WCF Ahnentafel Report

First Generation

1 Wilhelmina Cornelia Hamelink.

Born on 21 May 1890 in Grand Rapids, Kent Co., MI. Wilhelmina Cornelia died in Grand Rapids, Kent Co., MI, on 9 May 1986; she was 95. Buried on 12 May 1986 in Washington Park Memorial Gardens, Grand Rapids, MI.

Wilhelmina Cornelia (Hamelink) (Joyce) DeSmit, known as Minnie.

Obituary, Sunday, May 11, 1986 Grand Rapids Press

Desmit --- Wilhelmina (Minnie Hamilink) DeSmit, aged 95, passed away Friday, May 9, 1986, at Springbrook Manor. She is survived by her children, Robert and Hope Joyce, and Lorraine Joyce Tubbs, all of Grand Rapids; three grandchildren, Carol Burgess Leys of Kentwood, Roberta Joyce Schirado of Rockford, David E. Joyce of Worchester, MA; five great-grandchildren, six great-great-grandchildren; her sisters-in-law, Isabelle Hamilink, Aileen Joyce Hills, Eleanore Joyce Potchen, and Helen Joyce Zant, all of Grand Rapids.
Mrs. DeSmit was preceded in death by her husbands Harold Edward Joyce in 1920 and Cornelius J. DeSmit in 1962. Funeral services will be held Monday morning a 11 a.m. at the Van't Hof Chapel, with Rev. Bruce Bode of Fountain Street Church officiating. Interment in Washington Park Memorial Gardens. Friends may meet the family from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Sunday. Memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice.

Van't Hof Chapel
851 Leonard St. NW
Heretage Funeral Service

On 1 Jul 1912 when Wilhelmina Cornelia was 22, she married Harold Edward Joyce in Grand Rapids, Kent Co., MI.

They had the following children:

		i.	Lorraine Carol (1916-1989)
		ii.	Robert Gene (1917-1991)

Second Generation

2 John Hamelink.

Born on 23 Aug 1867 in Hoek, Zeeland. John died in Walker Twp., Kent Co., MI, on 29 Nov 1925; he was 58. Buried in Washington Park Memorial Gardens. Occupation: carpenter.

Record Number 16662 book 10 page 181 Kent County marriage licenses has John Hamelink Jr. marrying Dena Twiest on 3-20-1890, in Grand Rapids. He is 22 and a carpenter; she 21 and a domestic. His parents are John Hamelink, Sr. and Wilhelmina Tollenaar. Hers John Twiest and Lammechje ??? Both were born in the Netherlands. F.W. N. Hugenholtz, pastor of the Lib. Holland Church married them. Witnesses are Mattheus Leys and R. Broersma, both of Grand Rapids.

Grand Rapids City Directory, 1889. Grand Rapids, MI: R. L. Polk and Co., 1889.
John Hamelnk, 587 W. Leonard St., carpenter

1900 Federal Census. Grand Rapids ward 6, Kent Co., MI
Series: T623 Roll: 722 Page: 24B ED: 67
447 White Street.
John Hamelink, head, b. Aug 1867, age 32, immigrated 1881, carpenter
Dina Hamelink, wife, b. Feb 1869, age 31, immigrated 1883
Minnie Hamelink, daughter, b. May 1890, age 10, at school
John Hamelink, son, b. Oct 1891, age 8, at school
Frank Hamelink, son, b. Dec 1992, age 7, at school
Johanna Hamelink, daughter, b. Nov 1894, age 5
William Hamelink, son, b Oct 1896, age 3
John and Dina were born in the Netherlands, as were their parents. The children were born in Michigan.

