Anna Noteboom

Genealogy is an amazing community!

I connected with a cousin in the Netherlands about 3 years ago, via genealogieonline.com, Johanna.  She is the 2nd great-granddaughter of my 3rd great-grandfather, Walter, which makes us 4th cousins, 1x removed.  She sent me three photographs that I am so excited to have, mostly because one of them in particular is a photo of Christiane Nullmeyer, who is my 3rd great-grandmother.  She died young, probably during childbirth.  For years, I had no knowledge of her, thinking that my 3rd great-grandfather’s 3rd wife, Kate Dulk, was my actual ancestor.  I know very little information about her, so having actual photographic proof of her is AMAZING!

I am so grateful for being able to find cousins online, who have been willing to share information.  And now for the photographs!

The Noteboom Family, right to left: Johanna (Honey), Walter, Dorothea, Anna, Geraldine (between her parents), Christiane, Walter Jr. From the collection of cousin Johanna, used with her permission

The Noteboom Family, right to left:
Johanna (Honey), Walter, Dorothea, Anna, Geraldine (between her parents), Christiane, Walter Jr.
From the collection of cousin Johanna, used with her permission

The date of this photo is unknown, but based on the apparent ages of the children, I would place this photo c. 1895.  Give or take a year or so, I would say Anna was 13, Dorothea – 12, Walter – 11, Johanna – 10, Geraldine – 6.

The Noteboom Family, right to left: Kate, Johanna, Dorothea, Geraldine, Walter Jr., and Walter. c. 1905 From the collection of cousin Johanna, used with her permission

The Noteboom Family, right to left:
Kate, Johanna, Dorothea, Geraldine, Walter Jr., and Walter.
c. 1905
From the collection of cousin Johanna, used with her permission

The date of this photo is c. 1905.  Anna is not present in this photo, which is not surprising.  She was estranged from her family from 1901 to 1906 because of her marriage to Francis Theodore.  She reconciled with them after his disappearance.

From left to right: Kate, Walter, his niece Gessina, his sister Anna. From the collection of cousin Johanna, used with her permission

From left to right:
Kate, Walter, his niece Gessina, his sister Anna.
From the collection of cousin Johanna, used with her permission

I also don’t know the date of this photo, but since Walter and Kate are pictured with his family who still lived in the Netherlands, I suspect this is from 1913.  I have a passenger list from a trip they took to Europe in the fall of 1913, shortly before he died.  Gessina is the daughter of his sister Elizabeth, who had passed away in 1878.

Marriage Certificates of Walter Noteboom

I just the received the marriage certificates for Walter Noteboom and his first and third wives.

The Marriage Certificate of Walter Noteboom and Beta Friederike Christiane Nullmeyer

Certificate of Marriage.

State of New York

Certificate 2042

I hereby Certify, that Wolter Noteboom [and] Beta Friederika Christiane Nullmeyer; were joined in Marriage by me, in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York, in the City of [blank] this 11th day of November 1876.

Witnesses to the Marriage,

A. Giese

[illegible] Lermann

Attest Fr. W.T. Steimle

Official Station Pastor of the German Ev. Cath. Zion Church [Zion German Evangelical Lutheran Church]

Residence 391 Jay Street

  1. Full Name of Groom, Wolter Noteboom
  2. Place of Residence, New York
  3. Age, 32 years
  4. No
  5. Occupation, Shipping Clerk
  6. Place of Birth, Winschoten, Netherlands
  7. Father’s Name, Wolter Noteboom
  8. Mother’s maiden Name, Hinderina de Weerdt
  9. of Groom’s Marriage, 1
  10. Full Name of Bride, Beta Friedericke Christiane Nullmeyer

Maiden Name, if a Widow, ——–

  1. Place of Residence, Brooklyn
  2. Age, 26
  3. No
  4. Place of Birth, Bremen, Germany
  5. Father’s Name, Albert Nullmeyer
  6. Mother’s Maiden Name, Meta Dorothea Koch
  7. of Bride’s Marriage, 1

N.B. – At Nos. 4 and 13 state if Colored; if other races, specify what.  At Nos. 9 and 17 state whether 1st, 2d, 3d, &c., Marriage of each.

