This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Van Wijk, Van Wyck, Wierda, Wierde, Feenstra, Veenstra Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/kFB.2ACE/4262 Message Board Post: The Gerrit Van Wyck (original spelling was "van Wijk") came to Grand Rapids sometime between 1862 (birth of son Willem in Holland) and 1870 when they appear in the 1870 US Census. Father: Gerrit van Wijk (born 1826 Haskerland, Friesland) Mother: Martje Feenstra / Veenstra (born 1825 Gaasterland, Friesland) = Married 1849 (Lemsterland, Friesland) Children in US in 1870 Census of Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan (listed as Van Wyck) 1. Mary Van Wyck, age 17, married to Jacob Wierde / Wierda in January 1870 (probably Willemke - see below) 2. Maggie Van Wyck, age 14 (born Grietje 1856 Kollumerland, Friesland) 3. William Van Wyck, age 8 (born Willem 1862 Westdongeradeel, Friesland) -- apparently known as "Will Van Wyck" Other children born in Friesland (in the Netherlands): 1. Janke van Wijk (born 1849 Lemsterland) - may have married in Netherlands; no record found of her death 2. Willemke van Wijk (born 1853 Utingeradeel) - no record found of her death; probably the "Mary van Wyck" in the 1870 Michigan Census above 3. 2 dead Willem van Wijks: first born & died 1857 Kollumerland (age 2 days); second birth not found died 1861 Westdongeradeel (age 9 weeks) If you are descended from or related to any of these, I would like to hear from you.