van Romondt West Indian Branch Family Research

Collections

2012-01-22T18:59:00.000-04:00

The Rob van Ruremonde Collection ( Genealogist Netherlands)

A complete study " Geslachten van Roermond" regarding all family names related to the City of Roermond in the Netherlands. The van Romondt family is also included in the research.

The Iona Richardson-Cannegieter Collection (VR-descendant)

Pictures/Documentations/Oral history

Iona's (1926) father was Clarence Aubrey Cannegieter ( Judge in Sint Maarten), son of Otto Lionel van Romondt & Sarah Cannegieter. She is the daughter of Verena James, daughter of Elisha James & Eliza Nisbeth and widow of Alvan Bruno Richardson, son of John Granville van Romondt & Ella Eunice RIchardson of Sint Maarten.

The Mathias Voges Collection ( Historical Reseacher/ Ex- Acting Governor of Sint Maarten

Documents:

Descendants of John Granville van Romondt

Descendants of Sarah Maria Cannegieter

Descendants of Susanna Halley

Marriage Certificate Octavio Lepidus Richardson & Marie Madeleine Illidge ( March 23, 1928)

Marriage Certificate Maurits Rudolph Richardson & Merle Carmen Howell ( 1934)

Complete family tree on the Van Romondt Family

The Anne van Droogenbroeck- de Beaulieu Collection ( VR- descendant)

Family tree document of the descendants of Charles Illidge & Madeleine van Romondt
The Guillaume de la Roche Collection (Genealogist/married to VR-descendant)

Family tree of the descendants of Charles Illigde & Madeleine van Romondt

Nick Posthumus Collection ( Genealogist Netherlands)

Nick has been a friend to our research for many years and have provided us with information on the descendants of the Rotte family. Susan VR married Jonkheer Ijsbrand de Rotte.

Descendants contact list

2012-01-22T18:57:00.002-04:00

Descendants contact list:

French/Belgium/Martinique Branch:

Emmanuel Graëve
+34 697 572 789
emmanuel.graeve@gmail.com

Anne van Droogenbroeck- de Beaulieu ( lost contact)
40 Route des Vaux de Cernay
F 78610 Auffargis
Tél. : 33.1.34.84.89.98
cvandroogen@free.fr (not active)

Guillaume de la Roche
guillaume.de-la-roche@wanadoo.fr

Richardson/ Cannegieter Branch:

Malaki Zuleika Croes
Stadionweg 7
Oranjestad Aruba
Tel: +297 5635347
Email: mzcroes@gmail.com

Families not found

2012-01-22T18:56:00.000-04:00

Louis Ethelbert Peterson ( Nov 19, 1920-Oct 14, 2008) (SXM)

The Peterson branch is related to the VR. We are still searching the connections. Louis was known as Piet and Telbot and was married to Filotea ( Chichi) Ruiz.
Peterson Branch (SXM)

The Peterson branch is connected to the VR-family. Research is still being done to find the connections.

Contacts: Elize Peterson, Mickey Peterson

Octavia Cagan Branch (U.S.A.)
Susanne Gallina:

On Tue, Aug 24, 2010 at 9:45 AM, wrote:

I am a decedent of the Van Romondts.
My great grandmothers was a grandchild of Louis Van Romondt. Her Name was Octavia Cagan. sister of Angele Cagan. Octavia was known by Filomen and came to the United States when she was 19. Some believe that Angele may have even been Octavia's daughter...while there is a 17 year difference in age. Octavia left St Martin and never returned. We have been searching for my great grandmothers family for years.

Susanne Gallina
Daughter of Nanette Schenker, daughter of Yvette Mingo, Daughter of Octavia Cagan

Clothilde Van Romondt/Graëve Branch ( France/Belgium)

Francis Graeve was the eldest descendant and passed away in 2010 at the age of 97 years old in France.

Most of the Graëve reside in Paris. Well actually they all reside in Paris besides myself and another cousin who works in NYC I believe.
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 more less. Then there is so much to say about my grand father and the Graëve family overall. My grand father mentioned 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 ( Source: Emmanuel Graëve, 2009)

Schouten Branch (Aruba, Curacao, U.S.A., Netherlands)

Julie Jolanthe Wilson married Gerardus Johannes Schouten. Julie is daughter of Catherine Wilson & Ernest Gerald van Romondt better known as Mr. Nessie and sister to Miriam Wilson who married Hopmans. Julie & Gerardus had 12 children and so far three branches have been found.

Madeleine Alice Simone van Romondt/De Beaulieu Branch ( Belgium/France)

Family of Madeleine Alice Simone van Romondt, branch of daughter Marguerite Marie B. G. de Beaulieu who married Perilleux ( 4 sons, Didier, Dominique, Mickael, Renaud born in Etterbeek, Belgium) and daughter Suzanne Elisabeth Oscar B. G. de Beaulieu who married Hamesse ( 2 children (Eric and Catherine born in Schaerbeek, Belgium) and daughter Therese Marie Jehanne B. G. de Beaulieu who married Claude Foulon ( 1 child Benedicte Foulon)

Suzanne van Romondt/Vatble Branch ( Martinique/France)

Family of Suzanne " Suzon" van Romondt married Jules Vatble. The couple had 8 children ( Vatble, Thoze, Dormoy, Maxime, Jouanneau Courville, Levalios, Vaunzanges, Herve, Lafosse-Marin, de Reynal de Saint-Michel)
Angeline Clemence Adelaide van Romondt ( Belgium/France)

Angeline lived in Belgium ad died 11 January 1947 in Brussels.No information was found on any of her family.

Fischer Branch
We understand that some member of the Fisher Branch living in the Netherlands are related to the van Romondt family of the West Indian Branch. No information was found on any member of this family.

Family to Guillaume de la Roche ( France/Martinique)

I send you the descendants of Charles Illidge Van Romondt and Madeleine Blanche Néron de Surgy. Madeleine Blanche is the youngest sister of my wife's grand father. I have given your mail adress and request to my cousins who are descendants of the Van Romondt Family on the West Indien Branch and live in France and Martinique.

De Rotte branch ( The Netherlands)

We haven't found living descendants of branch of:

Jhr. Mauris Calixtus Franciscus Johannes de Rotte

Jhr. August Alexander Gerardus Calixtus de Rotte

Jhr. Frank Gerard de Rotte

Jr. Pieter IJsbrand de Rotte

De Rotte family is a royal family. Susan van Romondt married Jhr. Dr. IJsbrand Gerardus de Rotte

Family Genealogy

2012-01-22T18:29:00.000-04:00

Family Genealogy:

The Netherlands:

The genealogy of the van Romondt family started with Johan van Romunde

( 1455-1510). Herman van Romunde/Romondt was son of Johan van Romunde

and Liesbeth Lyze NN. Herman van Romunde married Grieta Rademaicker and in 1544

Grieta decided that her fief (Leengoed) "'t Holthuis of Lincksgoet" under Angerlo, leenroerig

aan den huize Keppel should be divided among her six children. The couple owned a

house in the "Langebisschopstraat" in Deventer, The Netherlands.

(http://www.landschapoverijssel.nl/terreinen/holthuis.htm)

The couple had six children:

Johan van Romunde (died in 1561)

Gerrit van Romunde (died between 1575-1581)

Henrick van Romunde (died < 29 Sept. 1609)

Christina van Romunde (died < 4 Feb 1605)

Elisabeth vn Romunde (died. < 4 Feb 1605)

Jenneken van Romunde (died <16 Sep 1561)

Sint Maarten

The van Romondt family of the West Indian Branch are all descendants of the

second son of Herman, Gerrit van Romunde whom son was Johan van Romunde.

Diederick Johannes van Romondt (1781-1849), forefather of the West Indian Branch

came to the island of Sint Maarten arrived in Sint Maarten in 1800 and married Ann Hassell.

The couple had eight children:

Johannes Willem

Diederick Christiaan

George Illidge

Susanna Elisabeth

Lumina Maria

Willem Hendrik

Charles Roelof

August Alexander

Diederick Johannes van Romondt was the first member of the van Romondt family

to set foot on SintMaarten and with this he established the van Romondt West

Indian Branch within the van Romondt family originating from the Netherlands.

Currently the van Romondt family consists of three branches: The Utrechtse Branch,

The Enkhuizer Branch and The West Indian Branch.

Throughout the years the family grew and has been one of the most prominent

families on the island of Sint Maarten with many historical facets which are all part of the

history of Sint Maarten.

New dimension in genealogy:

Please know that the Van Romondt West Indian Branch Research Project Research

has brought a new dimension in genealogy, whereas their is no distinction in the

descendants in the family tree. Looking back at the history of Sint Maarten between the

period 1800-1900 you can notice that the van Romondt family was one of the most powerful

families on the island as they owned majority of the properties and estates and were very

active in government. Slavery is also a part of the history and during this period that

Diederick Johannes van Romondt was governor of Sint Maarten(1820-1840). After his

period his 1st, son Johannes Willem van Romondt became governor of Sint Maarten.

Descendants in Sint Maarten:

As the van Romondt family grew on the island several van Romondt men had other children

before, during and or after their marriages and whom for whatever reason have not

acknowledged these children. These children carried their mother's name and were part of

the population of Sint Maarten. Some of them grew up with their van Romondt father while

others made a living with their mother. Due this matter up to this day in Sint Maarten there is

not one living person who carries the last name van Romondt on the island of Sint Maarten.

Many families still live in Sint Maarten while others left the island and living worldwide.

Van Romondt's worldwide:

Many van Romondt's branches and their families left to the U.S.A., Canada, Aruba, Curacao,

Bonaire, Suriname, The Netherlands, Belgium, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Indonesia and many

other places worldwide.

Finding the descendants:

Due to the many historical and oral history & facts and other information we were able to

find majority descendants all over the world and this has enable everyone to connect to each

other and create the Van Romondt West Indian Branch Research Project.

Dedication:

This research is dedicated to all descendants of the van Romondt family of the West

Indian Branch especially to all those who have the memories and those who never knew or

understood their true family heritage and with the help of this research have been able

to find their true family roots.

Research Completed

2012-01-22T18:05:00.004-04:00

Dear descendants & special contacts worldwide,

About Van Romondt West Indian Branch:

Welcome to the website of the Van Romondt West Indian Branch.

If you have been directed to this website you most probably are an descendant, relative or contact in any way to the Van Romondt family of the West Indian Branch Sint Maarten. Explore the website and view all components of the Van Romondt West Indian Branch Research Project to learn more of your family heritage.

Introduction:

After years of research gathering all the family & historical links to the family tree of the Van Romondt West Indian Branch with a mission & vision to create the most amazing & blessed family tree in the Caribbean which is dedicated to all descendants and to the island of Sint Maarten for historical purposes we believe that the purpose of the Van Romondt West Indian Branch Research Project has been accomplished and therefore has ended in 2012.

We leave behind a family research project for personal and historical use of one of the most amazing families in Sint Maarten THE VAN ROMONDT FAMILY, West Indian Branch.
Many family branches have been found all over the world and we have gathered loads of
information, documentation, literature, pictures, and much more which is all incorporated in the research.

Family Reunions:

In 2008 the four family reunions were held at the following locations: Sint Maarten, Curacao,Aruba and New York and with the use of internet we have created websites and made the family connections with the use of social networking such as Facebook and many others.

We have tried to find living descendants of all the branches worldwide and we are
happy for the many many many families we found. Although we have tried to find everyone
with all the possible resources available,we are very sorry for the descendants/relatives,families, friends or genealogical contacts connected to the Van Romondt Family of the West Indian Branch whom we haven't found.

How it all started:

Behind the research at the age of fourteen Malaki Zuleika Croes (1974), born in Aruba, started her family project and wanted to know more about her Great-Grandfather John Granville van Romondt and her Great-Greatgrandfather Otto Lionel van Romondt from Sint Maarten(Dutch Caribbean). During her studies in the Netherlands (1998-2002) at family gatherings everyone would talk about their roots and heritage and little by little a project was born to help other branches find their family line. As the years passed by many families have been contacted worldwide to contribute with the Van Romondt West Indian Branch Research Project. It was an unforgettable journey where along the way we have encountered laughter, pain, grief, happiness, heritage, history, love,support, rejection, criticism, learning and much more, but this all has not stopped but instead has been a road to keep the love, passion, motivation and determination for the success of the VR-research to what it has become a historical resource for everyone in different ways.

New Life Course:

Malaki (from the Bible book of Malachi meaning " Messenger of GOD") grew up in a Protestant,Catholic and Methodist home,was a child who always wanted to be with GOD. Although her life path brought many successes, goals, accomplishments & dreams and not to forget the many trails and disappointments, she felt that something was still missing in her life!

As she cried out to God, little did she knew of the new life course her life would take when the Lord called upon her and she accepted Jesus Christ as her only savior and became a born again Christian.

With the transformation of her life, God has renewed her strength and as an eagle her new journey has begun ( Isaiah 40:31). Becoming obedient to God she followed the steps of becoming an Evangelist and today she spreads the gospel of Jesus Christ worldwide.

Gratitude:

A special thanks goes out to each and everyone who has helped, supported and contributed to the Van Romondt West Indian Branch Research Project in any way possible.

Final note:

May God bless you and your family always. If you would like to know more about The Lord Jesus Christ feel free to contact anytime.

With love always, Shalom,

Malaki Zuleika Croes

Oranjestad, Aruba

Email:mzcroes@hotmail.com, mzcroes@gmail.com

Facebook: Malaki Zuleika Croes

Skype: mzcroes

Tel AUA: +2975635347/ +2977448510

USA Number: 001-786-224-2185

Merry Xmas and Happy New Year 2010

2009-12-24T17:46:00.002-04:00

Dear Family & friends,

On behalf of the Van Romondt West Indian Research Project I hereby would like to wish each and everyone of you and your family a wonderful X-mas and a blessed & victorious New Year filled with Joy, love and more family ties.

As you may have noticed the research team took a break this year 2009, after a successful 2008 where we held 4 family reunions and being very active on the internet for the last few years. We found so many families in several parts of the word and this is beautiful. Everyone is so excited and want to learn more about the family history and to get in touch with family worldwide.

With the help of facebook many families are in touch and we also made a group.

Throughout this year Malaki have been caught up several times with her health and had to take it very slowly which brought that she missed out on many activities and announcements this year. This year touched also many of us in different ways and I ask God to give us all strength in the difficult moments we faced this year. Some family members left us to be with the Lord and we extend our deepest sympathy to the families Romondt, Gibbs, Beajon, Schouten, Richardson, Kock, Cannegieter, van Romondt.

We also would like to announce that this year we had the birth of some new babies and several weddings ( more information on this will follow in 2010). We would like to congratulate the families and many blessings to you.

Once again thank you for your generous support to this research which keeps us going, motivated and determined to continue this wonderful work dedicated to the island of Sint Maarten and the future generations to come so that they many always know their family heritage.

Looking forward for a great new year. An apology to those who send emails throughout the years which several reasons could not be answered or followed up. Please accept the apologies. In the upcoming year we will little by little work on many details of the research.

May God bless each and every descendant of the VR-family and all our contacts, friends, contributors and may he show us all our life purpose which he has chosen for us. He already knows the purpose of this research and the importance of our role and support to it and let us all please thank himthat we are a team, one big family tree fulfilling this dream.

Please look us up on facebook and forward this email to family members. We still are missing connections.

With love to you,

On behalf of all the VR-descendants & VR-Research Team

Just received news regarding Will Johnson

2009-12-24T17:43:00.002-04:00

Dear family and friends,

It is a great honor for me to inform you that mr. Will Johnson is a candidate for the upcoming Parliament election in January, 2010 in the Netherlands Antilles.

Mr. Will Johnson (historian and politician of Saba) was one of the guest of honor at the VR-family reunion in SXM 2008 together with Mr. Mathias Voges (historian and former deputy governor of Sint Maarten)

Mr. Will where do I start........., God knows how thankful I am to you for the work you have done! Thank you.

On behalf of the Cannegieter branch we would like to thank you for talking to our great great grandfather, great grandfather, grandfather, great great uncle, great uncle uncle and father the belated Judge mr. Clarence Aubrey " Besanto" Cannegieter about the family history of SXM families, especially of the van Romondt family. We understand that oral history has helped us throughout the years connecting us all back together.

&

On behalf of each and every descendant of the van Romondt family, especially the West Indian branch we would like to thank you for your interest in our family history and for writing the book "For the Love of Sint Maarten" which is the foundation of our family history in Sint Maarten and has helped and is still helping us today achieving the "van Romondt West Indian Research Project". Your book is the family bestseller and we will always cherish the book and the work you have put into it to achieve the publication.

I believe and know that GOD knew before it all where the work you did would lead too. Your book has been an inspiration to me and many of us regarding the history of the van Romondt Family and of Sint Maarten and to others about the history of Sint Maarten and as you know has led to other publications, newspaper articles, interviews, information and research all relating to the history of Sint Maarten which is used up to this present day in libraries, museum, schools, newspapers and not to forget the word connection " The Internet" etc.

May God bless you and your family and thank you for being such a nice person to sit down to talk too whether it is on the phone or personal or to stay in touch through writings such as emails, books and newspaper articles.

All the best wishes for the upcoming elections.

Will Johnson, danki, gracias, bedankt, merci, thank you for writing about our family history, the van Romondt Family where our forefather Diederik van Romondt came from Amsterdam The Netherlands to Sint Maarten in 1800 and became governor of Sint Maarten, marrying Ann Hassell and having their 6 children where we all are descendants from.

We as the VR-descendants will continue the work to keep the family tree alive so that the future generations will know their family heritage!

