A little green book, "Record of Ancestors", descendants of Cornelius Steketee which came along with my husband's possessions when I married forty-two years ago, first triggered my interest in genealogy. However, not until I joined the Holland Genealogical Society did I begin to pursue this addictive hobby. "A curiosity about genealogy usually begins as an interest, becomes a hobby, then an avocation, an obsession, and finally, an incurable disease."
About eight years ago with the wealth of information at my fingertips from the Herrick Public Library, Holland, Michigan, I began tracing my ancestors. (Herrick is quoted in several publications as an excellent source for genealogical information, Handy Book for Genealogists, by Everton Publishers, Inc. as one example.) The "Cornelius Schaap" letter which was given to me was so very interesting I wished to share it with everyone. Thus started the "Ancestory of Otto Schaap and Lysje De Jong."
It is my hope that this account will arouse the curiosity of you readers to further the search for our ancestors. I would like to believe you will be interested in following up on some of the lines which I have just touched upon.
Our ancestors were not famous people, but hard working and courageous people who came searching for opportunity for themselves and their families. Their comfort in those hard times was knowing they could worship God as they chose.
My grateful thanks are due to a number of people. Johanna Esther (Ann) Noomen Jellma, Emma Knudson Schaap, cousins far and near who answered many letters, also to my sister Dorothy Naber Schuitema for proof-reading and my husband Cliff for his help with the index and putting up with the "bug" which I have.
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