Dutch Immigrant Papers Collection, 1786-[ongoing] | Heritage Hall, Hekman Library

Collection Overview

Title: Dutch Immigrant Papers Collection, 1786-[ongoing]

ID: COLL/078

Arrangement: Folder level description

Subjects: Canada - Emigration and immigration - Biography, Dutch Americans - Correspondence, Dutch Americans - History - Sources, Dutch Americans - Personal narratives, Dutch Americans - Social life and customs, Netherlands - Emigration and immigration - Biography, United States - Emigration and immigration - Biography

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

Canada - Emigration and immigration - Biography
Dutch Americans - Correspondence
Dutch Americans - History - Sources
Dutch Americans - Personal narratives
Dutch Americans - Social life and customs
Netherlands - Emigration and immigration - Biography
United States - Emigration and immigration - Biography

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[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],
[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],
[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],
[All]

Series 18: Last Name: R

Box 49

Folder 21: Raterink, Teunis. Letters: 4 items, transcription. Groningen, Michigan - Staphorst, Overijssel. T. Raterink to relatives. --- 1874-1886
Folder 22: Redder, Klaas Jans and Klaasje. Letters: 3 items, transcription, with translation. Drenthe, Michigan - Staphorst, Overijssel. K. J. and K. Redder to Jantje Pot Visscher. --- 1883-1895
Folder 23: Redeker, L. Letter: 1 item, photocopy, with translation. Alto, Wisconsin - Bloomington, Indiana. L. Redeker to H. van Asselt. --- 1866
Folder 24: Reeder. Travel account: 1 item, 9 leaves, photocopy. Dongeradeel, Friesland - Canada. --- 1957
Folder 25: Reglement. Leaflet: 1 item, 4 pages. Netherlands - Minnesota. Entitled, Reglement voor de Vereeniging tot Ondersteuning der Emigratie van Minvermogenden Naar den Noord-Amerikaanschen Staat 'Minnesota; Amsterdam, Handelsdrukkerij, N. H. Beer. --- 1873
Folder 26: Reijerse, Hendrik. Letters: 2 items, photocopy. Grand Rapids, Michigan - 's-Heer-Arendskerke, Zeeland. H. Reijerse to M. J. Geuze. --- 1923
Folder 27: Reijerse, Leen. Letter: 1 item, photocopy. Kalamazoo, Michigan - 's-Heer-Arendskerke, Zeeland. L. Reijerse to M. J. Geuze. --- 1923
Folder 28: Reiling, J. R. Letter: 1 item, photocopy. Gilman, Illinois - Gasselternijveen, Drenthe. J. R. Reiling to relatives. --- 1904
Folder 29: Reiling, Jan and Tonie. Letter: 1 item, photocopy. Vroomshoop, Overijssel - Muskegon, Michigan. J. and T. Reiling to Hans D. and Jean Helling. --- 1978
Folder 30: Reitsma, Meinte. Letter: 1 item, photocopy. St. Louis, Missouri - Wommels, Friesland. M. Reitsma to J. Wagenmakers. --- 1902
Folder 31: Renting, H. Letter: 1 item, photocopy, with translation. Haren, Groningen - Bodegraven, Zuid Holland. H. Renting to church member. --- 1889
Folder 32: Renzema, Durk Harmens and Klaaske Wiersma. Letters: 32 items, transcription, with partial translation. Grand Rapids, Michigan - Berlikum, Friesland. D. H. and K. Renzema to relatives. --- 1882-1911
Folder 33-36: Retel, Peter Daniel. Letters: 35 items, photocopy, with transcription and translation. Iowa, Kansas, New Mexico, Colorado, Montana - Bloemendaal, Noord Holland. P. D. Retel to relatives. --- 1882-1893

