Dijkstra, Jurjen Tjerks, 1837-1906

DIJKSTRA, DYKSTRA, KRAAI, ODENS, VANDERZWAAG, BOERSMA

Posted By: Janna Dykstra Smith (email)
Date: 3/14/2023 at 13:42:14

Dijkstra, Jurjen Tjerks, 1837-1906 & Sjoukjen Sjieukes Boersma, 1840-1922, with their pioneer children - Wybrigjen (Winnie), Tjerk (Charlie), Sjouken (Joe), Jan (John), Corneliske (Kate), Hessel, and Antje (Annie).

The information in this biography comes from a variety of sources: verbal and recorded family history, local newspapers, church historical books (Middleburg Free Grace Reformed, the Sioux County Courthouse, the Dutch Heritage Collection at Northwestern College, the archives at Calvin College, a 2019 visit to the church in Schettens, Friesland and to Tresoar (Frysk Histoarysk en Letterkundich Sintrum) in Leeuwarden, Friesland.

Helpful digital search engines: AlleFriezen is a Frisian website that can access the Frisian municipal archives, the Historical Information Center Northeast Fryslân, the Historical Center Leeuwarden and Tresoar about all persons who were born, married or died in their province, from the 16th century to early sixties of the last century. It can be searched in Dutch, Frisian, and English. (https://allefriezen.nl/), The Community History Archive of Sioux County, Iowa (http://siouxcounty.advantage-preservation.com/), and (https://www.findagrave.com/).

Jurjen and Sjoukjen were married on May 5, 1860. Their first five children were born in the Netherlands. One child, Tjerk, died as an infant and is buried in Nijland, Friesland. In 1873, according to church records, they left Schettens, Friesland, with 4 children, Wybrigjen, Tjerk, Sjouken, and Jan. Baptismal records can be found in the Reformed church in Schettens.

The Reformed church in Schettens, Friesland owned two farms. Church records show that the smaller of these farms (on Bruindijk) was rented to Jurjen Tjerks Dijkstra in the early 1860s. In 1866, a news clipping announces that there will be a farm sale.
“Estate sale on Bruindijk near Schettens - The Notary E.T. Kuiper to Bolsward will present on Saturday, April 7, 1866, in the morning at 10 o'clock, at the house of Jurjen Tjerks Dijkstra, at Bruindijk under Schettens, on ordinary credit: An excellent herd of healthy cattle, consisting of: 10 cows, 7 best pigs, 1 black long tail mare horse, domesticated, and 2 Sheep with Lambs; moreover 1 Glass wagon, as good as new, 2 mounted Hay wagons, 1 Earth cart, Karn, Cheese kettle, Cheese press with Stone, 6 copper and 6 wooden buckets, 2 best Butter boards, Milk and Brocades, Milk barrels, Cheese barrels, Tons, Cret and Shelves, Harken, Forks, a game of Stroe and more will be offered. Cake plates and chopping blocks are not included.”

Notary records (1866) show that Jurjen Tjerks Dijkstra received 1307 Dutch guilders from this sale of cattle, hay, and hardware.

On April 17, 1873, the family left Rotterdam for the United States on the S.S. Maas. Their accommodations were in steerage. On the manifest, they are listed as Dijkstra Frowijen Jan (husband, farmer, age 35), Dijkstra Froukje (wife, housewife, age 33), and Dijkstra Wilbrigge (daughter, age 11). The three little boys, Tjerk, Sjouken, and Jan, are not even listed on the passenger manifest. Swierenga, Robert P. Dutch Immigrants in U.S. Ship Passenger Manifests, 1820-1880: Volume One: Aab to Meller. Wilmington, Delaware: Scholarly Resources, Inc., c1983.

