Dutch Family Branches 3

Dutch Families

According to sources, we know that in Lunteren of 1738 a certain Hendrik Jansen worked and lived as a
tenant in a farmhouse called `Berkhof´. The farmhouse was owned by the church of Lunteren. He and his
children became known as the people `From the Birch farmhouse´ (Van den Berkhof). The father and bro-
thers of Hendrik Jansen used patronymics and adopted later on other surnames. The farm is demolished in
1962. Descendants are especially found in: Lunteren, Vianen-Utrecht (Van den Berkhof and Berkhof),
Woudenberg-Renswoude-Ede (Berkhof), Veenendaal-Rhenen / Bunnik (Berkhof), Maarn (Berkhof).

In 1708 Jan Arents Berkhoff bought in the "Grote Kerk" in the small port of Maassluis near Rotterdam a grave for his family. Although more and
even older traces of surname bearers have been found in this area, this is for now the oldest footprint which can positively be connected to this well-
to-do branch. This Maassluis genealogy must be seen as a raw draft. In search for his Vriezenveen-ancestors Erik visited a lot of Dutch archives. Al-
though only interested in his own roots, he wrote everything down he found. These notes now form the basis of this branch. New research in archives
is necessary to verify and complete it. Descendants are especially found in Maassluis. Living male descendants are unknown.

Around 1700, in Middelharnis traces of a certain Dimmer Jacobsz Berkhof have been found. Not much is known concerning Dimmer, but we do
know he was married to Willemientje van der Lit and that their son was named Arent. The Middelharnis genealogy till 1800 must be seen as a raw
draft. In search for his Vriezenveen-ancestors Erik visited a lot of Dutch archives. Although only interested in his own roots, he wrote everything down
he found. These notes now form the basis of this branch. New research in archives is necessary to verify and complete it. Descendents have especially
been found in Middelharnis (Berkhof and Van den Slik Berkhof), Den Haag-Hengelo (Berkhof).

Did Ernestus Berghof use in his marriage certificate of 1763 the name of the farmyard Berghof, which can
be found nowadays near Gulpen? Or was he perhaps related to another homestead wich was named after

the hilly (in Dutch: berg-achtig) country around the city of Maastricht in the far South of The Netherlands? It is an interesting question. Fact is that
several descendants switched -for unknown reason- to the more Dutch sounding name Berkhof. Descendants are especially found in Maastricht
(Berghof and Berkhof). Living Berghof male descendants are unknown.