The van Romondt West Indian Family Recipe Book

Dear family in preparation for the VR-Reunion in Sint Maarten we asked families so send us their favorite recipes and greetings to the family.

Please Let us know of your favorite family recipe so we can have a recipe book for our future generations to enjoy what we once loved to eat!

Email us at: mzcroes@gmail.com

Love for Literature, Culture, Art, Religion, Music, Fashion, Sports lives in the descendants!

Source:http://www.kennethbruce.nl

Meet descendant Kenneth Bruce and his passion for playing bass-guitar. Kenneth born in Aruba in 1965 followed his love for playing bass-guitar and at the age of 20 he moved to the Netherlands to make his dream come true to become a successful bass-guitar player and play among the best Dutch artists. Highlights in his career are North Sea Jazz Festival in The Netherlands, Calle Ocho Festival in Florida, BB King Club in New York and Blue Note Jazz Club in Japan.

The most important thing for Bruce is that universal language of music unite humanity.

Kenneth Bruce is son of Dorothy Rumnit & Crispin Bruce. Dorothy Rumnit is daughter of Evaristo Rumnit who was son of Octavio Richardson, son of Diederik Johannes van Romondt former owner of the Belvedere Estate!

We wish Kenneth all the best in his career and looking forward to play for us at a VR-reunion in the future!!!

To learn more of Kenneth's work please visit his website at:http://www.kennethbruce.nl/

Let us get ready for the closing reunion in New York

Closing VR-Reunion in USA
Save the date!


Dear family & friends,

On Sunday November 23, 2008
we will have the Closing VR-Reunion 2008 in the city of New York, U.S.A.!

Visit the following link for all details of the USA Reunion:http://www.evite.com/pages/invite/viewInvite.jsp?inviteId=MDASVMJAYYFMHSHTMDFN&li=iq&src=email

Our coordinator Mrs. Erika Smith-Cannegieter is getting everything ready and will be in touch with you. The reunion will be kept during daytime so everyone can come and join us for this special day.

Please inform all families especially those living in the US and Canada as many don't have email!

Your presence is highly appreciated.

Come and spend a weekend in New York and explore the city that never sleeps!

Please let us know a.s.a.p. if you can come to the reunion by sending an email to or call:

mzcroes@gmail.com
+297-5941374
+297-5635347

Hope to meet you in New York. The reunion in Curacao was SPECTACULAR, Sint Maarten AMAZING & LOVING and Aruba PHENOMENAL. Let us make the US closing event MAGNIFICENT!


With Divine Love & Compassion,

Malaki Zuleika Croes
On behalf of the van Romondt Family Tree West Indian Branch Research Project

Some pics of After Reunion Aruba 5 October 2008

Dear family friends,

Here are some pics of the After VR-Reunion in Aruba which was a great success and we would like to thank everyone for being present. We would also like to extend our apologies to the families & friends who didn't catch the camera and thank them for being among us and for supporting this huge research. If you took pictures please let us know so we can add them to the website.
We sure had a greet time together!

Pictures by: Raymond " Baboe" Hoek (AUA)

Thank you!

Malaki & Romulo Geerman (Rumbo Ranch Aruba)
Malaki & Ligia Geerman-Richardson
The Van Romondt West Indian Branch cake
Alice van Romondt
Olga Buckley
Daan, Lily and Pennylou Richardson
Adonis Jack
Malaki & Baldwin Carti
A picture of the families & friends
Rachel Richardson
The Carti family
Hopmans/Oduber branch
The gifts of hands from Valerie Brown Curacao N.A.
Jacks branch (Matinbourgh, Batist, Farrel)
Illidge branch
Cannegieter branch
Malaki
van Romondt West Indian Branch Reunion T-shirt Sint Maarten N.A.
Van Romondt branch
Carti Branch (Amabel Richardson)
Richardson Branch
Richardson Branch

Not on picture:
Arlene Nagtegaal-Spencer, Sonja Hopmans, Grace van Heynigen, Agnes Richardson, Micheal Thode, Rubert & Jacky Croes,Greg Peterson, Tamara-Yarzagaray-Batist & family, Merle Serrant-Gibbs and family, Zenaida Gibbs-Baly, The Gibbs-Baly family, Emilio Kock, Jules & Peggy Arrindell, Gwendoline Gunsam, Louise Hodge, Yolanda Richardson & Reginald Havertong, John & Johnny Nisbeth, Jean-Ann Winklaar, Maximen & Lucy Charles, Ruby & Dr. Harold Narain-Richardson, Valeska Trim, Tansine Trim, Curt Harms.