Immigrant Parents:
JURJEN TJERKS DIJKSTRA (Jurgen, Jurrien, Jurrian), 1837-1906
SJOUKJEN SJIEUKES BOERSMA, 1840-1922
Immigrant Children:
1. WYBRIGIEN JURJENS DIJKSTRA (Winnie, Wilbrigge, Wiebrig, Wybrigtje), 1862-1896
2. TJERK JURJENS DIJKSTRA, 1863-1864
3. TJERK JURJENS DIJKSTRA (Charlie), 1865-1953
4. SJOUKEN JURJENS DIJKSTRA (Joe, Sjoke, Sjuuwke), 1867-1949
5. JAN JURJENS DIJKSTRA (John), 1869-1948
6. CORNELISKE JURJENS DIJKSTRA (Kate), 1873-1969 (born in the United States)
7. HESSEL JURJENS DIJKSTRA, 1876-1950 (born in the United States)
8. ANTIJE JURJENS DIJKSTRA (Annie), 1880-1961 (born in the United States)
9. There may have been an infant named GERRITJE JURJENS DYKSTRA, who was baptized on 2 July 1882. We can find no birth or death records in the Sioux County courthouse, yet this name is listed with the rest of the Jurjen Dijkstra family in Reformed Church digital records.

Newspaper mentions, Stories, and Obituaries regarding the Dykstra family
Immigrant father
JURJEN TJERKS DIJKSTRA (Jurgen, Jurrien, Jurrian, Jurien, Jurrie); born 24 July 1837; died 25 June 1906 in Middleburg, Iowa.

An ad regarding herding cattle
Cattle herding. J. Dijkstra, living five miles south of Orange City, wishes to herd cattle at Floyd Bottom as soon as there is grass. When that time comes, he will stay with the cattle while they graze on the grassy fields. Kindly requesting everyone's favor. p.3 De Volksvriend 26 Feb 1880.

This Orange City newspaper ad shows that the family lived south of the city in 1880. In looking at a Sioux County map printed in 1885, J.T. Dijkstra has a farm in Sections 19 and 20 of Nassau Township. This most likely is the land that J. T. Dijkstra homesteaded. The farm directly to the south is owned by GJ Leusink. Both men sold these farms and bought land in the Middleburgh area sometime before 1890. Family history always implied that Jurjen homesteaded when coming to Sioux County in 1873. It was thought that the homestead was near Middleburg but Jurjen clearly says in his 1895 article that he purchased this land from Mr. Davidson, a land speculator and banker from Hull.

At J Dijkstra there is a beautiful stud bull of short-horned breed. The animal is of red color, born on the 8th Oct 1880 and raised by John Cunningham, well known for his care for noble cattle. We consider it an excellent idea to see this animal as a stud bull, as this will give many farmers the opportunity to take livestock breeding a step further. (See the ad) J Dijkstra also has a road-grey cow of the same breed, so that he has the opportunity to gradually acquire thoroughbred short horns, an improvement which we hope will soon find general imitation. Page 3 of De Volksvriend, published in Orange City, Iowa on January 12th, 1882.

Jurjen Dijkstra’s barley harvest yield was 23 bushels per acre near Orange Lake in 1885. His oats and wheat also look very promising. Page 2 of De Volksvriend, published in Orange City, Iowa on July 30th, 1885.

July 31, 1885. An organizational meeting is held to create a church. A consistory is elected: Jurjen Dijkstra and Gerrit J. Leusink, as elders, and P. De Zeeuw and Jan Post, as deacons. J. Dykstra and his wife, born S. Boersma, were received and approved by letter.The Centennial of the Middleburg Free Grace Reformed Church, Orange City, Iowa, 1885-1985.

In a letter written on December 4th, 1891 by Jurjen Dijkstra to his sister in Friesland, he handwrites Middleburg as ‘Middle Burgh’ and includes the news. “Our boys are away from home with the threshing machine.” Jurjen’s sons: Tjerk (Charlie Dykstra), Sjoke (Joe Dykstra), Jan (John Dykstra) and Hessel Dykstra.

