Heritage is Part of You

I was recently talking to my sister who lives in Germany. They had just returned from a visit to Israel. She was telling me about the places and landmarks that had made the biggest impression on her. She described to me the The Church of the Pater Noster - (translated from Latin it means "Our Father")It stands on the traditional site in Jerusalem where Jesus taught his disciples how to pray. Constantine built a church over a cave here in 4th century, and this has been partially reconstructed. Plaques in the cloister bear the Lord's Prayer in 62 different languages (the history behind it may be questionable)
My sister told me, as she was walking through this church the came upon The lord's Prayer in English, German and Dutch. But what made the greatest impact on her, was when she found the Lord's Prayer in Friesian (Frisian, Frison), our mother tongue. She said:"As I stood there, reading these precious words in the language I grew up with, I was overcome with the feeling of a deep homesickness, a nostalgic feeling and I started to cry right there". Even though we always spoke Frisian when we grew up, my father always said the Lord's prayer in Dutch.
I guess our roots run deeper than we think, our heritage is part of us and defines who we are.

Jesus taught us all how to pray, and what a great comfort it is, to know that He understands every language.
Click HERE to hear some the Frisian language, as well as the Lord's prayer spoken in the Frisian and the Dutch language.

Leaving it Behind

Arrival Of Immigrants - Ellis Island 1906
Depicts scenes at the Immigration Depot and a nearby dock on Ellis Island.


This is the scene of thousands of Europeans immigrating into America at Ellis Island in 1906. All these people left behind their home, their country and often family.
In those days that was quite a big step, a time when there were no phones, no e-mail, no air travel. Once you left, you left for good, leaving everything - with the hope for a better future.
What really struck me, when I was watching this short video clip, is the size suitcase or bag everyone was carrying.
One small suitcase, or a little bundle with all of their belongings.
I was thinking about myself, if I had to travel like that, leave everything behind, what would I take.
If I look at all our stuff, our overabundance of material wealth and things we claim ownership to, how hard would it be to leave all that behind.
"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:21

So the question is, if you had just that one little suitcase, what would you take ?

Finding Treasures on the World Wide Web

While doing research on the branches of my family tree, sometimes I come across a little bit of
"treasure". Not a real treasure, but some interesting information or sometimes even a picture.
Recently I was doing some searching on a Klaas Jansen Heixan (my mothers great - great- great - great - great -great grandfather) and came upon the following
This particular branch of the family tree were Silversmiths.
Klaas Jansen Heixan was born on August 11, 1678 in Dokkum, Friesland, and like his father also became a silversmith. Every silversmith in those days had his own sign, or seal, to mark his work.
I found his sign, the KH monogram, at
Meestertekens van Friese goud- en zilversmeden, werkzaam in de periode van ca. 1700 tot 1812
(Masterseals from Friesian gold- and silversmiths that were working between 1700 to1812)
Not only did I find his 'signature', a sign that he placed on every piece of silverware he created, I also found a picture of a piece he made.
At the following site,
Botma Genealogy
I found the family crest of a family Botma, at the bottom of a seal, which is part of a pipe stamper and other helpful tools.
The initials G.G.B, are that of the owner. Upon closer inspection you can see the silver mark of the maker.
On this website you can read the following: "Gezien het zilvermerk is het werktuig gemaakt door de Dokkumer Klaas Heixan. Deze stond ingeschreven in het gildeboek van 1704 tot 1738'.

So, to think that one of my ancestors (even though it was long ago), created this piece from silver, somewhere in the 1700's. It is like finding a little piece of my history.
When looking for my ancestors, sometimes I rely on the research some others have done on that same branch.
Just 'google' the name you are looking for and add a bit of information while you are surfing, like;
'Heixan, Klaas ,silversmith '
that is how I found this picture and some more information to help me on my search.
Do not forget to credit the site where you got your information.

Belonging

No matter how old we are, we all need a sense of belonging, to be a part of something.
We all are branches, belonging to the trunks of our family trees.
However we sometimes feel disconnected from families. A sense of not belonging, of being forgotten.
Most my brothers and sister live far away, so even though we belong to the same branch, the connection is lost and often broken.
We count on our families, because blood is supposed to be thicker than water.
But we find ourselves being let down.
So for those who do not have a family, no connections, rely on those around that care for you the most.
Even though my branches are disconnected, the leaves are flourishing.
I am thankful for my husband and children, who love me no matter what.
And above all, I always remember that my heavenly Father loves me so much, that He was willing to send His one and only Son into this world, to die for my sins.

See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands.

Isaiah 49: 16

(If you look at the large image of our family picture taken Christmas 2007, you will be able to see our family tree in the background)

Finding Ancestors

Dear Ancestor

Your tombstone stands among the rest
Neglected and alone.
The name and date are chiseled out
On polished, marble stone.
It reaches out to all who care
It is too late to mourn.
You did not know that I exist
You died and I was born.
Yet each of us are cells of you
In flesh, in blood, in bone.
Our blood contracts and beats a pulse
Entirely not our own.
Dear Ancestor, the place you filled
One hundred years ago
Spread out among the ones you left
Who would have loved you so.
I wonder if you lived and loved, I wonder if you knew
That someday I would find this spot,
And come to visit you.

Author Unknown

Our Roots & Our Branches

I had some fun today, creating this slide show of our Ancestors (actually only from the ones that we have photographs of)
It was actually quite easy, and it was free. After all we are Dutch, and we like free things.
Just upload your pictures from your computer, add some captions and chose from a lot of cool and different effects.
And that's all, if I can do it. so can you.