Monthly Archives: February 2009
The oldest pieces of American heritage are on display in Zeeland
When doing research for my ’Zeeuwse’ stories, I came across a very interesting fact. The oldest pieces of American cultural heritage, silver from Peru, Bolivia and Mexico, are only on display in one place in the world. That place is not in the … Continue reading
Filed under Trivia
Wise words from a president with ‘Zeeuwse’ ancestors
‘The only thing we have to fear is fear itself. ” It was on March 4, 1933, the day that Franklin Delano Roosevelt took up the post as president of the United States, that he spoke these words. They have not lost their … Continue reading
Filed under Journal entries
Zeeuwse provides all of New York with chicory
This article was published in the Spectrum section of the PZC of Saturday, February 21 Janny Hendrikse from Nieuwerkerk built fruits and vegetables wholeseller Coosemans up from the ground How does food reach New York City? It is a question … Continue reading
Filed under Taken from the PZC
A Dominicus provided the winter home for general Knox
My forefathers have played a little part in US history, I was surprised to discover this week. PZC-reader Dies Martens brought the Vanderveer-Knox House to my attention. The house is in Pluckemin, NJ. “You are stirring up quite something with … Continue reading
Filed under Readers' tips, Taken from the PZC
Harlem’s best kept secret
“Don’t buy anything in Harlem. If you need anything, go downtown. During daytime, the police patrol there, but after dark it isn’t safe”, was the well-intended advice someone gave me this week when I told him my hostel was located … Continue reading
Filed under Journal entries
Nieuwerkerkse supplies New York with chicory
The second time around, YouTube does corperate, so here is the video: This week I interviewed Janny Hendrikse from Nieuwerkerk. She and her husband have been running Coosemans, a wholesale business in fruits and vegetables in The Bronx, since 1985. … Continue reading
Filed under Video
Not everything is going as planned yet
Not everything is going as planned yet. This week I made a video item at Hunts Point in the Bronx, where Janny Hendrikse from Nieuwerkerk, and her husband, run Coosemans, a business in fruits and vegetables. I wanted to … Continue reading
Filed under Journal entries
Oyster day!
Today was all about oysters! I went to West Sayville on Long Island, east of New York City. Several readers pointed me to the Long Island Maritime Museum which has a lot of photos of Zeeuwse families like Daane … Continue reading
Filed under Journal entries
A week of arranging things in New York
I am glad I planned a long enough stay in New York to acclimate. Monday, I’m heading north in a rental car. By then, I will have been here for ten days. That’s not only because it’s a great city. … Continue reading
Filed under Journal entries
Baseball player Jim Kaat had Zeeuwse ancestors
A reader of the PZC just called my attention to the famous American baseball player James Lee Kaat, nicknamed ‘Kitty’. “His ancestors are from Zeeland. When I was studying my own family tree, I learned that two couples migrated to … Continue reading
Filed under Readers' tips, Trivia