Brooklyn, 11 November 1876

We, the Groom and Bride named in the above Certificate, hereby Certify that the information given is correct, to the best of our knowledge and belief.

Wolter Noteboom, Groom

Beta Nullmeyer, Bride

Signed in the presence of A. Giese

And Charles Lermann

Canarsia L T

47 - Walter Noteboom marriage certificate to Beta Nullmeyer - 1

47 – Walter Noteboom marriage certificate to Beta Nullmeyer – 1

47 - Walter Noteboom  marriage certificate to Beta Nullmeyer - 2

47 – Walter Noteboom marriage certificate to Beta Nullmeyer – 2

The Marriage Certificate of Walter Noteboom and Kate Dulk

City of New York

State of New York

Certificate Number 3938

I hereby certify, that, Walter Noteboom and Katie A. Dülk were joined in Marriage by me in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, in the Borough of Brooklyn, City of New York, this 25 day of June 1901.

Witnesses to the Marriage

Michael Dülk

Anna H.E. Noteboom

Signature of the Person performing the Ceremony

F.S. Moore

 

Date of Marriage June 25th, 1901
Groom’s First Name Wolter Noteboom
Residence 64 Van Siclen Ave.
Age 56
Color White
Single or Widowed Widowed
Birthplace Holland
Father’s Name Wolter Noteboom
Mother’s Maiden Name Henderina De Weerdt
Number of Groom’s Marriage Third
Bride’s Full Name Katie A. Dülk
Residence 168 Schenck Ave.
Age 39
Color White
Single or Widowed Single
Maiden Name if a Widow ———–
Birthplace New York City
Father’s Name Peter Dülk
Mother’s Maiden Name Anna Brill
Number of Bride’s Marriage First
Name of Person performing ceremony F.S. Moore
Official Station Rector [illegible]
Residence 122 [illegible] Ave.

 

We, the Groom and Bride named in this Certificate, hereby certify, that the information given therein is correct, to the best of our knowledge and belief.

Walter Noteboom, Groom

Katie A. Dülk, Bride

Signed in the presence of Michael Dülk

And Anna H.E. Noteboom

47 - Walter Noteboom marriage certificate to Kate Dulk - 1

47 – Walter Noteboom marriage certificate to Kate Dulk – 1

47 - Walter Noteboom marriage certificate to Kate Dulk - 2

47 – Walter Noteboom marriage certificate to Kate Dulk – 2

52 Ancestors # 4: Gerald Francis Thomas

Gerald Thomas and Anna Noteboom

Gerald Thomas and Anna Noteboom From the collection of Lawrence John Reilly Sr.

172 Miller Avenue, Brooklyn Image capture: Oct 2014, © Google

172 Miller Avenue, Brooklyn
Image capture: Oct 2014, © Google

Gerald Francis Thomas was born on March 10, 1902 in Queens, New York to Anna Henrietta Noteboom and Francis Theodore Thomas.1  By the age of 3, the family was living at 172 Miller Avenue in Brooklyn, along with three other families.  His father was working as a shirt ironer, and his mother was at home with him and his baby sister Mae, who had been born two years earlier.2  By 1910, his dad had left the family and his mother was raising him and his two siblings on her own.  (Baby brother Frank had been born in 1908. The family had moved to 465 Belmont Avenue in Brooklyn, which was a duplex shared with one other family.3

Anna Noteboom Thomas, with her children, Gerald, Mae and Frank Thomas. Year unknown. From the collection of cousin Paul.

Anna Noteboom Thomas, with Gerald, Mae and Frank Thomas. circa 1915. courtesy of cousin Paul.