With kind regards,
Malaki Zuleika Croes
Aruba

VR-NEWS: Today 25 July 2009 one year ago we started to VAn ROMONDT REUNION cycle To members of Van Romondt Family Worldwide

2009-07-25T21:58:00.000-04:00

Dear all,

Today is exactly 1 year ago that we opened the Van Romondt West Indian Branch Reunion Cycle. It was a special event for all of us.
25 July 2008: Pre Reunion in Willemstad Curacao
6-10 August 2008: Opening Reunion Sint Maarten
5 October 2008: After Reunion Aruba
27 November 2008: Closing Reunion New York

A special thank you goes out to each and every one of you who supports this huge research. We are realizing something bigger than we could have imagined. Some days I still think of the magical time we had together and say to myself how did we do it.

I believe and know it was the love we share among all of us and the unity of being one big family.

Once again thank you for your help throughout the years and your continues support every day to making this dream come true.

To the families we found during and after the reunions we thank you for finding us and becoming part of the research.

Little by little a small team is getting back together to continue the great work.

VAN ROMONDT W.I.B. RESEARCH PROJECT BACK!

2009-02-01T23:32:00.004-04:00

Dear Family & Friends,

As we all look back to 2008, one thing we know for sure is that we all made a dream come through by achieving something great!

WE UNITED AS FAMILY thanks to each and everyone and also with the help of the great contacts we have worldwide assisting us in this massive research.

After the closing reunion in November 2008 in the USA myself and many of you tried to catch up with many things including other hobbies, work, getting ready for family visits, X-mas & New Year and taking some time off to rest after a amazing year.

A new year full of LOVE & FAITH will fill us all so we can continue this great work we are achieving together.

As of today February 1st, 2009 we are back with the VAN ROMONDT, WEST INDIAN BRANCH RESEARCH PROJECT.

We kindly ask all the families we met through the many reunions to please send us your family details so we can continue updating the family data base.

We also extend our condolences to the family Corali in Curacao & the family Flanders in Aruba for the passing away of their beloved one in December 2008 & January 2009.

A special thank you goes out to everyone who sent emails, made calls to my several phonenumbers, messages and those living in Aruba for stopping by at the house. This is appreciated from the heart.

We are working on getting all the pictures and videos of the reunions online soon!

Once again thank you for your support! Let us get back to work,

May God bless your family in this new year!

With love always,
Malaki Zuleika Croes

Source pic:http://nurturingfaith.files.wordpress.com/2007/05/world-in-his-hand.jpg

Merry Xmas and Happy New Year 2009

2008-12-27T18:14:00.002-04:00

Dear family & friends,

I want to take this opportunity to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your wonderful support during this year in achieving what we all love most "the unity and love of a family".

As descendants of the Van Romondt Family of the West Indian Branch we have come together to unite four times this year. First in Curacao, then in Sint Maarten, followed by Aruba and U.S.A. The reunions were a life time memory and everyone enjoyed being among family and friends!

I know that God and our ancestors are very proud of all of us for making this research a huge success and we can continue the work as the new year fills us up with more prosperity and blessings of abundance!

This year we have seen our family tree grow with new little leaves here on this beautiful earth and leaves that grew above us to heaven to be with GOD. We know that the family members that left us are in a wonderful place among all our ancestors looking down at us and knowing that what we have done is special in so many ways!

I want to thank each and every contact worldwide who are out there supporting this project all the way. You know that your support means so much to us and we hope that you keep on joining us in our journey.

A special thanks goes out to the Aruba, Sint Maarten, Curacao and U.S.A. committee, sponsors, donators and the SXM and Aruba press for the wonderful job they did to make the reunions a wonderful experience.

A divine thank you to each and every descendant for your support, believe but most of all your love for making our dream come true!

May this season fill your heart with love and the new year bless you with the light of hope & faith and rains of gifts of gratefulness.

Bon Pasco & Bon ana 2009!

With Love always,
Malaki Zuleika Croes
Oranjestad Aruba

Sint Maarten's day November 11, 2008

2008-11-10T20:00:00.004-04:00

Please tune in on http://www.sxmsunshine.com/from 7.00 am till 1.00 p.m (local time Caribbean) to view Sint Maarten in retrospect 2008 with the hosts Elton & Gina for this year Sint Maarten's day. If your living in SXM please tune in on St. Maarten Cable TV channel 15.

Many guests will be part of this great program and among them is Malaki Croes who will focus on the Van Romondt Family and Daniella Jeffrey Historian of Saint Martin.

Don't miss this live program! Please visit the websitehttp://www.sxmsunshine.com/

The van Romondt West Indian Family Recipe Book

2008-10-12T09:38:00.006-04:00

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!

2008-10-12T08:02:00.006-04:00

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

2008-10-11T10:40:00.006-04:00

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

2008-10-10T22:35:00.016-04:00

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!

2008-10-10T16:34:00.004-04:00

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!

2008-10-10T14:10:00.011-04:00

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!

2008-10-10T12:00:00.004-04:00

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"

2008-10-09T21:16:00.009-04:00

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"

2008-10-09T20:05:00.004-04:00

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

2008-10-09T19:09:00.011-04:00

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!

2008-10-09T08:55:00.007-04:00

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

2008-10-08T21:52:00.023-04:00

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

2008-10-08T19:46:00.004-04:00

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"

2008-10-08T10:20:00.005-04:00

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

2008-10-07T20:40:00.006-04:00

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

2008-10-07T15:45:00.006-04:00

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

2008-10-07T12:56:00.005-04:00

The video of the opening After VR-Reunion Aruba

2008-10-07T07:33:00.003-04:00

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

After Reunion in Aruba was PHENOMENAL!!

2008-10-05T23:29:00.007-04:00

Source: Malaki Z. Croes (AUA).

The AFTER REUNION IN ARUBA which took place on Sunday 5 October 2008 was phenomenal!

The petit committee & the owner of Grand Cafe Tropical mr. & mrs. Evert Jan Buitenhuis met around 5.30 p.m. for the set up for the great evening which was expected. The guestbook was at the entrance and while the first families came around 6.00 p.m. they took seat at one of the many tables and had some nice conversations.

Between 6.30-7.30 p.m. is was really phenomenal when many families arrived at the Grand Cafe Tropical. Once the door of the cafe opened everyone walked in to greet and meet many other families and before we knew it the place was filled with so many people and most of all love that not only we forgot to take pictures and some forgot to sign the guestbook one thing was sure we had to expand the love which we all felt last night and the doors of the cafe had to be open completely and so we had seating inside and outside (terrace) of the Grand Cafe Tropical.

Aruba was a success and about 130-150 family members and friends gathered at the Grand Cafe Tropical in the Renaissance Mall in Aruba. Tourist and locals who drove by or walked by and made a stop to look at the magnitude of people and were figuring out the excited while the sound-system was inside and outside so everyone could hear the music and the official part. The petit committee ( Rachel Richardson, Shakira Croes, Diana Flanders and Ligia Geerman, Malaki Croes) put together this day and helped out throughout the evening while everyone really enjoyed being together as family.

Between 7.00 and 7.30 p.m. the photographer Raymond "Baboe" Hoek took group pictures of the many families and at 7.50 p.m. Rachel Richardson opened the official part where she read the meaning of a family reunion, Malaki Zuleika Croes then followed with a thank you speech, the Carti-Branch surprised everyone with the beautiful song LORD BIND US and everyone then sang the song " THE POWER OF THE DREAM BY CELINE DION" together. The official part was closed while Malaki opened the gift she received from her cousin Valerie Brown living in Curacao N.A. of the beautiful job we did in Sint Maarten N.A. at the closing of the VR-Reunion August 2008. The gift was a banner with all the hands of the family members who were present at the closing in Sint Maarten N.A.! A real artwork.

After the official part some families & friends came forward to give a thank you speech and this was really wonderful. Thank you to the Carti-Branch, Alice van Romondt, Olga Buckley, PennyLou, Lily and Daan Richardson, Romulo & Ligia Geerman-Richardson and Adonis Jack for their beautiful words.

A special thank you also goes out to Rufinus and Granville Richardson who surprised us by coming from Curacao N.A. to be present at the After Reunion in Aruba. Everyone was very happy to meet their cousins from Curacao N.A.

The After Reunion in Aruba was a total success and all families were very excited to meet each other and unite as family.

For those who couldn't be present we extend our love to them and may the power of love connect them to us in the near future!

We would like to thank the following families & friends for being present at the After VR-Reunion in Aruba 5 October 2008:

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.

The guestbook didn't reach all present and therefore we would like to extend our thank you and love to each and every person that was present!

We also would like to thank everyone who put a token of their heart in the red envelope for the Van Romondt Family Tree West Indian Branch Research Project.

Pictures of the After Reunion Aruba will soon be available.

Thank you for coming and may God Bless your family and the future generations to come and that they can look back one day to find in history the VR-reunions which each of us were part of and continue the work we started together!

Malaki Zuleika Croes

Wedding of Rudi Carti & Lai Ping Cheong!

2008-10-04T09:56:00.006-04:00

Source: Diario Aruba

On Friday 3th October 2008 Rudolph Pedro Austin Carti & Lai Ping Cheong tied the knots in the civil house in Aruba located in Oranjestad followed by the church matrimony in the Saint Anna Catholic Church in Noord. The reception was kept in the Radisson Resort with many family, relatives and family. Source: http://www.visitaruba.com
Source: www.aruba-travelguide.com

The newlyweds will travel on Sunday 5th October 2008 for a nice honymoon trip in the Carribean.

Many congratulations to the couple and may God bless their matrimony each and everyday!

Rudi is a physiotherapist on the island and Lai Ping is a school teacher. Rudi is grandson of the late mrs. Amabel Carti-Richardson ( s. 2007) who was daughter of Romondt, Clarence Hamilton Dalrymple who was son of van Romondt, Willem Hendrik Rink, who was the son of van Romondt, Johannes Willem who was the first son of Diederik Johannes van Romondt & Ann Hassell.

Source:http://www.weddingpicturesweddingphotos.net/wedding-picture-photo-wedding-rings-Jeff-Belmonte.jpg

If you would like to get married in Aruba please check out http://www.aruba.com/specializedvacations/honeymoon.php for more information on how to make this happen!

AFTER REUNION IN ARUBA 5 OCTOBER 2008

2008-09-28T08:11:00.004-04:00

Source:http://www.grandcafetropical.com/
http://www.grandcafetropical.com/

Seminar " the importance of archives" was very successful!

2008-09-18T06:49:00.012-04:00

Source: Malaki Z. Croes (AUA)

On Tuesday 16 September 2008 the National Archives in Aruba held a seminar titled "the importance of archives". Head of the Archives Mr. Raymond Hernandez opened the evening followed by keynote speakers Mr. Rudy de Cuba (Department of Archives), Mrs. Gisella Geerman (Studyroom) and Mrs. Malaki Zuleika Croes (Hobby Genealogist).

Source: Malaki Z. Croes (AUA)
From left to right: Gisella Geerman, Rudy de Cuba, Malaki Zuleika Croes and Raymond Hernandez

The evening was very interesting and group of about 50 people sat down listening to the importance of archives and couldn't believe the work the Van Romondt West Indian Branch Research Project is doing by putting the family tree together and making it really live!

New Babies in the house!

2008-09-18T06:49:00.007-04:00

We are so happy to announce the birth of the youngest descendants in the family tree both babies born in Oranjestad, Aruba:

Source:http://www.shevroncards.com/catalog/004309.jpg

The newest addition to the Rumnit-Richardson family is:

New born Zaina El Araabi, daughter of Nadine Rumnit & Jounes El Araabi. Zaina is the great great great grandchild of Diederik Johannes (DJ) van Romondt & Susan Richardson

Zaina was born 17 September 2008 in Oranjestad Aruba and doing very good. Soon we will receive a picture of Zaina.

*******************************************************************************************************************************

Here is the newest addition to the Illidge-Richardson family:

Source: Gabriel Illidge (AUA)

Source: Gabriel Illidge (AUA)

Her name: Jewell Ruby Mei-Xiu Illidge.

Born: 13 August 2008, Weight: 5.3 lbs, Length: 49 cm

Proud Parents: Shaul Illidge and Tessy Ahlip

Proud granddfather: Gabriel Illidge

Jewel Ruby Mei-Xiu Illidge is the great great grandchild of Daniel Aristides van Romondt & Suzanne Richardson

Source:http://www.indiacarddukan.com/images/nbb01.jpg

The van Romondt Family Tree West Indian Branch Research Project sends congratulations to the proud parents and family!

VR-REUNION BULLETIN BOARD

2008-09-10T21:29:00.004-04:00

Dear all,

On behalf of the van Romondt Family Tree West Indian Branch Research Project I hereby invite you to visit the following link to the latest news regarding the van Romondt (W.I.B.) Reunion which was held in Curacao and Sint Maarten N.A. in the month of July and August 2008.

"http://web.me.com/mzcroes/VR-Reunion_2008/VR-Bulletin_.html#grid"

Once you get to the link it can take some time to open. While viewing you can choose the option to download. You then have a better look at the pages.

We would like to thank each and everyone of you for your support & believe in this research.

Upcoming events:

SEMINAR in ARUBA:
Tuesday 16 September 2008 the National Archives in Aruba will keep a seminar about the importance of archives.
Malaki Croes has been invited to talk about the VR-Research and her quest of doing this research.
Place: National Archives Aruba ( ex-building Wimco, across from the airport, domeinbeheer/FCCA)
Time: 7.30- 9.30 p.m.
Entrance: Free

Your presence is highly appreciated.

AFTER VR-REUNION IN ARUBA:
After a succesful reunion in Curacao and Sint Maarten N.A. the after VR-reunion will be held in Aruba on Sunday 5 October 2008.
All invitations will be delivered at the families in Aruba in the upcoming weeks and a press release will go to the local newspapers.
We have many families on Aruba and we are still seeking branches. Please help us.
We ask all the Aruba families to be present and the after VR-reunion to have a great time!

Place: Grand Cafe Tropical, Renaissance Seaport Market Place
Time: 6.00 p.m. till 9 p.m.
Cash bar

CLOSING VR-REUNION IN USA:
The closing of the VR-REUNION will take place in the area of NEW YORK. We ask all US and Canada Branches to be present at the closing VR-reunion.
Date: Sunday, 23 November 2008
Place: please give us some recommendations
Time: afternoon/early evening
Cash bar

Divine love has been the light and compass to this research. I thank you once again for your support and believe. As we all know we have achieved something magnificant!

Let us unite as we are all descendants of the van Romondt family of the West Indian Branch and we will achieve our goal to become to most amazing blessed Caribbean Family Tree in the world and to be an example to all families that research like this is possible when your open to receive!

God bless you and your family with Divine Love and guide the families we haven't found so far to find us and fill the hearts of families that for whatever reasons are not part of the VR-research.

Aruba & USA let us get ready to have a great time. Families from other countries who wish to join us please let us know!

With Divine Love & Compassion Always,

Malaki Zuleika Croes

Our eldest descendant Lilian Stuart passed away at the age of 96

2008-08-25T21:26:00.010-04:00

Source: Malaki Z. Croes (AUA)

Dear all,

We sadly announce the passing away of the eldest descendant of the van Romondt family of the West Indian Branch Mrs. Lilian Stuart at the age of 96 on August 25, 2008 in Willemstad Curacao N.A.

Lilian Estelle Stuart is daughter of Octavius Lepidus " Tavi" Richardson who was son of Diederick Johannes van Romondt, former owner of the Belvedere Estate in Sint Maarten N.A.

Lilian leaves behind her three children Patricia, Kenneth and Archibald, grandson Michael, brothers Johannes Brown, Rupert Brown, sisters Valentine Brown & Lucille Brown and many family & relatives of the Tavi Richardson branch & Diederick Johannes van Romondt in Aruba, Curacao, Sint Maarten, Holland, U.S.A., Canada and other Caribbean Island & countries.

The funeral will be announced later and will be held in Willemstad Curacao N.A.

Exactly one month ago on Juy 25, 2008 the Pre-Reunion 2008 was held in Willemstad Curacao N.A. and Malaki had the honor to meet mrs. Lilian Stuart. Last week Friday August 22, 2008 Lilian's brother Johannes presented Lilian among some relatives the gift that was given at the Reunion in Sint Maarten to her as the eldest descendant of the van Romondt Family of the West Indian Branch.

Source: Malaki Z. Croes (AUA)

Video: Malaki & Lilian August 25, 2008 at her home in Willemstad, Curacao N.A.
Source: Malaki Z. Croes (AUA)

Condolences:

Brian van Romondt ( AUA)
My deepest condolences

Meet Dean Richardson the newest VR-descencant!

2008-08-24T22:34:00.004-04:00

( Source Pic: Andy Richardson, HOL)

We hereby introduce to you Little Dean Richardson the newest born VR-descendant! Dean was born on August 23, 2008 in the Netherlands and Andy Richardson & Christel Vorst are the happy parents.

Andy Richardson is son of Rosemond Veronique Richardson, daughter of August Richardson, son of Louis August " Mr. Lou" van Romondt & Ella Eunice Rhoda Richardson.

Andy & Christel we congratulate you with the birth of Dean and may God bless your family! Little Dean tap into the database and learn about your family heritage!!!

Visit the following link to see more pictures of Dean the newborn: http://picasaweb.google.com/Chrisandy82/Dean#

Descendant Leroy Harrigan passed away!

2008-08-24T22:18:00.006-04:00

Source: http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcpostcards.nsf/(Graphics)/condolences.jpg/$FILE/condolences.jpg

Dear all,

We are very sorry to inform you that Granville Harrigan's son Leroy Harrigan passed away at the age of 30 of colon cancer on Saturday 16th of August 2008 in St.Thomas. The funeral took place on Saturday 23 August 2008 in St. Thomas.