At the After Reunion in Aruba the following families & friends came to have a greet time with each other:
Granville Richardson, Rufino Richardson, Gwendoline Gunsam, Iona Richardson-Cannegieter & family, Diana Flanders, Louise Hodge, Lewis & Minouche van Romondt and family, Alice van Romondt, Arlene Nagtegaal-Spencer, Sonja Hopmans, Oscar Oduber, Ervinia Maduro-Flanders, Gilbert Geerman & Rudmayra Kock and family, Marjorie Rumnit, Mary Flanders, Raphael Flanders, Lyanne Wout, Daan & Francisca Richardson-Maduro and family, Charisma Williams & family, Ivan & Alida Hopmans and family, Licha Kock-Arrindell, Jogi Kock & family, Baldwin & Luci Carti, Marie and Monica Carti, Juanita Jack-Tromp, Patricia Kelly Carti, Tyron and Grace van Heyningen, Jules & Peggy Arrindell, William & Eudosia Richardson, Anna Maria Richardson-Peters & Tirhakah Richardson, John & Jonny Nisbeth, Doris van Romondt, Helen van Romondt, Orol Henriquez & Steve Croes, Ramoncito & Jean-Ann Winklaar and Shanyiah Croes, Imelda Steward, Xiomara and Malik Jack, Alida Jack, Adonis Jack, Antonia Edson, Chelbi Benders, Veronica Rumnit, Maximen & Lucy Charles, Brain van Romondt & family, Gaby Illidge, Edwin Illidge, Mildred Cannegieter & family, Erica Cannegieter-Werleman & family, Diana Kelly, Naomi Kelly, Greg Peterson, Olga Buckley, Christal Jones, Pennelou Trapenberg-Richardson & family, Lilly Hart-Richardson, Sharine Carti, Emily Carti, Yolanda Richardson & Reginald Havertong, Michael Hopmans, Jacqueline Hopmans, Jennifer Hopmans, Richard Hopmans, Miriam & Emilio Kock-Salazar & family, Dorothy Richardson & family, Agnes Thode & family, Tamara Yarzagaray-Batist and family, Merl Serrant-Gibbs and family, Zenaida Gibbs-Baly, The Gibbs-Baly family, Ileana Halley-Labega & family, Raymond Hopmans, Curt Harms, Dr. Harold and mrs. Ruby Narain-Richardson, Tansine Trim-Dore and Valeska Trim.

Descendants of one branch and the resemblances!

Diederik Johannes van Romondt, former owner of the Belvedere Estate and his descendants. Look at the resemblances.

On picture;
DJ van Romondt (d), Derek Walcott (USA), Daphe van Schendel-Labega (CUR), Desta Nisbeth (CUR), Johannes Brown (CUR), Octavio Richardson (d) and George Benson (USA)

Nobel Prize Winner and VR-descendant Derek Walcott (78) opens the Cola-Debrot Seminar in Amsterdam The Netherlands and Working on Opera in UK!

We still haven't been in touch with Derek Walcott. We respect that he is not interested in our research but we are proud of all descendants and their achievements in the field they love most.

Derek Walcott ( 1930) theatre writer and Noble Prize winner of literature 1992 was recently invited by the study group Caribbean Literature for the first Cola Debrot Seminar in the aula of the University of Amsterdam which took place on
May, 20 2008 and was the first keynote speaker for the cycle of seminars of the study group. The Cola Debrot seminar will take place every 2 years in Amsterdam the Netherlands and is dedicated to Caribbean Literature.

As many of us know Divine Love is the light of this research and you see again how God works and synchronizes everything to each other. Derek was invited as the keynote speaker at the Cola Debrot Seminar in Amsterdam The Netherlands. Our forefather Diederik Johannes van Romondt was born and raised in Amsterdam The Netherlands and sailed in 1800 to the island of Sint Maarten N.A. where today we can stand together as descendants of the West Indian Branch of the van Romondt family.



Not only in The Netherlands people admire the work of Derek Walcott also in the UK. The newspaper the Guardian (p12) wrote on Saturday October 4, 2008 in the section Features & Reviews an article ' A life in writing: Derek Walcott.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2008/oct/04/poetry.derekwalcott

And also Derek St. Lucia-born Walcott, who captured the prize in 1992, together with Nobel winners Heaney on the work Antigone opera. Heaney, who won the Nobel in 1995 and Derek, are old friends. "[This piece] offers a rare opportunity for a work of considerable importance and beauty to be seen and heard," said Walcott, 78. The opera will premiere on Oct. 11 and go on a national tour. http://www.cbc.ca/arts/theatre/story/2008/07/13/walcott-heaney-opera.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2008/10/09/bmwalcott109.xml

The van Romondt Family Tree West Indian Branch Research Project congratulate Derek Walcott for his recent achievement and hope one day he can open is heart to us! We are very proud to have a descendant well known in the world and who is doing a great job!



