Finding Your New Netherland Roots

In September 2009, as part of the 1609-2009 Henry Hudson Quadricentennial Celebration, the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, the Holland Society of New York, and the New York Public Library joined forces to present a day-long program for genealogists of New Netherland families.

Four well-known genealogists and historians presented papers, and the following pages contain the materials they contributed for the program syllabus. Although these materials have not been updated, they nonetheless provide much useful information.

The speakers were historians Janny Venema and Firth Fabend, and genealogists Harry Macy and Christopher Brooks. Their presentations were titled as follows:

  1. The Historical Background: from the Dutch War for Independence to the Fall of New Netherland (Dr. Venema)
  2. The Dutch After 1664: How Did They Fare After the English Takeover? (Dr. Fabend)
  3. Researching the People of New Netherland and Their Descendants: How to Identify and Make Best Use of Available Sources (Mr. Macy)
  4. Beyond New Netherland: Some Tips on Researching Your Family in the Netherlands [using the Internet] (Mr. Brooks)
  5. Case Studies: How Some Common New Netherland Genealogical Problems Have Been Solved [studies involving Van Wicklen; Monfoort-Nostrand; Van IJsselsteyn; and Pier-DuFour] (Mr. Macy and Mr. Brooks)

Read the Finding Your New Netherland Roots Syllabus