Following is an 1895 article written by Jurjen Dykstra in De Volksvriend about the origin of Middleburg. This article was also published in the 1908 Sioux County Atlas.
MIDDLEBURG, IOWA By J. Dykstra. This beautiful area has been in the hands of speculators for a long time, and served since the settlement as a prairie land, on which cattle grazed. In 1884, however, there came a change and the land was purchased by farmers. The writer of this article purchased, at the so called Bell 's Lake , a large portion of land to cultivate, this with his numerous family. In 1885 G. J. Leusink came and others followed him, such as J. Meerdink, W. Willemsen, and others, who settled here. Soon an important change came about. Instead of 6 feet tall weeds, one saw tame grass. Prairie land was cultivated and produced: wheat, oats, corn and potatoes. Roads were built and bridges were constructed. Also one felt the need to gather on the Day of Rest. First we met in the school building and sometimes the pastors came to serve us.

Afterwards, in 1885 a congregation and a Sunday school were founded under the leadership of Rev. Buursma. Mr. Davidson from Hull gave us 5 acres for church and parsonage, and so that same year a church was built, called “Free Grace Church,” and also a house for the custodian and stables for the horses. In 1886 the Rev. A Zwemer was called and in October he started his ministry. That same year a beautiful parsonage was built. In 1887 a new stable was built, 24x94 ft. In 1889 the church was enlarged, as more people settled here. R. De Jong built a small store with a house.

In 1890 we built a post office and this place was called Middleburg. We then received our mail twice a week. De Jong became postmaster. The city bought a cemetery that year too. Two houses were built. A shoemaker settled here. In 1891 we received the mail three times a week. In Sept. the Rev. A. Zwemer accepted the call from Spring Lake, Mich. In 1892 we called the Rev. W. J. Duiker from Albany N. Y., and he came to us in March. The congregation then totaled 70 families. A third church stable was built. Also the parsonage was extended. Besides the store was enlarged and a house was built next to the store. And also another house.

In 1893 a blacksmith settled here, and a house was built. The mail was delivered daily, except Sunday. In 1894 another house was built and a telephone line was constructed between Middleburg and Orange City and other places. What we want to add here is that farmland was divided up for the sake of the children. Also schools were built in all towns as required by law. Dykstra, Jurjen, “Middleburg, Iowa,” De Volksvriend, Sept. 18, 1895.

“He [Jurjen] installed the first organ in the Middleburg church and also played the organ for Sunday services.” Dykstra, Joel B, “Dykstra Family Record,” circa 1986.

“Jurrien Dykstra is listed as the first organist.” “Gerrit Leusink contributed large amounts of money in support of the church [Free Grace Reformed in Middleburg] and Jurrien Dykstra helped keep the building in repair.” The Centennial of the Middleburg Free Grace Reformed Church, Orange City, Iowa, 1885-1985.

On Monday, Mr. R. De Young announced that old Mr. Dykstra had died in Middleburg that morning and that the mortal remains would be buried this Wednesday. The worship service will be led by Rev. Douwstra and Hoekenga. Mr. Dykstra was our faithful correspondent in Middleburg in earlier years; lately, however, because of constant illness, the man was unable to do the work. The deceased was in his time one of the pioneers to Middleburg and has rendered many services to the congregation in the capacity of elder and otherwise. He is now resting from all his labors. He reached the age of almost 69 years and, to regret his passing, leaves behind his widow, besides 4 sons (Tjerk, Joe, Jan and Hessel) and three daughters (Mrs. Ph. Odens, Mrs. Ben Van der Zwaag and Mrs. John Kraai). Page 5 of De Volksvriend, published in Orange City, Iowa on June 28th, 1906.

Jurjen T Dykstra is no more. His death was long and often expected, but each time the illness, which seemed to be mainly the result of a fall from a wagon ten years ago, recovered. But lately he had been steadily deteriorating; and was weakened by harsh attacks from day to day. On the morning of June 25, the all-wise God took him from the earth, and two days later his body was lowered into the pit of decay. He was born July 24, 1837, in Nijland, Friesland. He married Sjoukjen Boersma on May 5, 1860, who now looks after him as a widow. In addition, the deceased has six children and seven children by marriage, while a daughter already preceded him. Since March, 1873, when Dykstra came to America, he has always lived in Sioux County. He is widely known; and his children live for the most part close to the parental home. Dykstra was one of the first settlers in the area now called Middleburg. He was also one of the founders of the Reformed congregation here, where he served as an elder for many years. Many still remember the sermons read by him when the congregation was vacant. He has gone, but has not been forgotten. It shall not be forgotten by those whose hope is for eternity in the same Savior in Whom he joyfully died. Middleburg, Iowa. Page 8 of De Volksvriend, published in Orange City, Iowa on July 5, 1906.

