Hi Sandra, Donna, Ethel, Richard, et al I have a bit to add to what Ethel provided to the List, but don't know what Pete or Richard may have sent to you privately. However, I do have a question which perhaps someone can answer. Ethel, see below. Jan Janszen Van Aernhem married Hester Fonda 14 Oct 1696 as recorded in the Reformed Dutch Church of Albany, where both were living at the time. Hester Fonda was born circa 1676 in Albany, the daughter of Douwe Jillis Fonda and Rebecca, his wife. Douwe Jillis Fonda was baptized in Amsterdam, Noord Holland, The Netherlands on 24 Nov 1641 at the Nieuwe kerk, the son of Jelle Douwesz and Ester Douwes. See the article by Robert G. Cooney, Jr., "Amsterdam Records of the Fonda Family" which appeared in the New York Genealogical and Biographical Record in Jan 1988 [NYG&BR 119:1-5]. For those interested in the FONDA European ancestry, Harry Macy, Jr. (recently retired editor of the NYG&B Record, wrote a postscript to Robert Cooney's article that gives this (very probable) descent from 16th-century ancestors: Jacob Harmens and Bot Hennedr. Benedictus Jacobs (died ca. 1582) and Aecht Eernstdr. Evert Benedictus (died 1610) Douwe Everts and Wytscke Dircxdr. Jillis Douwes Fonda and Hester Douwes [Thanks to Dorothy Koenig, who provided the above descent]. My question involves the following issue. It is widely reported (and/or duplicated) that Douwe Jillis Fonda married Rebecca, the daughter of Leendert Philips Conyn and his wife Agnieta Caspars, but I find no evidence to support that claim. Is this information given by Mr. Cooney in his article "Amsterdam Records of the Fonda Family" (and what is his rationale) or is there another source that I am not aware of? If Rebecca, the wife of Douwe Jillis Fonda, were the daughter of Leendert Philips Conyn, she would be styled Rebecca Leenderts or Rebecca Conyn in at least some of the extant records, but this is not so. Rather, she is more often referred to as Rebecca Jans, or simply Rebecca Fonda. Also, Douwe Jillis Fonda and Rebecca, his wife, named no son Leendert, nor a daughter Agniete, after the (supposed) maternal grandparents. However, all the known children of Leendert Philipse Conyn and Agniete Caspars (Maritje, Lysbeth, Commertje, Caspar and Philip), did indeed name sons and daughters Leendert and Agnietje. A few representative examples of baptismal sponsorships follow: 10 May 1696 at Albany: Rebecca, of Johannes Fonda and Marritje Lookerman. Wit.: Douwe Fonda, Rebecca Fonda. 23 Aug 1696 at Albany: Douwe, of Jelis Fonda and Rachel Winnen. Wit.: Douwe Fonda, Rebecca Fonda. 15 Aug 1697 at Albany: Sara, of Jan Jansz Van Haarlem and Hester Fonda. Wit.: Douwe Fonda, Rebecca Fonda. 1 Sep 1700 at Schenectady: Douwe (#75); Father: Jelles Vonda; Mother: Rachel Winne; Sponsors: Douwe Vonda, Rebecka Jansen In the extant baptismal records for the children of Douwe Fonda and Rebecca, his wife, at Albany (Isaac, 9 Mar 1684; Rebecca, 17 Mar 1686; and Antje, 2 Feb 1690), the spouse's name is never given. Lastly, I see no evidence of Conyn sponsors at any of the baptisms of the Fonda children, yet Leendert Philips (who died 1704) and Agnietje Caspars were still sponsoring as late as (and I may have missed a few), and his children were definitely available as well: 9 Jul 1693 at Albany: Rebecca, of Harme Gansevoort and Marietje Leendertsz. Wit.: Leendert Phlipsz, Agnietje Leendertsz. 28 Apr 1695 at Albany: Helena, of Jan Bronk and Commertje Leendertsz. Wit.: Leendert Phlipsz, Tomas Harmensz, Elsje Winne. The brewing and distilling business aside (which is the usual link for the placement of Rebecca as the daughter of Leendert Philips Conyn), I see no solid evidence that supports this (as either 1st or 2nd wife). Any insight will be greatly appreciated (or, what have I missed? :-). Regards, Pam Sears p.s. for Sandra: Jan Janszen Van Aernhem was baptized 4 Jun 1671 at the New York Reformed Dutch Church, the son of Jan Dirckszen (Van Aernhem) & Sara Teunis: 4 Jun 1671; Jan Dircxzen Van Aernhem, Sara; Jan; Jan Laurenszen Duyts, Mayken Laurens He married 14 Oct 1696 at the Reformed Dutch Church of Albany to Hester Fonda, b circa 1676/77: Oct. 14, 1696. Jan Jansz Van Aarnem, young man, and Hester Fonda, young daughter, both living here [Albany]. Children of Jan Janszen Van Aernhem & Hester Fonda, all baptized at the Albany Reformed Dutch Church: 1. 15 Aug 1697; Sara, of Jan Jansz Van Haarlem and Hester Fonda. Wit.: Douwe Fonda, Rebecca Fonda. 2. 28 Apr 1700; Abraam, of Jan Jansse Van Aarnheym and Hester Fonda. Wit.: Claes Fonda, Helena Fonda. 3. 25 Mar 1702; Rebecca, of Jan Janse Van Aarnhem and Hester Fonda. Wit.: Jan Fonda, Marretje Lokermans. 4. 6 May 1704; Isaac, of Jan Janse Van Aarnhem and Hester Fonda. Wit.: Salomon and Alida Van Vechten. 5. 17 Nov 1706; Rachel, of John Johnson Van Aarnhem and Hester Fonda. Wit.: Isaac and Rebecca Fonda. 6. 3 Oct 1708; Jan Dirk, of Jan Janse Van Aarnhem, dec'd., and Esther Fonda. Wit.: Jan Fonda, in place of the father; Cornelis Maasse, Anna Fonda. BTW Sandra. I believe it was Jan Janszen Van Aernhem who died 1 Apr 1708 (and not Hester Fonda) as evidenced by baptismal record #6 above. Hester Fonda, the widow of Jan Janszen Van Aerhnhem, _may_ be the one who died on 23 Feb 1753 and is buried in the Albany Dutch Church yard. Pam