Leroy Harrigan was son of Granville Harrigan & Estelle Arrindell, who was son of Dominic Walter Granville Cannegieter, son of Otto Lionel van Romondt & Sarah Cannegieter.

We extend our deepest sympathy to the family and may God guide them through these difficult moments.

THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE VAN ROMONDT WEST INDIAN BRANCH REUNION 2008!

2008-08-09T07:26:00.007-04:00

Picture of Malaki with the wonderful bouquet she received from Lyanne Beaujon living in Aruba with the message " A JOB WELL DONE, YOU ALL ARE IN MY HEART!!!

Picture of the guest of honors at the Official Opening of the Van Romondt West Indian Branch Reunion
Malaki Zuleika Croes ( hobby genealogist) Mathias Sinclair Voges (Historian and ex-deputy governor of Sint Maarten N.A.) and Will Johnson (Writer of the book for the Love of Sint Maarten N.A. and deputy governor of Saba)

Picture of Malaki Zuleika Croes & her godmother Leona Daniel presenting Malaki an Award of Recognition from all the VR-descendants.

MORE PICS AND VIDEO OF THE VR-REUNION WILL SOON BE ADDED!!! WE ARE HAVING FUN IN SINT MAARTEN N.A. WE KNOW THAT ALL OF YOU A HERE WITH US IN SPIRIT! THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE VAN ROMONDT WEST INDIAN BRANCH REUNION 2008!

2008-08-09T07:25:00.001-04:00

Seminar on How To Make Your Caribbean Family Tree With The Use of Modern Tools was a great success!

2008-08-09T07:24:00.002-04:00

The Press in Sint Maarten N.A. is so excited about the van Romondt Reunion

2008-08-09T07:23:00.002-04:00

Kick off VR-REUNION, the days before!

2008-08-09T07:22:00.002-04:00

Countdown Van Romondt Reunion 2008 starts!

2008-07-22T22:41:00.003-04:00

Belvedere Plantation Historical Theme Park

2008-07-12T15:45:00.004-04:00

Source: Henk van der Sluijs, The Netherlands

We are very happy to inform you that we got in touch with the family van der Sluijs-Plantz who are owners of the Belvedere Estate. Henk van der Sluijs has been in touch with Malaki for some time and recently presented the project BELVEDERE PLANTATION HISTORICAL THEME PARK. At the upcoming reunion in August 2008 during the Van Romondt Historical Tour participants can view many places on the island including the Belvedere Plantation.

The Belvedere Plantation was formerly owned by Diederik Johannes van Romondt (1846-1918) who was married first to Julliette Inez van Romondt and second with Marion Octavia Carter. Diederik had children out of his both marriages and also many other children. We found many living descendants of Diederik who live in Aruba, Curacao, U.S.A. and Holland.

We would like to thank Maria and Henk van der Sluijs-Plantz for their suppert to the VR-research project.

Love for Literature, Culture, Art, Religion, Music, Fashion, Sports etc.

2008-06-26T19:28:00.003-04:00

Source:http://www.bnnrc.net/images/pagemaster/CommunityRadioCartoon1.gif

Can we spell talent! As we continue our quest in finding more and more descendants we not only find the many faces but also their passion, talents, careers and all what they love and make them the special person that they are!

We would like to introduce you to descendant TREVOR NISBETH, son of former minister of Transport and Communication of the Netherlands Antilles, mr. Desta Nisbeth.

Please view the document VENEZUELA and NETHERLANDS, Exchange of notes constituting an agreement on provisions applicable to commercial air relations. Caracas, 1 July 1993, Authentic text: Spanish.
Registered by Venezuela on 1 July 1994. VENEZUELA et PAYS-BAS at:http://untreaty.un.org/unts/120001_144071/12/5/00009768.pdf

Trevor is descendant of mr. Octavius L. Richardson son of Diederik Johannes van Romondt & Susan Richardson.

Trevor lives on the beautiful island of Curacao N.A. http://www.curacao.com/and is very active in the MEDIA field. His program KIKOTAKIKO ( WHAT'S UP) is a major success in Curacao and is also very active on the internet among anyone who is from or connected to Curacao.

Please visit the website to learn more:http://www.kikotakiko.com/

View Trevor as he interviews mr. Buju Banton (dancehall-reaggea artist) at:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWoekRSAr3I

Trevor on behalf of the VR-Family Tree Research Project we wish you all the best with your program.

Who is Hecky van Romondt?

2008-06-25T19:42:00.004-04:00

Source: http://bonairereporter.com

On the island of Curacao N.A. we have many VR-descendants and we are also informed of a person very popular in the MEDIA, mr. Hecky van Romondt. Who is Hecky van Romondt and how is related to the van Romondt family of the West Indian Branch?

Hecky has a TV-program on TV11 in Curacao and presents a weekly show on Monday and Wednesday at 6.30 p.m with the theme: " let us go shopping with Hecky and discover the new products, sales and promotions in the commercial market to fit your wallet!

"Ban Sali di kompra huntu ku Hecky. Semper e ta deskubrí e produktonan nobo, ofertanan di momentu y e promoshon ku tin den komersio, pa kumbiní bo pòtmòni"

We just got in touch by phone with Hecky van Romondt just a few minutes before he was heading to the studio!

We hope to inform you more!

Please find more info on Hecky van Romondt at:
http://bonairereporter.com/news/2003issues/10-24-03/page9.htm
http://www.tv11curacao.net/curacao/pa/shows.html

Love for Literature, Culture, Art, Religion, Music, Fashion and sports lives in the ancestors & descendants

2008-06-19T15:26:00.003-04:00

Source:http://www.caribbeaninternettelevision.net/

Meet descendant Robby Schouten!

Robby living in Europe is a well-known person in Europe. I, Malaki personally met him in 1993 when I went to study in the Netherlands at an interview in Enschede of his very popular TV-program LEU FOI CAS which is broadcasted in Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles. You can also view the show online through several news sites. Little did I know in those days that he was a descendant!.

Robby comes from the branch of Ernest Gerald van Romondt, better known as mr. Nessie and Catherine Wilson.

Please visit the following sites to meet descendant Robby Schouten:
http://www.robbyschouten.com/1512.html
http://www.caribbeaninternettelevision.net/show-cit2.asp?cat=3
http://www.caribbeaninternettelevision.net/show-cit2.asp?cat=4
http://www.caribbeaninternettelevision.net/

The Cannegieter Branch celebrating!

2008-06-17T22:41:00.003-04:00

Dear everyone,

The Cannegieter's recently celebrated two family events.

1) Francis' Navy Retirement Ceremony - VA Beach, May 30, 2008, http://www.navy.mil/swf/index.asp

Source:http://www.navy.mil

2) Melanie & Megan's Graduation - Bethesda, MD June 2/3, 2008

Source:http://www.wondercliparts.com/graduation/graphics/graduation_graphics_02.gif

ENJOY!!!!! The pics!!!!!!

http://web.mac.com/cannegie/Site/Francis_Retirement_.html#10

Pictures courtesy of Erika Cannegieter, U.S.A.

Descendant Sylvia Matinburgh passes away at the age of 70

2008-06-17T22:06:00.004-04:00

Source:http://www.comments.zingerbugimages.com/Sympathy/sympathy_sunset_bird.gif

Dear all,

We are so sorry to inform you that we just got informed that Mrs. Sylvia Matinburgh passed away in Aruba at the age of 70 on 6th May 2008. The buriel took place in Aruba on 10th May 2008. Sylvia was born on 23 april 1938 and is the granddaughter of Pauline Farrel, who was daughter of Octavio (TAVI) Richardson son of Diederick Johannes van Romondt of Belverdere Estate in Sint Maarten N.A.

Sylvia leaves behind her 8 children and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

On behalf of the VR Family Tree Research Project we extend our deepest sympathy and much strength during this difficult period to the family.

VR- REUNION GONE TO I-REPORT CNN

2008-06-16T18:47:00.008-04:00

Source:http://www.google.com

Dear all,

We hereby would like to inform you that the research is definitely international news!

The information regarding the van Romondt Family Tree Research Project has been posted on I-REPORT of CNN.

Please view http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-36057 to read about it!

Thanks to everyone who is making this research a success!!

REACTIONS:

Elsje Bosch, SXM Heritage Foundation: GREAT, THANKD TO ALITA SINGH!

FLYER VAN ROMONDT (W.I.B.) REUNION 2008

2008-06-15T22:20:00.010-04:00

Reactions:
This is very nice and I must commend you on the terrific job you've done. You have to be very proud of yourself. I look forward to meeting so many of our relatives and seeing how we all integrate in this fabric of our web. Thanks again for doing this. I don't know if I've ever told you that Uncle Rogers and I tried to start something like this many, many years ago. Of course we had no internet at the time and we wouldn't have come no where near where you have arrived. So good on you and good job and we hope to see the fruits of your long and arduous labor (descendant Shirley Dee Vlaun, USA)

It sounds wonderful. This looks fantastic....
Bring a copy so we can put in the sanctuary prayer box for everything to go nice and smood with the light of GOd. Congratulations (descendant Miriam Kock-Salazar, AUA)

I am so proud of you, the flyer looks wonderful. I would have loved to have been there anyway I shall look forward to the pictures and reports on the entire event. That's all for now, I am glad to see the program has been finalized.THIS REUNION IS GOING TO MAKE HISTORY!!!!!! (descendant Cheryl Richardson (HOL)

WOW!!!! Ben hopi trots op jullie!! Ziet er erg goed uit sistaa's :)
Mi ta kere cu e Reunion ta bai ta hopi great!! (descendant Cheyne Croes, HOL)

Mi ta deseabo hopi exito. Cu bo entusiasmo i dedikashon, sigur bo reunion lo ta un success! (contact, Genara Richardson-Nicolaas, SXM)

I am actually very excited about the reunion and would love to be there. Keep up the good work!!!! (descendant, Jean van Romondt, AUA)

It looks really nice (descendant Erika Cannegieter, USA)

I received all your e-mails congratulation you are doing one hell of a job (descendant, Shirley Carti, SXM)

Mi a gosabo di e bon trabao cu bo a hasi. Hopi exito verder (descendant, Robby Schouten, NL)

Mi compliment pa e flyer, hopi bunita i professional haci (descendant, Diana Flanders AUA)

Good luck with your wonderful endeavers (Jadira Veen, SXM)

Van harte gefeliciteerd met al het werk dat je al hebt gedaan en sterkte met het groote feest volgend jaar ( Hobby genealogist, Jennifer van der Greft, ISR)

Love for Literature, Culture, Art, Religion, Music, Fashion and sports lives in the ancestors & descendants

2008-06-13T23:32:00.003-04:00

We are very proud and honored to introduce to you descendant Roselle Richardson born Nov 15, 1966 in Willemstad Curacao N.A. daughter of Clementine Constance Miller and the late Jim Richardson (policeman).

Rosie, as she is known was a volunteer at the Sint Maarten's Museum until she started working for the Roman Catolic Schoolboard as an assistent teacher in the Borghia Elementary School with our special contact to the research historian Mathias Voges.

Rosie won the competition of designing a flag for sint Maarten in 1985. This is the current flag of Sint Maarten N.A.
She is a wonderful person who also volunteered for the Animal foundations.

Flag of St Maarten

The flag of Sint Maarten was adopted 13 June 1985. It is red over blue with at the hoist a white triangle with the coat-of-arms (adopted 17 November 1982). These show on a blue, orange bordered shield the Court House in Philipsburg. Above the shield a sun with a flying pelican. Below the shield a yellow scroll with in blue the motto "SEMPER PROGREDIENS". 'The colors are those of the flag of the Netherlands. The arms show an old courthouse, a bouquet of yellow sage (the national flower), and a silhouette of the monument honoring Dutch-French friendship and the unity of both parts of the island. The orange border symbolizes loyalty to the ruling Dutch house of Oranje-Nassau. The crest is formed by a yellow disc which represents the sun, and a grey silhouette of a pelican in flight. The motto in Latin, "Semper Progrediens" means "Always Progressing".

On behalf of the VR-Family Tree Research Project we would like to thank Elsje Bosch ( Sint Maarten Museum) and Mathais Voges (historian) for providing us with this information.

Love for Literature, Culture, Art, Religion, Music, Fashion and sports lives in the ancestors & descendants

2008-06-13T22:51:00.006-04:00

Source: http://www.geocities.com/randjjackman/gooth.htm

The painters within the family tree!

Dr. Med. Charles Diedrick van Romondt married Anna Wheat Morgan. The couple had 1 child Annie Wheat van Romondt who married Benjamin Budd and had 5 children. Daughters Margaret Budd and Anita Gooth-Budd became very succesful painters in the U.S.A. Margaret was a wonderful artist who was very successful in oil painting and her sister Anita also was a painter who was well known in the City of New York.http://www.iloveny.com/home.aspx

But the painting didn't stop there in the family, Anita Budd-Gooth's only child ,Dolores Gooth Amrose was also an artist! She graduated from Syracuse University with a Masters Degree in Art.http://www.syr.edu/The next year ,she married John C. Amrose,and they began their family!-four daughters . Dolores managed to teach art, as a substitute in the Syracuse Public Schools for a few years. Dolores also was a teaching assistant in art at the high school of her daughter Jane Jackman. In the early 1960's,while her children took ballet lessons, she opened a small art gallery in the front room of the studio, with the owner's approval. Back then, there were very few, if any art galleries in Syracuse,N.Y. http://www.syracuse.ny.us/She met with quite alot of resistance, even from some art students she had gone to school with!! Through the years, she had a painting exhibited at the Everson Museum in Syracuse, http://www.everson.org/and at a few local galleries.

But the painting didn't stop there in the family, Karin Mitschele Margaret's granddaughter is as she describes a self taught painter and and have been doing artwork since her childhood. Karin says: " that she began painting believe it or not because I wanted to have some artwork to hang on my walls when I first got married". She went from there to doing portraits in pastel and during the past 7 years she have been doing decorative painting on furniture for an interior decorator who then sells her pieces to her clients. She also is about to start on a 20 foot mural for a local ice cream store and this will be the largest painting she will ever be doing. Karin, 53 year of age thinks this will be quite a workout for her. After this major project she will continue to work on different techniques for painting furniture.

Source:http://www.geocities.com/randjjackman/gooth.htm

The Anita Gooth collection can be viewed at http://www.geocities.com/randjjackman/gooth.htm

We are very happy to have found this branch and have contact with the grandchildren of the branch of Margaret Budd and Anita Gooth-Budd and living in the U.S.A.

On behalf of the VR-Family Tree Research Project we would like to thank Karin Mitchele and Jane Jackman for providing us with information. The pictures are from the Anita Gooth Collection (http://www.geocities.com/randjjackman/gooth.htm).

Mr. D.C. van Romondt, The King of Tintamarre!

2008-06-12T19:25:00.004-04:00

Source:http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/thumb_214/1196506263gF7UoD.jpg

We recently received some wonderful documentations and one of them is from descendant Karin Mitschele who lives in the U.S.A. Her grandmother Margaret Budd (daughter of Annie Wheat-van Romondt) received a letter from mr. D.C. Van Romondt dated May 16, 1936. This letter is exactly 72 years old. In this letter D.C. van Romondt writes about the island of SXM, the population of about 5000 inhabitants, the government and the van Romondt families who were living in SXM in that period of time. D.C. van Romondt ends the letter by telling Margaret " Should you ever visit Sint Martin, I shall be glad to welcome you there" signed with his signature, D.C. van Romondt"

Karin on behalf of the VR-research we thank you for providing us with information for your collection in the research.

At the same time we also got in touch with journalist Susan Campbell who lives in Canada. Susan Campbell wrote the article of D.C. van Romondt in the Sint Martin's' Nights Magazine. The tourist guide of the island of Sint Maarten.

Source: The Susan Campbell Collection (CAN)

We are very happy to welcome Susan Campbell to the VR-research project!

Honoring our eldest!!

2008-06-12T15:15:00.004-04:00

Source:http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_13_4/images/music-Honoring.jpg

Not only are we getting ready for the VR-reunion 2008 and families getting ready to meet each other in Sint Maarten N.A. in August 2008, but we are also honored to have our eldest descendants & eldest related members within branches among us to provide us with information we all can learn from about the family history.

Recently descendant mrs.Lilian Stuart celebrated her 96th b-day in Curacao N.A. and descendant mr. Frits van Romondt celebrated his 86 b-day in Curacao N.A.

Also our eldest related members within branch mrs. Edith Richardson celebrated her 83 b-day in Sint Maarten N.A. and mrs. Antoinne Leonard her 80th b-day in Aruba.

The van Romondt Family Tree Research Project would like to honor our eldest and may God bless them each and every day with good health. We thank those who are supporting us with the research and providing us with many family history so we can learn more and more!

Source:http://www.allseasonssewing.com/images/13678.jpg

Eldest descendants:
Lilian Estelle Stuart 96 (living in Curacao N.A.)
Leo VR 89 (living in the Netherlands)
Frits VR 86 (living in Curacao, N.A.)
Iona Cannegieter 83 (living in Aruba)
Agnes Richardson 82 ( living in Aruba)

Eldest related members within branch:

Francis Graeve 95 ( don't know if still alive)
Mieke Lindeman 94 ( living in The Netherlands)
Ligia Alfonso 88 ( living in Venezuela)
Albert Arends 88 ( living in Aruba)
Tse Chow 86 ( living in Curacao, N.A.)
Maria Sophia Stortenbeeker 85 (living in the Netherlands)
Graphina Croes 85 ( living in Aruba)
Lydia Ponson 84 ( living in Aruba)
Beatrix Wassher 83 (living in the Netherlands)
Meeus Snoep 83 (living in The Netherlands)
John Quilty 83 ( living in USA)
Edith Richardson 83 (living in Sint Maarten, N.A.)
Alice Pilgrim 81 ( living in Barbados)
Antoinne Leonard 80 ( living in Aruba)

We are back online! Kick off going great!

