This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.newyork.counties.tompkins/5046.3.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: No, I am related to Salomon Jacob van Raalte who lived in Raalte in 1715 and was Jewish. The Minister who started Holland, Mich. is a descendant of Jan van Raalte (Raelte) from Zwartsluis ca. 1645. Both family trees have been published in the Web and I believe there may be one or two more e.g. one family that started in Hattem. I am trying to find a link between Benjamin and Julia van Raalte and one of these families; since they are also Jewish I suspect they are related to my family. Regards, John