Old gentleman Dykstra died last Monday morning of Bright’s disease at the age of sixty-nine years. The funeral was held Wednesday afternoon from the Reformed church. Alton Democrat 1906-06-30.

Immigrant mother
SJOUKJEN SJIEUKES BOERSMA; born 15 December 1840 (daughter of Sjieuke Hessels Boersma & Wybrig Sjoukes Wijnja); died 16 March 1922 in Hull, Iowa.

Mr. and Mrs. J. Dykstra are visiting their daughter at Harrison South Dakota. Page 8 of Alton Democrat, published in Alton, Iowa on July 16th, 1904.

Under Middleburg news: Mr. and Mrs. J. Dykstra returned from their visit at Harrison South Dakota last Friday. Page 8 of Alton Democrat, published in Alton, Iowa on July 23rd, 1904.

There is a family story that after Corneliske & Philip Odens’ wedding and move to South Dakota in 1892, Jurjen & Sjoukjen traveled by buggy to visit their daughter. On their Saturday ride home, they became lost on the prairie, and were forced to continue their journey on Sunday. For this Jurjen was supposedly disciplined by the consistory in Middleburg. Dykstra, Joel B, “Dykstra Family Record,” circa 1986.

Mrs. Dykstra of Middleburg mother of J. J. Dykstra is visiting at his home and helping care for her new granddaughter. Page 8 of Alton Democrat, published in Alton, Iowa on Saturday, March 16th, 1907. This would be baby Gertrude Dykstra later Van Peursem.

Mrs. Dykstra passes away. Mrs. J.T. Dykstra, mother of our towns-man, John J. Dykstra, passed away at the home of her son, in Hull, Thursday evening March 16th. Mrs. Dykstra was eighty one years and three months old, and leaves a host of relatives, children and grandchildren. She has been suffering from diabetes several years. Mr. Dykstra died 16 years ago and after that she made her home with her children. She is survived by six children: Mr. and Mrs. J. Dykstra, of Hull; Mr. and Mrs. P. Odens, of Springfield; Mr. and Mrs. Joe Dykstra, of Middleburg; Mr. and Mrs. Ben VanDer Zwaag, of Middleburg; Mr. and Mrs. H. Dykstra of Middleburg. The funeral was held Monday, from the home here at 12:30 o'clock and from the First Reformed church immediately following. Interment was made in the family lot in the Middleburg cemetery. The Index joins in extending sincere sympathy to the bereaved ones. Sioux County Index 1922-03-24.

Immigrant children of Jurjen and Sjoukjen Dijkstra
1. WYBRIGJEN JURJENS DIJKSTRA (Winnie, Wilbrigge, Wiebrig, Wybrigtje); born 16 January 1862 in Schettens, Friesland; married John Kraai; died 4 April 1896 in Orange City, Iowa.

The death of Mrs. John Kraai occurred Saturday morning at her home three miles southwest of town. The infant for whom she gave her life did not live. Deceased was thirty-four years old and the husband and three children survive her. She was an excellent and estimable woman and her death is a very sad one. The funeral services were held Monday afternoon from the First Reformed church, Rev. M. Kolyn conducting the services. Sioux County Herald 1896-04-08.

2. TJERK JURJENS DIJKSTRA; born 8 February 1863; died 1864, buried in Nijland, Friesland.
3. TJERK JURJENS DIJKSTRA (Charlies); born 9 August 1865 in Arum, Friesland; died June 1953 in Des Moines, Iowa.

Tjerk Dykstra and family autoes to Hull in their new Reo, the latter part of last week, for a visit at the home J.J. Dykstra, the two gentlemen are brothers. Page 1 of Hull Index, published in Hull, Iowa on Friday, March 17th, 1911.

