My roots are in Schouwen-Duiveland, a beautiful island in the province of Zeeland, the Netherlands. During my childhood, it was a world of its own, completely surrounded by water. Leaving the island – a rare occasion back then – always meant a trip on the ferry.
For centuries, Zeeland experienced a degree of isolation from the rest of the Netherlands. This historical separation is reflected in the region’s population structure and, as I discovered, in my own family history.
I’ve charted my ancestors in a family tree, and it’s fascinating to see how people in those times typically married someone from their local community or nearby. In fact, every ancestor documented in my family tree so far hails from the Zeeland region!
I find doing this kind of research quite engaging. Please feel free to explore the various parts of the family tree I’m presenting here. I plan to add more analyses in the future; as soon as they are ready, I will share them on this page.