Pieter Popkes, a son of Popke Wobbes, was born around 1764. He married his cousin Geertje Hendriks on May 20, 1787. From this marriage, at least 2 children were born, Grietje and Ebeltje. Grietje seems to have been named after her father’s mother, Grietje Jans, and Ebeltje after Geertje’s mother, Ebeltje Wobbes.
Grietje was born on June 12, 1788, (baptized June 22) and the date of her death is September 24, 1837. This latter date was only recently discovered. Ebeltje was baptized on January 1, 1791. So far, much is clear. However, the dates of death for both Ebeltje and mother Geertje are unknown. Geertje might have passed away during the birth of Ebeltje, but certainly before May 20, 1792, because on that date Pieter Popkes remarried, this time to Geeske Jacobs Wiltschut, the widow of Koene Jans Braamheer. This marriage is also recorded in the church book on December 15, 1793. (??)
Apart from Grietje and Ebeltje, Pieter Popkes had two more children: Imkje and Popke.
Popke passed away on July 5, 1811, at the age of 18. According to the church book “Aangegeven lijken” (reported deaths), his mother’s name was Geeske Jacobs. This means he must have been born between July 1793 and July 1794. There is no baptism certificate found for him.
On January 18, 1818, Imkje was baptized as an adult in Haule. She was then 26 years old. This means she must have been born between January 1792 and January 1793.
On February 28, 1818, she makes her confession of faith.
Imkje passed away on March 13, 1862, in the home of her daughter Geertje and son-in-law Johannes de Ruiter. Her husband, Johannes Hasper, had passed away two years prior. The declaration was made by two neighbors, Jacob Nijenhuis and Gerrit Berkepies. According to the information in the death certificate, she was born on June 24, 1789. Her parents were said to be Popke Pieters and Geesje Jacobs.
So, there are at least 2 things wrong here. The name of her father is Pieter Popkes, and if she was born in 1789, her mother should be Geertje Hendriks. If her mother’s name is Geeske Jacobs, she must have been born around 1792.
I personally think the latter is the case, for the following reasons:
- Imkje must have given her own age at her confirmation. The birth date was provided by neighbors at her death.
- In an estate inventory (1827) of a brother of Geertje Hendriks (Berend Hendriks Schuurmans), Grietje is listed as a beneficiary, but Imkje is not, even though she was still alive. Also, Ebeltje is not listed, but she may have already passed away.
- Imkje does not seem to have been named after any of the family members of Pieter Popkes or Geertje Hendriks. However, a sister of Geeske Jacobs was named Imkjen (baptized in 1754).
My conclusion is that Imkje must be a daughter of Geesje Jacobs Wiltschut. She was probably born on June 24, 1792.
Furthermore, two other things stand out about these children: Imkje was known by many other names (Iemktje, Iemkje, Iemke, Iempje, Ymkjen, Ymke, Ymkje, IJmkje, and Imke).
Imkje’s half-sister Grietje was often in trouble with the law. (In 1807 for theft and in 1808 for misbehavior in the correctional facility) In 1827, she lived in Donderen (Dr). She died on September 24, 1837, in the house of detention in Zwartsluis (Ov).
Read more: Youngful Criminal.
Text by Paul Snip 30-10-2015