Frank, Mae and Gerald Thomas circa 1915 courtesy of cousin Paul

Frank, Mae and Gerald Thomas
circa 1915
courtesy of cousin Paul

Mae, Gerald, Frank and Anna Thomas circa 1909 courtesy of cousin Paul

Mae, Gerald, Frank and Anna Thomas
circa 1909
courtesy of cousin Paul

 

 

 

As a young teenager, Gerald was helping his mother make ends meet with a series of odd jobs around the neighborhood.4  The family was now living at 2762 Atlantic Avenue, and had taken on a boarder named Alice Cokely.  Gerald, Mae and Frank, ranging in ages from 13 down to 7, were all in school.5  In 1918, Gerald registered for the draft for World War I, stating his birth date at 10 March 1900.  He was working as a chauffeur for V. Henning & Sons on Belmont Avenue in Brooklyn.  He is described on the draft card as medium height and medium build, with brown eyes and black hair.6 By 1920, Gerald was 18 years old, and was no longer attending school.  He still lived at home with his mother and two siblings at their home on Atlantic Avenue.7

147 Schenck Avenue, Brooklyn Image capture: Oct 2014 ©2015 Google

147 Schenck Avenue, Brooklyn
Image capture: Oct 2014 ©2015 Google


In March 1923, Gerald married the love of his live, Louise Schillinger.  They were married at Louise’s parents’ house at 169 Van Siclen Avenue in Brooklyn.  Their brothers got in an argument at the reception, and her brother Louie chased Frank from the house, catching his foot on the fence, breaking his leg, and bringing the reception to an abrupt end.8  In 1925, the young family found themselves living at 147 Schenck Avenue with their baby daughter, Ethel.  Two other families lived in the house, including Gerald’s Aunt Honey and her family (the Weymers).  Gerald was working as a letter carrier. 9  Five years later, they were still at the Schenck house, along with another daughter, Marion (my grandmother), and Gerald’s mother, Anna Thomas.10

By 1940, Gerald and Louise had moved their family to Queens, renting one half of a duplex that they shared with the Almon family at 110-21 107th Street.  Gerald was a printer, working for an insurance company and earning $2200 a year.  The rent for the home was $35 per month.11

Gerald and Louise were married for 55 years.  Louise passed away on July 9, 1978.  Gerald passed away just under a year later on June 24, 1979.12

 


  1. Ancestry.com. 1910 United States Federal Census [database online].  Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2006.  Original data: National Archives and Records Administration, Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910, Serial T624, Roll 977, Brooklyn Ward 26, Kings, New York, Page 3B, Enumeration District 0783, FHL microfilm 1374990.
    Ancestry.com. 1920 United States Federal Census [database online].  Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.  Original data: National Archives and Records Administration, Fourteenth Census of the United States, 1920, Serial T625, Roll 1179, Brooklyn Assembly District 22, Kings, New York, Page 9A, Enumeration District 1409, Image 968.
    Ancestry.com. 1930 United States Federal Census [database online].  Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2002.  Original data: National Archives and Records Administration, Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930, Serial T626, Roll 1540, Brooklyn, Kings, New York, Page 13A, Enumeration District 0483, Image 563, FHL microfilm 2341275.
    Ancestry.com. 1940 United States Federal Census [database online].  Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.  Original data: National Archives and Records Administration, Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, Serial T627, Roll 2747, New York, Queens, New York, Page 3A, Enumeration District 41-1401.
    Ancestry.com.  Florida Death Index, 1877-1998 [database online].  Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2004.  Original data: State of Florida. Florida Death Index, 1877-1998.  Florida: Florida Department of Health, Office of Vital Records, 1998.
    Ancestry.com.  New York City, Births, 1891-1902 [database online].  Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2000.  Original data: New York Department of Health.  Births reported in the city of New York, 1891-1902.  New York, NY, USA: Department of Health, Certificate Number: 563.
    Ancestry.com.  New York, State Census, 1905 [database online].  Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014.  Original data: New York State Archives, State Population Census Schedules, 1905, Election District 19, Assembly District 22, City Brooklyn, County Kings. New York State Archives, Albany, New York.
    Ancestry.com.  New York, State Census, 1915 [database online].  Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.  Original data: New York State Archives, State Population Census Schedules, 1915, Election District 44, Assembly District 22, City New York, County Kings, Page 43. New York State Archives, Albany, New York.
    Ancestry.com.  New York, State Census, 1925 [database online].  Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.  Original data: New York State Archives, State Population Census Schedules, 1925, Election District 24, Assembly District 22, City Brooklyn, County Kings, Page 9. New York State Archives, Albany, New York.
    Ancestry.com. U.S. Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014 [database online]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Original data: Social Security Administration. Social Security Death Index, Master File, Number 058-01-8448, Issue State New York, Issue Date before 1951. 
  2.  1905 New York State Census
  3.  1910 U.S. Federal Census. 
  4.  Letter from Gerald Thomas to his daughters, April 1979. Photocopy in collection of author. Original location unknown. 
  5.  1915 New York State Census. 
  6. FamilySearch.org.  United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918, index and images (accessed 6 February 2015), Gerald Francis Thomas, 1917-1918; citing New York City no 79, New York, United States, NARA microfilm publication M1509 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,754,612. 
  7. 1920 U.S. Federal Census. 
  8. Letter from Gerald Thomas. 
  9.  1925 New York State Census. 
  10.  1930 U.S. Federal Census. 
  11.  1940 U.S. Federal Census. 
  12. Letter from Gerald Thomas.
    Florida Death Index.
    Social Security Index.
    Ancestry.com. U.S. Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014 [database online]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Original data: Social Security Administration. Social Security Death Index, Master File, Number 098-14-2345, Issue State New York, Issue Date before 1951. 