Who is Derek Walcott?
Derek Alton Walcott (born January 23, 1930) is a West Indies poet, playwright, writer and visual artist who writes mainly in English. Born in Castries, St. Lucia, he won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1992.
His work, which developed independently of the schools of magic realism emerging in both South America and Europe at around the time of his birth, is intensely related to the symbolism of myth and its relationship to culture. He is best known for his epic poem Omeros, a reworking of Homeric story and tradition into a journey around the Caribbean and beyond to the American West and London. Walcott founded the Trinidad Theatre Workshop in 1959, which has produced his plays (and others) since that time, and remains active with its Board of Directors. He also founded Boston Playwrights' Theatre at Boston University in 1981 with the hope of creating a home for new plays in Boston, Massachusetts. Walcott continues to teach poetry and drama in the Creative Writing Department at Boston University and gives readings and lectures throughout the world. He divides his time between his home in the Caribbean and New York City.

Read more:http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/literature/laureates/1992/walcott-bio.html

A little of Derek's family?
As a young man, Warwick [Derek's father] worked as a copyist at the Education Office. (Subsequently, he worked for St. Lucia's Attorney General and Acting Chief Justice.) At night and on weekends, Warwick painted, read Shakespeare and Dickens, and gathered around him like-minded friends, who put on amateur theatricals. One of the members of this group, which Warwick christened the Star Literary Club, was Alix Maarlin [subsequently Derek's mother], the daughter of Johannes van Romondt, a white estate owner on St. Maarten, and Caroline Maarlin, a brown woman. Alix had moved to St. Lucia as a young girl, apparently to finish her schooling. Her guardian, a Dutch trader, was part of a small clan who helped establish the Methodist presence on St. Lucia. Alix, too, practiced Methodism, which was practically a cult on the Catholic-dominated island. Many of my paternal ancestors were prominent Methodists in the Caribbean. It's amusing to think that they were at the centre of a "cult". It explains a lot!

Read more of the Cola Debrot Seminar in Amsterdam The Netherlands:

http://www.cms.uva.nl/spui25/archief.cfm/E7DA550C-1321-B0BE-A428656FF8A354BC

http://antilliaans.caribiana.nl/cultuur/car20080521_Walcott

http://www.amsterdamwereldboekenstad.nl/index.cfm?page=agenda&aid=316

Cola Debrot:
Cola (Nicolaas) Debrot (1902-1981) was a writer, lawyer, medical doctor and politician active in Curacao. He laid the foundations of Dutch-Antillian literature. His debut Mijn zuster de negerin (1935) is best-known. Cola Debrot has also been active as a politician. He was the first Governor of the Netherlands Antilles who was born on one of the islands (1962-1970).

Seeking the branch of Judy van Romondt who married Dr. Thomas Robert Di Donata!

Source:http://www.excelace.co.uk/images/notepad.jpgDEAR ALL,

WE ARE SEEKING MANY BRANCHES ALL OVER THE WORLD. PLEASE HELP US FIND ALL DESCENDANTS TOGETHER. MANY DON'T HAVE INTERNET SO WE HOPE YOU CAN REACH THEM THROUGH THEIR PHONE-NUMBERS AND ADDRESSES.

IF ANYONE KNOWS THE BRANCH OF JUDY VAN ROMONDT LIVING IN NEW JERSEY WHO MARRIED DR.THOMAS ROBERT DI DONATA PLEASE LET US KNOW.

THE COUPLE HAS 5 CHILDREN:

THOMAS ROBERT DI DONATA (B. 1964)
CATHERINE MARIE DI DONATA (B. 1966 MARRIED DONALD NELSON)
ROBERT JOSESPH DI DONATA (B. 1967)
LAURIE ANN DI DONATA ( B. 1968 MARRIED CHRISTOPHER WALKIN)
LISA ANN DI DONATA (B.1970 MARRIED MICHAEL DIBARI)


JUDY VAN ROMONDT IS THE ONLY DAUGHTER OF MAX DANIEL LIONEL VAN ROMONDT & MARGUERITE CAROLINE BOISSEVAIN, WHO WAS SON OF DANIEL ARISTIDES VAN ROMONDT, SON OF AUGUST ALEXANDER VAN ROMONDT, SON OF DIEDERIK JOHANNES VAN ROMONDT & ANN HASSELL.


HOPE WE CAN GET IN TOUCH WITH THE FAMILY SOON.

Meet our special contacts " the Hassell's"

We are just so happy that we have so many people supporting and helping us with information regarding the research of the van Romondt Family Tree West Indian Branch Research Project.

Families such as Hassell, Gumbs, de Cloux and many more are very important to our research as they connect our family in the first lines of the family tree.

As you know Diederik Johannes van Romondt who came to Sint Maarten N.A. in 1800 married to Ann Hassell. We are still gathering information on the ancestors of Ann so we can have the connection within the Hassell family tree.

Our special contacts of the Hassell's family include: Billy Hassell (USA), Keith Hassell (UK) KJ Hassell (USA), Edward Hassell, Edward Middendorf, Charles Cloeber (USA), Chris Hassell (USA), Christopher Gleed (USA), John Hassell and Gosta Simmons.