2008-06-11T14:51:00.022-04:00

Source: http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/3254351/2/istockphoto_3254351_hand_countdown.jpg

Dear all,

We are back online!

Currently everything is being prepared for the big day the " VR-reunion Reunion 2008" on the beautiful island of Sint Maarten N.A.

We are expecting guests from the USA, Aruba, Holland, Curacao and of course Sint Maarten. But we know we have all of you too who can't be present thanks to technology, the phones will be working and the internet is there to assist us in keeping you up to date of the reunion.

The Van Romondt Family Tree Research Project and VR-Reunion 2008 is from all of us and this is the beauty of it all. Together we are achieving this wonderful dream of the most amazing Caribbean Family Tree.

We are also praying to find the many branches worldwide we still haven't found and hope to find them while we do this research.

Please inform your family members and anyone who is interested in our research and genealogy.

Thanks for your support!

REACTIONS RECEIVED, THANK YOU!

Ingrid Gumbs (hobby genealogist and GUMBS GURU living in the Netherlands):
"De website heeft MONSTERLIJKE POPORTIES aangenomen. Gefeliciteerd", MALAKI WAT GEWELDIG !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! iK HEB DE SITE NU HELEMAAL OP MIJN GEMAK BEKEKEN. THE ANCCESTORS MUST BE WITH US !!!!!!!

Lewis A. van Romondt(descendant living in Aruba) "Malaki, helaas kan ik dit evenement niet bijwonen (ben in het buitenland), jammer. Het zal een Historisch moment worden voor de familie"

Marion Stotijn/Ronald Richardson (descendant living in the Netherlands):
Even een mailtje om de te zeggen dat je fantastisch werk hebt gedaan en doet voor de reunion!

Jane G. Jackman (descendant living in the U.S.A.):
To learn about my ancestors is so very exciting!

Boi Antoine (Historian living in Bonaire N.A.)
Mi ta kontentu di a topa ku abo i bo ruman Chakira e siman aki. Masha poko
bia mi a topa ku hendenan asina yon ku ta interes den historia dje forma
aki. Dal bai. Ta algu hopi bon.

Irema Warner (contact living in Aruba):
Succes with the planning of the family reunion.

Swinda Richardson (descendant living in Sint Maarten N.A.)
I find this so interesting!

Jane Jackman (descendant living in the U.S.A.)
very excited of learning of all my new cousins!t is very exciting to know that so much is being done for the history of the VanRomondts family.

Family Mario Richardson (descendant living in The Netherlands)
Ik vind het fantastisch dat u de initiatief hebt genomen, om dit onderzoek opgang te brengen.
Ik vind het heel interessant en ontspannend om weg te duiken in het geschiedenis van jullie stamboom.
Al heel lang heb ik bij dit onderwerp stilgestaan, en nu kunnen velen hun antwoorden vinden, vooral mijn kinderen.
hebben ze doorverteld over uw initiatief en hoop dat een ieder zich ook gauw bijsluit. Bij deze wens ik u veel succes en dat de deuren zullen blijven opengaan, om dit tot een volledig geheel te maken.

Ginny Amrose (descendant living in the U.S.A.)
I was thrilled to hear of the news of my many cousins and you doing a tree and I am eagerly hoping to meet everyone. Well let me know if I can help.

Eddy A.J. Boodhai (contact living in the Netherlands)
Thank you very much for sending me updates in the spirit of your project concerning the family tree, it is most appreciated by me being only your mother’s friend and not a family member. Thank you again for your kindness & much success with your project.

Laetitia Haye-Nisbeth (descendant living in Sint Maarten N.A.)
Good luck with the whole organization of this tremendous event!

Michael R. Granger (Press Secretary/Administrative Assistant, to Commissioner Maria Buncamper-Molanus, Island Government of St. Maarten)
Good luck with everything!

Lex and Ruth van Selms-Nisbeth (descendant living in The Netherlands)
We zien met belangstelling uit naar de stamboom.

Karin Mitschele ( descendant living in the U.S.A.):
I, also am not only grateful but also in awe of your ability to put this whole thing together. With so many people I wonder how you can remember who anyone is! we will always remember you though, and how special you are.

Ferdinand Beauperthuy, son of Mr. Ruben Beauperthuy (contact living in Sint Maarten N.A.): I congratulate you on work since I too have attempted to make a family tree. Search ‘The Beauperthuy’s Of St. Martin/St. Maarten” not yet completed.

http://www.genealogy.com/users/b/e/a/Ferdinand-Beauperthuy/Ferdinand Beauperthuy

Lyanne Beaujon (contact living in Aruba):
You are "TheBest" Iam very proud of you ! Your reseasrch of the VR Family is very important for the family and above all for the history of St.Maarten! Pabien and keep it up! Hopi hopi Exito meisje.Love!

Mrs. Alix van Romondt (86) passed away

2008-05-06T21:47:00.009-04:00

Source: http://www.oneblood-onerace.org/images/Sympathy2.jpg

Dear descendant & contact,

We hereby sadly inform you that Mrs. Alix Aline van Romondt passed away April 25, 2008 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida U.S.A.

Alix Aline van Romondt was born 9 November 1921 in Philipsburg Sint Maarten N.A. daughter of Louis Alfred Alexander van Romondt and Amy Eliza Augusta Thielen and sister to John Koenraad van Romondt. Alix married Fred Quiram 15 March 1941 in Oranjestad Aruba. Alix and Fred have 3 children +Kay, Joyce and Bonnie, 4 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and family living in Aruba, U.S.A. and The Netherlands.

On behalf of the VR-Research Project we extend our deepest sympathy and ask God to give the family strength during this difficult moment. Our prayers and thoughts are with you. May you find peace and solace.

Source: The Malaki Z. Croes Collection

We also would like to remember Alix with a picture copy of the Manifest when Alix came to the U.S.A. and the following information submitted by her daughter Joyce in 2004 for the publication of the book " The Lago Colony Legend Our Stories II":

The Fred
&
Alice Van Romondt Quiram

Family Stories

FRED QUIRAM
Fred Quiram worked for Esso in N. J. as a chemist. His brother
Ernie worked for Esso also. Ernie was offered a job in Aruba but did
not want to go as he was thinking of getting married. He told Fred to go
apply. Fred got the job and went to Aruba in 1937. He worked in the
accounting office all those years in Aruba. Alix (Alice) Van Romondt
Quiram was born in St. Martin, but was sent to Brooklyn, New York to
her grandparents to go to a local school there because the school in
St. Martin wasn't that good. When she graduated from secretary school in
1940 she went to Aruba. Her parents had moved to Aruba from St.
Martin. Alice’s career also included working as the secretary at the
elementary school for 12 years. Alice worked in the Typing Section of
the Accounting Department. She had to call Fred one day because he
haven't put enough stamps on a letter to his parents in New Jersey. They
were married in Aruba three months after they met.

Fred & Alice had three daughters born in Aruba:
• Kay—1943
• Joyce—1944
• Bonnie—1946

Fred was in Aruba until 1965 when he was caught up in the big lay
off that went into effect at that time. Fred died 16 years ago. Kay also
died 16 years ago. 1 Joyce married Jock Dittle who lived in Aruba also,
and they had three children: Joi, Jina & Jeffrey. Jock Dittle died in 1979.

THE VAN ROMONDT FAMILY.
Lou Van Romondt was a policeman with Esso. He and Joyce’s
grandmother came to Aruba in 1930. He worked for them until his death
in 1956. Joyce’s grandparents had a son also, named Johnny van
Romondt. He worked for Aruba Trading in their Auto Department.
Anyone that bought a car from Aruba Trading knew Johnny.

GOVERNOR THIELEN
Also in Joyce’s family from her grandmother's side was Fritz
Thielen who was governor of all the Dutch island. He was stationed in
Curacao but would have to travel to all the Dutch islands in those days to
check up on them. That is how Joyce’s grandmother met her
grandfather. Her grandfather lived in St. Martin and Fritz Thielen went
there to check up on the island. Her grandfather saw her grandmother
and told his parents that he had met the woman he was going to marry.
They were married by proxy, as the grandmother was in Curacao at the
time. It took her three months to get back to St. Martin!

CONDOLENCES RECEIVED:

Diane Flanders, Aruba
want to extend my sympathy to the families.

Ingrid Gumbs, The Netherlands:
Gecondoleerd.

Irma Warner, Aruba:
So sorry to hear about the death of Mrs. Alix van Romondt just when you are busy
with the family tree.

Boi Antione, historian, Bonaire N.A.:
Kada hende grandi ku fayese ta bai ku un archivo importante.

Malaki Z. Croes, Aruba:
Dear Joyce ,
I'm so sorry to hear about the passing of your mother last Friday night, 25 April 2008. On behalf of my family I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to your family. May God give you and your family strength during these days.

Email to OPRAH WINFREY regarding the Van Romondt Family Tree West Indian Branch Research Project

2008-04-28T11:26:00.009-04:00

Dear all,

I guess when we talk about galaxy, universe, space, sky or anything in this matter we sometimes don't even have a clue to what it throughly really means. Well, we can always ask a astronaut about the trill and feeling he/she experiences when the space shuttle takes off and then ask ourself if we want to try this!

Currently we are also feeling a trill with the way this "van Romondt Research Project" is expanding and it is amazing. In the first place we want to thank GOD for the courage he has given us to do this research and in the second place you, descendant and contact with your amazing support each and everyday!

We would like to inform you that descendant Eleanor O'Malley-Fitzgerald (71), daughter of Irene van Romondt, (oldest child of Diederik Johannes van Romondt and Marion Carter), and Daniel Fitzgerald and married to what she says, the best part of my life my hubby, Jim, a retired college professor took the initiative to send an email to OPRAH WINFREY regarding the van Romondt Family Tree (W.I.B.) Research Project. Eleanor  graduated from the State University in Potsdam, NY in 1958, has a degree in music education and counseling and is retired since 1996 as a Licensed Professional Counselor.

We are very happy with this and hope to receive a nice and positive reaction from the team of the OPRAH WINFREY SHOW!http://www.oprah.com The following was submitted to OPRAH's producers on April 28, 2008:

"The first, world wide reunion of the van Romondt family, (West Indian branch), will be held this August in Sint Maarten. Over 2,000 people have been contacted, with several hundred expected to attend. Due to extensive genealogical research and much personal contact by Malaki Zukeila Croes, a relative in Aruba, it will acknowledge and lovingly unite black and white descendants of Dederik Johannes van Romondt who was sent from Holland and in 1820 the first Governor of Sint Maarten.

It is anticipated as a time of healing and unity for black and white descendants of the governor who for nearly two centuries seldom acknowledged common heritage. Much has been gathered for preservation and a foundation established.

Malaki, who is black, states that I, who am white, has been her " motivational coach" in this project, and has given me permission to ask if you are interested in both of us being on your show. The project should be an example to other racially blended families, and even nations, of forgiveness and unity in love".

It is anticipated to result in "the Most Amazing Caribbean West Indian Family Tree," and to be a time of joy and new life for future generations. Interested? Contact me, Eleanor O'Malley.

Enjoy Michael Jackson's world's number 1 hit song BLACK or WHITE at: short versionhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcuJy3HzGLE or at full version http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yzhxo63qT5U&feature=related

Sources pictures:
Oprah Winfrey:http://www.acc-tv.com/images/globalnews/etart_oprah_0107.jpg
Ellie & Jim: by Eleanor O'Malley
Malaki: by Malaki Z. Croes

REACTIONS RECEIVED FROM DESCENDANTS & CONTACTS:

Cornelius de Weever, descendant living in Sint Maarten N.A.:
Dear Malaki,
I wish you all the best and I hope that it all works out for you. You deserve it all for the hard work that you have done and God will bless you in many ways whether or not you go on Oprah's show or not.
The VR blood that runs through all of us is not limited but leads to the infinity of all things possible. Keep on sharing your vision, it's contagious.

Henny Cannegieter, descendant living in Curacao N.A.:
Very interesting!

Ingrid Gumbs, hobby genealogist living in The Netherlands:
MASHA PABIEN!

Cheryl Richardson, descendant living in The Netherlands:
Sweetheart, Hopi great, mi ta spera cu e logra, Mami ta hopi proud dibo. Love you

Keturah de Weever, descendant living in Sint Maarten N.A.:
HI dear, Good Luck... I hope you both get on her show!
Love

Mederica Marshall-Marlin, special contact living in Sint Maarten N.A.:
This is verry exciting news I am an all time fan of OPRAH Winfrey so I do hope that her company would be able to honour your family request please keep me informend I would really like to be able to see this intervieuw on TV. Take care God Bless you and keep up the good work

Elly Richardson, descendant living in The Netherlands:
Mi ta lesa nan i ta hoooooooooooopi kontentu cu bo a lucha pa e fam reunion, ben erg trots op je en terecht, hopi trabow.
bosano poko dia pasa ney mi tbt pensa pa manda un mail pa oprah over di e fam reunion, i ata nan a skibi algu, dus hopi great.

Dale Cannegieter, descendant living in Curacao N.A.:
It is very encouraging to hear about your research reaching out so far into Winfrey's show.

The churches in the Netherlands and the van Romondt's

2008-04-26T15:25:00.011-04:00

Oude Kerk, Amsterdam

The forefather of the van Romondt family, West Indian Branch, Diederik Johannes van Romondt was born February 10, 1781 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands and died in Philipsburg, Sint Maarten April 19, 1849. He was baptized in the Oude Kerk in Amsterdam, The Netherlands which is The oldest Monument of Amsterdam & European Monument. http://www.oudekerk.nl/;http://www.euronet.nl/users/warnar/oudekerk.html

Oude Kerk, Amsterdam

Diederik's grandfather Dierik van Romondt married Elisbeth Waterman in the Sint Janskerk in Utrecht, The Netherlands. http://www.janskerkutrecht.nl/

Sint Jans kerk, Utrecht

He also obtained his vicarie Beatae in de kerk te Neerlangbroek and was a minister at the church in Vreeland 1746-1764.

Vreeland Kerk, Vreeland

Diederik's great grandfather Diederik van Romondt was a kanunnik at the Dom Church in 1699 and kameraar in 1723-1735 and is also buried in the Dom Church in Utrecht, The Netherlands.http://www.domkerk.nl/

Domkerk, Utrecht

Diederik's great great grandfather Jan van Romondt (1642-1710) was baptized in the Jacobikerk in Utrecht The Netherlands. http://www.jacobikerk.nl/
Jacobikerk, Utrecht

Sources pictures: nl.wikipedia.org/

Roosje Roos, Genealogical Bureau in the Netherlands excited about the VR-research and more on the van Romondt Indonesian Branch

2008-04-26T10:05:00.008-04:00

Source:http://www.ventanasvoyage.com/images/Indonesia%20Selects%202/Map%20of%20Indonesia%20map.jpg

Roosje Roos, Genealogical Bureauhttp://www.roosjeroos.nl/ in the Netherlands contains Civil Registration of the Dutch East Indies and provide genealogical services to Dutch, Dutch-Indonesian Families, Dutch-Jewish families.

Roosje Roos send a nice reaction stating "Uw eigen website ziet er erg mooi uit!"

While doing the research we hope to find the missing gaps with the van Romondt's who were born or died in Indonesia with the help of Roosje Roos and the Indonesian Archives.

You might be thinking INDONESIA? Did we have van Romondt's of the West Indian Branch in Indonesia?

Source:http://a2.vox.com

Yes,we also have a indonesian Branch:

Hellmutt van Romondt was born in Tasikmalaja, Geertruida van Romondt was born in Batang, Jane van Romondt was born in Batang, Robert Diederik van Romondt was born in 1938 in Bandung and Harold E. van Romondt died in 1942 in Java.

The only branch we have been able to find descendants of are of Harold E. van Romondt who lived in the Netherlands. Harold was born in Paramaribo, Suriname son of Willem Hermann Anthon van Romondt who was minister of the government in Suriname. Willem is son of Everhardus Alexander van Romondt, son Johannes Willem van Romondt, son of Diederik Johannes van Romondt & Ann Hassell.

In 1920 Willem Hermann Anthon van Romondt was transferred to the Netherlands and worked as "Refendaris der Colonien" in The Hague. Due to the new function of his father, Harold moved at the early age of 12 to The Hague, The Netherlands. In the `20 and `30 he joined the local football team HBS in the Hague. He was a good player and was known for his hard shots and he also played in the B-team of the Dutch Team. He studied "Indologie" at the University of Leiden and Utrecht and there he met his wife Lia Snel. Soon after he emigrated to Indonesia along with his wife and settled in Java. In Java Harold became district commissioner for the region of Gyanjar Bali. In the `40 the 2nd World War started and Japan attacted Indonesia. Harold didn't want to move from his function and wanted to defend the Dutch Flag. Soon after Harold was taking in captivity by the Japenese and murdered in 1942. A black day in history.

Source:http://www.tourdebali.com/gallery/data/media/1/batur.jpg

His wife Lia returned in 1948 from Bali to The Netherlands by boot with the 2 children. The familie lived by Lia's family in The Hague, The Netherlands. In 1952 Lia was appointed for a job at the ambassy of Indonesia in Brussel by a gentleman that worked with Harold in Bali and moved together with the children to Brussels Belgium. Descendants of the family live today in the Netherlands, Belgium and Canada

Source: Diederik van Romondt (HOL)

Fact: Onderafdeeling Gianjar Controleur Mr. H.E. Van Romondt (1e klasse) 1938-07-20 (Source: Nick Posthumus, 2006, www.marco-visser.com)

For more info of the WWII please visit:
WIKIPEDIA at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II
BBChttp://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/

For more information of the beautiful island of Indonesia please visit:http://www.indonesia-tourism.com/

VR-reunion news expanding!

