Tussenvoegsel

Amsterdam, Netherlands phonebook

Listings for Hoof, van der Hoof, and van Hoof

Where do you find van der Hoof in a Dutch phonebook?  Under H with Hoof.  This is important to remember when searching for names that begin with VAN DER, VAN DEN, VAN DE, VAN, DE, DEN, DER, HET, 'T [abbreviated form of HET].  The Dutch term is tussenvoegsel, which means "in between addition."  In the United States and the earlier colonial period, the tussenvoegsel may have combined with the last name and be alphabetized under V or D instead of H.  Best to look in many places.

And if you see "bij of meergenaamd" within a name, this means "additionally named."

Greetings from Amsterdam!

I am in Amsterdam, Noord Holland, The Netherlands.  My sister Kim lives here.  The weather is just above freezing and rains, snows, hails, clears up, and then repeats the cycle.

Today Kim showed me actual Dutch architecture.  This will help me better identify Dutch Colonial structures back in New Jersey and New York.

Note the ornate black muurijzer (wall iron).

A muurijzer anchors a support beam for an upper floor and runs from the front facade to the back facade.

The thin verticle black muurijzer above the center window is more typical of the understated Dutch style.

Buildings are made of brick.  Both the length and the width are seen because bricks are laid perpendicular to one another to form a thick, sound outer foundation to the structure.

The heavy layers of bricks cause excess moisture build-up.  Look for a small  metal tube protruding slightly to ventilate.

Stadsherstel (city restoration)
This sign on a building indicates that the building is historical and the exterior may not be altered.

The wide doors probably indicate that this structure was a barn.  Existing shutters cannot be removed.

Window shutters on a historical building.

This historical building is now a clothing store.

The hook on the wall must remain, even though nobody needs to hitch a horse anymore.

Note the support beam that runs from front to back.

Bikes are the preferred method of transportation.
Compare this row of parked bikes to the traffic congestion in Nieuw Amsterdam (Manhattan).

Dutch house under construction.
This structure is unusual because it is free-standing/not attached to another structure.

KinderKookKafe
Modern-day business in old barn.

Note that the muurijzer on the left is missing and replaced by a sort of plug.

Old hook to hold open the large door.

Newer hook to hold open the door.

More to follow . . .

Amanuensis Monday: Faded Leaf

Continued transciption of the papers found in the BISHOP family file at the New York State Library in Albany.

Olive, wife of David Barker, died Dec 23, 1837 at 27.

Ruthene, wife of Simeon Barker, died Feb 2, 1868 at 52.

"We saw her fade as fades the leaf.

And sorrow filled our every heart.

To think, from her we loved so much.

So soon we should be called to part."

Joshua Coleman die Jan 16, 1891 at 64.

Amaranca, his wife, d May 3, 1893 at 66 yrs

James Coleman d Sept 21, 1856 at 74.

Lucretia d Nov 15, 1831- 64.

Elwin Stetson- worked for board when boys.  Lived to be 89 years.

Uncle Geo lived to be 90 years.