Box 50

Folder 1: Reynders, P. C. Letters: 2 items, photocopy. San Gabriel, California - Leiden, Zuid Holland. P. C. Reynders to Cornelia C. Polder van der Baan. --- 1919-1928
Folder 2: Riddering, A. Letter: 1 item, photocopy, with translation. Haren, Groningen - Zweelo, Drenthe. A. Riddering to relatives. --- 1872
Folder 3: Riddering, Albert. Letters: 2 items, photocopy, with translation. Drenthe, Michigan - Noord Sleen, Drenthe. A. Riddering to Jan Boer. --- 1865-1874
Folder 4: Riemersma, D. Letters: 3 items, photocopy, with translation. Kollum, Friesland - Pella, Iowa. D. Riemersma to J. D. Douma and J. van der Ploeg. --- 1882-1884
Folder 5: Riemersma, M. Letters: 3 items, photocopy, with transcription and translation. Kollum, Friesland - Pella, Iowa. M. Riemersma to relatives. --- 1871-1882
Folder 6: Rientsma, Jentje Rientses. Letters: 2 items, photocopy. Medemblik, Noord Holland - Rock Valley, Iowa. J. R. Rientsma to Djurre Klaaszoon de Boer. --- 1931-1932
Folder 7: Riepena, Fokke. Document: 1 item, photocopy. Citizenship Certificate, Cook County, Illinois. State of Illinois to F. Riepena. --- 1884
Folder 8: Rijken van Olst, G. J. and M. Heijns. Letters: 4 items, photocopy, with translation. Den Haag, Zuid Holland - Grand Rapids, Michigan. G. J. and M. Rijken van Olst to Garrett Heijns. --- 1948-1952
Folder 9: Rijneveld, Jan and Marchie. Letter: 1 item, photocopy, with transcription and translation. Epe, Gelderland -Grand Rapids, Michigan. J. and M. Rijneveld to friends. --- 1976
Folder 10: Ringeling, A. Letters: 4 items, photocopy. Holland, Michigan - Hoogeveen, Drenthe. A. Ringeling to Sloothaak family. --- 1896-1898
Folder 11: Ris, Ria and Fred. Letters: 8 items, photocopy. Surrey, British Columbia - Haarlem, Noord Holland. R. and F. Ris to Henry F. Ris. --- 1988-1990
Folder 12: Ritsema, Klaas Pieters. Letter: 1 item, with translation. Unknown location -unknown location. K.P. Ritsema to Pieter Hofstede de Groot. --- 1834
Folder 13: Ritzema, D. Letter: 1 item. Maple Lake, Minnesota - Pieterburen, Groningen. D. Ritzema to relatives. --- 1915
Folder 14: Roelofs, George. Letter fragment: 1 item, photocopy, with translation. Port Sheldon, Michigan - Amsterdam, Noord Holland. G. Roelofs to H. J. Roelofs. --- 1907
Folder 15: Roelofs, J. Letter: 1 item, photocopy, with translation. Pella, Iowa - Netherlands. J. Roelofs to friends. --- 1848
Folder 16: Roerig, Berend. Letter: 1 item, photocopy, with translation. Grand Rapids, Michigan - Bedum, Groningen. B. Roerig to J. Tilma. --- 1893
Folder 17: Rogers, Janet. Letter: Unknown location - Groningen, Groningen. J. Rogers to Geertruida Hillegina Scheringa van der Nald. --- 1948
Folder 18: Rollema, Annie. Letters: 9 items, English. Sneek, Friesland - Long Beach, California. A. Rollema to husband and children. --- 1974-1975
Folder 19: Rollema, Dinie. Letters: 7 items, photocopy. Sneek, Friesland - Long Beach, California. D. Rollema to R. Rollema. --- 1975
Folder 20-21: Rollema, Reinder. Letters: 28 items, photocopy. Sneek, Friesland - Long Beach, California. R. Rollema to Rienk and Annie Rollema. --- 1974-1977
Folder 22: Romkema, Cornlius. Letters: 3 items, with translation. Workum, Friesland - Springfield, South Dakota. C. Romkema to uncle and aunt. --- 1919-1925
Folder 23: Romkema, J. Letters: 12 items, with translation. St. Johannesga, Friesland - Springfield, South Dakota. J. Romkema to relatives. --- 1918-1933
Folder 24: Romkema, Mabel. Letters: 4 items, photocopy. Bellflower, California - Joure, Friesland. M. Romkema to Evert J. Vogel. --- 1946-1949
Folder 25: Romkema, Margje and Meintje. Letters: 3 items, with translation. Joure, Friesland - Springfield, South Dakota. M. and M. Romkema to uncle. --- 1912
Folder 26: Romkema, Pierjte. Letters: 20 items, with partial translation. St. Johannesga, Friesland -Springfield, South Dakota. P. Romkema to brother. --- 1912-1921
Folder 27: Romkema, Uelke and Trijntje. Letters: 16 items. Eesterga and Follega, Friesland - Springfield, South Dakota. U. and T. Romkema to brother. --- 1913-1934
Folder 28-30: Romkema, Willem. Letters: 35 items, photocopy. Springfield, South Dakota - Joure, Friesland. W. Romkema to Evert J. Vogel. --- 1937-1956