1910 Federal Census. Grand Rapids ward 6, Kent Co., MI
Series: T624 Roll: 657 Page: 22 ED: 82.
431 Lincoln St., dwelling 107, family 112.
John Hamelink Sr., head, age 42, m. 20 years, b. Holland, parents too, imm. 1882, carpenter
Dena Hamelink, wife, age 41, m. 20 years, 6 children, all living, b. Holland, parents too, imm. 1884
Minnie Hamelink, daughter, age 19, b. MI
John Hamelink, son, age 18, b. MI, laborer, candy factory
Frank Hamelink, son, age 17, b. MI, machinst, furn. factory
Josephine Hamelink, daughter, age 15, b. MI, laborer, furniture factory
William Hamelink, son, age 13, b. MI
Loretta Hamelink, daughter, age 5, b. MI
John Danting, boarder, age 19, b. NY, parents b. Holland, borer, furniture factory
The family of Dena’s brother, William Twiest, lives down the street

1920 Federal Census. Walker, Kent Co., MI. Series: T625 Roll: 779 Page: 195. ED 115
Alpine Ave., dwelling 140, family 142.
John Hamelink, head, age 52, imm. 1878, nat. 1882, carpenter
Dena Hamelink, wife, age 50
John Hamelink Jr, son, age 28, carpenter
Frank Hamelink, son, age 27
Loretta Hamelink, daughter, age 14
John & Dena, b. Netherlands, and their parents; children b. MI

Record number 38 book 12 page 415 Kent County Death Records state John died 29 Nov. 1925 in Walker Township of pneumonia. He was 58 years 3 months 6 days old. He was born in the Netherlands, a capenter and married. His father was John Hamelink who was born in the Netherlands. His mother was unknown.

On 20 Mar 1890 when John was 22, he married Roberdena Twiest in Liberal (Unitarian) Holland Church, Grand Rapids.

They had the following children:

1	i.	Wilhelmina Cornelia (1890-1986)
	ii.	John (Died unmarried) (1891-1969)
	iii.	Frank (Died unmarried) (1892-1920)
	iv.	Josephine (Johana) (1894-1963)
	v.	William Jennings (1896-1979)
	vi.	Loretta A. (1897-1985)

3 Roberdena Twiest.

Born on 21 Feb 1869 in Nieuw Dordrecht (Emmen), Drenthe. Roberdena died in Grand Rapids, Kent Co., MI, on 9 Dec 1956; she was 87. Buried on 12 Dec 1956 in Washington Park Memorial Gardens, Grand Rapids, MI.

Roberdina, also known as Dena, Twiest.

In 1930 Dina wis living with her daughter, Loretta Robbins.

Obituary - Grand Rapids Press December 12, 1956

HAMELINK - Dena Hamelink, 87, of 808 Caulfield Ave., SW, died Sunday night at Blodgett Memorial Hospital after a short illsness.
Mrs. Hamelink was the widow of John Hamelink who died in 1925. She was born in the Netherlands and came to the United States at the age of 16 with her parents, settling in Grand Rapids.
She was married in 1889. Mrs. Hamelink was a member of the Ladies’ Holland Mutual Aid society and was a past president. She was a member of the former Holland Unitarian church here.
Surviving are two sons, John and William; three daughters, Mrs. Cornelius DeSmit, Mrs. Josephine Langland and Mrs. Ellis R. Dixon, all of Grand Rapids; eight grand children; 18 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; a brother, Herman Twiest of Grandville, and two sisters, Mrs. Gertrude Praasterink and Mrs. Jennie Lemmink of Grand Rapids.
Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Joldersma chapel with Rev. James DeKraker, pastor of the Congregational church of Grandville, officiating. Burial will be in Washington Park Memorial Gardens.

Obituary - Grand Rapids Herald - Dec. 11, 1956

HAMELINK - Mrs. Dena Hamelink, aged 87 of 808 Caulfield Ave., SW., passed away Sunday evening at Blodgett Memorial Hospital. She is survived by two sons, John and William; three daughters, Mrs. Cornelius (Minnie) DeSmit, Mrs. Josephine Langland, Mrs. Ellis R. (Loretta) Dixon, all of Grand Rapids; eight grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; one brother, Herman Twiest of Grandville, Mich.; two sisters, Mrs. Gertrude Praasterink and Mrs. Jennie Lemmink, both of Grand Rapids; several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 at the Joldersman and Son Funeral Home 832 Grandville Ave., SW., Rev. James DeKraker, Pastor of the Congregational Church, Grandville, officiating. Interment Washington Park Memorial Gardens. The family will be at the chapel Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.

