> Hello Original-13 brothers and sisters, > > On 23 Jan 04 there was a series of emails asking questions and giving > information about the Kusters, the op den Graffs, and their connection to each > other and to the Original-13.  As a member of the Castor Association of America > (CAOA) I would like to clarify some of the information. > > Let me set forth some vocabulary that I will use so that we will all know > what I'm talking about.  The  fully documented book written by Jean M White, > former president of the CAOA covers four generations of Paulus and Gertrude > (Doors) descendants. It is well documented and contains copies of signatures, > maps and deeds. When I refer to the, "Paulus Book", it is the book entitled, > "The Descendants of Paulus and Gertrude Kusters".  A page number will be the > page in this book where this information is found.  "Paulus" refers to the > immigrant and, "Gertrude", his wife. > > The first and ONLY Kuster/op den Graff connection is thru the grandson of > Paulus who was Conrad Custer.  Conrad is the son of Arnold.  Arnold is the > first son of Paulus. (page 19 and 22).  Conrad married Susannah Adams who is the > daughter of Richard and Alse (op den Graff) Adams.  Alse is the daughter of > Abraham op den Graff.  Therefore only those people who descend from Conrad can > claim relationship to Abraham op den Graff > > Though the names of Kuster and Kunders are similar they are not the same > family.  We feel fairly strongly about that.  However there is a connection on > page 31.  Research tells us that the wife of Paulus was Gerturde Doors.  > Gertrude's sister, Elizabeth, married Peter Krulis on 17 Mar 1675 in Germany and > sister Helen/Lijntijen Theisson marries Tones Kunders also in Germany.  Both > of these families arrive in Germantown in 1683 on the Concord.  At this time > Paulus and Gertrude were still in Germany because records show that they were > sponsors at the baptism of their twin granddaughters, Gerdruet and Agnes on > 10 December 1696 in Krefeld, Germany.(page 15) > > In another (23 Jan 04) email the Custers (Kuster) are NOT descended from the > op den Graff family as explained above. > > The 3rd email on 23 Jan 04 from Lee is correct.  If any are interested there > is a map showing the properties of Abraham and Richard Adams to be next to > each other. > > Thank you Conrad for the CAOA boost.  > > For more information about the Castor Association of America (CAOA ) please > contact the president at president@caoa-gen.org.  For more information about > the very informative Paulus book contact the treasurer at email > Treasurer@caoa-gen.org.  > > I can be reached at tocnroc@aol.com > > Terry >