Dutch baptismal names are a genealogist’s hall of mirrors: the same person can appear under three spellings, two languages, and one very patient minister. What follows is a practical, historically grounded list of common Dutch baptismal (given) names used in New Netherland, the Mohawk Valley, and early New York, paired with their English equivalents or customary Anglicized forms. These are not strict translations so much as socially accepted swaps used in church records, will

We all seek birth, marriage, and death dates and places for every ancestor in our tree, but if you're not getting excited when you find a baptismal record, you might be missing out on some valuable clues. Prior to the mandate for reporting births to the State in the late 1800s, vital records were limited mostly to church records or entries in the family Bible, provided that names and dates were recorded there. Baptismal registers can provide more information than you might th

The history of early European settlers in New York and Pennsylvania is rich and complex, shaped by various groups whose identities often overlap or confuse modern readers. Among these groups, the Palatine Germans, Netherland Dutch, Pennsylvania Dutch, Low Dutch, and High Dutch stand out for their distinct origins, languages, and cultural influences. Understanding their differences helps clarify the early colonial history of the region and sheds light on the roots of many Amer

The Mohawk Dutch language represents a fascinating chapter in the history of cultural exchange in North America. This hybrid language emerged from the interaction between Dutch settlers and the Mohawk people during the 17th century. Understanding what Mohawk Dutch sounded like offers insight into how languages blend and evolve, reflecting the complex relationships between communities. This post explores the distinctive features of Mohawk Dutch, its sound patterns, and its rol

Nicholas Shevalier was a brother of my 3rd great-grandmother, Lucy Ann (Shevalier) Hollenbeck, making him my 3rd great-uncle, on my...

Tracing my family's history has been very interesting, to say the least. I knew almost nothing beyond my grandparents when I started...