Picture of KJ Hassell & Billy Hassell in Saba.

Together we are helping each other to find more information.

Attached a pic of Billy Hassell ( right) and his cousins in Saba.
Source: Billy Hassell, USA

We thank the Hassell 's for being part of our research.
Keith Hassell has also a website:http://www.keithhassell.tribalpages.com

Meet our special contact " Mr. Giovanni de Windt"

Source: Malaki Z. Croes (AUA)

Dear all,

Meet one of our special contacts hobby genealogist Giovanni de Windt. Giovanni heard of the van Romondt Family Tree West Indian Branch Research Project a few years ago through the internet. Giovanni now lives in Aruba and he & Malaki get together frequently to talk about their passion and to fill in on gaps & do research.

Giovanni de Windt is descendant of the " de Windt" and "Nicolaas" family and has an extensive database which consists of almost 9000 names. His quest is to find the connections with " de Windt" and "Nicolaas" family. He has also provided our research with many information on the Windt, van Romondt and Croes family.

We would like to thank Giovanni for his interest in the van Romondt Family Tree West Indian Branch and wish him all the best with his family research.

Interview in Aruba

Recently the Van Romondt Family Tree Research Project received a call from the Department of Social Affairs of Aruba http://www.minszi.aw/.
Mrs. Andrina Nicolaas, PR of the department heard about this research through Mr. Giovanni de Windt, Hobby Genealogist and she was very excited. Currently the Department of Social Affairs of Aruba is hosting a program called " Aruba Connecta" ( Aruba Connects) where the focus is on the community to get connected to each other by a series of 6 specific values.

The 4th edition of the program "Aruba Connecta" is dedicated to family and to make this a special edition Malaki and Giovanni were both interviewed on their passion for family research, the importance of family in their eyes, their research and the future aspects.



Mrs. Iona Richardson-Cannegieter 82 ( Malaki's grandmother) was also interviewed by the crew where she spoke about the importance of family, family connections in the old days vs today, special memories and value of family.



All of this took place on Thursday 9 November, 2008 at the residence of Iona in Oranjestad Aruba. It was a nice morning and thanks to the crew Uka Marchena & Marlon Croes of Communication & Business Management Consultancy N.V. and
mrs. Andrina Nicolaas a nice recording was held.

End of October 2008 the video will be aired on the 2 television stations on the island TeleAruba http://www.telearuba.aw/ and ATV and the Department of Social Affairs of Aruba will also keep several workshops on the island where the video will be played to the participants and where they can enjoy a program on how families can get connected to their families and many other aspects regarding family connections.

On behalf of the Van Romondt West Indian Branch Research Project we would like to thank mrs. Andrina Nicolaas for her interest in genealogy!

Pics by: Malaki Z. Croes (AUA)

Cannegieter branch uniting!

As you know the van Romondt Family Tree Research Project is the overall view, the big picture of all descendants of Diederik Johannes van Romondt & Ann Hassell. Within the family their are many branches and so you can also make a family tree on a specific family name. The Cannegieter's are also gathering information and finally Malaki got the chance to make a start. Sarah Cannegieter born on Sint Maarten N.A. was married to Otto Lionel van Romondt and mother of Clarence Aubrey, Douglas Sinclair, Dominic Walter, Roger Cornelius. Soon Iona Cannegieter (Malaki's grandmother) will be interviewed on the Cannegieter family. She is now the eldest member of the Cannegieter's of Sarah Cannegieter.

Currently we are also gathering all information on the Cannegieter and hope one day to also connect all Cannegieter's worldwide.

Check out:http://www.cannegieter.tribalpages.com

Reactions regarding the VR-Research

Message from Wendy Vatblé: 20 September 2011:

Well I think you've found a new generation of your family and the root is in Martinique.

Message from Anne van Droogenbroeck-de Beaulieu, 12 May 2007:

Your search seems to be fruitful... Many congratulations to you !


Message from Anne van Droogenbroeck-de Beaulieu, 28 March 2007:

Good luck for this family project. It is really a good and great idea.

Congratulations. Very kind regards from the Belgian branch of the Van Romondt family.

Message from Emmanuel Graëve, 21 March 2009:

Its fantastic to discover that I have a cousin from the Von Romondt family (quite fascinating how life isn´t it?), its really fantastic! Inés my gf is so excited that I have a cousin in Aruba that she wants to go the next family reunion whether its in Aruba, Curucao, Barbados.. She loves the locations!I didn´t know the other branch of the Van Romondt died because of the eruption in 1911 (I think). My grand-father´s parents were living in Martinique, at some point they left the island to live in Paris. My grand father was raised in Martinique until he was fourteen moreless. Then there is so much to say about my grand father and the Graëve family overall. My grand father mentionned his mother was a Van Romondt but I think he didn´t keep in touch with that side of the family at all, god knows why, he will be stunned when I tell him about our emails.


