. Lambregtse. --- 1951-1953
- Folder 29: Nagelkerke, Creesje. Letters: 7 items, photocopy. Rilland, Zeeland - Byron Center, Michigan. C. Nagelkerke to A. Lambregtse. --- 1949-1951
- Folder 30: Nagels, J. H. Letters: 2 items, photocopy, with transcription and translation. Addison, Illinois - Enschede, Overijssel. J. H. Nagels to relatives. --- 1858
- Folder 31: Namminga, Jacob. Letter: 1 item, photocopy, with transcription and translation. Springfield, South Dakota - Alkmaar, Noord Holland. J. Namminga to Geertje van Dyk Namminga. --- 1976
- Folder 32: Nanninga, P. Letter: 1 item, photocopy. Richland, Missouri - Onderdendam, Groningen. P. Nanninga to E. Tilma. --- 1955
- Folder 33: Nanninga, T. Valkema. Letters: 4 items, with translation. Houwerzijl, Groningen - Grand Rapids, Michigan. T. Nanninga to Jan A. Warners. --- 1945-1946
- Box 41
- Folder 1: Natelborg, Derk and Mina. Recollections and Poesie book: 2 items with translated recollections. Uithuizen, Groningen - Chicago, Illinois. --- 1833-1890, 1881-1941
- Folder 2: Nauta, Beert Annes. Travel Account: 1 item, photocopy,with translation. --- 1909
- Folder 3: Neerken, Willem. Letter: 1 item. Wilsum, Germany - Graafschap, MI. W. Neerken to Gese Neerken. --- 1852
- Folder 4-7: Neutel, Albert and Roelofje. Letters: 84 items, photocopy. Glen Williams, Ontario - Nieuweroord, Drenthe. A. and R. Neutel to relatives. --- 1955-1984
- Folder 8: Nevenzel, Gerrit Jan. Letters: 5 items, photocopy. Hamilton, Michigan - Den Ham, Overijssel. G. J. Nevenzel to Gerrit Jan Nevenzel. --- 1895-1914
- Folder 9: Newhouse (Nieuwenhuyze), Sidney. Recollections: 1 item. Netherlands - California. --- 1974
- Folder 10-13: Nicolai, Rienk. Letters: 42 items, photocopy, with translation. Edam, Saskatchewan - Drogeham, Friesland. R. Nicolai to G. P. Nicolai. --- 1930-1935
- Folder 14: Nieboer-Rozema, Harmtje. Letter: 1 item, photocopy,translation. Sandstone, Minnesota - Stadskanaal, Groningen. H. Nieboer-Rozema to Tobinus Rozema. --- 1914
- Folder 15: Nieboer, Willem. Travel account and letters: 3 items, photocopy, with translation. Iron Springs and Springridge, Alberta - Emmen, Drenthe. W. Nieboer to Anne Van der Leest. --- 1926-1938
- Folder 16-17: Nieborg, Okko and Eilina Jansonius. Letters: 18 items, photocopy, with transcription and translation. Platte, South Dakota; Martha and Teals, Tennessee - Oosterwijtwerd, Groningen. O. and E. Nieborg to relatives. --- 1889-1921
- Folder 18: Niemeijer, Klaas. Letters: 26 items, photocopy. Chicago and Hinsdale, Illinois - Middelstum, Groningen. K. Niemeijer to relatives. --- 1904-1955
- Folder 19: Nienhuis, J. Letter: 1 item, photocopy, with translation. Chicago, Illinois - Netherlands. J. Nienhuis to relatives. --- 1873
- Folder 20: Nienhuis, Markus E. Letter: 1 item, photocopy, with transcription and translation. Grand Haven, Michigan - Ulrum, Groningen. M. E. Nienhuis to relatives. --- 1854
- Box 42
- Folder 1: Nienhuis, Sebe. Letters: 6 items, photocopy, with transcription and translation. Chicago, Illinois - Spijk, Groningen. S. Nienhuis to H. Nienhuis. --- 1889-1903
- Folder 2: Nieuwboer, Johan. Letters: 40 items, transcription. Iowa and Minnesota - Spakenburg, Utrecht. J. Nieuwboer to relatives. --- 1910-1931
