Notizen zu dieser Person
Hello! It is so nice to hear back from you! I have alot to share with you. It is hard to know where to start...I will begin by telling you a little about me! My name is Cynthia Ann Lapp Sheehan. I was born Jan 9,1958 in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. My mother is Betty Lou Dykema-Lapp. She was born July 19, 1924, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Her father was Pieter Jan Dykema and her mother was Gertude Pearl Byerlay. Gertrude was from Canada and her parents were Irish- Canadians. Family stories tell us that Pieter's brothers and sisters weren't quite happy about this marriage being that Gertrude Pearl was of Irish extraction, and Anglican by faith. I have been told that they would leave her out of conversation by speaking only in the Dutch language at family gatherings! I never knew Pieter Jan or Tryntje. Pieter was born in 1873 and died in 1935. My mother was born late in life to Pieter and Gertrude. By 1924, Pieter was 51 years old and Gertrude was 34. Trynje died in 1910. Her husband, Jacob J. Dykema died in 1897. They are buried in Grand Rapids, MI, with a number of their children close by. Jacob came to America first with 3 sons, born of his first wife, Janje Verkade. Trynje followed later with their own six children in the year 1884. From here I will go to the year 1984. The Dykema's here in America had a reunion in Grand Rapids, Michigan to celebrate our first 100 Years here! The oldest relative at the time was Katherine TenCate-Stryker. She Had been a college professor in Pennsylvania. She was a wonderful writer and put together a history telling about everyone in the family. To commemorate Tryntje and her voyage to America she wrote a poem that I will send in a separate email. This poem brings me to tears. Tryntje had to have been a very strong woman to have made such a voyage. Again, I am glad to have connected with you. All the best, Cousin Cynthia
Anton
Van Melzen