Message from Pastor Johhny van Romondt, 27 May 2011:

GOD BLESS YOU ABUNDANTLY, REMEMBER EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO, YOU ARE DOING IT FOR YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN, KNOWING THIS , ALL THE OPOSITION AND HARDSHIPS, MEANS NOTHING COMPARED TO THE GLORY THAT WE GIVE TO OUR BELOVED FATHER! DO ALL FOR HIM AND LIVE FOR HIM! AMEN.

ALL THE GOOD WORKS YOU'VE DONE AND EVERY TIME I SEE YOU NAME NOW, I CAN ONLY THINK ONE THING "MUJER ESFORSADO" Y "MUJER VIRUOSA" YOU ARE BLESSED MY CHILD, THAT GOD'S HAND MAY BE UPON YOU EVERYTIME AND THAT THE BREAD YOU HAVE THROWN ON THE WATERS IN THE PASSED , YOU MAY PICK THEM UP KNOW IN MANY BLESSING OF ALL KINDS!

YOU HAVE THE WHOLE FAMILY IN THE PALM OF YOUR HANDS , EVER THAUGHT OF EVANGELIZING US THROUGH ANYWAY POSSIBLE! YES WE HAVE TO COME TOGETHER IN PRAYER , AND YOU CAN DO IT ,

I CAN SEE IT ALLREADY THE ENTIRE TREE BOWING TO THE LORD IN HIS KINGDOM! HALELUYAH!! LET'S GO IN PRAYER FOR IT AND SEND A MESSAGE TO ALL OF THEM!



Date 09 Aug 2008 Name Heidi M. van Romondt-Scherpenberg E-Mail h.romondt@chello.nl Comments Malaki, contá? Hope you had a great time in St. Maarten, sorry I couldn`t be there.

Date 09 Aug 2008 Name Andy Richardson Christel van der Vorst E-Mail c.vorst3@chello.nl Comments Hello all there at St. Maarten. I hope you?ll are enjoying and having a good time. Congratulations on the release of the History Ancestors & Descendants of the VAN ROMONDT. We are still checking you site. We haven?t seen everything yet but it is very impressive all the information you have found about our family. It has become a very special document. Our compliments to Malaki en everyone working on the site!!! Greetings Andy & Christel Richardson

Date 09 Aug 2008 Name Lewis Alfred van Romondt E-Mail lewis.vanromondt@gmail.com Comments Very impressive and a great tool to have for our future generations to know how, when and where it all started and how we area all part of one great world. Unfortunately we can not be amongst the family in Sint Maarten, but our thoughts and heart are with you all. Enjoy Malaki, Thanks for this wonderful experience.

Date 09 Aug 2008 Name Barbara and Diederick E-Mail barcann@hotmail.com Homepage http://barcann.livejournal.com/ Comments Malaki Congratulations on bringing together the family from all over the world. It was a wonderful night last night. For those of you who could not attend, I put a few pictures on my blog http://barcann.livejournal.com/ Keep up the good work Diederick and Barbara Cannegieter


Date 12 Aug 2008 Name Rob van Ruremonde Comments Very nicely done! Your site looks great. Rob

Source: http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=2707792845697808005

Joyce Dittle-Quiram (USA):
I just wanted you know that I love the family tree you put together. I WROTE BEFORE I ENJOYED READING ABOUT MY RELATIVES ON YOUR WEB
SITE. YOU DID A WONDERFUL JOB WITH IT. LIKE I SAID I THOROUGHLY ENJOYED THE SITE AND HAVE DOWNLOADED ALL ABOUT
MY FAMILY. YOU MUST HAVE WORKED ON THIS SITE FOR YEARS TO GET ALL THE INFORMATION YOU HAVE.


Eleanor O'Malley (USA):
Your work in this project was magnificent, generous, sacrificial, but most of all full of love, and I do so wish I could be there with you and to meet all my family. "Lord, may this reunion be a time of healing joy and abundant blessings for those in attendance and those unable to attend. May it bring all generational "curses" to an end at your cross, shower your greatest blessings and on this family and their descendants as they fulfill your destiny in calling each one to life. Finally, Lord, may it put a great big smile on your face! Malaki-you've been a great blessing to me. May you be blessed silly from your big toes to the top of your head in the reunion. I hope it even goes way beyond your greatest expectations. Malaki-Now that your wonderful work of love is completed: Have you ever considered writing a book about The Most Awesome Caribbean Family Tree? You've got all the material for it in the research you've done. All you'd have to do would be to put it down with a few comments in between and perhaps "family recollections" by those still living who might like to do so. Whatever, "Girl, go for it!" (after a bit of a rest). I think the story derserves to be told.


