Exploring Dutch Heritage Through Research 

Exploring Dutch Heritage Through Research 

In October 1657 a meeting of specially-appointed commissioners was held in New Amsterdam, likely in the City Hall. The commissioners were appointed by Director-General Peter Stuyvesant to hear a complaint by a Spanish merchant against Stuyvesant and the council of New Netherland.

Richard D. Zanuck (1934–2012) was an American film producer and studio executive who led production at Twentieth Century Fox and later produced major films including Jaws, Driving Miss Daisy, Big Fish, and Road to Perdition.

Dean Zanuck (born 1972) is an American film producer and studio executive who continued the Zanuck family’s Hollywood legacy, producing films including Road to Perdition, Get Low, and The Zero Theorem.

Darryl F. Zanuck (1902–1979) was a pioneering American film producer and studio executive who co-founded Twentieth Century Fox and produced influential films including The Grapes of Wrath, All About Eve, and The Sound of Music.

Billy Van Zandt (born 1957) is an American playwright, actor, and director known for numerous stage comedies including Love, Sex and the I.R.S. and for television writing and development, with frequent collaborator Jane Milmore.

Royal River: Power, Pageantry, and the Thames by David Starkey is a richly illustrated companion to the 2012 National Maritime Museum exhibition of the same name. It explores the central role of the River Thames in the history of British monarchy, politics, and ceremony.

Steven Van Zandt (born 1950) is an American musician, songwriter, and actor best known as guitarist for Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band and for roles in The Sopranos and Lilyhammer, while also recording solo music.

Several private organizations also provide valuable genealogical information. While many offer content in English, some are only in Dutch. These sites include searchable databases, surname and archive directories, and links to regional resources. Some require membership for full access, while others provide free tools and research tips. Though not all focus exclusively on genealogy, their collections—ranging from name studies to family trees and historical records—can be useful for anyone researching Dutch ancestry.

Townes Van Zandt (1944–1997) was an influential American singer-songwriter and poet known for haunting folk and country songs including “Pancho and Lefty” and “If I Needed You,” widely admired by fellow musicians and later generations.

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On April 2, 2025 Charly Gehring officially retired after 50 years of translation work. Read Paul Grondahl’s tribute to Charly in the April 9th Albany Times Union here.

WHAT WAS NEW NETHERLAND?


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About New Netherland Institute

For over three decades, NNI has helped cast light on America's Dutch roots. In 2010, it partnered with the New York State Office of Cultural Education to establish the New Netherland Research Center, with matching funds from the State of the Netherlands. NNI is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.