Corrections again! This photo has been a real source of confusion in our family, due to the little known military history of my great grandfather.
First, I thought this was post-WWI with my great grandfather in the middle, Bouwe Zylstra.
Then, my dad thought it was post-WWII, and these were Dutch policemen, the Marechaussee, the Royal Dutch Military Police. (He was confusing this with another family photo of two men in uniform). I believe the Marechaussee uniforms were relatively unchanged from 1900-1950.
My dad thought man in the middle was uncle Bouwe "Bob" Zylstra (Tante Grietje) of Strathroy, ON. He was policeman until he emigrated to Canada in the early 1950s. He farmed near Princeton, ON, just east of Woodstock and later farmed just north of Strathroy.
But actually…From Tanta Ali: "The picture of the 3 soldiers in uniform, the one in the middle is Bouwe Zylstra (b. 1887). Uncle Gerrit/Jerry contacted Margaret Z. Arends daughter of his brother Bouwe. Margaret showed the picture to her dad and he confirmed that it was his dad and not him."
It's possible the photo predates WWI. This is the earliest picture of Opa Bouwe Zylstra that we have seen. He does look really young here. We will continue to seek more from the museum in the Netherlands. We never really knew the full extent of the military history of Bouwe, so this is a very interesting family revelation.
It's possible he was recruited into service as per standard Dutch conscription, but whether it was before or during WWI is yet to be determined.
After closer examination of the uniform, it appears to be the Dutch Hussars Regiment (Cavalry), or Regiment Huzaren (Cavalerie).
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Anje Wigbolt BIEWENGA and Johannes ANTONIDES
I believe this might have been their engagement photo?
Johannes ANTONIDES born in Warffum, Netherlands on 31-3-1904, died in Dorchester, Ontario, Canada on 16-8-1984
Married on 28-12-1928 to Anje Wigbolt BIEWENGA born in Zandeweer, Netherlands 22-4-1901, died in Brampton, Ontario, Canada on 9-4-1995.
The family came to Canada on 22-5-1948 onboard the Tabinta
www.virtualmuseum.ca/Exhibitions/Pier21/eng/tabinta-eng.html
www.blaise.nl/antonidesgenealogie/floyd_antonides/generat...
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JOHANNES Antonides born in Warffum, Netherlands on 31-3-1904, died in Dorchester Ontario, Canada on 16-8-1984
Likely painting a house in Zuidbroek, Netherlands here?
Shown with a favourite accessory, his pipe. He once had to sacrifice his pipe when his daughter (my mom) fell into a canal playing blind man's bluff. He never let her forget that!
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Johannes ANTONIDES and Anje Wigbolt BIEWENGA, perhaps with their eldest son, Sake (Stan) ANTONIDES. Somewhere in the Netherlands, on their way to or from church, perhaps?
Tags: old vintage dutch familyphotos antonides oma
Anje Wigbolt BIEWENGA and four of her children I believe.
A little Photoshop dodge & burn revealed the kid's doll house at the bottom left of the image, which brought back instant memories for my mom when she realized what it was. However, I think now it was a front step. Opa did make outstanding wooden buildings for the kids to play with, so she did most certainly have one.
From left to right, it looks like the oldest to youngest, and possibly an aunt or friend at right?
Sake (Stan) b Stroobos 5-2-1930, d 20-01-2014 Brampton, ON
Arend (Harry) b Stroobos 4-6-1931
Hielke b Stroobos 3-12-1932, d Stroobos 6-5-1941
Cornelis (Casey) b Stroobos 23-7-1934, d Sarnia, ON 20-3-1996
Hielke did not survive TB, and he also had Polio, and died before he turned 10.
Tags: old vintage dutch familyphotos antonides oma