2008-04-25T16:32:00.005-04:00

We would like to inform you that our special contact Mrs. Ingrid Gumbs took the initiative to inform several organizations and the newspaper in the Netherlands about the Van Romondt Reunion. The van Romondt family finds its origin in the Netherlands and consists of 3 branches:

The Enkhuizer Branch
The Utrechtse Branch
The West Indian Branch

Also you can read the following information that has been posted on Stamboomforum.nl , a genealogical website:

Voorbereidingen voor de reunie van de VAN ROMONDT familie, West Indische Tak is in volle gang!

Momenteel wordt druk gewerkt aan alle voorbereidingen voor de 1ste familie reunie van de afstammelingen van de "VAN ROMONDT familie, West Indische Tak dat gehouden zal worden op Sint Maarten N.A. van 6-10 augustus 2008.

Dit alles naar aanleiding van een genealogische onderzoek van mevrouw Malaki Zuleika Croes, een afstammeling en woonachtig op Aruba over de Amsterdamse stadsgenoot dhr. Diederick Johannes van Romondt geboren in Amsterdam,afstammeling van de familie van Romondt, die zich in 1800 op het eiland Sint Maarten Nederlandse Antillen heeft gevestigd en samen met zijn familie geschiedenis heeft gemaakt. Diederick Johannes van Romondt was gouverneur op Sint Maarten N.A. van 1820-1840 en werd hierna gevolgd door zijn zoon Johannes Willem van Romondt.

Voor het eerst wordt een reunie georganiseert met vele afstammelingen die gevonden zijn in verschillende plaatsen zoals de VS, Canada, Caribisch gebied en Europa (Nederland, Belgie, Frankrijk). Er zijn nog vele takken die nog gezocht worden en het streven is om met het onderzoek hen ook te vinden.

Meer informatie over het genealogisch onderzoek: "Van Romondt Family Tree, West Indian Branch Research Project" is te vinden op http://vanromondtresearch.blogspot.com en http://www.aruba.tribalpages.com en http://www.vanromondt.tribalpages.com.

Aruba Trading Company supports the VR-Research

2008-04-24T23:25:00.005-04:00

Finding information on the ancestors & descendants is of great value to the VR-Research.

We are happy to inform you that the management of Aruba Trading Company http://www.arubatrading.com/ was very kind to inform us about their former employee mr. John Koenraad van Romondt who worked at the company with the following information:

Attached you will find copy of an agreement between Aruba Trading Company and Mr. van Romondt.
Mr. van Romondt started with the company in the year fifties as a salesman and work his way up to Manager of the Garage.
Mr. Tony Rivero who was the chief machanic at the garage should know much more about Mr. van Romondt.

John Koenraad van Romondt was son of Louis Alfred Alexander van Romondt and Amy Eliza Augusta Thielen who was son of Daniel Aristides van Romondt & Aline Julie Alex Devers. He married Lydia Ponson and has 2 daughters Doris & Helen van Romondt. The family live in Aruba and the Netherlands.

A special thanks goes out to Mrs. Elmira Winterdaal who assist us in achieving this information.

Source document: Aruba Trading Company Aruba

Remember our 1st newsletter!

2008-04-24T22:09:00.004-04:00

When we started with the research we kept contact via genealogical services and email. Soon after we decided to try something new and we introduced our newsletter. After 2 editions we thought it would be cool to start a web blog and keep everyone informed on the development of the research.

The newsletter brought also some nice reactions! Let us remember this once again!

Hello to each one of you,

I hereby enclose the 1st VR-newsletter, January 2007 in a new look! I hope you enjoy it.

Please know that I'm answering all the many emails I have received and editing all the received info from some of you.

I had a great time in Curacao with some descendants and will write more on this in the February edition. In Aruba I also started meeting with the several branches. At the moment we are celebrating Carnival and will have the big parade next week.

Please stay in touch! Please forward/print the newsletter to any descendants you know!

Sunny Carnival greetings from Aruba, Malaki

Source: Malaki Z. Croes (AUA)

Reactions we received:

Alicia Byer (U.S.A.)
Congratulations on your newsletter! It looks marvelous! Your distribution list is amazing as is all of your hard work. You are truly living the Winston Churchill. Just by your distribution list I get an understanding of how much work you have done! I wish you good health and happiness in the new year and wonderful new opportunities and connections!

Ingrid Gumbs (HOL)

Bedankt. dit is een goed begin om het neiuwsbrief electronish toegankleijk te maken .Heb je al veel reacties van all over the wordl gekregen. Inmiddels zal je ook mijn post hebben ontvangen met de documenten. Het is toch onvoorstel baar hoe mensen zich over de wereld kunnen verspreiden en toch tot een groep familie kunnen horen. Ik ben ook zeer benieuwd naar de reunie van 2008. Het zal blijken, dat door cultureel en omgevingsfactoren een grote diversiteit van mensen is ontstaan die dezelfde genen delen en related zijn. OOk dat ze door hun erfenis bijna dezelfde soort talenten hebben en bepaalde beroepen uitoefenen en nog veel meer. Het zal mij niet verbazen dat er zelf afstammelingen uit azie opkomen duiken. Dit is voer voor Antropologen.Ik ben zeer benieuwd naar het eindresultaat.

Helene Klappert (U.S.A.)
I was so excited to open up your e-mail and read of this wonderful project you have undertaken. The VR/Cannegieter's are truly a very special family with so many of us scattered all over the world. I know there has always been great interest in the rich history of our family and I would gladly share any info you need for your research. I read in your newsletter that you are hoping to plan a family re-union in 2008 - that would be so amazing!! I look forward to hearing from you and assisting you in your project.

Cheryl Richardson (NL)
Hopi bon e newsletter. Ga zo door.

Nick Posthumus (NL)
Thanks! I'll read it with high interest.

Erika Cannegieter (U.S.A.)
Nice work, Malaki!!Good luck with the prject this year and I can't wait to see it once it's complete.

Eleanor O'Malley (U.S.A.)
How exciting to get your wonderful, newsy e-mail!

Truus den Ouden (CUR)
Thank you for your email, and keeping me informed.
I really admire how you are putting all of yourself in this project and so also providing us with the information on our ancestors. Wishing you all the best and hope to see you soon.

Lidia Richardson (U.S.A.)
It is an awesome task you have taken on and I must say thank you!

Heather Nielsen (UK)
Good hunting with your van Romondt family.

Family Tree DNA ? Do we have to do this?

2008-04-24T19:47:00.006-04:00

Not only is genealogical research a hype at the moment but it has also brought new aspects to enhance such research. A new trend now is Family Tree DNA. Family Tree DNA FamilyTree DNA Allows You To:

Determine if two people are related
Determine if two people descended from a common ancestor
Confirm your family tree
Find out who with your surname is related
Prove or disprove a research theory
Find and confirm new individuals in your family tree

Could these be two branches of the same family?
DNA - the "gene" in genealogy can answer this question when
there's no paper trail.

The VR-Research with its many aspects tracks down many descendants such as those with the 'van Romondt surname, the male line, the female line and all the blood related descendants who for whatever reasons don't carry the surname van Romondt. Historical facts have shown us that many van Romondts had many children which today are families living in Sint Maarten N.A., Aruba, Curacao N.A., U.S.A., The Netherlands and other places in the world.

While some descendants who were not aware of the history of the van Romondt family or who were not born on Sint Maarten N.A. still feel uncomfortable with certain information, we believe that when we can accept the past we can understand all the history of one of the most famous families who lived in Sint Maarten N.A.

With this in mind we contacted experts in 2007 to inform us more on genealogical DNA. Dr. Robert Wever, Clinical Chemist, Head of Department Clinical Chemistry & Hematology at the Landslaboratorium (Laboratory) Aruba & Dr. Neubury M Lardy jr, Transplantation Immunologist Department of Immunogenetics, Sanquin Diagnostic Services in the Netherlands were every happy to give information on this matter. We are very happy that both doctors very positive on our request.

Dr. Neubury M Lardy jr, informed us that our quest is very interesting & would like to assist! There is experience with genealogical research but achieving a positive result depends on many factors such as the material, generations, gender and much more. Due to the fact that many ancestors are buried in Sint Maarten N.A. law approval is also needed regarding the graves.

The question remains should we have to do a Family Tree DNA to prove that all of us are descendants of Diederik Johannes Van Romondt & Ann Hassell while we already know of so many historical facts regarding our ancestors?

For more information on family tree DNA please visit:
http://www.familytreedna.com/default.aspx

Source pictures: Malaki Z. Croes (AUA)

Johannes Brown celebrates his 73 B-day!

2008-04-24T15:10:00.005-04:00

Picture of Johannes and his son Maxwell

On April 21, 2008 Johannes Brown celebrated his 73 birthday among his family, relatives and friends in Curacao N.A. and had a great time!

Picture of Aishel Stewart (daughter of Godfried Stuart/Stewart, who was brother of Lilian Stuart/Stewart) and & Desta Nisbeth

Johannes Brown is son of Octavio Richardson & Eler Brown, son of Diederick Johannes van Romondt & Susan Richardson. Johannes married Milva Simoons and has 3 sons Tyron, Lindy and Maxwell, 1 daughter Valerie and 8 granchildren.

We wish Johannes all the best and many more years to come! May God bless him with lots of prosperity and good health.

Picture: Johannes, Milva, Desta, Maxwell, Lindy, Valerie, Aishel, Veronica Rumnit, Selsa)

Source pictures: Valerie Brown (CUR)

Connecting Branches of Diederick Johannes van Romondt

2008-04-24T12:49:00.009-04:00

Attach a picture of Octavio Lepidus Richardson ( Source: The Valerie Brown Collection) & Diederick Johannes van Romondt (source: The Eleanor O'Malley Collection)

As you may have read on our website we are finding more and more branches of Octavio Lepidus Richardson who was son of Diederick Johannes van Romondt & Susan Richardson. Diederick Johannes van Romondt was a business man, Landlord of Belvedere Estate and deputy governor of Sint Maarten, N.A. who send out to look for his son Octavio to help him on the plantation. Many remembered Octavio on a horse dressed in white clothes with a hat. He had 52 children.

The branches we found so far:Richardson Branch living in Curacao and Sint Maarten N.A., Nisbeth, James branch living in Sint Maarten N.A., Brown Branch living in Curacao and Sint Maarten N.A., Rumnit Branch living in Aruba, Farrel Branch living in Aruba and The Netherlands, Stewart Branch living in Curacao N.A.

Our eldest VR-descendant Mrs. Lilian Stewart (96) lives in Curacao N.A. and is daughter of Octavio Lepidus Richardson.

We hope to find all the branches of Octavio Richardson & introduce them to all the living descendants of Diederick Johannes van Romondt.

Diederick Johannes van Romondt married his cousin Juliette Isabel Antoinette van Romondt and had 4 children (Julliete Charlotte Inez, Marie Eoline, Austin Johannes, Amabella Leona. We found living descendants in Canada, The Carter branch.

Diederick Johannes van Romondt second wife was Mrs. Marion Octavia Carter and they had 3 children ( Irene Robertine, Edith Lilian and Diederick Johannes). Diederick's second wife mrs. Marion Octavia Carter emigrated to New York, U.S.A. in 1919 with her children Irene, Edith and Dick. DJVR was a mason and died of Brights desease (a kidney disease) while on trip to Sint Kitts so had to be buried there. Grandpa went to Sint Kitts or Nevis and had a child out of wedlock between marriages (Richardson) with a seamstress.
( Source; handwritten document by Irene van Romondt and info by Eleanor O`Malley 2006) D.J. ("Mr. D.J.") Van Romondt (1846-1918) was the author of 1917 letters to the editor of the New York Herald and to President Woodrow Wilson urging annexation of St. Maarten by the USA, * following the USA purchase of St. Croix and St. Thomas from Denmark, and of his second wife Marion Octavia ("Aunt Ockie") Carter (1869-1952). (Source: George Benson, 2007)

In the U.S.A. we have found the wonderful branch of Diederick's second wife Octavia Carter and the family has been very supportive to the VR-research. Eleanor O'Malley daughter of Irene Robertine van Romondt has been a motivational coach to Malaki Zuleika Croes to continue this research and we also found the Benson and the Quilty branch who are descendants of Edith Lilian van Romondt.

According to documentations Diederick Johannes van Romondt also had a daughter Alix Maarlin by mrs. Caroline Maarlin and also a daughter Henriette Augusta which connection is still being researched.

The Department of Government Archives excited about the VR-research

2008-04-23T20:22:00.005-04:00

With great honor we would like to inform you that the Department of Government Archives of The Island Territory of Sint Maarten N.A. has contributed to the van Romondt Family Tree Research Project. Mr. Louis L. Duzanson, Project-leader Government Archives and mr. Alfonso Blijden, Head Archives Personnel were so kind to perform an archival research regarding members of the van Romondt Family who were active in government.

Source pics: Malaki Z. Croes (AUA)

While many of us know this fact and several literature describe the members of the van Romondt Family in government, we are very happy and pleased to receive an official letter from the Department of Goverment Archives of the The Island Territory of Sint Maarten N.A. confirming the historical facts.

To learn more on the the Island Territory of Sint Maarten N.A. please visit:http://www.governorsxm.com

On behalf of the van Romondt Family Tree Research Project we would like to thank mr. Louis L. Duzanson and Mr. Alfonso Blijden for their great support.

VR-descendant Otto Lionel Cannegieter passed away

2008-04-23T12:08:00.015-04:00

Source: http://www.christianmemorials.com/images/sympathy/thumb1.jpg

Dear descendant & contact,

We hereby sadly inform you that mr. Otto Lionel Cannegieter passed away April 22, 2008 at 7.45 a.m. in Curacao N.A.

Otto Lionel Cannegieter born 18 September 1935 in Sint Eustatius, N.A. is son of Roger Cornelius Cannegieter & Helene Silvanie Arnell, son of Otto Lionel van Romondt & Sarah Cannegieter. Otto named after this grandfather married Maria Schoot on July 12, 1960 and has 1 son Michael, 2 daughters Miranda & Julia, 2 granddaughters Stacey and Cindy and has many family living in Sint Maarten N.A., Curacao N.A., and U.S.A.

The funeral will be held in Curacao. N.A. on Friday, 25 April 2008 from 9-11 o'clock at the Kapel at the cememtery in Bottelier. Instead of flowers and wreaths a donation to the Wilhelmina Cancer fonds is highly appreciated.

On behalf of the VR-Research Project we extend our deepest sympathy and ask God to give the family strength during this difficult moment. Our prayers and thoughts are with you. May you find peace and solace.

Source: http://www.123greetings.com

Brian van Romondt, Aruba
Wishing the Family lots of strength

Family Jewel Tamarez & Valerio, U.S.A.
WITH DEEPEST SYMPATHY

George J. Benson, U.S.A.
please add my condolences to those being conveyed to the widow
and children of a gentleman I would calculate to have been my 4th cousin.

Ingrid Gumbs, The Netherlands:
Gecondoleerd. Ik hoop dat de familie goede herinneringen aan haar zal overhouden.

Eleanor O'Malley, U.S.A.
Malaki-I'm sooo sorry about Otto, and sorry too that he and Uncle Dougie won't be there for the reunion. What does scripture say, "We are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses." I've always heard that referred to as those who have passed on-that they are in heaven cheering us on. There's another scripture that says that when we see Jesus we shall be like Him." I believe His love will transform us. I'll bet He is cheering you on in your loving project, and your deceased relatives as well. Me too!!!!! May these thoughts comfort you. Love, Ellie

Maryori Cannegieter, VEN
LAMENTO MUCHO LA MUERTE DE OTTO, NOSOTROS LO CONOCIMOS MUY BIEN, ESTUVIMOS EN SU CASA EN CURACAO VARIA VECES, AUNQUE TENIA MUCHO TIEMPO SIN SABER DE ELLOS, PERO SIEMPRE LOS RECORDAMOS CON MUCHO CARIÑO, POR FAVOR DALE MI PESAME A MARIA A MICHAEL, MIRANDA Y JULIA, SIENTO MUCHO SU MUERTE.

Lidia Harris, U.S.A.
My prayers are with the family.

Dale Cannegieter, Curacao N.A.:
First of all condolances from my part on the death of our dear family menber Otto.

The beginning, A little on how we first got in touch with VR-descendants & genealogical contacts through technology!

2008-04-21T22:28:00.007-04:00

Source:http://www.eee.bham.ac.uk/com_test/img%5Cdsnl%5Cinternet15jan06.png

With the use of modern tools we were able to find VR-descendants & genealogical contacts throughout the years. For us to remember how we got in touch we have gathered all the reactions we received from many VR-descendants:

Please find below the first email which has been send out to VR-descendants. The contents of the email is kept in it's original form and has not been modified and therefore you will find some spelling and grammatical errors as you read. We apologize for this but would like to keep our information in the original format.

The email 24 February 2006:

Dear family,

I'm so happy that I took the time tonight to do a deep search on the internet. It was great to see how many of us that are all decendants of the van Romondt family (in whatever way) is in search of our family.

My name is Malaki Zuleika Croes (31) and I;m a decendent of Diederick Johannes van Romondt. My grandmother aswell as my grandfather are decendants of the van Romondts from 2 different branches.
My grandmother's father was Aubrey Cannegieter (whom father was a van Romondt). Aubrey gave a very good contribution to the stories and history of the van Romondts in Sint Maarten in several documentation including the book for the Love of Sint Maarten by Will Johnson.