T. J. Dykstra Rites Monday
Services for T. J. Dykstra, 88, of West Des Moines, will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday at McLaren’s funeral home, with burial in Pine Hill cemetery. Mr. Dykstra, a native of the Netherlands and a retired farmer, died Thursday night because of a heart condition. He had been ill 4 months. Mr. Dykstra had been a West Des Moines resident for 13 years and before that lived in Des Moines 14 years. Surviving are his wife, Nina; two sons, Dr. Joseph Dykstra, Des Moines, and Dr. John Dykstra, Kirksville, Mo.; five daughters, Miss Ada Dykstra and Mrs. Raymond Cyr, both of Arlington, Cal., Mrs. Kay Earll Glendale, Cal., and the Misses Winifred and Sophia Dykstra, both of Des Moines. Also surviving are two sisters, Mrs. Ben Van der Zwaag, Orange City, and Mrs. Phil Odens, Springfield, S.D., and five grandchildren.

4. SJOUKEN JURJENS DIJKSTRA (Joe, Sjoke, Sjuuwke); born 10 August 1867 in Schettens, Friesland; died 20 September 1949 in Middleburg, Iowa.

“Jurgen almost perished in the great blizzard of 1888 when he and his son Joe had gone to help a neighbor in Middleburg with butchering and they were caught in the storm. They had to turn the horses loose and managed to make it home by pulling themselves along a fence line.”
Dykstra, Joel B, “Dykstra Family Record,” circa 1986. Joel is the grandson of Joe Dykstra, great-grandson on Jurgen & Sjoukjen.

Mr. Joe Dykstra died Tuesday, September 20, 1949 at 7:30 a.m. at his home after a long illness of heart trouble. Funeral services were held September 23 at 1:30 in the Reformed church of Middleburg with Rev. E. C. Dykstra officiating. Burial was in the Middleburg cemetery with the Van Etten funeral service in charge of arrangements. Mr. Joe Dykstra was born in the Netherlands August 10, 1867 and lived in this vicinity all his life. On January 18, 1894 he was married to Elizabeth Vander Hoef, and to this union two children were born. Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Joe Dykstra, two children, Jerry of Hull and Jake of Middleburg; two sisters and two brothers, Mrs. Ben E. Vander Zwaag of Middleburg, Mrs. Philip Odens of Springfield, South Dakota, Charles Dykstra of Des Moines, and Hessel Dykstra of Sheldon, Iowa. There are eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Sioux County Capital 1949-09-29.

5. JAN JURJENS DIJKSTRA (John); born December 1869 in Schettens, Friesland; died 20 February 1948 in Hull, Iowa.

John J. Dykstra opens a general merchandise store in Perkins and later in Hull.

HULL. The community was shocked Friday afternoon when they heard of the sudden death of John Dykstra, 78, who died that afternoon of a heart attack. Mrs. Dykstra died Feb. 14, 1938. Surviving are 2 sons and 7 daughters. Funeral services were held Tuesday at 1 o'clock in the home and at 1:30 in the 1st Ref. church, Rev. De Jong Officiating. Alton Democrat 1948-02-26.

6. CORNELISKE JURJENS DIJKSTRA (Kate); born 17 June 1873 in Sioux County; married Philip Odens; died 2 May 1969 in Springfield, South Dakota.

Rumor says that P. Odens of Middleburg, and Miss C. Dykstra were married last Thursday. Fuller particulars next week. Page 8 of Alton Democrat, published in Alton, Iowa on Saturday, March 26th, 1892.

From Middleburg, Iowa - The threshing is almost done. - Mrs. Odens of Springfield, S.D., visited here with her 3 children. With H. Dykstra it is a daughter. Page 8 of De Volksvriend, published in Orange City, Iowa on Thursday, October 10th, 1901. Kate’s 3 children are Jerry Odens, Boldewyn Odens, and Sadie Odens, later Risseeuw. There is no record of a child born to Hessel Dykstra in 1901. The child may have died.