Kent County Death Records indicate Dena Hamelink died on 9 december 1956 at Blodgett Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Death was caused by cardiac failure with decompensation (12 hours), partial intestinal obstruction due to diverticulitis (two weeks), and cholecystitis and cholelithiasis (years). She resided at 808 Caulfield SW, Grand Rapids. She was born February 21, 1969 in the Netherlands and was 87 years old at her death. Her parents were John Twiest and Lammechke Steen and Mrs. Cornelius De Smit was the informant. She was buried at Washington Park Memorial Gardens on 12 December 1956 from the Joldersma and Son Funeral Home. #70577

Third Generation

4 Jan Hamelink.

Born on 8 Sep 1844 in Zaamslag, Zeeland. Occupation: carpenter.

Jan Hamelink with his wife and five children emigrated from Hoek in 1880.

1884 Walker Township, Kent County, Michigan State Census indicates John Hamlink is 40, Cornelia is 36, John is 16, Annie is ten, Adrian is six, Sarah is five and Minnie is six months old. All except Minnie were born in the Netherlands; she was born in Michigan. The family has been in Michigan four years. John, the father, is a carpenter and so is John the son. The mother is deaf.

On 28 Nov 1863 when Jan was 19, he married Willemina Tollenaar in Hoek, Zeeland.

They had the following children:

	i.	Maria (1864-)
	ii.	Anna Johanna (Died young) (1866-1869)
2	iii.	John (1867-1925)
	iv.	François (Died soon) (1870-1871)
	v.	Francois (Died soon) (1871-1872)
	vi.	Anna Willemina (1874-1935)

5 Willemina Tollenaar.

Born on 1 Apr 1844 in Hoek, Zeeland. Willemina died in Hoek, Zeeland, on 8 Jun 1876; she was 32. Occupation: Dienstmeid (farm servant).

6 Jan Twiest.

Born on 5 Apr 1842 in Roswinkel (Emmen), Drenthe. Jan died in Grand Rapids, Kent Co., MI, on 15 Nov 1920; he was 78. Buried on 18 Nov 1920 in Washington Park Memorial Gardens.

Jan (John) and Lammechje (Laura) immigrated to Michigan in 1884 with six children. Two others were born after they arrived. Laura’s parents had immigrated to Michigan 17 years earlier.

1884 Michigan State Census. Wyoming Township, Kent County
John Twist was 38 years old, Lamencha 38, Hermanus 17, Dena 15, William 12, Gertrude nine, Frederick six, and Garrett three. All were born in the Netherlands. John and William work in the plaster mill. The family has only been in Michigan one month (no date is given at the top of the page for when this census was actually taken). All but Fred and Garett can read and write.

Grand Rapids City Directory, 1889. Grand Rapids, MI: R. L. Polk and Co., 1889.
Five Twiests are listed in the directory, all living at 467 Lincoln. Dena and Roberdiena are probably the same person working two jobs.
John Twiest, laborer
Herman Twiest, varnisher, Widdicomb Furn Co
Roberdiena Twiest, belt mkr
Dena Twiest, net mkr, business F. Rainville
Wm Twiest, laborer

1900 Federal Census. Grand Rapids ward 6, Kent Co., Michigan
Roll 722, page 23A, ED 67
454 Lincoln Street
John Twist, head, b. Apr 1843, age 57, m. 33 years, imm. 1884, day laborer
Lamagiche Twist, wife, b. Dec 1846, age 53, m. 33 years, 9 children, 8 living, imm. 1884
Fred Twist, son, b. Apr 1879, age 21, imm. 1884, delivery
Geret Twist, son , b. Jan 1881, age 19, imm. 1884, machine [can’t read word]
Jennie Twist, daughter, b. Sep 1885, age 14, milliner
Alyda Twist, daughter, b. Dec 1880 [should be 1890], age 10, at school
All were born in the Netherlands, and their parents, too, except Jennie and Alyda born in Michigan.