My grandfathers father was also a van Romondt (John Granville Otto v. R.) and his grandfather was George Louis illidge van Romondt who was governor in Bonaire.

I grew up listening to stories my grandparents told me, since they remember a few van Romondts. I was always interested in the family, not a specific branch no the whole tree. I wanted to know who my ancestors were and to find those who are desendants. This is how i started a project a few years ago "the van romondt family tree:, Diederick Johannes van Romondt".

During the years I gathered information and I tried to get information on the families decendants of the van Romondts.

My wish is to complete the family tree with the help of each and everyone so it can be dedicated to those still alive from the older generation. At the moment we have a few family alive that are enjoying their last days. Their is a great uncle that will be 99 next year, unfortunaly mrs. Lilian Richardson (daughter of Lewis van Romondt) died in 2004 in New York at the age of 99 and I feel sorry that I never had the chance to meet her.

In honor to those that are still alive up to this day I believe that the family tree this is the best gift they can receive, looking back that they might not have had all the oppurtunity to meet their relatives and the resources were limited throughout the years.

I believe the family tree is each one of us and I would really appreciate if we can do this togehter. Please contact me so we can look into all the data we have to gather it all. Time is all we have!

A little info, one of you mentioned that some data of their family was not included in the book, by Will Johnson ( for the love of Sint Maarten). My desendants were also not included at all, eventhough my great grandfather (Aubrey Cannegieter) gave a great contribution to the history. The only record in the book on my family is the name of John Granville Otto van Romondt, No other record of him and his family.

The van Romondt family was very big in Sint Maarten. During the years some left to U.S.A., Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire and other caribbean island. As you can see the name remained in several families up to this day. Eventhough In Sint Maarten many van Romondts are buried there are no "real' Romondts at this time there, except for those that are desendants from the van Romondts but by the names of Cannegieter, Richardson, etc. etc. The beauty of it all is that by looking at each other we all have something from the van Romondts, whether it is hobbies, interest, business, characteristics, education etc etc. and this makes each one of us special in our own way!

For the past 11 years I lived in Holland and currently I;m back in Aruba ( my homeland), y travel often to Sint Maarten and Curacao were I meet with several families and it is always nice to listen to stories and gather information.

The desendants of Diederick Johannes van Romondt (1781-1849) together with his wife Ann Hassell and their children made a very huge and amazing family where we all are a part from and located in sevaral places in the world including Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire, Sint Maarten, Venezuela, U.S.A., Dominican Republic, Holland, France, Martinique etc, etc.

I hope to hear from you soon! I wrote this email in English, but I also speak/write and understand papiamento, spanish, dutch, french and german! Feel free to contact me in the language you desire!

Feel free to contact me and especially those living in Aruba please give me a call: 00-297-5635347 so we can meet personally, I would love this. I'm also on the msn (mzcroes@hotmail.com ) and skype (Malaki Zuleika Croes). Or if anyone knows the best way for all of us to come together online sent some suggestions!

Looking forward to meet each one of you,

Many family & sunny greetings from Aruba

God bless,

Malaki Zuleika Croes

The reactions:

Ingrid Gumbs, genealogist living in The Netherlands:
Hia Malaki, Leuk van je te horen en te weten dat je een van de afstammelingen van Diedericht van Romondt tak bent en ook zo’n enthousiaste stamboom onderzoeker. Ja de familie van Romondt is heel groot. Zo te zien hebben zij zich allemaal flink vermenigvuldigt. Ik weet ook dat de familie Richardson related is to the Gumbs evenals de Lakes.Ik ben zeer benieuwd .
Hou mij in iedergeval opd e hoogte van de ontwikkelingen. we zouden dan tezijnertijd een grote reunie van de stamboom van Romondt en aanverwante familieleden moeten houden.

Eleanor O'Malley, VR-descendant living in the U.S.A.:
Wonderful to hear from you! What a noble project you've undertaken!
I am Eleanor (Fitzgerald) O'Malley of Warrensburg, MO. My Mom, Irene vanRomondt was wife of my dad, Daniel Fitzgerald.
I don't know if you are white or black and I don't care, but while you are "putting this family together" I do wish you could do something about bringing the races together harmoniously as I know there were many on both sides.
Happy to have met you Malaki Zuleika Croes! I hope we can meet in person some day. Thanks for contacting me. You made my day!

Heidi van Romondt, VR-descendant living in The Netherlands:
Hello Malaki, How nice to hear that you are researching the Van Romondt's, My name is Heidi (as you might already know). My grandfather was Lewis August van Romondt and he was married to Henrietta Brouwer.

Egon van Romondt, VR-descendant living in Canada:
Thank you for your letter. My name is Egon van Romondt and I'm 32 years old. I was born and currently reside in Toronto, Canada. I was in St.Maarten in January looking into some family history. It would be nice to continue a discussion with you.

Peter Oxley, VR-descendant living in the Bahamas, island called Exuma:
Thank you for your contact & interest in tracing further members of the van Romondt family.Hope all this information helps your researches & look forward to hearing about your further investigations in due course.

Diederik van Romondt, VR-descendant living in the Netherlands:
Ik ben Diederik van Romondt en ook ik ben een afstammeling van Diederik Johannes van Romondt die zich rond 1800 op Sint Maarten vestigde. Zelf ben ik 23 jaar (maandag wordt ik 24) en kom uit Den Haag, waar ik mijn hele leven al woon.
Enkele jaren geleden raakte ik ook geinteresseerd in de familiegeschiedenis van de van Romondts, wat ze deden en waar ze vandaan kwamen. In mijn familie zijn er echter niet veel verhalen bekend van de van Romondts.
Ik vind het leuk om de kennis over de familie en voorouders met je te delen en hoop je te kunnen helpen met mijn bijdrage voor het aanvullen van de familiestamboom van de van Romondts. Daarnaast vind ik het ook leuk om te weten dat ik (verre) familie heb op de Antillen en op het Amerikaanse continent, wat ik vroeger niet wist.

Dorothy Henderson living in the U.S.A.:
How great that you've shown up. I'm glad that I haven't changed my address as yet.

The Diederik van Romondt Collection

2008-04-21T21:45:00.007-04:00

Source:http://www.hds.harvard.edu/library/collections/images/031505_Divinity_Library_57.jpg

Since a few years we have been in touch with Diederik van Romondt (26) who lives in the Hague, The Netherlands http://www.thehague.nl/default.asp?id=DOORWAYNEWS-uk

Diederik is currently a student at the University in Amsterdam and studies Art History and is very much interested in the VR-Research Project. He has also done some research about the van Romondt family and gathered many information.

Diederik was so kind to provide us with this collection consisting of several family pictures, death certificate of his grandmother Lia van Romondt-Snel, death-announcement of William Hermann Anthon van Romondt, birthcertifcate of his grandmother Lia van Romondt-Snel and father Robert van Romondt, death certificate of his grandfather Harold Everard van Romondt.

His collection also consists of the painting of his sister Anjuli van Romondt were she remembers their grandfather Harold Everard van Romondt.

His ancestors were born in Sint Maarten, moved to Curacao N.A., Surinam, The Netherlands and Indonesia. Diederik's father was born in Indonesia and his grandfather Harold Evert van Romondt was in the Dutch Army and died during the 2nd World War. Soon we will write a piece on Harold Evert van Romondt and the Indonesian van Romondt branches.

Diederik on behalf of the VR-Research Project we would like to thank you for sharing your collection and welcome the " Diederik van Romondt Collection" to our VR-Research.

Get well wishes to VR-descendants

2008-04-21T20:23:00.008-04:00

Source: http://img.123greetings.com/eventsnew/gen_getwell/1012-007-57-1068.gif

We would like to send out get well wishes to Jim O'Malley (76) living in the U.S.A.
Jim O'Malley born 12 Jul 1931 in Lexington, Missouri U.S.A. married Eleanor Fitzgerald daughter of Irene van Romondt, daughter of Diederik Johannes van Romondt and Octavia Carter.

We would like to send out get well wishes to Don Hazel (52) living in Sint Maarten N.A.
Don Hazel born 19 April 1956 in Oranjestad Aruba is son of Mabel James & Enrique Hazel, daughter of Clarence Aubrey Cannegieter, son of Otto Lionel van Romondt & Sarah Cannegieter

We would like to send out get well wishes to Donald Constantine Cannegieter (61) livng in Sint Maarten N.A.
Donald Constantine Cannegieter born 22 August 1946 in Philipsburg Sint Maarten N.A. is son of Clarence Aubrey Cannegieter & Zelphina Euphrasia Richardson, son of Otto Lionel van Romondt & Sarah Cannegieter

We would like to extend our get well wishes to each and every VR-descendant that are not in the best of health and ask God to be with you and help you with your recovery.

Let us pray for Otto Lionel Cannegieter (72) !

2008-04-21T20:03:00.011-04:00

Source: http://www.balloonsgiftshampers.co.uk/acatalog/22getwell.jpg.

We are sorry to inform you that we recently received a message that Otto Lionel Cannegieter living in Curacao N.A. is not feeling to good.

Otto Lionel Cannegieter born 18 September 1935 in Sint Eustatius, N.A. is son of Roger Cornelius Cannegieter & Helene Silvanie Arnell, son of Otto Lionel van Romondt & Sarah Cannegieter. Otto named after this grandfather married Maria Schoot on July 12, 1960 and has 1 son Michael and 2 daughters Miranda & Julia and has many family living in Sint Maarten N.A., Curacao N.A., and U.S.A.

Let us all pray for Otto and wish him the very best of health. OTTO May God bless you!

VR-descendants in Medical Field

2008-04-21T18:51:00.003-04:00

Dale Cannegieter, VR-descendant lives in Curacao N.A.. He studied biochemistry and chemistry labtechnician in Delft, The Netherlands http://www.delft.nl/webEN/ and also did quite some studies in Curacao, clinical chemistry, hematology in medical and labanalytical work and science. Being a ligitimate biochemist Dale prefers the profession of massage therapist above all and says it because it's very fulfilling and I can help clients and other people directly with their problems.

Source:http://orbit.unh.edu/cancer/female_doctor_write_perscription_hg_clr__st.gif

Dr. Grace Spencer, VR-descendant lives in Sint Maarten N.A. and is one of Sint Maarten's physician. Her practice located in the area of Saunders is the place her patients visit her for their medical concerns. Dr. Grace Spencer was the physician of Douglas Sinclair Cannegieter and took very good care of him. Uncle Dougie as he was known died at the age of 99 in 2007.

To learn more on the medicalcenter in Sint Maarten please visit
http://www.sintmaartenmedicalcenter.org/

The descendants in the Medical Field!

2008-04-21T18:37:00.003-04:00

Source:http://health.vctx.org/HealthDepartment%5Ccaduceus.gif

As you many have noticed in the VR-research we have many descendants active in different fields. We already have introduced some descendants to you with the passion for Literature, Culture, Art, Religion, Music, Fashion and Sports and also some of the many entrepreneurs among us.

Also an interesting field is those in the Medical Field or anything related to health issues. Little by little we will introduce to you the "van Romondts" who were active and the descendants who are currently active in the Medical Field.

We wish everyone all the best with this speciality!

Searching for the new VR-book owner, and the story of the book we almost bought!

2008-04-21T10:42:00.010-04:00

It was a almost a year ago, 23 April 2008 that Malaki Croes send an email to Barnaby Rudge Booksellers ABAA located in Laguna Beach, CA, U.S.A. http://www.barnabyrudge.com/regarding an old book of the van Romondt family that was for sale. While Malaki and mr. Ed Postal of Barnaby Rudge Booksellers ABA were corresponding on the possibilities to purchase the book, we were almost at the point to purchase the book and pay in 10 installments of USD 50. The price of the book was originally USD. 750 and Mr. Ed Postal was so kind to give us the book for USD 500 and said " It sounds like this should be in the collection so I would not mind donating my profit on the book and let you have it for what I paid $500, Thanks, Ed Postal"

Source pictures: Ed Postal, Barnaby Rudge Booksellers ABA, U.S.A.

Due to circumstances Malaki couldn't get back in time to mr. Ed Postal to purchase the book as agreed upon. On 27 & 30 July 2007 we received an email stating "since we haven't received any deposit from you we are taking this off of hold". While getting trough the many to-do-list regarding the VR-research Malaki recently send an email to mr. Ed Postal to inform if the book is still available. On April 19, 2008 we received an email and mr. Ed Postal informed us, sorry but it has been sold, thanks Ed. Postal.

We are so sorry to learn that the book has been sold and asked mr. Ed Postal if we can get more information on the new owner and if he/she would like to share their collection and be part of our VR-Research Project. We are waiting and hoping on a positive response?

The story of the VR-book we almost purchased:

Following request: "I would like to know more on this book of the van Romondt family.
At this time we have a research project on the van Romondt family of the West Indian Branch,Sint Maarten N.A."

from Info
reply-to Info ,
to mzcroes@gmail.com,
date Mon, Apr 23, 2007 at 1:34 PM
subject Re: ABAA database inquiry - [016852 Philosophical Anthropology]

I don't know what more I can tell you other then what is described in our listing. I am attaching 2 scans that might help

Thanks,
Ed Postal

from Malaki Zuleika Croes
to Info ,
date Mon, Apr 23, 2007 at 9:31 PM
subject Re: ABAA database inquiry - [016852 Philosophical Anthropology]
mailed-by gmail.com

Dear mr, Postal,

Thank you so much for your email. I really would love to buy the book to add to the many collections we already have but I will have to save a little more to get this one.

I will have to see how all of us can put money together to purchase this item. I can probably tell you who the Van Romondt this as stated in the description due to the fact that our research is about the van Romondts of the island of Sint Maarten:

Nevin, J.W. Philosophical Anthropology
Vg 8vo 1/2 Leather [1840] Approximately 250 unnumbered pages of holographic manuscript. On the spine is printed Nevin Moral Philosophy. After two blank leaves is a page that reads C.W. Jameson transcribed by ?Van Romondt Saint Martin West Indies. I don't know which of the Romondt family actually transcribed this as I can't make out the first name. The romondt family was the most important family on Saint Martin. The next page reads Philosophical Anthropology A Lecture delivered by J.W. Nevin D.D. as introductory to the study of Psychology. all of the pages are hand written on blue paper.

Our research is about the complete history of the West Indian Branch, Sint Maarten of the van Romondt family. Next year we are keeping a reunion with descendants all over the world and honor to eldest person who will be 100 years old.

I do understand your view as a business and understand if you might not have interest in genealogy but I want you to know that I hope one day while doing this research I can have the book you are selling.

It is history of a family, my ancestors and our research has nothing to do with a commercial view as it is a dedication to all descendants of the van Romondt family of the West Indian Branch. Together with many descendants worldwide we are gathering all information that there is available of the van Romondts. We have many organisations, archives etc helping us collect as much documents as possible and we are very happy with this.

Please let me know of the possibilities to purchase this idem looking at the price. May I also ask how this book got to you?

Hope to hear from you and thank you.

Mrs. Malaki Z. Croes
Aruba
VR (W.I.B.) Research Project

VR-descendant Karin Mitschele meets Bill Clinton

2008-04-21T10:03:00.007-04:00

Descendant Karin Mitschele takes pic of President Bill Clinton in Monroe County on Sunday 20 April 2008!

Source pic: Karin Mitschele, U.S.A.

" Malaki, just wanted to show you the picture i took of President Bill Clinton today. He came to our small town we live in Milford, Pa. this is a victorian village and is really beautiful (1100 people) and stood on one of our neighbors front porch and gave a speech for his wife Hillary. I was 12 feet away from him and he looked me in the eye 3 times while speaking. it was very cool to see a president so close up. karin"

http://www.thepennsylvaniaprimary.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080420/PRIMARY/804200345/-1/MARKET

Monroe County is located in eastern Pennsylvania, situated 90 miles north of Philadelphia, 75 miles west of New York and 116 miles east of Harrisburg. Today, the County stretches across 611 square miles of rural terrain, rolling hills, and farmlands to the more populated boroughs. It consists of 16 townships and 4 boroughs. The Townships are governed by supervisors and the Boroughs by mayors. As you can see from the Census information, we are growing rapidly, and in fact, we are the second fastest growing county in Pennsylvania.

If you come to the Poconos in the spring and summer, you can enjoy excellent fishing, white-water rafting, golf, hiking, tennis, mountain biking and all manner of water sports. You may want to visit in the autumn, when you can enjoy those activities with a brilliant mosaic of color as a backdrop. Winter blankets Monroe County in white, transforming them into a playground for skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling and sleigh rides.
Whatever the season, you'll find the Poconos offer great shopping and interesting historical tours, all of which makes the Poconos ideal for a family vacation, honeymoon, business or corporate meeting, motor coach trip, convention or a couples getaway - any time of the year.

To learn more on Monroe County please visit:http://www.co.monroe.pa.us/monroe/site/default.asp?monroeNav=|

Family Celebration, B-day of the eldest VR-descendant Mrs. Lilian Stuart (96)

2008-04-21T09:45:00.011-04:00

Lilian with son Kenneth and nephew Johannes Brown

Dear all,

With great pleasure I present to you Mrs. Lilian Estelle Stewart (96) the eldest living VR-descendant living on the island of Curacao N.A. With family and friends Lilian celebrated her 96th b-day on Friday 18th April 2008.

Lilian and son Kenneth and daughter Patricia

Lilian, Patricia, Kenneth, Johannes and grandson Florian.

A special thanks goes out the Valerie Brown, VR-descendant who took some nice pictures of Lilian & her family and of the bouquet we send her for her b-day. We wish Lilian all the best and may God bless her with many more years to come!!

