Holland Society for Descendants of NY Colonists

Lineage Organization for Genealogists Promotes History of New York

Aug 16, 2009 Rosemary E. Bachelor

Most lineage societies focus upon genealogical lines of descent from a person or group. The Holland American Society values history as much as it does genealogy.

Founded in 1885 in New York City to collect information on the settlement and history of New Netherlands, the Holland Society, like the Mayflower Society, is equally interested in history and sponsors the collection, printing and distribution of historical information. Though members are active in genealogical studies, they assist the Society in documenting not only the lives and times of its inhabitants, but also in pursuing information on the political, social and religious patterns in the Dutch colony of New Netherland.

Historical New York Projects

The Society originated the New Netherland Project to translate and publish 17th century records held by the New York State Archives. The year 2009 has been particularly significant as the society marked the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson’s arrival to explore what is now the Hudson River’s basin.

Holland Society Membership

Membership in the Holland Society is open to direct male line descendants of an ancestor who lived in New Netherland before or during 1675. The Society has a list of eligible surnames on its website. It recommends that applicants first check to see if the Society has a proven lineage for anyone in their direct line.

The Society’s active genealogy committee can assist in establishing a lineage, offer advice on locating missing generations, and help access professional genealogists if more documentation is required. The applicant must also have two members as sponsors, one serving as proposer and the other as seconder.

Friends of the Holland Society

Both men and women interested in New Netherland history and traditions may apply to become a “Friend” of the Holland society. This option is available for members who descend from broken male lines continued through female descendants of these first New York colonists. This requires a statement of interest in the Society or in New Netherland genealogy. In return for annual dues, the Friends enjoy many services and privileges of the Society.

Magazine of the Dutch Colonial Period in America

Since 1922, the Holland Society of New York has published the quarterly journal de Halve Maen. It reports new research on the Dutch contribution to American history and includes essays on various aspects of life in colonial New York. It is a professionally produced periodical edited by eminent New Netherland scholar Dr. David William Voorhees.

The Holland Society of New York sponsors not only scholarly research, but also briefs its members on a wide range of cultural and social activities sponsored by it and such other organizations as the New Netherlands Institute. The Society headquarters and library have professional staff and provide valuable resources for those interested in colonial Dutch ancestry. The Society website opens a wide window on colonial life in various American Dutch communities links to information on those who lived there.

Sources:

The Holland Society of New York website.

The copyright of the article Holland Society for Descendants of NY Colonists in Genealogy is owned by Rosemary E. Bachelor. Permission to republish Holland Society for Descendants of NY Colonists in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
New York Colonial Director Peter Stuyvesant, Photographer Unknown
New York Colonial Director Peter Stuyvesant
Early View of New Amsterdam, Copyright Expired
Early View of New Amsterdam
  
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