1910 Federal Census. Grand Rapids ward 6, Kent Co, Michigan
Roll 657, page 10B, ED 82
457 Lincoln St.
John Twist, head, 67, m. 43 years, b. Holland, parents b. Holland, imm. 1884, laborer
Laura Twist, wife, 64, m. 43 years, 9 children, 8 living, b. Holland, parents b. Holland, imm. 1884
Alida Twist, daughter, 21, single, b. MI, parents b. Holland, millinary

Certificate of Death, State of Michigan, Department of State, Division of Vital Statistics; Walker Township; Kent County; Register 13, Number 528. John Twiest died 15 November 1920 of Apoplexy. He was married to Lammiche Steen, born in Drenthe, Netherlands, on 5 April 1842, and was 78 years, seven months and 10 days old at death. His father was Herman Twiest and his mother, Gertude Wynhold. Both were born in the Drenth, Netherlands. He was buried in Washington Park Cemetery on 18 November 1920. J.H. Joldersma & Son of Grand Rapids were the undertakers. Gerrit Lemmink, with a residence at North and Bristol NW, was the informant.

John’s obituary appeared in the Grand Rapids Press, Tue 16 Nov 1920.

On 21 Jun 1866 when Jan was 24, he married Lammechje Steen in Emmen, Drenthe.

They had the following children:

	i.	Herman (1866-1960)
3	ii.	Roberdena (1869-1956)
	iii.	William (1871-1943)
	iv.	Gertrude (1874-1957)
	v.	Frederick (1878-1956)
	vi.	Gerrit (1881-1945)
	vii.	Jennie (1884-1970)
	viii.	Alida (Died unmarried) (1890-1915)

7 Lammechje Steen.

Born on 18 Dec 1845 in Smilde, Drenthe. Lammechje died in Grand Rapids, Kent County, MI, on 10 Mar 1926; she was 80. Buried in Washington Park Memorial Gardens.

Lammechje, later known as Laura.

Record number 360 book 12 page 218 Kent County Death Records states that Laantje Tweist died in Grand Rapids of chronic myocarditis on 10 March 1926. She was 80 y 2m 20 d old, a widow, who was born in the Netherlands. Her parents were F. William Steen and Dena Heersma, who were both born in the Netherlands.

An obituary for Laura Twiest appeared Thursday 11 Mar 1926 in the Grand Rapids Press.

Fourth Generation

8 Jan Hamelink.

Born on 15 Dec 1804 in Zaamslag, Zeeland. Jan died in Zaamslag, Zeeland, on 28 Sep 1889; he was 84. Occupation: werkman (laberor).

Two of Jan and Maria’s children emmigrated to America. Jan emmigrated in 1880 and settled in Michigan. Krijn emmigrated in 1889.

On 4 May 1828 when Jan was 23, he married Maria Maas in Zaamslag, Zeeland.

They had the following children:

	i.	Krijn (Died soon) (1828-1828)
	ii.	Jacomina (1830-1894)
	iii.	Pieter (1831-1923)
	iv.	Krijn (1832-)
	v.	Johannes (Died soon) (1834-1836)
	vi.	François (Died soon) (1835-1837)
	vii.	Maria (1837-1897)
	viii.	Cornelia (1840-1907)
	ix.	Suzanna (1842-)
4	x.	Jan (1844-)

9 Maria Maas.

Born on 5 Mar 1806 in Zaamslag, Zeeland. Maria died in Zaamslag, Zeeland, on 21 Jul 1875; she was 69.

10 François Tollenaar.

Born on 8 Jul 1813 in Hoek, Zeeland. François died in Hoek, Zeeland, on 2 Oct 1868; he was 55.

