Exploring Dutch Heritage Through Research 

Exploring Dutch Heritage Through Research 

12 months Ago

On March 29, 1911, the New York State Library, then in the Capitol, burned, and with it went some half a million books and 300,000 manuscripts, among them priceless colonial documents. In charge of the state archives at the time was a Dutch immigrant called A.J.F. van Laer (1869–1955), for whom that day’s destruction was a particularly hard blow.

Created by NNI
12 months Ago

Anyone searching for information about Cornelis Evertsen must be careful; there are three seventeenth century Dutch admirals with this name, and they are all related. Our interest lies in Cornelis Evertsen the Youngest (1642–1706).

Created by NNI
12 months Ago

He has been described as not only a military genius but also as a charismatic leader, and an honest, modest, and devout man. He is certainly the man upon whom the fledgling Republic of the United Provinces relied at a crucial time in its history, defending its newly gained independence and assuring its future.

Created by NNI
12 months Ago

“The Awful End of Prince William the Silent: the First Assassination of a Head of State with a Handgun,” by Lisa Jardine (Harper Collins, 2006, 176pp, $21.95, pbk $12.95).

Created by NNI
12 months Ago

January 31, 2009, was the 400th anniversary of the founding of the Amsterdamsche Wisselbank (Exchange Bank of Amsterdam), and with it the idea of a national bank, modeled on such a bank in Venice, reached northern Europe.

Created by NNI
12 months Ago

A.J.F. van Laer, though little known outside New Netherland scholarship, laid the foundation for modern study of the colony. His meticulous translations of 17th-century Dutch records remain essential, shaping the work that continues through today’s New Netherland Project.

Created by NNI
12 months Ago

When, in the early hours of March 29, 1911, fire gutted much of the New York State Capitol and State Library, few people, if any, could have been more devastated than State Archivist Arnold J.F. van Laer. Hundreds of thousands of books and documents were either burned up or severely damaged, including the 17th century Dutch colonial records that Van Laer had begun to translate.

Created by NNI
12 months Ago

How Jan van Riebeeck’s 1652 landing at the Cape laid the foundation for Cape Town, shaping South Africa’s history, culture, and language.

Created by NNI
12 months Ago

Most of us have heard of Ferdinand Magellan and Francis Drake—early explorers who sailed around the world. One was Portuguese, the other English. But what about Olivier van Noort? Between 1598 and 1601, van Noort became the first Dutchman to complete a circumnavigation of the globe.

Created by NNI

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.

Created by NNI
12 months Ago

Jay Van Andel and Richard DeVos co-founded Amway, a network sales company distributing household products through multi-level dealer recruitment and sales.

Created by NNI
12 months Ago

Unlike pinup star Betty Grable, June Allyson built a lasting career with over 100 roles, performing actively into her late 80s.

Created by NNI
12 months Ago

James Van Allen, American physicist and space scientist, discovered Earth's radiation belts — named the Van Allen Belts — through experiments on early satellites, launching modern space science.

Created by NNI
12 months Ago

George Allen was a successful NFL coach who turned two struggling teams, including the Los Angeles Rams, into winners. He was named Coach of the Year in 1967 before being dismissed.

Created by NNI
12 months Ago

James Isaac Van Alen, baptized Jacobus, was a New York congressman and half-brother of President Martin Van Buren, born 1772.

Created by NNI

William Van Alen, a respected New York architect, worked on the Hotel Astor and studied in Paris after winning the 1908 Paris Prize, later designing the iconic Chrysler Building.

Created by NNI
12 months Ago

On March 29, 1911, the New York State Library, then in the Capitol, burned, and with it went some half a million books and 300,000 manuscripts, among them priceless colonial documents. In charge of the state archives at the time was a Dutch immigrant called A.J.F. van Laer (1869–1955), for whom that day’s destruction was a particularly hard blow.

Created by NNI
12 months Ago

Anyone searching for information about Cornelis Evertsen must be careful; there are three seventeenth century Dutch admirals with this name, and they are all related. Our interest lies in Cornelis Evertsen the Youngest (1642–1706).

Created by NNI
12 months Ago

He has been described as not only a military genius but also as a charismatic leader, and an honest, modest, and devout man. He is certainly the man upon whom the fledgling Republic of the United Provinces relied at a crucial time in its history, defending its newly gained independence and assuring its future.

Created by NNI
12 months Ago

“The Awful End of Prince William the Silent: the First Assassination of a Head of State with a Handgun,” by Lisa Jardine (Harper Collins, 2006, 176pp, $21.95, pbk $12.95).

Created by NNI
12 months Ago

January 31, 2009, was the 400th anniversary of the founding of the Amsterdamsche Wisselbank (Exchange Bank of Amsterdam), and with it the idea of a national bank, modeled on such a bank in Venice, reached northern Europe.

Created by NNI
12 months Ago

A.J.F. van Laer, though little known outside New Netherland scholarship, laid the foundation for modern study of the colony. His meticulous translations of 17th-century Dutch records remain essential, shaping the work that continues through today’s New Netherland Project.

Created by NNI
12 months Ago

When, in the early hours of March 29, 1911, fire gutted much of the New York State Capitol and State Library, few people, if any, could have been more devastated than State Archivist Arnold J.F. van Laer. Hundreds of thousands of books and documents were either burned up or severely damaged, including the 17th century Dutch colonial records that Van Laer had begun to translate.

Created by NNI
12 months Ago

How Jan van Riebeeck’s 1652 landing at the Cape laid the foundation for Cape Town, shaping South Africa’s history, culture, and language.

Created by NNI
12 months Ago

Most of us have heard of Ferdinand Magellan and Francis Drake—early explorers who sailed around the world. One was Portuguese, the other English. But what about Olivier van Noort? Between 1598 and 1601, van Noort became the first Dutchman to complete a circumnavigation of the globe.

Created by NNI

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.

Created by NNI
12 months Ago

Jay Van Andel and Richard DeVos co-founded Amway, a network sales company distributing household products through multi-level dealer recruitment and sales.

Created by NNI
12 months Ago

Unlike pinup star Betty Grable, June Allyson built a lasting career with over 100 roles, performing actively into her late 80s.

Created by NNI
12 months Ago

James Van Allen, American physicist and space scientist, discovered Earth's radiation belts — named the Van Allen Belts — through experiments on early satellites, launching modern space science.

Created by NNI
12 months Ago

George Allen was a successful NFL coach who turned two struggling teams, including the Los Angeles Rams, into winners. He was named Coach of the Year in 1967 before being dismissed.

Created by NNI
12 months Ago

James Isaac Van Alen, baptized Jacobus, was a New York congressman and half-brother of President Martin Van Buren, born 1772.

Created by NNI

William Van Alen, a respected New York architect, worked on the Hotel Astor and studied in Paris after winning the 1908 Paris Prize, later designing the iconic Chrysler Building.

Created by NNI
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.

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.