- Folder 3-4: Nieuwenhuijse, Boudewijn. Letters: 27 items, photocopy. Franklin, Wisconsin - Kloetinge, Zeeland. B. Nieuwenhuijse to relatives. --- 1852-1862
- Folder 5: Nieuwenhuis, Epe. Letter: 1 item, photocopy. Roseland, Illinois - Groningen, Groningen. E. Nieuwenhuis to M. Sikkema. --- 1911
- Folder 6: Nieuwenhuis, Jacobus. Travel account and poem: 2 items, 7 leaves, photocopy, with transcription. Oostburg, Wisconsin - Hoedekenskerke, Zeeland. J. Nieuwenhuis to relatives. --- 1880
- Folder 7: Nieuwenhuis, John. Letters: 2 items, photocopy,with translation. Mabton, Washington - Den Ham, Groningen. J. Nieuwenhuis to relatives. --- 1935-1941
- Folder 8: Nieuwenhuis, Maria F. Kleveringa. Letter: 1 item, transcribed photocopy with translation. Uithuizermeeden, Groningen - Buitendijks, Netherlands. M. F. Nieuwenhuis to relatives. --- 1864
- Folder 9: Nieuwenhuis, Mello. Letter: 1 item, photocopy, with translation. Fresno, California - Aduard, Groningen. M. Nieuwenhuis to Freerk Nieuwenhuis. --- 1937
- Folder 10: Nieuwenhuize, Cornelis. Letters: 15 items, photocopy. Grand Rapids, Michigan - Krabbendijke, Zeeland. C. Nieuwenhuize to A. Dijk. --- 1908-1915
- Folder 11: Nieuwenhuizen, Marianne. Letter: 1 item, photocopy. Zeist, Utrecht - Hawthorne, New York. M. Nieuwhuizen to Jan De Man. --- 1978
- Folder 12: Nieveen, Cornelia. Letters: 2 items, photocopy. Platte, South Dakota; Lynden, Washington - Iowa. C. Nieveen to relatives. --- 1903-1907
- Folder 13: Nieveen, Cornelis Sieuwke. Letters: 6 items, photocopy, with translation. Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas - Netherlands. C. S. Nieveen to S. Smit. --- 1881-1901
- Folder 14: Nieveen, Martha. Recollections: 1 item, 3 leaves. South Dakota. --- [1930]
- Box 43
- Folder 1: Nieveen, Martin M. Letters: 43 items, photocopy. Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota - Netherlands. M. M. Nieveen to relatives. --- 1882-1898
- Folder 2: Nieveen, Martje Smit. Letters: 14 items, photocopy. Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota - Netherlands. M. Nieveen to relatives. --- 1882-1904
- Folder 3: Nieveen, Melle. Letters: 10 items, photocopy, with translation. Denton, Texas, and Pella, Iowa - Netherlands. M. Nieveen to relatives. --- 1881-1888
- Folder 4: Nieveen, Nanco. Letters: 6 items, photocopy, with translation. Alton, Iowa. Panama, Nebraska - Netherlands. N. Nieveen to relatives. --- 1883-1906
- Folder 5: Nieveen, Pieter. Letters: 3 items, photocopy, with transcription and translation. East Orange, Iowa - Netherlands. P. Nieveen to relatives. --- 1880-[1886]
- Folder 6: Niewald, Sitje. Letters: 4 items, photocopy. Chicago, Illinois - Oterleek, Noord Holland. S. Niewald to Riekie and Gerrit Voogt. --- 1949-1951
- Folder 7: Nijboer, Jan. Letter: 1 item, photocopy. Holland, Michigan - Dalfsen, Overijssel. J. Nijboer to relatives. --- 1945
- Folder 8: Nijenhuis, H. J. Letter: 1 item, photocopy. Muscatine, Iowa - Winterswijk, Gelderland. H. J. Nijenhuis to children. --- 1854
- Folder 9: Nijenhuis, J. B. Letter: 1 item, photocopy. Muscatine, Iowa - Winterswijk, Gelderland. J. B. Nijenhuis to relatives. --- 1881