Bon Homme County, South Dakota. Kate Odens was born June 16, 1873, in Sioux County, Ia., near Orange City. She was the last surviving one of seven children of Mr. and Mrs. Jurrian Dykstra. The family later moved to Middleburg, Ia., where she received her education in rural schools. On March 25, 1892, they were married and lived in Iowa for two years. Then in 1894 they moved to South Dakota to a farm west of Springfield, which was across the road from the Ed Holleman farm, now owned by Herb De Jong. They lived there about five years, then moved to Perkins for one year and then to a farm they bought about one mile west of the depot. In 1913 they bought a farm west of Perkins where he farmed and raised his family, until he died on May 6, 1933. Mrs. Odens then lived with her sons on that farm, now owned by Ode Odens, until her death on May 2, 1969. One year after moving to South Dakota the couple with their infant son made the two-day trip to Iowa with horses and wagon to visit their families. Their children attended the Equal Rights and Perkins Schools. Two children also attended Southern Normal School. They attended the Reformed Church, and at one time also attended the Perkins Congregational Church. To them 11 children were born, of whom nine are still living: Wanno (died at the age of eight months); Jerry, Avon; Boldewyn, Avon; Sadie Risseeuw, Clinton, Wisc.; Winnie VanderLei, Springfield; Annie Tjeerdsma (Mrs. Peter Tjeerdsma), Springfield; Charlie, Springfield; Johanna (Mrs. Jess Tjeerdsma), Springfield, Joe (died In 1958); Ode, Springfield; Hessel, Springfield. The parents and infant son are laid to rest in the Pioneer Cemetery, and Joe in the Emmanuel Reformed Cemetery. In addition to their children there are 58 grandchildren; 184 great grandchildren and five great great grandchildren. A newspaper article stated at her 94th birthday that she must be Springfield's champion grandmother.

7. HESSEL JURJENS DIJKSTRA; born 1876 in Sioux County; died 1950; buried in Sheldon, Iowa.

Hessel Dykstra Buys Middleburg Store. Mr. Hessel Dykstra, well known in the Middleburg vicinity, has purchased the Middleburg store from Mr. H. H. Bomgaars, and will take possession of the business as soon as the stock is invoiced. Mr. Dykstra has been a farmer in the Middleburg territory for 23 years. He will hold a sale sometime this winter. Page 1 of Boyden Reporter, published in Boyden, Iowa on September 27th, 1923.

Family history says that William Bomgaars was a Middleburg friend of Jerry Dykstra (son to Joe Dykstra, Hessel’s brother). William H. Bomgaars, the son of Henry H. Bomgaars, began the Bomgaars Supply Company that has grown to 107 stores in the Midwest. From his obituary: Bomgaars first went into business at the age of 18 in Middleburg, where he operated a general store, selling gingham from the bolt and crackers from a barrel. From this store he also drove a horse-drawn wagon, stocked with the needs of rural families, on a farm route.

Mr. Hessel Dykstra of Sheldon passed away at his home on Saturday, funeral services being held on Wednesday afternoon. He is the father of three Sioux Center men, Jerry, Henry and Ben. He had been ailing for many months. Page 3 of Sioux County Capital, published in Orange City, Iowa on August 10th, 1950.

Word was received here of the death of Hessel Dykstra after a long illness at Sheldon. He is the father of Mrs. Ralph Hulst of Hospers. Page 6 of Alton Democrat, published in Alton, Iowa on August 10th, 1950.

When Hessel Jurjens Dykstra was born on 23 September 1876, in Orange City, Sioux, Iowa, United States, his father, Jurjen Tjerks Dijkstra, was 39 and his mother, Sjoukjen Boersma, was 35. He married Gertrude Vander Zwaag on 10 March 1899, in Middleburg, Sioux, Iowa, United States. They were the parents of at least 6 sons and 3 daughters. He lived in Sioux Township, Sioux, Iowa, United States in 1925 and Des Moines, Polk, Iowa, United States in 1930. He died on 6 August 1950, in Sheldon, O'Brien, Iowa, United States, at the age of 73, and was buried in Sheldon, O'Brien, Iowa, United States. Page 8 of De Volksvriend, published in Orange City, Iowa on February 15th, 1900.

