Dieuwke (Deeuwke, Dorothy, Dora) (Alberts) van der Ploeg

Born: 18 JUN 1864 in St. Annaparochie, Friesland, Netherlands

Died: 30 JUN 1926 in near Holland, Michigan

Parents:
(John) Albert (Sapes) van der Ploeg
Hendrikje (Jans) Dijkstra (Dykstra, Diekstra)

Marriage:
Dirk (Derk) Alles Kaper
29 NOV 1888 in Het Bildt, Friesland, Netherlands

Children:    
Hendrikje (Hattie) Kaper    
Lijsbert (Elizabeth, Liz) Kaper    
Albert Kaper    
Alle (Alfred) Kaper    
Jiskje (Jessie) Kaper    
Anna Kaper    
Jennie Kaper    

Dirk married Dieuwke (possibly already pregnant - "Met legitimatie van een kind") and had five children in the Netherlands. Sometime after Aug 1897, the family moved from St. Jacobiparochie to St. Annaparochie.

There are various stories explaining why Dirk and Dieuwke left the Netherlands. In one possible scenario, Dirk was forced to leave because of involvement in witchcraft. In another scenario, Dirk reportedly tried to hang himself in their corn crib; his son Albert found him there and ran to Dieuwke, who cut him down. They then left the country out of shame.

Dirk crossed the ocean alone in 1899 to work for Jans Alles and raise enough money to bring his family over. He left Rotterdam aboard the Statendam on 12 January and arrived in New York on the 23rd.

A few months later, Dieuwke came to America with mother Hendrikje, brother-in-law John Smit (married to Jessie), and the five children. They departed Rotterdam on 20 April on the ship Rotterdam (passenger list). In the U.S. the family moved often, about once a year, to places like Rochester, NY; Hamilton, MI; Holland, MI, on 13th Street and 26th Street; North Blendon, MI; and Beaverdam, MI. Primarily he did share farming of celery and onions with close friend John Smit.

Dieuwke was known as a quiet person, heavy and well-liked for her kindness. She died of a heart attack.

Dieuwke is bured in Pilgrim Home Cemetery (PH1 KO 35 21).

media
media
media
media
media
 

Dieuwke (Deeuwke, Dorothy, Dora) (Alberts) van der Ploeg
(1864-1926)

 

(John) Albert (Sapes) van der Ploeg
(1829-1886)

 

Sape Alberts van der Ploeg
(1799-1846)

 

Albert Pieters van der Ploeg
(<1770-1828)

+
   

Grietje Sapes Hopperus
(1773-1823)

+
   

Jiskje Hendriks Krottje
(1800-1870)

 

Hendrik Gerrits Krottje
 

 
   

Mettje Roelofs
 

 
   

Hendrikje (Jans) Dijkstra (Dykstra, Diekstra)
(1832-1907)

 

Jan Johannes (Johannes Jans) Dijkstra (Dykstra)
(c1798-1852)

 

Johannes Dirks
 

 
   

Maaike Martens
 

 
   

Dieuwke Aukes Meyer
(c1804-?)

 

Auke Ouwes Meyer
(c1769-1826)

 
   

Hendrikje Klazen (Klasen, Klazes)