BEEKHUIS FAMILIES
I have been able to find THREE distinct Beekhuis families, not related to each other. For practical purposes I have labeled these: FRIESLAND Group (to which I belong; I live in the USA), GRONINGEN Group, and a BUNSCHOTEN Group. You will also find a MISCELLANEOUS Group - these are individuals who I cannot connect with any of the three main groups. Finally there is a MERGED group - ALL the names in one place. In that way, even if you do not know to which group you belong you can research there to see if you can find some connections.
ORIGIN OF THE SURNAME: All of the various groups probably originated in the Netherlands (coming from Germany, Switzerland, France etc.) Prior to 1812 many people used their first name and their father's name (Patronymic name) e.g. Jan Hendriks...Jan was the given name and his father was Hendrik. Even prior to 1812 Groningen instituted a tax and to implement that, they required a surname and some families started using that surname. After 1812 (during the Napoleonic era) everyone was required to register, to record all births, deaths, marriages etc. and use a surname. Several groups adopted the name Beekhuis.
REQUESTS: I would like to hear from you (E-mail [email protected]) - whether to correct information, to add to it, to ask questions, to get more details, or just to make contact. I can speak some Dutch and can read it (but not write) - so you may write to me in Dutch and I will respond in English.
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