Petrus De Ruyver was born in Laarne (Ascopstraat) on Februari 14, 1866 (1). The youngest son of Severinus and Sophia De Vos, he lost his mother in 1874. When his father died in 1882, Petrus' guardian was his eldest brother Joseph. Petrus, also called "Peer" was a workman when he went to the medical officer in 1886. He stood 1 metre 65 (2). Petrus moved to Kalken where he worked as a servant. In Kalken he married Maria Coleta Schockaert, born in Kalken in 1864 (3). She was the widow of Albinus Bauwens who died in 1894. Petrus signed his marriage-certificate on April 28, 1897. Pier and Maria Coleta moved to the Vramontstraat where their five children were born and where they worked as farmers. Later on they moved to the Schriekstraat. On March 18, 1940 Maria Coleta Schockaert died. On October 15, 1947 Petrus died in Kalken (Schriekstraat).

During their mariage, five children were born :

René De Ruyver was born in Kalken on May 15, 1899. His godfather was Franciscus Schockaert and his godmother was Josephina De Ruyver (4). He was a farmer too in 1919 and was a horseman during his draft in the Belgian army (5). René married Prudentia Maria Baert in Overmere on June 4, 1924. He was a factory-worker in 1924 and moved with his wife to Overmere where she had been born. Their two children were born in the Mosseveldestraat. During the Second World War René was a specialist in recognizing German bombers (6). René grew old. Prudentia Baert died in Overmere on March 15, 1986 and René died in Zele on December 3, 1987.

His son, Edmondus Gerardus, was born in Overmere on April 13, 1925. He was a technician and later on an employee. He married Maria Margareta De Brauwer in Zele on November 14, 1953. Maria Margareta was born in Zele and there three daughters were born:

Anita Josepha René on January 7, 1955. She is an employee and married Hugo Misseur, a manager.

Rita Prudentia Karel De Ruyver was born the same year as her sister, on December 18. She married Fran&231;ois Paulussen, biologist.

Blanche Maria was the third daughter of René and she was born in Zele on January 21, 1957 and works as a nurse. Blanche married Rafael Guetens and had four children. Blanche De Ruyver was called after her aunt Blanche. She was the daughter of René and Prudentia Baert and was also born in Overmere. Blanche married Antoine Richard Schollaert, a technician, in Overmere on July 2, 1955. She worked as a housewife and a needlewoman. Antoine was born in Omerville in 1925, he moved with his wife to Merelbeke where they still live (7).

Remi Françies was another son of Petrus and Maria Coleta Schockaert. He was born on May 27, 1902 and baptized on May 28. Remi was the godchild of Leo Schockaert and Augusta Colman. He died childhood in Kalken on June 9, 1902.

Achiel Augustin was born on December 17, 1903. Augustinus De Ruyver was his godfather and Maria Bauwens his godmother. Achiel died on March 10, 1904.

The fourth son of Petrus and Maria Coleta was named Leon. He was born on December 13, 1904. He was baptized on his birthday and his godfather was Leo Van Rysselberghe; his godmother was Theresia Apers. Leon didn't leave the Schriekstraat where he worked as a flax-spinner and a farmer during his marriage. He married Elizabeth Matthijs in Kalken on May 22, 1933. She was also born in Kalken (1907). Leon died in the Schriekstraat on January 13, 1975, 70 years old. His widow died in Gentbrugge (in the hospital) on November 7, 1978.

Leon's eldest son was called Gerard Emiel, born in Kalken on February 24, 1935. He was a metal-worker and later on a teacher. Gerard married Agnes Maria Zulma Dammekens in Kalken on May 1, 1965. They had one daughter, Ann, born in Ghent on July 3, 1969.

Germain Denysius, another son, was also born in Kalken on July 17, 1936. He was a workman in a state-farm. Germain married Hilda Emilienna Pieters in Wichelen on July 13, 1967. They had two sons : Wim Leon was born in Dendermonde on June 1, 1971. His brother, Geert Hector was born in Dendermonde on March 29, 1976. This family lives in Wichelen, a parish near Wetteren.

Maria Josephine is the eldest daughter of Leon De Ruyver. She too was born in Kalken on March 25, 1939. In Kalken she married Octaaf Adhemar Cyriel De Coster who was born in Lokeren in 1937. Octaaf was a custom house officer and Maria was a headmaster. They had three sons. They still live in Kalken. Angèle Bertha De Ruyver was the youngest daughter of Leon and was born in Kalken on October 6, 1940. She died unmarried in Lede on January 27, 1965 (8).

Petrus De Ruyver and Maria Coleta Schockaert had only one daughter. Maria Alina De Ruyver was born in the Schriekstraat in Kalken on June 1, 1907. Her godfather was Alphonsus De Ruyver (son of Joseph) and her godmother was Maria Verstappen. Aline, as she was called, married Petrus Joannes De Raeymaecker, a gardener, in Kalken on August 25, 1943. Petrus Joannes was born in Puurs and moved with Aline to the province of Antwerp. They had two children. Aline died in Mechelen (a city in the province of Antwerp) on May 15, 1988.

Sources :

(1). Modern Archief Laarne : Burgerlijke Stand 1796 - 1900; Gemeente Laarne      [return]

(2). Modern Archief Laarne : Militie Oost-Vlaanderen : 38e militiekanton Wetteren; Rijksarchief Beveren     [return]

(3). Modern Archief Kalken : Burgerlijke Stand 1796 - 1900; Gemeente Laarne     [return]

(4). De Ruyver Luc : Kalken : Parochieregisters Dopen (1797-1900), Huwelijken (1604-1900), Overlijdens (1604-1900); Digitaal Archief i.s.m. V.V.F. Oost-Vlaanderen     [return]

(5). Militieboekje Ren・瘢雹瘢雹瘢雹瘢雹瘢雹瘢雹瘢雹瘢雹De Ruyver, in bezit van Dhr. Edmond De Ruyver     [return]

(6). De Ruyver Mon : "Loerders op Lorez' huis". Heemkundige kring Overmere, Jaargang 8, nr. 2, juni 1990     [return]

(7). De Ruyver Edmond : genealogie van Ren・瘢雹瘢雹瘢雹瘢雹瘢雹瘢雹瘢雹瘢雹De Ruyver (1899-1987), niet gepubliceerde stamboom     [return]