Dutch Family Branches 1

Dutch Families

Holland of the 17th and 18th century was an haven for political and economic refugees.
Amsterdam as metropolis (> 200.000 inhabitants) functioned as a magnet. So a lot of
Berkhof(f)´s are to be found here. Until ± 1750 most of them originated from Germany,
usually from Hamm (-area) (at least 14) and from Amersfoort (at least 4). After 1750
mostly from the Dutch Provinces themselves. Especially from surrounding places in the
South-East, like Utrecht, Amersfoort, Veenendaal. See the Forum for a list of Dutch and
German newcomers in Amsterdam till 1811. From 56 of them (at a total of 90), is a pla-
ce of origin found. Contact for a Index of Amsterdam: Marnix Berkhoff.

Around 1700 two brothers named Harmanus en Hendrik Berkhoff packed their bags in Hamm and went to Amsterdam to try their luck. Both settled
down here, married and started a family. We will name them Amsterdam 2. A few signs of (close) contact with other surname-bearers have been
found, but these persons have not been positively identified. Research to this branch has (for now) only been done in Amsterdam till 1811 (introduc-
tion Civil Service). Descendants probably flew out in all directions. Living male descendants are unknown.

Approximately a twenty-thousand Jewish refuges found during the17th and 18th century a save place in Amsterdam. They mostly came from Spain
and Portugal, the so-called Sephardi Jews. But another large group fled for persecutions and the Thirty Years War (1618-1648) from Poland and
Germany (the Ashkenazi Jews). Most likely the ancestors of Hartogh Joseph Berkhoff (ca.1750 - ca.1800) were among these.This branch we will
call Amsterdam 4. Because the Jews were allowed to form their own community and because they kept no baptismal- and marriage registers, je-
wish genealogy before the introduction of the Civil Service in 1811 is practically impossible. Descendants have especially been found in Amsterdam.
Living male descendants are unknown.

that almost all of the German Berkhoff´s, who are according their first names probably relatives (Hendrik and Harmanus), obtained (by buying or mar-
riage) the Citizenship of Amsterdam. Barent´s descendants are especially found in Amsterdam and Nijmegen (-area). Living male descendants are un-
known.

What we will call here branch Amsterdam 1 are descendants of Barent Berkhoff who
married in Amsterdam 1675 Marietje Simons Bon. Barent who came from Unna in Ger-
many, is the one who paved the way for the following "German" Berkhoff´s. It is striking

Amsterdam 3 is shown here for reasons of research only; it concerns just but two generations. Nevertheless it is for several reasons a very interesting
´branch´. It´s founder Jan signed the banns in 1701 with the name Berkhoven. City-officials consequently ´translated´ this name into Berkhoff. Further,
his wife Catharina van Westervelt originates from Unna and seems to be family of Dirk Boeckenkrot, who functioned in 1675 as witness of Barent
Berkhoff, founder of branch Amsterdam 1. Thirdly, at the christening of his children, an unidentified Hendrik Berkhoff and Elsje Berkhoff make their
appearence. This all means there were (close) contacts between the German Berkhoff´s and Berkhoven´s in Amsterdam. Possibly Jan is a nephew of Hendrik and Harmanus of branch Amsterdam 2, but during this time several Hendrik Berkhoff´s lived in Amsterdam. Living male descendants are un-
known.