52 Ancestors #3: Anna Henrietta Noteboom

Anna Henrietta is my 2nd great-grandmother, on my father’s maternal line.  She was an incredibly tough woman, who experienced some very difficult times her in her life, having to raise three children on her own after her husband disappeared.

64 Van Siclen

64 Van Siclen
Image Capture: Nov 2007 © 2015 Google

Anna was born on Halloween, October 31, 1880 in Brooklyn, New York, the daughter of Walter and Christiane Noteboom.1 By 1892, she is living with her family in the 26th Ward in Brooklyn.2 The 26th Ward in Brooklyn encompassed the East New York/New Lots area of Brooklyn, and was mostly farmland. In his letter to his daughters, Gerald Thomas wrote about cows coming up to his mother’s kitchen windows.3 In 1900, Anna is a young woman, still living at home with her parents, and working as a dressmaker. Their home was located at 64 Van Siclen Avenue.4

In 1905, Anna was married to Francis Theodore Thomas and had two small children, Gerald and May.  Francis worked as a shirt ironer and Anna’s occupation was listed as housework.5  But, just a year later, Anna would be left alone, with three small children aged 5 and younger.  In August 1906, Francis left to pick up his paycheck and go for a swim at Rockaway Beach.  He was never seen again, and no sign of him was found.

Anna Noteboom Thomas, with her children, Gerald, Mae and Frank Thomas.  Year unknown.  From the collection of cousin Paul.

Anna Noteboom Thomas, with her children, Gerald, Mae and Frank Thomas. Year unknown. From the collection of cousin Paul.

Anna had been estranged from her family following her marriage to Francis.  Her father, Walter Noteboom, did not approve of him and disowned her.  Following Francis’s disappearance, Anna reconciled with her father.  Walter owned a saloon and gentleman’s hotel in Manhattan, along with at least two homes in Brooklyn.  While Anna worked as a housekeeper and laundress to earn a living, her father helped support her by paying for their winter coal and contributing to their rent.

In 1910,  they were living at 465 Belmont Avenue and shared the home with Edwin and Frances Hardcastle.  The census that year confirms that she was working as a housekeeper for others and she still claims to be married for 9 years. After her father’s death in 1913, she inherited approximately $4000.  Her brother, who was the executor of the estate, took the rent and coal money out of her share of the inheritance.6

While raising her children, Anna did what she could to make ends meet, taking in laundry, cleaning houses, and on some occasions borrowing money.  Fortunately, members of the community were willing to help out the family.  Her best friend, Bertha Happ, was a school teacher, and help Anna keep her children from being placed in a home, which was connected with a church on Wyona Street.  Schmidt, the butcher, loaned her money, and Mrs. Henning employed her to clean her home.  Gerald and May would help her by delivering laundry around the neighborhood.  When Gerald was 12, Mr. Henning offered him his first job, pumping the organ at church on Sundays.  He was paid $2.50 per month, of which he gave his mother $2 and kept $.50 for himself.  By 14, he went to work for Barrett & Nephews, a local dry cleaners.  He made $5.00 a week.  He would quit that job to work for Schmidt, the butcher, who paid him $5.oo a week to take care of his horse, but he didn’t have to pay for carfare or lunch.  Then, he went to work for Mr. Henning, at V. Henning & Sons, earning $7.00 per week.  He earned a large raise at his next job for Meyer & Lange wholesale grocers, who paid him $18 per week.  Later, Anna would meet a veteran of the Spanish American War named George Reilly, who wanted to marry her.  However, he did not get along with her oldest son, so she turned him down.7