The message on the bouquet was, Your family wants to know the secret, How to get to such a Wonderful Age. Pabien, from all The van Romondt descendants.

Source pictures: Valerie Brown, Curacao N.A.

VR-family Tree known in the genealogical world

2008-04-19T19:43:00.007-04:00

Dear all,

Everyone is so excited to see the The VR-family Tree at the upcoming reunion in SXM 6-10 August 2008 where it will launch and then you can explore the family tree. Of course we are still pending on details & information from many descendants. We urge you to please provide us with your family information.

The archives in Aruba, Curacao, France and the Netherlands and genealogical services are also very interested in this amazing Caribbean Tree we have created!

The Dutch genealogical website Stamboom Gids which has also provided the research with many information has added the following link. http://www.stamboomgids.nl/details/13517.
Stamboom Gids

We are doing great thanks to all of you!!!

Received a 119 year old letter!

2008-04-19T17:27:00.003-04:00

Source:http://images.inmagine.com/168nwm/comstock/kcd00215/kcd00215073.jpg

Jane Hicks & her family living in the U.S.A. are so excited about the VR-Family Tree Research Project and went looking for some nice pieces to add to the "Jane Hicks Collection''.

Picture of Karin & Jane, source: Jane Hicks (U.S.A.)

We are so happy to inform you that we received a copy of the last letter Dr. Charles Roelof van Romondt wrote on March 3, 1889 when he was in Sint Maarten N.A. to his granddaughter Annie Wheat Van Romondt.

This letter is 119 years old!!!

Methodist Church Records

2008-04-19T14:39:00.014-04:00

Source pic: Malaki Z. Croes (AUA)

Methodism & The Methodist Church in Sint Maarten N.A. located in Frontstreet are important aspects in the VR-research.
Many members of the van Romondt family were members of the church and registered in the birth, death or marriage records.

Source pic: Malaki Z. Croes (AUA)

Diederik Johannes van Romondt served as Governor of St. Maarten from 1820 to 1840. He entertained Prince William Henry on his visit to St. Maarten in 1835. He was the first member of the House of Orange to pay a visit to the "Beach Island."

Governor Diederik Johannes van Romondt was a Methodist and it was during his administration that Methodism made rapid progress. Not having descended from plantation owners he was in a position to take a more objective view on the need to educate the slaves in the teachings of the Bible. At the same time he opened the way for the white aristocracy to join the Methodist Church which many had looked on as a church for slaves only.

Source pic: Malaki Z. Croes (AUA)

In his book Memories of Saint Martin (Netherland Part), the late Josiah Charles Waymouth includes a letter from the Reverend Tregaskis who wrote:

Source pic: Malaki Z. Croes (AUA)

You will be sorry to learn that His Excellency the ex-Governor van Romondt died on April 20th. Having arrived from Holland about the year 1800, he filled in that time important offices until in 1820 he was appointed governor. He was created Chevalier of the Order of the Netherlands Lion and in 1840 obtained his honourable discharge and pension and had the additional gratification of seeing his eldest son Governor J. W. van Romondt succeed him. Our Missionary Society was much indebted to this gentleman at the time when his official influence served to frustrate the projects of open and secret foes such as Methodism has encountered in almost every place at its beginning. Source: For The Love of Sint Maarten, Will Johnson.

Source pic: Malaki Z. Croes (AUA)

We can inform you today many VR-descendants are Methodists and visit the Methodist Church in Sint Maarten, Aruba, Curacao and other countries for the church services.

What is Methodism?

About The Methodist Church

The Methodist Church is a worldwide Christian Protestant Church. There are about 300,000 Methodists in the UK and over 6,000 churches/chapels. There are over 70 million Methodists worldwide and the Methodist Church is growing by a million members annually.

The Methodist Church grew out of the Methodist Movement which was part or the revival of the Anglican Church in the Eighteenth Century led by John Wesley, his brother Charles Wesley and George Whitfield. All three men were Anglican priests. The Methodist Movement was very successful particularly among those who felt excluded from the Anglican Church in London, the Midlands, the North East of England and the South West of England. John Wesley was a great organiser, encouraging people to form local societies which would meet regularly for prayer and bible study. He encouraged the building of preaching houses where the societies could meet and provided support for them by appointing preachers to visit the societies on a regular basis.

Soon after the Death of John Wesley in 1791, the Methodist Movement separated from the Anglican Church and became known as the Wesleyan Methodist Church. Various disagreements caused Methodism to fragment. The Methodist New Connexion was formed in 1797, the Primitive Methodists in 1807, the Bible Christians in 1815, the Protestant Methodist in 1827 and the Wesleyan Methodist Association in 1836. The two latter groups amalgamated in 1857 to form the United Methodist Free Church. The Methodist New Connexion, the Bible Christians and the United Methodist Free Church came together in 1907 to form the United Methodist Church. In 1932 the United Methodist Church, the Primitive Methodists and the Wesleyan Methodists combined and became the Methodist Church.

The name Methodist derives from a derisory nickname given to John Wesley and a group of friends at Oxford University who met regularly for Bible study, prayer and Holy Communion, as well as working among the underprivileged members of the community. Wesley encouraged people to embrace religion from the heart as this would make a real difference in how they lived their lives. By meeting together for worship, prayer and Bible study in a regular and methodical way, Methodists still seek to help all who seek for a spiritual meaning in life and to overcome the major social evils of human rights abuse, misuse of the Earth’s resources and Third World Debt. As followers of Jesus, Methodists seek to reduce poverty and suffering in the World and encourage their followers to get involved in local and national politics.

Methodism's activities, both alone and with ecumenical and secular partners, are based on four aims known as
Our Calling:

· To increase awareness of God's presence and to celebrate God's love
· To help people to grow and learn as Christians through mutual support and care
· To be a good neighbour to people in need and to challenge injustice
· To make more followers of Jesus Christ.

Methodist Central Hall Westminster Source:http://www.methodist-central-hall.org.uk

Will Johnson & the book For The Love Of Sint Maarten N.A.

2008-04-19T12:01:00.009-04:00

© Copyright text Will Johnson 1978
© Copyright front cover photograph Peter Gunn photo

For the Love of St. Maarten
by Will Johnson

DEDICATION

To the children of St. Maarten who, white looking to the future for their survival, should learn the lessons of the past so as to be better equipped for the future.

The Author

PREFACE
We hope that they may be inspired by the lives of their ancestors and
compatriots, and that through knowledge of the past they may liberate their
minds and find ways to assure their children of their rightful inheritance.
Our only wish is that this little book will contribute to the preservation of
memories of a St. Maarten we all knew and loved.

Will Johnson:
"I got to know St. Maarten intimately in the nineteen fifties and already
people were talking with nostalgia about the van Romondt family and a bygone
era. By the time I started working in St. Maarten in 1960 the van Romondt's
had disappeared from the scene. I became curious as to why this family which
had dominated the St. Maarten daily life for 150 years had disappeared so
completely. There was not one person on the island who still bore the name,
nor was there even as much as one square foot of land owned by the descendants
of that family which had once owned most of St. Maarten. It still fascinates
me how this family could have disappeared so swiftly and so completely from
the St. Maarten scene."

How do we thank Will Johnson for this wonderful book he wrote in 1978 about Sint Maarten N.A. In the book you can read about the history of the island, Philipsburg, The van Romondt Family, The old guest house, The sons of soils, Development of SXM and view many pictures.

The book For The Love of Sint Maarten N.A. is among one of the most valuable literature which has been the guideline to the VR-Family Tree Research Project.

To learn more on the history of the van Romondt's visit:
http://books.caribseek.com/Sint_Maarten/For_The_Love_Of_St_Maarten/

As we continue the VR-Family Tree Research Project we will continuously highlight many topics as written in several books regarding the history of the van Romondt Family & the many VR-descendants and keep you updated.

If you have any literature that can be of great value to the research please let us know.

Mr. Will Johnson has been a great support to the VR-research and is scheduled as one of the guest speakers at the upcoming VR-Reunion in Sint Maarten N.A.

Picture: Major Wendell Thode, Commissioner Will Johnson, Brigadier
Siegfried Maria and Commissioner Lisa Hassell

Remembering Sint Maarten N.A.

2008-04-19T10:47:00.005-04:00

Let us remember Sint Maarten!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-mFHRJ_o7E

In the video you can see some nice pictures of Sint Maarten N.A. and some nice shots of the former VR-estates such as Emilio Wilson Estate, Belvedare Estate, Bellevue Estate, Old house of Louis A. van Romondt, The Retreat Estate, Little Bay Estate.

Van Romondt in the news 2007, Wouter van Romondt

2008-04-18T21:27:00.009-04:00

Source: http://www.museumlandvanvalkenburg.nl/html/actueel/images/Romondtportretwouter01.jpg

Prof. Wouter van Romondt Art Historian, Cartoonist and Art Artist lives in the Netherlands and is a descendant of the van Romondt, West Indian Branch.
He is son of Leo van Romondt & Maria Stortenbeeker who's father was Eduard Frederik Ferdinand van Romondt.

In the online magazine Crossroads an English-language web magazine for expatriates in the Maastricht area in The Netherlands you can read the following article.

The literary legacy of the wise king
The Círculo’s latest event took place on February 27 at the Buurthuis ’t Förtsje, a community centre in the Ebenistendreef. Art history professor Wouter van Romondt gave an engaging presentation in Dutch on “The Life and Times of Alfonso X ‘el Sabio’ (the Wise)”, the 13th century King of Castilla, León and Galicia who is famous for composing many of the medieval songs compiled in the manuscripts Las Cantigas de Santa María (“Songs to the Virgin Mary”).

Professor van Romondt studied Art History and Culture at the Academy of Fine Arts in The Hague and at the University of Utrecht. He has taught Art History at the University of Maastricht for many years and has given lectures at the behest of Maastricht’s other cultural associations, such as the Società Dante Alighieri, the Alliance Française and the Netherlands-England Society.

Although he is now retired, Professor van Romondt works during weekends as an art guide in Maastricht’s Bonnefanten Museum. In addition to this, he and his wife (who is also and art historian) have founded a cultural centre in their home, where they organise regular lectures on various artistic subjects. Every year in May they publish a booklet announcing a schedule of events and activities related to Spain, which include organised trips to admire Spain’s rich artistic heritage. Professor van Romondt and his wife have already guided several groups of up to 50 participants to Mallorca, Barcelona, Santiago de Compostela, Madrid and Andalucía.

Professor van Romondt’s connection with the Spanish language resembles that of Chairman Deckers. He was raised in Aruba, one of the Dutch Antilles islands, where he took Spanish lessons as a child. With the passing of the years, he grew interested in the strong influence of Spanish in Papiamento, the autochthonous language of Aruba and decided to learn more. This personal connection with the language and his love for Spanish art made him the ideal person to talk about the cultural and historical developments that took place in Spain under the rule of King Alfonso X.

Van Romondt’s had originally presented his lecture at the Kunstdagen (Art Days) in Wittem. A Belgian music group had been invited to perform King Alfonso’s Cantigas using Spanish medieval instruments and Professor van Romondt was asked to give a preparatory presentation. His lecture, delivered the day before the concert, explained who was King Alfonso and what were the main artistic and historic events surrounding his rule. The goal was to provide the audience with a better understanding of the zeitgeist and the history surrounding the composition of the Cantigas. Due to the large success of the event, Círculo Cervantes approached Professor van Romondt and asked him to give the same lecture for its members.

Through the use of slides depicting the major artistic accomplishments and historical developments in the Iberian Peninsula at the time, Professor van Romondt charted the cultural background in which King Alfonso composed the Cantigas. These 420 poems, written in Galician-Portuguese, form one of the largest collections of monophonic songs from the Middle Ages. All of the songs mention the Virgin Mary and many of them are devoted to recounting miracles attributed to her.

It is believed that King Alfonso was the author of many of the Cantigas, Van Romondt explained. He is certainly remembered as a “wise king” (“el sabio”) who excelled in literature, poetry, rhetoric and legal studies. When he became king in 1252, he began official initiatives to promote the study of astronomy. He also drafted the Fuero Real and Siete Partidas, two of the first codes of laws implemented in the Kingdoms of the Iberian Peninsula with a consistent judicial system. Furthermore, he encouraged the work of the Toledo School of Translators, a pioneer initiative that brought together Jewish, Muslims and Christian scholars who worked on translating texts of Greek philosophy. Under his leadership the school became one of the leading centres of culture in the world and radically increased the flow of knowledge into Christian Europe.

The members of the Círculo at the Buurthuis ’t Förtsje followed the two hour long presentation with interest. The numerous slides showing different artistic accomplishments of the period (i.e. the mosque of Cordoba, the Alhambra of Granada) and different maps of the Iberian Peninsula were and important visual component which made the lecture more engaging and informative. During the break the members had a chance to greet other friends present at the event or meet new people.

Like the Toledo School of Translators, Círculo Cervantes seeks to spread knowledge about Spain and Latin America in this part of Europe. Lovers of Spanish culture in the Limburg area should keep an eye on the upcoming activities of the Círculo. These include a presentation on Ayacucho (an Inca city in Peru) and a lecture by a member of the Spanish Embassy in Brussels (topic to be determined).

¡La llama de la cultura Española brilla en Maastricht!

By Hector Pascual Alvarez

Hector Pascual Alvarez, 21, is a Spanish student enrolled at Macalester College in Minnesota (US) where he is majoring in International Studies and Theatre Arts. He is spending the first semester of 2007 at Maastricht University as part of a study abroad programme.

Sources:To learn more on Prof. Wouter van Romondt please visit:
http://crossroads.journalismcentre.com/2007/circulo-cervantes-“se-habla-espanol”-in-maastricht/

We wish Prof. Wouter van Romondt all the best with his passion for Art!

The Jill Beams Collection!

2008-04-18T20:44:00.003-04:00

We are happy to inform you that Mrs. Jill Beams, sister of Mrs Jane Heavener-Hicks recently send us pictures of her collection. We are very thankful to receive this and welcome the "The Jill Beams Collection" to the VR-Research Project.

Jill Beams grandmother was Annie Wheat van Romondt who was daughter of Dr. Charles Dietrick van Romondt & Anna Wheat Morgan and has a portrait of her grandfather Charles Roelof van Romondt when he was the dean of languages at Rutgers College. http://www.rutgers.edu

Source: death certificate Charles Roelof van Romondt, The Malaki Z. Croes Collection.

Charles Roelof van Romondt was minister in New-Brunswick, New Jersey, U.S.A. for the Netherlands Antilles. Professor Charles van Romondt was the former head of te Foreign Language Deparment of Rudgers College. WASHINGTON AND LEE UNIVERSITY HONORARY DOCTORATES CONFERRED, BY DATE OF AWARD , Year Honoree (Degree), 1883:Charles R. Van Romondt (Doctor of Letters) (Source:http://registrar.wlu.edu/honors/hondegs.htm, http://www2.wlu.edu/) "Reverend Charles R. van Romondt served as Professor of Modern Languages and Literatures in Rutgers College from 1846-1859. He received the degree of Bachelor of Arts from Rutgers College in 1841, and the degree of Master of Arts from Rutgersin 1844 and from Washington and Lee University in 1863. He was a medical doctor in New Jersey. Besides being a teacher , he served in the Civil Service and was also a clergyman of the Reform Church in America, having graduated from New Brunswick Theological Seminary in 1844" (Source: letter from Rurgers University to Mrs. George Benson, received a copy from Eleanor O`Malley, 2006, The Eleonor O'Malley Collection)

Achieving the dream of the the most amazing "Caribbean Family Tree" in the world

2008-04-18T12:18:00.012-04:00

Dear descendant & contact,

I hereby would like to take the opportunity to thank you once again for believing in the VAN ROMONDT WEST INDIAN BRANCH FAMILY TREE RESEARCH PROJECT and your support to achieve the most amazing "Caribbean Family Tree" in the world. I believe in the power of the dream and together we can achieve this once we all believe in the power of the dream!

This research has brought many branches, families, friends, relatives, acquaintances together and so much information we can learn and teach our future generations!

The island of Sint Maarten, also called the "land of Salt" has brought many history & memories into our hearts, some so touching but we believe we can learn from the past and look with love towards the future and be different and unite as the VR-descendants and be an example to many people in search of their family heritage.

Thanks to the Sint Maarten branches, Aruba branches, Curacao branches, USA branches, Canadian branches, French branches, Dutch branches, Surinam branches, Indonesian branches, Spanish branches, Caribbean branches and all the other branches out there!

May God bless this VR-research and give us all the motivation to keep on going to achieve a new development in genealogical research!

Celine Dion sang the song " The Power of the dream" at the Olympics, we can do the same at home or at work or where you may be when you read this post! Enjoy it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lM_7_gfpanI&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzkiyVpS3M4&feature=related

Lyrics, source:http://www.songlyrics.com:
The Power of the dream, Celine Dion:

Deep within each heart
There lies a magic spark
That lights the fire of our imagination
And since the dawn of man
The strenght of just "I can"
Has brought together people of all nations

There is nothing ordinary
In the living of each day
There is a special part
Every one of us will play

Feel the flame forever burn
Teaching lessons we must learn
To bring us closer to the power of the dream
As the world gives us its best
To stand apart from all the rest
It is the power of the dream that brings us here

Your mind will take you far
The rest is just pure heart
You'll find your fate is all your own creation
Every boy and girl
As they come into this world
They bring the gift of hope and inspiration

Feel the flame forever burn
Teaching lessons we must learn
To bring us closer to the power of the dream
The world unites in hope and peace
We pray that it will always be
It is the power of the dream that brings us here

There is so much strength in all of us
Every woman child and man
It's the moment that you think you can't
You'll discover that you can

Feel the flame forever burn
Teaching lessons we must learn
To bring us closer to the power of the dream
The world unites in hope and peace
We pray that it will always be
It is the power of the dream that brings us here

Feel the flame forever burn
Teaching lessons we must learn
To bring us closer to the power of the dream
The world unites in hope and peace
We pray that it will always be
It is the power of the dream that brings us here

The power of the dream
The faith in things unseen
The courage to embrace your fear
No matter where you are
To reach for your own star
To realize the power of the dream

Source images:
http://www.dayinscience.unsw.edu.au/Images/wwd_world2.jpg
http://www.flags.net/

Found the eldest female VR-descendant and she celebrates her 96 b-day on April 18, 2008!