Box 51

Folder 1: Rooda, Tunis (Thomas Rhoda). Letter: 1 item. Hawthorne, New Jersey - Grand Rapids, Michigan. Letter of recommendation. --- 1906
Folder 2: Roorda, Albert A. Letters: 8 items, photocopy. Sioux Center, Iowa - Oosterwolde, Friesland. A. A. Roorda to Arjen de Jong. --- 1902-1908
Folder 3: Roorda, Albert Epke. Letters: 2 items, published translation. Veenklooster, Friesland - Des Moines, Iowa. A. E. Roorda to parents. Published in the Roorda Family History; Des Moines, Iowa, private printing. --- 1870-1875, undated
Folder 4: Roorda, Izaak Epke. Travel account: 1 item, 12 pages, published translation. Dantumawoude, Friesland - Pella, Iowa. Published in the Roorda Family History; Des Moines, Iowa, private printing. --- 1853, undated
Folder 5: Roos, Dick. Letters: 5 items, photocopy, with partial translation. Netherlands - Doon, Iowa. D. Roos to Kortenhoeven-Feikema family. --- 1931-1950
Folder 6: Roosjen, Simon and Martha. Letter: 1 item. Groningen, Groningen - Grand Rapids, Michigan. S. and M. Roosjen to Jan Jansma. --- 1929
Folder 7: Roost, John. Letters: 5 items, photocopy, with transcription and translation. Holland, Michigan. Albany, New York - Holland, Michigan. J. Roost to wife and A. C. Van Raalte. --- 1859
Folder 8: Roozendaal, Gerrigje. Letter: 1 item, photocopy, with transcription and translation. Calumet, Illinois - Brandwijk, Zuid Holland. G. Roozendaal to A. Roozendaal. --- 1856
Folder 9: Rosenboom, Frouwina. Letters: 2 items, photocopy, with translation. Grand Rapids, Michigan - Oude Pekela, Groningen. F. Rosenboom to Jacobus Schoonbeek. --- 1888
Folder 10: Rosenboom, G. Letter: 1 item, photocopy. Glendale, California - Grand Rapids, Michigan. G. Rosenboom to relatives. --- 1925
Folder 11-13: Rosenboom, Gerhardus and Harmana Schoonbeek. Letters: 25 items, photocopy, with translation. Grand Rapids, Michigan - Oude Pekela, Groningen. G. and H. Rosenboom to Jacobus Schoonbeek. --- 1874-1931
Folder 14: Rosenboom, Theresa. Letter: 1 item, photocopy, English. Grand Rapids, Michigan -unknown location. T. Rosenboom to relatives. --- undated
Folder 15: Rosendaal, Jan. Letter: 1 item, photocopy,with translation. Texel, Noord Holland - Muskegon, Michigan. J. Rosendaal to Dirkje Trap-Rosendaal. --- 1892
Folder 16: Roskam, Jacob. Letter: 4 items, photocopy. Midland Park, New Jersey - Stavoren, Friesland. J. Roskam to H. Roskam Dijkstra. --- 1948-1949
Folder 17: Rotschäfer, A. Letter: 1 item, photocopy. Holland, Michigan - Netherlands. A. Rotschäfer to brother. --- 1912
Folder 18: Rottschaefer, Alderick. Letter: 1 item, photocopy. Grand Rapids, Michigan - Wijnjeterp, Friesland. A. Rottschaefer to Daniel van der Meulen. --- 1920
Folder 19: Rouwenhorst, J. W. Letters: 2 items, photocopy, with transcription and translation. Hengelo, Gelderland - USA. J. W. Rouwenhorst to relatives. --- 1909
Folder 20: Rozema, H. Letters: 2 items, photocopy. Franeker, Friesland - [Pella, Iowa]. H. Rozema to S. de Vries. --- [1945-1948]
Folder 21: Rubingh, Grietje. with H. and J. Walkotten. Letters: 3 items, photocopy, with transcription and translation. Groningen and Wildervank, Groningen - Graafschap, Michigan. G. Rubingh to relatives. --- 1882-1918
Folder 22: Rubingh, Heichiena. Letters: 4 items, photocopy, with transcription and translation. Wildervank, Groningen - Ellsworth and Graafschap, Michigan. H. Rubingh to John Rubingh. [Translation by Eugene F. Rubingh, 2010] --- 1870-1898
Folder 23: Rubingh, Jan. Letters: 9 items, photocopy, with transcription and translation. Muskegon and Grand Rapids, Michigan - Wildervank, Groningen. J. Rubingh to relatives and friends. --- 1874-1918
Folder 24: Ruisch, Geertje. Letter: 1 item, photocopy, with translation. Alton, Iowa - Galesburg, Iowa. G. Ruisch to G. N. Van't Sant. --- 1885
Folder 25: Ruiter, Gerrit. Letters: 3 items, translation. Ferrysburg, Michigan - Netherlands. G. Ruiter to son. --- 1917
Folder 26: Ruiter, Roelof. Letter: 1 item, photocopy, with translation. Grand Rapids, Michigan - Vroomshoop, Overijssel. R. Ruiter to Arend Bosscher. --- 1906
Folder 27: Rustenburg, A. Letter: 1 item, photocopy, with translation. Beekbergen, Gelderland - Escalon, California. A. Rustenburg to Jan and Dre De Visser. --- 1952
Folder 28-29: Rustenburg, P. Letters: 17 items, photocopy, with translation. Enkhuizen, Noord Holland - Escalon, California. P. Rustenburg to Jan De Visser. --- [1952]-1970

Box 52

Folder 1: Rutgers van der Loeff, Abraham. Letter: 1 item, photocopy, with transcription and translation. Berkeley, California - Netherlands. A. Rutgers van der Loeff to relatives. --- 1906
Folder 2-4: Rutgers, Willem R. and Aaltje Reefhuis. Letters: 32 items, photocopy, with partial transcription. Schuilenburg, Overijssel - Holland and Overisel, Michigan. W. R. and A. Rutgers to friends and Swierze Rutgers. --- 1848-1894