Lyanne Beaujon (AUA):
Hey Girlfriend. i heard that whole of St. Maarten is talking about the upcoming reunion. Heeeel leuk, Wish I could be there.
Meisje lot's lot'sof success , You are so Great and we are proud of you for doing such a wonderful job!
Keep on going girl now you have to go for that book! Give all my regards!

Leona Daniel-Peterson (USA):
Just know, "You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you." Philippians 4:13.
Don't try to do anything without including God. Only when God is in it all will go according to God's plan.

Diederick & Barbara Cannegieter (SXM):
The news is really spreading about your work and you are getting all these new contacts. Fantastic! We are so proud of you! Congratulations on bringing together the family from all over the world. It was a wonderful night last night in SXM.
For those of you who could not attend, I put a few pictures on my blog.http://barcann.livejournal.com/. Keep up the good work.

Keith Hassell (UK);
Great site. Well done!

Valerie Brown (CUR):
It was a nice reunion in Sint Maarten. Bo ta magestral. Sigi ke bon trabow i no laga niun hende mors kubo PRRRRRRIIIIMA.
Bo tin un abelidad masha great mes. Hopi kos bo por hasi i bo ta hasinan ku amor. Mi ta gosabu. Nan di: Malaki ta papia hopi. Pero Malaki tin hopi koi papia. Tapesey nos a logra nos family tree, dor di Malaki su never ending talking. You go GIRL.

Olga Buckley (AUA):
Na di prome luga, hopi danki pa e informacion.Ta un trabou inmenso bo a haci. E website ta hopi interesante, y users friendly.
Bon hinca den otro. Mi ta hopi impresiona.

Drs. Leopold James (SXM):
I had the opportunity and privilege to hear you as guest last week on the radio-program of Lloyd RICHARDSON.
It certainly was delight to hear a person speak with the energy, enthusiasm and pride as you did.
Certainly was very inspiring for anyone listening to you, because you are really a role-model for many young people.
Finally, I also congratulate you on organizing the Van ROMONDT family reunion and for your website, which really clearly is testimony to the amount of research you put in.

Ans Koolen (SXM):
je zult wel moe zijn na alle activiteiten, maar het was vast de moeite waard. De presentatie bij de bibliotheek was erg leuk. Groetjes en succes verder.

Lewis van Romondt (AUA):
Very impressive and a great tool to have for our future generations to know how, when and where it all started and how we area all part of one great world. Unfortunately we can not be amongst the family in Sint Maarten, but our thoughts and heart are with you all. Enjoy Malaki, Thanks for this wonderful experience.

Heather Nielsen (UK):
Love to you all at your gathering!Have a wonderful time together sharing memories and learning more about your families.

Heidi van Romondt (HOL):
I Hope you had a wonderful time in St. Maarten, hopefully next time we can attend also.

Jacqueline, House of Nehesi Publishers (HNP)
Have an enjoyable time. www.houseofnehesipublish.com

Rob van Ruremonde (HOL):
Very nicely done!
Your site looks great.

Brian van Romondt (AUA):
Good job!! I am proud of you!

Annette Lacombe-Bogert (USA):
i just want to thank you for all that you have done. i have been telling my children all about their family. I know how hard you worked to get this done.

Family Norman Romondt (CUR):
Dios Bendishona bo. Hopi abrasos, OK. Keep up the good work. God Bless.Pabien ku ultimo logronan. Hopi Great mes.

The Oxley Branch (Barbados, Bahamas and England):
Now that the dust has settled & you've been able to catch your breath after the last few hectic weeks, we wanted to write & congratulate you on such a tremendous effort & achievement. Whilst others have been fortunate to thank you in person, please know that we very sincerely appreciate having this wonderful document of the VR (West Indian Branch) family tree.The most important aspect of your work is that it has brought the members of a widely diverse & distributed family into much closer contact to develop new relationships & that it should continue to live & grow as family members change.
Best wishes & we hope that we can meet in person sometime in the future.

Ginny Amrose (USA):
I really wish that I could come to the party in Sint Maarten and meet everyone. I won't be able to however, so please know I am grateful for your work and tell the family how the Denver branch, Ginny Amrose is going to make a connection in the future.

Danielou Simmons (SXM):
Het is fijn om te weten waar onze roots vandaan komen!

Shirley Vlaun (USA):
Back in the good ol' U.S of A all sad that the party is over. But in a sense with a nice feeling that all went so well and that we all had such a good time. We are so looking forward to doing this again. I truly believe, next time you'll have more help, me included. So I am going to start to read up on it all!! But do know this: It was really a fantastic time had by all Everywhere I went people talked about it and asked whether "I" of all people was a VR descendant. Including people on my flight back to Miami. I feel I could represent your Mom and tell you how extremely proud I am of you.( believe me I may have told you that uncle Rodgers and I tried tracing many years ago, pre-pc time) and it was virtually impossible. I'm so glad you did and we're a bigger and happier extended family for it. Take care, get some well deserved rest.