8. ANTJE JURJENS DIJKSTRA (Annie); born 30 September 1880; married Ben E. Vander Zwaag in 1901; died 2 June 1961 in Orange City, Iowa Her record of birth is one of the first names listed in the Sioux County ledgers.

A daughter was born at the home of Ben Vander Zwaag last week. Page 8 of Alton Democrat, published in Alton, Iowa on July 14th, 1906. Baby would have been Susan Vander Zwaag.

Mrs. B. E. Vander Zwaag. Funeral services will be held at the Free Grace Reformed church at Middleburg this afternoon (Thursday) for Mrs. Ben E. Vander Zwaag, 81, longtime resident of Middleburg community, who died Monday at the Orange City hospital. Services will be conducted by the Rev. Wm. Kolenbrander and burial will be made in the Middleburg cemetery. Survivors include three sons, Frank B. and Elmer of Orange City and Jurry of Boyden; three daughters. Mrs. Bert Keizer and Mrs. Henry W. Muilenburg, both of Orange City, and Susan at home; one sister, Mrs. Philip Odens, of Springfield, S. D. Mr. Vander Zwaag passed away 18 years ago. Sioux Center News 1961-10-05.

Jurjen’s parents and sisters.
TJERK JURJENS DIJKSTRA, born in Tjerkwerd [Friesland] 2 June 1815, wed Corneliske Minnes Walsweer in Tjerkwerd on 30 August 1836 (certificate 46 for marriage annexes municipality of Wymbritseradeel). Died 15 March 1846, buried on 19 March 1846 in Nijland, Friesland. From the family history: Tjerk was visiting his brother-in-law Martin Fongers Ringnalda in Abbega. He had had a headache for 3 days and collapsed.

Death notice of Jurjen’s father, Tjerk Jurjens Dijkstra,1846. Today the hardest blow of my life struck me, as it pleased the Lord, after a severe nerve-sinking disease of no more than three days, to remove from my side my beloved and caring man Tjerk Jurjens Dijkstra, who had achieved much in his almost 31 years, of which I have been able to spend more than 9 1/2 years in pleasant marriage, under the paths of doom; leaving me five Children, the youngest of which is less than 10 weeks old. How heavy this loss will be for me, mine and his dear relations, will anyone feel who has known him closely. To remain silent to God is my duty; mourn, as those who have no hope, may not; but for this I need grace and strength at the beginning and progress of Him who does everything with love, wisdom and power, and does not answer His deeds. Kornelische Minnes Walzweer, Widow Tjerk Jurjens Dijkstra, Nijland, the 15 March 1846. NB. Extending this to the announcement of further Family and Relations. The affair of the late T. J. Dijkstra, as Housepainter and Glass maker, will have progress. Requesting further favor and recommendation. Published 21 March 1846 in the Leeuwarder Courant.

CORNELISKE MINNES WALSMEER, born 8 April 1816 [Friesland], died 1892, daughter of Minne Sybrens Walsweer (Nijland) and Wyptien Wynia.
A death notice for Jurjen’s mother in Friesland was found in an Orange City newspaper (De Volksvriend). After a long suffering in Lollum, Friesland, the mother of Mr. Dijkstra of Middleburgh entered eternal rest. Page 5 of De Volksvriend, published in Orange City, Iowa on March 31st, 1892.

Jurjen Tjerks Dijkstra was only 9 years old when his father (Tjerk Jurjens Dijkstra) died. He was the eldest and had 4 younger sisters. Children from the marriage of Tjerk Jurjens Dijkstra and Coneliske Minnes Walsmeer:
1. JURJEN TJERKS DIJKSTRA, 1837-1905.
2. WIJPKJEN TJERKS DIJKSTRA, 1839-1919, wed Jacob Ates van der Meer.
3. TRIJNTJE TJERKS DIJKSTRA, 1841.
4. MINNE TJERKS DIJKSTRA, 1843-1848.
5. ANTJE TJERKS DIJKSTRA, 1846-1926.

Names & spellings
Sjoukjen’s first name is followed by her father’s name, ‘Sjieuke’ Hessels Boersma (adding an ‘s’). Sjoukjen’s mother’s name is Wybrig Sjoukes Wijnja. Wybrig’s first name is followed by her father’s name, Sjouke Wijnja (adding an ‘s’).