François and Anna’s son Joos emmigrated to America in 1873 and settled in Michigan. Their daughter Willemina Hamlink’s family emmigrated in 1880 and also setttled in Michigan.

On 19 Jul 1843 when François was 30, he married Anna Johanna d’Hondt in Hoek, Zeeland.

They had the following children:

5	i.	Willemina (1844-1876)
	ii.	Maria (1845-1909)
	iii.	Joos (1848-1922)
	iv.	Helena (Died soon) (1849-1850)
	v.	Anna Johanna (Died soon) (1856-1858)
	vi.	Huibregt (1860-1914)

11 Anna Johanna d’Hondt.

Born on 4 May 1822 in Axel, Zeeland. Anna Johanna died in Hoek, Zeeland, on 29 Mar 1894; she was 71.

Anna Johanna, also known as Maria Johanna, d’ Hondt, also spelled Dhondt, de Hond, or d’Hont.

12 Harmannus Twiest.

Born on 2 Aug 1795 in Sellingen (Vlagtwedde), Groningen. Harmannus died in Roswinkel (Emmen), Drenthe, on 28 Jan 1847; he was 51.

On 10 May 1838 when Harmannus was 42, he married Geertruda Wijnholds in Emmen, Drenthe.

They had the following children:

6	i.	Jan (1842-1920)
	ii.	Janna (Died soon) (1844-1844)
	iii.	Janna (Died soon) (1846-1847)

13 Geertruda Wijnholds.

Born on 8 Oct 1812 in Emmen, Drenthe. Geertruda died in Nieuw Dordrecht (Emmen), Drenthe, on 9 Jun 1878; she was 65.

14 Willem Geerts Steen.

Born on 10 Jan 1810 in Zuidwolde, Drenthe. At the age of <1, Willem Geerts was baptized in Zuidwolde, Drenthe, on 28 Jan 1810. Willem Geerts died in Georgetown, Ottawa Co., MI.

William and Dina immigrated to Michigan in 1867 with their youngest sons Klaas and William. William Steen, the 5-year-old, was probably not the son of William and Dena, but of their eldest daughter Anna who had a son Willem out of wedlock of that age. Anna remained in Drenthe, married in 1871 and raised a family. William and Dina’s son Geert immigrated in 1871, but their younger daughter Laura immigrated to Michigan with her husband Jan Twiest and her family several years later in 1884.

According to the "Dutch Immigrants in U.S. Ship Passenger Manifest, 1820-1880," the Neptune of Prussia left Liverpool on 7 Oct 1867 on the and arrived in New York City. On board were William Steen, husband, 57, joiner; R. Steen, wife, 55, housewife; Klaas Steen, son, 16; and William Steen, son, 5.

1870 Federal Census. Georgetown, Ottawa County, Michigan
Roll 697, page 70
Post Office Holland
Willem Steen, 60, farmer, $800 real estate
Roberdena Steen, 58, keeps house
Klaas Steen, 20
Willem Steen, 8
All were born in the Netherlands. A few entries away in the census list is the family of Albert Kronemeyer, Willem’s nephew. Albert and his parents Berend Kronemeijer and Engeltje Steen arrived in Michigan in 1847, 20 years before Willem Steen and his family arrived.

On 7 Dec 1835 when Willem Geerts was 25, he married Robberdina Klazes Heeroma in Weststellingwerf, Friesland.

They had the following children:

	i.	Geert Willems (1836-1917)
	ii.	Anna (1840-)
7	iii.	Lammechje (1845-1926)
	iv.	Claus (1850-1938)

15 Robberdina Klazes Heeroma.

Born on 30 Oct 1812 in Wolvega (Weststellingwerf), Friesland. Robberdina Klazes died in Georgetown, Ottawa Co., MI.

Contents · Index · Surnames · Contact

General Genealogy: http://aleph0.clarku.edu/~djoyce/gen/
Netherlands Genealogy: http://aleph0.clarku.edu/~djoyce/gen/dutch/
Contact: D. Pane-Joyce
Sep 2011