- Folder 10: Nijenhuis, Jan Willem. Letters: 2 items, photocopy, with translation. Newark, New Jersey - Winterswijk, Gelderland. J. W. Nijenhuis to L. Mulder. --- 1908
- Folder 11: Nijenhuis, Johanna Geziena. Letter: 1 item, photocopy. Muscatine, Iowa - Winterswijk, Gelderland. J. G. Nijenhuis to relatives. --- 1865
- Folder 12: Nijenhuis, Pietertje van Dam. Letters: 15 items, photocopy. Overisel, Michigan; Orange City, Iowa - Netherlands. P. Nijenhuis to relatives. --- 1865-1978
- Folder 13: Nijenhuis, Willem. Letters: 2 items, photocopy. Muscatine, Iowa - Winterswijk, Gelderland. W. Nijenhuis to relatives. --- 1866
- Folder 14: Nijland, Franz, Joseph, and John. Letters: 2 items, photocopy. Fort Wayne, Indiana - Oldenzaal, Gelderland. F., J., and J. Nijland to R. Nijland. --- 1946-1957
- Folder 15: Nijsten, Alfons. Letters: 19 items, photocopy. Edmonton, Alberta - Maastricht, Limburg. Nijsten to Rudi Pasman. --- 1951-1961
- Folder 16: Nollen, Gerhard Hedrickus. Letter: 1 item, photocopy, with translation. Pella, Iowa - Wierden, Overijssel. G. H. Nollen to Henry Nollen. --- 1859
- Folder 17: Nollen, John. Letter: 1 item, photocopy, with translation. Pella, Iowa - Wierden, Overijssel. J. Nollen to relatives. --- 1859
- Folder 18: Nomes, Aagje Akkerman. Letters: 3 items, photocopy, with transcription and translation. Roseland, Illinois - Netherlands. A. Nomes to J. Molenaar Akkerman and Albert Dekker. --- 1877-1912
- Folder 19: Noordewier, J. Letter: 1 item, photocopy. Lafayette, Indiana -unknown location. J. Noordewier to J. Rubingh. --- 1878
- Folder 20: Noorthoek, Joseph. Travel account: 1 item, 49 pages, photocopy, with translation. Grand Rapids, Michigan - St. Philipsland, Zeeland. --- 1910
- Folder 21: Noordhoff, Catharina. Picture postcard: 1 item, photocopy. Salt Lake City, Utah - Enumatil, Groningen. C. Noordhoff to Trientje Noordhoff. --- 1910
- Folder 22: Nuss, Edward. Letter: 1 item, photocopy. Waukesha, Wisconsin - Plymouth, Wisconsin. E. Nuss to Jan Cevaal. --- 1915
- Folder 23: Nykamp, Alice (Mrs. John W.). Letters: 10 items. California and Michigan - Michigan and California. A. Nykamp to relatives. --- 1919-1938
- Folder 24: Nykamp, Henry K. Letter: 1 item. Hamilton, Michigan - Ripon, California. H. K. Nykamp to Alice Nykamp (Mrs. John W.). --- 1931
- Folder 25: Nyland, Marija. Letter: 1 item, photocopy, with translation. Buffalo, New York - Michigan. M. Nyland to sister. --- 1856
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],
[
Series 7: Last Name: G],
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Series 8: Last Name: H],
[
Series 9: Last Name: I],
[
Series 10: Last Name: J],
[
Series 11: Last Name: K],
[
Series 12: Last Name: L],
[
Series 13: Last Name: M],
[Series 14: Last Name: N],
[
Series 15: Last Name: O],
[
Series 16: Last Name: P],
[
Series 17: Last Name: Q],
[
Series 18: Last Name: R],
[
Series 19: Last Name: S],
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Series 20: Last Name: T],
[
Series 21: Last Name: U],
[
Series 22: Last Name: V],
[
Series 23: Last Name: W],
[
Series 24: Last Name: Y],
[
Series 25: Last Name: Z],
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All]