Andy & Christel Richardson van de Vorst (HOL):
We verwachten dat het een groot succes is.

Lucille Bremer (SXM):
This is great, I will keep in contact. Keep up the good work.

Ingrid Gumbs (HOL):
wish that i was there. Aruba het moet wel geweldig zijn geweest na het succes van Saint Maarten
Gefeliciteerd. Ik hoop dat hiermee nog meer families een familie reunie gaan houden. We are all family at the end.
Pasa bon dia en groet en rust nu lekker uit. Of moet je nu gaan afkicken van alle adrenaline rush van de voorbereiding en hoogte punten van de reunie. je mag in iedergeval met volle tevredenheid terug kijken om een geslaagde organistaite. Je kan je nu parktijkdeskundige noemen in de caribbean genealogy. Wat fantastisch leuk en ook een kroon op je inzet en monikken werk. Want het is een hele gezoek om alles op ee nrijtje te krijgen.

Norman Romondt (CUR):
God Bless, Hopi kampeon e site a keda, Pabien!!!

Warno Kartokromo, J.C.I. Senator # 46900 on SXM. (SXM):
Congratulation, Continue with the noble/ good work. GOD's blessings.

Erika Cannegieter (USA):
congratulations, cuz. That is so exciting. It sounds like you guys had a great time.
I can't wait to see the pics!!!It looks like it was a huge success!!!! I'm so proud of you

Yolanda Richardson (AUA):
Go girl. You are an inspiration to me !!!

Rachel Langenberg-Cannegieter (HOL):
De website is echt geweldig geworden en ik kom steeds meer te weten over de familie voorgeschiedenis. Keep up the good work....en ik spreek je!

Alicia Buyer (USA):
Congratulations on accomplishing the Reunion! I am in awe of your energy and dedication to your project. You are an inspiration and you look beautiful too! It is wonderful to see that you have Will Johnson at the reunion. The whole thing is so amazing, you have really followed your dream. All the best,

Marjorie Rumnit (AUA):
Congratulations on the success of this research and Database, your success. Shines bright star child.

Eva Contreras-Cannegietetr (USA):
I'm very proud of you and also very sad that I couldn't be there for you and my father but I have you in my heart; I thank you very much for all you have done, God bless you.

Veronica Rumnit (AUA):
Great Job!

Diana Flanders (AUA);
Pabien ku e trabou bon hasi. Aruba tawata hopi great y gezellig. A total succes. God bless.

Eleanor O' Malley (USA):
Malaki-The cake looks scrumptious, and my, I can hardly believe all those relatives I have that I haven't met! Never too late! "Now that you're rested," how about planning another reunion in about 5 years? So wish I could have been there and met everyone. Your work was monumental, and devotion to the family admirable! I do hope th ere will be another gathering sometime and that I will be able to go to.

Shannaka Cannegieter (HOL):
I think a congratulations is in its right. As seen from the blog and family tree a job well done. Enjoy all the festivities and appreciate the thanks from everyone.

Anna Maria Richardson-Peters (AUA):
Thank you very much, good work!

George Benson (USA):
Thank you for keeping me updated, and more important, thank you for organizing the affair in St. Maarten, which I enjoyed thoroughly.

Doris van Romondt (AUA):
Danki pa un gezellige avond in Aruba.

Leona Daniel-Peterson (USA):
THANK YOU for everything at the Reunion. I really had a wonderful time and still can't stop talking about it.
Take care, keep up the good work, and most of all keep the faith.

Henk en Maria van der Sluijs-Plantz (HOL):
Keep up the good work!

Grace Romondt (CUR)
Malaki, hopi forsa i hopi alegria den tur loke bo mester regla ainda e dianan akí. No laga nada ku ta "parse negativo" deskurashá òf kitabo for di e bunita meta akí!

Rufino Richardson (CUR):
You must feel good afther the enormust succes on SXM, congratulations are in order.Thanks for all that you did but most of all thank you for taking such good care of my godmother, your grandmother Iona Richardson-Cannegieter.

Jacqueline Lokke (FR):
Hello malaki, you look very nice on the picture of the opening in Sint Maarten N.A. Kiss from paris

Billy Hassell (USA):
Good job with all your research, and good luck in all your endeavors.

Source: http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg107/chappepoo/GreatJob.gif

Descendants excited and putting info regarding VR-Reunion Online

The van Romondt West Indian Branch Reunion was amazing! Not only we have many pictures and is the official opening recorded but also many descendants took their pictures and also made some video snaps and added information on the VR on their website.!!



Well enjoy the website of Diederick " Uncle DEE DEE" Johannes Cannegieter & Barbara Cannegieter. Diederick is son of the late Judge of Sint Maarten N.A. mr. Clarence Aubrey " Besanto" Cannegieter who was son of Otto Lionel van Romondt & Sarah Cannegieter.