While the name ‘Jurjen’ translates into English quite easily (Jerry), ‘Sjoukjen’ does not. It is a very Frisian name. Sjoukjen is the feminine version of Sjouke. A related name in German is ‘Sigiward.’ In English: ‘Seward.’ The name loosely means ‘protector of the sea’ or ‘seawall.’ In one of Jurjen’s letters, written in 1905, he spells his wife’s name as ‘Sjouwjkje S. Boersma.’

Jerry, Jerrie, Gerry, Jurrie, Jurry, Jurgen, Jerris, Jurrien, Jurian, Jurren are all forms of Jurjen and this name can be seen in all its variations in Jurjen’s descendants. You do not find many descendants of Sjoukjen with her name. Jurjen and Sjoukjen’s second son is named, ‘Sjouken.’ He took the name ‘Joe’ in the United States. In his legal papers, you can see Joe Dykstra’s name in many variations: Sjouken, Sjoke, Sjuuwke, Sjouke, Swuuke, and Swunke. When land was sold, affadavits had to be written showing that these variations were legal. It was tradition to name your first son after his paternal grandfather. All seven of Jurjen & Sjoukjen’s children who grew to adulthood named one of their sons, ‘Jerry.’

In 2003, an article was published in the Netherlands by Albert Hoekstra on the on the Jurjen Dijkstra family genealogy, beginning with Pyter Folkerts, 1705-1786, and covering the next 10 generations. It was published by the Nederlandse Genealogische Vereniging in their newsletter called '11 en 30.' The '11' stands for the 11 Frisian cities, the Elfstedentocht, that participate in the famous ice skating race.

Jurjen Tjerks Dijkstra, 1837-1905, is named after his grandfather, Jurjen Folkerts Dijkstra, 1788-1823. Jurjen Folkerts Dijkstra’s mother was Antie Jurjens Huitinga, dochter of Jurjen Jelles. Jurjen Folkerts Dijkstra is named after his maternal grandfather. This is when the ‘Jurjen’ name came into the Dykstra line.

Jurjen Folkerts Dijkstra, 1788-1823, is the son of Folkert Pieters (Dijkstra), 1759-1826. In 1811, per French decree for last names, this Folkert Pieters chose the name ‘Dijkstra.’ Hoekstra, Albert, “Fragment Genealogie Dijkstra.” NGV: “11 en 30,” 2003.

Letters written by Jurjen Tjerks Dijkstra, Middleburgh, Iowa, were found in the Calvin Univ. archives in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Herbert J. Brinks, curator, collected letters written by Dutch immigrants to their families in the Netherlands. They have been transcribed and translated. For the most part the letters are between Jurjen and his sister, Antje. If you look back at the 1846 death notice of their father, Tjerk Jurjens Dijkstra, written by their mother, Kornelische Minnes Walzweer, Antje is the “youngest of which is less than 10 weeks old” who is mentioned by her mother. It was and is Dutch custom for women to list their birth surname after their married name. ex. Antje Tiemersma Dijkstra (Jurjen Tjerks Dijkstra’s youngest sister).
Dijkstra, Jurjen Tjerks. Letters, 1884-1905. 7 items, photocopies, with transcriptions and translations. Orange City, Middelburg, Iowa - Arum, Friesland; J. T. Dijkstra to Antje Tiemersma Dijkstra. (https://library.calvin.edu/guide/collections/hh/in_house_resources/immigrant_letters/dutch_letters)
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Photograph below identification:
Jurjen Tjerks Dijkstra and Sjoukjen Sjieukes Boersma with their children.
Back row: Hessel Dykstra, Tjerk (Charlie) Dykstra, Jan (John) Dykstra, Corneliske (Kate, married Philip Odens), Sjouken (Joe) Dykstra
Front row: Antje (Annie, married Ben Vander Zwaag), Jurjen, Sjoukjen, and Wybrigjen (Winnie, married John Kraai.)
Middleburg, Iowa circa 1892

Sioux Biographies maintained by Linda Ziemann.
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