2008-04-18T10:51:00.008-04:00

Source:http://aura1.gaia.com/photos/26/254843/large/celebration6_2.jpg

Today we have a celebration! Click and enjoy Kool and the Gang, with their song Celebration!!!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwEMxYggoKQ

Ohh, yes and we are sooooooooooo very happy whenever we find more and more branches!

We found the eldest female VR-descendant mrs. Lilian Estelle Stuart living on the beautiful island of Curacao, N.A. http://www.curacao.com

Lilian is the daughter of Octavius (TAWI) Richardson and Marguerite Calvert Stuart. TAWI was son of Diederick Johannes VR & Susan Richardson. Diederick Johannes VR was a business man, Landlord and deputy governor of Sint Maarten N.A.

Today, 18 April 2008 Lilian celebrates her 96 b-day in Curacao N.A. among many family and friends. Her son Kenneth came over from Holland to give his mom a big KISS and niece Veronica Rumnit came over from Aruba to enjoy this wonderful celebration.

This morning when we called to wish her a happy b-day, Lilian was having a nice bath and getting ready for this blessed day!!

May God bless Lilian with many more years and bring lots of love, prosperity and good health to her heart!

LILIAN STUART ON BEHALF OF THE VR-RESEARCH PROJECT & VR-DESCENDANTS WE WISH YOU A WONDERFUL B-DAY! and looking forward for the b-day pictures!

Source:http://struga-rdrt.ios.st/IOS/Users/struga-rdrt.ios.st/PagesImg/happy-birthday.gif

The Jane Hicks Collection!

2008-04-17T18:18:00.007-04:00

We are happy to inform you that Mrs. Karin Mitschele-Heavener daughter of Mrs Jane Heavener-Hicks recently send us pictures of the family and the pieces her mother Jane inherit from their VR-family. We are very thankful to receive this and welcome the "Jane Hicks Collection" to the VR-Research Project.

Jane's grandmother was Annie Wheat van Romondt who was daughter of Dr. Charles Dietrick van Romondt & Anna Wheat Morgan.

Source: The Eleanor O'Malley Collection, U.S.A.

Dr. Charles Dietrick van Romondt was a medical doctor whom practiced for 55 years and was graduate form the College of the city of New York in 1872. His father Professor Charles van Romondt was the former head of te Foreign Language Deparment of Rudgers College. Charles D. van Romondt was also a member of the Junior Order of American Mechanics and the Masonic Fraternity Charles had 1 daughter, 4 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren (Source: Article New York Times, Eleanor O`Malley, 2006).

Get to know our special contacts! Heather Nielsen

2008-04-16T09:07:00.003-04:00

Source:http://www.heritagebritain.com/historicimages/painshill2.jpg

Introducing one of our special contacts Heather Nielsen a genealogist living in Surrey, England. To learn more on Surrey, England please visit.http://www.heritagebritain.com/historic/County%20of%20Surrey.html

Heather has also been an excutive member of an International Sports Body for many years and retired in 2004. Ever since Heather contacted the research she has provided us with so much information that has been of great value to the project.

Heather has many genealogical databases and many collections of documents she has gathered throughout the years. She keeps us up to date on whatever she finds that might be of great help. She has filmed most of the Anguilla records with Martha Burrows from Toronto and transcribed them. (Some of them are in St. Kitts Archives). Heather also filmed the Methodist records in Sint Maarten and transcribed those.

Currently Heather is working on getting some documents & records transcribed which are held in the Dutch Archives in the Hague.

For anyone living in London please know that the Anguilla/St. Martin records are now held at the National Archives in Kew, London, but one would need to arrange to view them on the Archives computers in advance.

Heather on behalf of the research we would like to thank you so much for your support & wish you all the best with your genealogical research.

Historical facts

2008-04-16T08:28:00.010-04:00

Allegorische voorstelling op de afschaffing van de slavernij in 1863. Anonieme litho. Source: http://www.nationaalarchief.nl

As you may know Dutch slavery was abolished on July, 1 1863 on the Dutch islands. This year 2008 we remember that it was 145 years ago that all of this happened. The emancipation of July 1,1863: The abolition of slavery was official by law on August 8 1862 (S.165) and a fact on July 1,1863.

Papiamentse versie van de proclamatie van de opheffing van de slavernij in de Nederlandse West-Indische koloniën van 1 juli 1863.
Source:http://www.nationaalarchief.nl

Our special contact living in the UK Heather Nielsen recently send us the following information.

Source:http://www.dbnl.org/tekst/hart062jour01_01/hart062jour01_01_0026.htm

In the Curaçaosche Courant of May 25, 1822 there appears a letter adressed to Abraham Heyliger, St. Martin, dutch part, this letter had formerly been published in the Saint Christopher Courant on March 26, 1822 and it gives a list of the undersigners, first part white people, second part "free people of color" living in St. Martin at the time:

J. Ailen (or Allen), Abraham Arrindell jun., J.C. Arrindell, L. Arrindell, D. Atwell, Jacob F. Barry, John Barry, Benjamin Barton, Joshua Blakey, N.D. Blyden, John W. Burke, Richard Burke, Abraham Cannegieter, John H. Carty, R. Chippendale, James Cuthbert, John H. Davis, Lucas Davis, Jonathan Derrick, Johannes S. Gibbes, John Gruebey, Nathaniel Halman, Noah Hart, John Hirst, J.C. Hitzler, John H. Howell, William R. Howell, George Illidge jun., George Illidge, John Leverick, William Leverick, F.C. Machlott, Peter Maillard, William Hm. Maillard, Giles Mardenbrough, Alexander Nisbet, David Nisbet sen., David Nisbet jun., Abraham Oyen, Lucas Percival, Thomas Percival, James Peterson sen., James Peterson jun., John Daniel Peterson, Peter John Peterson, Thomas Peterson, William P. Peterson, M. Phillips, Jonathan Potter, Samuel Potter, John E. Richardson, R.R. Richardson, Thomas Richardson, P. Rogers, John J. Romney, Joseph Romney, Solomon Romney, Thomas Romney, John Rowland, Derick Smith, John D.Thomas, John Toland, L. van Britton, John Violenes, Nicholas Violenes, Azer Vlaun, Charles Vlaun, James Vlaun sen., James Vlaun jun., Peter Vlaun, Andrew A. Wade, Thomas L.P. Wade, P. Webster, Laurence Westerband, William Williams sen., William Williams jun.

Signed Phillipsburg St. Martin, 18.3.1822.

Het zegel van de Society for the Abolition of the Slavetrade "Ben ik niet een mens en een broeder". Source:http://www.nationaalarchief.nl
Second letter "We, free persons of the color... etc."

Kingsale Albert, Edward Azular, Robert Bailey, Samuel Bailey, A. M. Balborda, Isaac M. Balborda, A.F.R. Bancamper, Thomas R. Bart, George Barton, John Buntin, James Carty, John Carty, Richard Cashwell, John Creed, Elias Delyon, Lorang W. Discomb, John Doncker, William Gibbes, George G. Hanson, John William Hanson, A. van Heyningen, Peter Heyliger, Thomas Heyliger, Joseph Labega, John D. Pantoplet, Edward Richardson,

Signed Phillipsburg 15.3.1822.

To learn more please visit the National Archives of the Netherlands:
http://www.nationaalarchief.nl/vrij-van-slavernij/3_wetgeving.htm

Congratulations to Mathias Voges

2008-04-15T23:28:00.005-04:00

Source pic: Mathias Voges (SXM)

Mathias Voges historian of Sint Maarten and ex-acting governor of Sint Maarten was sworn in as a member of the Raad van Advies of the Neth. Antilles on the 4th of April 2008.

Mathias has been supporting the van Romondt Research Project since the beginning and we are happy to have him as one of our special contacts.

Source:http://www.ibchelp.org/cards/congratulations1.jpg

On behalf of the VR-research project we would like to congratulate him with his new achievement and wish him all the best!

Mathias is one of our guest of honor at the upcoming VR-reunion in August 2008 in Sint Maarten N.A.

How to stay in touch with your family

2008-04-14T21:38:00.004-04:00

While many families live in different countries and the use of Internet is the way to be in touch google has created the tool GROUP. You can create your online group with members of your family and be in touch.

The descendants of Arthur Richardson have created a group so the family can be in touch. This is very nice!

If you would like to create a group! Check out: http://www.google.com

Family trees coming in!!!

2008-04-13T18:40:00.008-04:00

Many VR-descendants are so excited about the research and busy gathering all their family information to add it to the database before it launches upcoming August in Sint Maarten N.A. at the reunion 6-10 August 2008.

Emails are coming in from many descendants filled with family information and Malaki is adding them into the database and is very happy to receive such good reactions from the many descendants living in several countries.

We are still searching for many branches living especially in the U.S.A., Canada, Europe and the Caribbean. if you know of anyone please let us know!

Source Pic:
http://www.weeklyreader.com/readandwriting/content/binary/happy%20and%20excited.jpeg
http://disney.go.com/DisneyVideos/animatedfilms/tiggermovie/images/family_tree3_pop.jpg

Aruba's roadmarch queen LADY-K, a VR-descendant!

2008-04-12T08:44:00.007-04:00

Can you spell space, universe, galaxy! Guys this is amazing! This is what research is all about and I know that all of us who enjoy doing research in whatever field just feel the trill whenever we keep finding more information so we can just keep doing this wonderful passion!

Finding the branch of Clarence H. W. van Romondt is great but finding the descendants is even greater! Living in Aruba and enjoying her yearly performance at the Carnival Calypso and Roadmarch contest in Aruba little did we know that she was a VR-descendant with a passion for music. Ingrid Richardson also known as Lady K has been one of Aruba's greatest female contestant at this mayor event. Lady K has a complete career in music and started performing in the band Musical Time in Aruba.

While we add this post on the web, Ingrid might not have a idea of her connection to the VR-family of the West Indian Branch. We haven't spoken to her yet but will do this in the upcoming days!

In 2007 Lady K was won the 4th place in the Roadmarch contest with her song Butterfly (Musical Time). Her song HARDSELF is listed as Aruba's Carnival Hottest Top 100 all time!

Source: Pic by Malaki Z. Croes from Bacchanal 2008, Aruba's Official Carnival Magazine

Lady K, BON BINI!

Thanks for the wonderful reactions!

2008-04-12T08:34:00.023-04:00

Source:http://www.yourspacelayouts.com/Glitters/thumbs/Congratulations.gif

Debby Richardson (AUA)
First off all I want to congrats you for all your good
job you are doing for the family tree very interesting!

Miriam Kock-Salazar (AUA)
You are doing a great Job!

Clarence Richardson (SXM)
I surely admire this initiative you have taken to research and document the Van Romondt's Family history.

Corali Estatius (CUR)
Mi tambe ta kontentu dip or konose mas miembro di mi famia. Mi ta hanja e idea hopi great. Mi a subi e website i mi a keda asombra di tur e trabow ku boso a hasi te ainda. Good Job!

Charmaine Cannegieter (CUR)
Thank you, all the time, for your nice and interesting and most of all, entertaining e-mails about our family. It is so nice, to every time, get to know someone new from our family branch.
Thanks for the very nice pictures, they are so great!!! Thanks for doing this all and for updating the database.It was fun having you here with us! I agree with the others, you are doing a extremely wonderful job and you can be proud of what you have achieved this far. I wish you all the success in the world achieving your goal and hope we can be of any help in the meantime. I

Annette Cannegieter (CUR)
Danki pa e info. Ta mustra hopi interesante. Spera ku bo tin mas pa manda.

Henny Cannegieter (CUR)
Malaki, thank you for your kindness and such valuable info you gave us.
It was fun! Remember you are always welcome.I really appreciate the work you're doing on our stamboom, its so interesting.

Tara Cannegieter (CUR)
First of all I want to thank you for your wonderful last weeks and today’s email message. I was not able to respond to you earlier. It is so beautiful to read that someone in this amazing family-tree (YOU) are collecting so much information. Thanks for the good and very valuable work.

Diederik van Romondt (HOL)
Bedankt voor je bericht en de informatie die je hebt gevonden.Nogmaals bedankt voor alles, veel sterkte en we mailen.In de eerste plaats wil ik je bedanken voor het initiatief dat je neemt om de complete West-Indische tak van de van Romondt familie te onderzoeken en de stamboom compleet te maken, ondanks de drukke baan die je ernaast hebt.Nogmaals hartstikke bedankt voor dit mooie initiatief.

Valerie Brown (CUR)
Bo ta un pilar hopi fuerte den e famia aki i Dios lo bendishonabu ku hopi kosnan bunita.

Dorothy Henderson (U.S.A.)
Good luck on your attempt to do a family tree. I continue to be excited by this whole vanRomondt thing that you have started.
I am so happy that you are doing this project. Whenever you are finished with it (oh, my how could I say that, one is never finished with genealogy) I will be tied in to a long line of people, how exciting.
I am so happy that you are doing this work. You have no idea what it means to me to connect with my vast family throughout the world. Thank you, thank you for doing this work for all of us.

Egon van Romondt (CAN)
I think that it's great that you are gathering research on the van Romondt's. I'm looking forward to viewing the online database once you launch it.

Clarence Dalyrimple Richardson visits Malaki Z. Croes in Aruba!

2008-04-11T18:22:00.009-04:00

On Friday 11 April 2008 Clarence Richardson visited Malaki Z. Croes in Aruba during his stay in Aruba. Clarence was very excited to learn more on his ancestors and provided us with information of his branch and looking forward to the reunion.

Clarence presented the book " Federacion di trahadornan di Aruba ( F.T.A.) 1964-1979" which describes the union party F.T.A. in Aruba during a period of 15 years. Clarence now living in Sint Maarten N.A. was active in the union since the beginning in 1964 and was elected in 1965 Shop-steward, 1967 Chief Shop-steward and in 1969, 1970, 1971,1973,1975,1977 President F.T.A.

During his whole career in the union party Clarence Richardson attended many courses & seminars and represented the F.T.A. and FESINA at several international congress in Germany, The Netherlands,Belgium, Surinam, The Dominican Republic, Curacao N.A., Sint Maarten N.A., Bonaire N.A., Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela and Trinidad and also assisted in many governmental projects.

Currently Clarence Richardson is the Managing Director of Training & Development Institute/Labour & Management Consultants N.V. in Sint Maarten N.A.

Clarence Dalyrimple Richardson is son of Marius Richardson who was son of Clarence Hamilton Dalrymple van Romondt.

We wish Clarence many success with his business and welcome his branch to the VR-research.

Sources pictures: Malaki Z. Croes (AUA)

Found the Hopmans Branch

2008-04-11T12:58:00.002-04:00

Source: http://www.scouts.ca/media/images/Clapping.jpg

We are so happy to inform you that we recently found the Hopmans branch branch living in Aruba.

Ivan Rafael Hopmans will provide us with information on his family. The Hopmans branch is connected through mrs. Catherine Wilson better known as "Old Cate" who had 2 daughters ( Myriam and Julie Jolanthe Wilson) with mr. Ernest Gerald ( Mr. Nessie) van Romondt. Mrs. Myriam Wilson married mr. Hopmans and had 6 children. Many living descendants are living in Holland, Germany and Aruba.

We welcome the Hopmans branch to the VR-Research Project.

Searching for descendant Carol van Romondt & Reg Laville?

2008-04-10T16:03:00.003-04:00

Source: http://enscreenshots.softonic.com/s2en/30000/30276/2t_pixadex.jpg

We are trying to locate Reg Laville for quite some time but haven't gotten a hold of him. Reg Laville was married to Carol van Romondt, son of Hellmut van Romondt, son of Charles August van Romondt. THis branch lived in Indonesia.

Reg Laville lives in Bedford, U.K.

If anyone knows more about Reg Laville please contact us.

The business man/woman in the West Indian Branch

2008-04-10T15:31:00.002-04:00

Source:http://www.caribbeanoverseas.com/

We hereby introduce you businessman Onno van Romondt owner of Caribbean Overseas located in Aruba.

Caribbean Overseas Ltd. has an established reputation as the largest foodservice supplier of quality foods to retail chains, hotels and restaurants throughout Aruba.

Caribbean Overseas' team of professionals will help you with merchandising, advertising and display techniques that support your sales and enhance your profit margin.

Caribbean Overseas â€“ a company you can trust, services you can depend on, the best beef in town!

Our new home, a state-of the-art facility located in proximity of High- and Low rise hotel area, major city Oranjestad, Seaport and Airport. Easy access to our customers gives us the ability to expedite orders quickly and efficiently.

We are specialized in USDA Beef, Certified Angus Beef, Poultry and Seafood.

The van Romondt W.I.B. Research Project wishes Onno all the best with his business!

The business man/woman in the West Indian Branch

2008-04-10T15:24:00.003-04:00

Source: Picture by Malaki Z. Croes (AUA)

We hereby introduce you businessman Brian van Romondt owner of VR-Realty Group located in Aruba. VR-Realty Group is one of Aruba's real-estate agencies.

We wish Brian van Romondt all the best with his business!