DEE'swebsite:http://www.vimeo.com/user666887

Barbara's website: http://barcann.livejournal.com/tag/van+romondt+family+reunion
http://barcann.livejournal.com/tag/cannegieter

(Also check Barbara's site for more information click on the tags such as family, family reunion, Van Romondt family Reunion, Emilio Wilson, Emilio Wilson Estate to read more)

Meet our special contact " Mrs. Olga Buckley"

The van Romondt Family Tree West Indian Branch Research Project is very happy that we have many special contacts who support our research and one of them is mrs. Olga Buckley Poet & Writer living on the island of Aruba.

Olga Buckley retired school teacher, married to Frank Zaandam and mother of 3 children grew up in a big family consisting of 11 children with a wonderful family feeling were knowing your family heritage and roots was considered an important aspect within the family.



This weekend Olga will launch her second book on Poetry titled " Sin Mira Patras" which means Don't Look Back.
The book is dedicated to Olga's mother and focuses on traditions they as a family celebrated every year. Olga hopes that this book where she shares their family traditions will bring memories, happiness and refugee to everyone.

This Saturday October 11, 2008 Olga will be present at the bookstore Van Dorp located in Dakota from 11.00-1.00 p.m. where she will present her new book " Sin Wak Patras" and speak about her work and experiences and hope everyone will enjoy.

Visit Olga's website at:
http://www.olgabuckley.com/index.htm

Olga supports our research and said to Malaki at the After Reunion in Aruba October 5, 2008 " With all your enthusiasm you have no idea of the wonderful job your doing by gathering everyone together and doing this research. One day you will realize this or so will the future generations to come, your children and their children. This research is so amazing"

Pictures of the Pre-VR-Reunion in Curacao

Source: Malaki Z. Croes (AUA)

On July 25, 2008 the Pre Van Romondt (W.I.B.) Reunion was held in Willemstad, Curacao N.A. It was spectacular and a group of approx. 80 descendants came to meet each other and had a great time!

Visit the following link to view the pictures:http://web.me.com/mzcroes/Pre_Reunion_Curacao/Photos.html

A special thanks to the following families who came to the Pre VR-Reunion 2008 in Curacao:
Johanthan Richardson
Carresse Istatia & family
Lilian & Klaas van Ouden-Richardson & family
Rufino & Marline Richardson
Granville Richardson & family
Johannes & Milva Brown & family
Genevieve de Palm-Bremer
Maxwell Brown & family
Ivelies Weber Chance & family
Lindy Brown & family
Lucille Bremer
Daphne and Peter van Schendel-Labega
Rosemond van Putten
Jeanette Istatia-Richardson & family
Iona Richardson-Cannegieter & family
Faye Nisbeth
Lesley Cannegieter
Dale Cannegieter
Grace Romondt & Tito Davelaar
Benjamin Franklin Romondt
Caroline van Romondt
Lewis & Martha van Romondt
Barbara van Romondt
Desta & Sylvia Nisbeth & family
Trevor Nisbeth
Truus den Ouden & family
Daniel de Mei & family
Tyrone Brown
Rafael Jozefa
Annette Cannegieter & family
Irma and Cesar Jr. Gonzales Nicholson & family
Valentine Eudarie Chance-Brown & family
Karina Romondt
Michael and Sara Mourillon & family
Johannes Idelco
Aishel Steward

U.S.A. and Canada let us get ready for the closing VR-Reunion in NEW YORK November 23, 2008

Dear U.S.A. and Canada families,

As you may all know "The Van Romondt West Indian Branch Research Project" deserves a star and the last point of the star will take place in the city that never sleeps NEW YORK on Sunday November 23, 2008 daytime.

Mrs. Erika Smith-Cannegieter living in Manhattan is ready to start with the preparation for the Closing Reunion in New York with a Petit-Committee so we can have a great time.

Due to short timing (1,5 month planning) we ask your cooperation to please let us know a.s.a.p. and before October 15, 2008 if you would like to attend the closing event in NEW YORK so we can start with the preparation in finding a location etc.



We also know that there are many families in the USA and Canada who don't have an email and therefore we ask you to please inform all families about this great event and let us know if they would like to come.

Curacao was spectacular, Sint Maarten was amazing & loving, Aruba was phenomenal and let us make USA/CAN magnificant & brilliant!



Please send us your email and include the amount of family members who wish to attend, your address and telephone.

With Divine Love & Compassion,

Malaki Zuleika Croes (AUA) & Erika Cannegieter (USA)

Speech at opening After VR-Reunion in Aruba

The video of the opening After VR-Reunion Aruba

Source: http://duncanfamilytree.com/images/FamilyTreeImage.jpg

Dear all,

Please visit the following link to view the recording of the Afer Reunion in Aruba Sunday 5, 2008.

http://web.me.com/mzcroes/Site/Movie.html