2762 Atlantic Avenue Image Capture: June 2012 © 2015 Google

2762 Atlantic Avenue
Image Capture: June 2012 © 2015 Google

In 1915, the family had moved to 2762 Atlantic Avenue, and they had taken on a boarder.  Anna was 34 years old and working as a housekeeper.  All three children were in school.  The boarder, Alice Cokely, worked as a seamstress.  Also living in the house are Rose Sparks and her daughter Mildred. 8 Five years later, they are still living at the Atlantic Avenue home, along with Herbert Sparks and his children, Charles and Mildred, and Frank and Margaret Walsh. Anna was still a housekeeper, but now both of her older children were also working.  Gerald was a “Helper” in the Chauffeur industry, and Mae worked as a typist in the Insurance industry.  Frank was age 12 years, and still in school.  Anna was listed as a widow by this time.9

By 1925, Anna and her son, Frank, have moved to 172 Miller Avenue.  A number of families lived in the building, including the Schmidts, Burcke, Atkins, Hurleys, and two separate Speth families.  Anna was still doing housework, and Frank was then working as a printer.10

Mae and Anna Thomas, circa 1935, probably in Hempstead NY

Mae and Anna Thomas, circa 1935, probably in Hempstead NY

In 1930, Anna moved in with her oldest son and his family.  By that time, he had married Louise Schillinger, and they had two daughters, Ethel and my grandmother Marion.  In the census that year, she is listed as Elizabeth, which is strange, because her name was Anna Henrietta, and this is the only record that records her by this name.  Her occupation by then is that of a cook for a convent.11

Later, Anna would move in with her daughter Mae and her husband John F. Stamm.  In 1940, they are living at 14 Plymouth Street, Hempstead, Nassau County on Long Island. She was no longer working at that time, and was supported by her daughter and son-in-law.  John Stamm was working as a printer and earning $5000 a year.12

She lived with Mae and John for the rest of her life, dying in January 1967 at the age of 85.13

Ancestry.com. 1910 United States Federal Census [database].  Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations Inc., 2006.  Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census.  Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1910.  Census Place: Brooklyn Ward 26, Kings, New York; Serial: T624, Roll: 977, page 3B, Enumeration District: 0783, FHL microfilm: 1374990.

Ancestry.com. 1920 United States Federal Census [database].  Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations Inc., 2010.  Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census.  Fourteenth Census of the United States, 1920. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1920.  Census Place: Brooklyn Assembly District 22, Kings, New York; Serial: T625, Roll: 1179, page 9a, Enumeration District: 1409, Image: 968.

Ancestry.com. 1930 United States Federal Census [database].  Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations Inc., 2002.  Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census.  Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1930.  Census Place: Brooklyn, Kings, New York; Serial: T626, Roll: 1540, Page: 13A, Enumeration District: 0483, Image: 563, FHL microfilm: 2341275.

Ancestry.com. 1940 United States Federal Census [database].  Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations Inc., 2012.  Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census.  Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1940.  Census Place: Hempstead, Nassau, New York; Serial: T627, Roll: 2689, Page: 11a, Enumeration District: 30-178.

Ancestry.com. New York State Census, 1892 [database]. Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012. Original data: New York State Education Department, Office of Cultural Education. 1892 New York State Census. Albany, NY: New York State Library.

Ancestry.com. New York State Census, 1905 [database]. Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. Original Data: New York State Census, 1905. Population Schedules. New York State Archives, Albany, New York. Election District: A.D. 21, E.D. 19, City: Brooklyn, County: Kings.

Ancestry.com. New York State Census, 1915 [database]. Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012. Original data: State Population Census Schedules, 1915. Albany, New York: New York State Archives. Election District: 44, Assembly District: 22, City: New York, County: Kings, Page: 43.

“Anna Noteboom”, Stamboom Dusseljee, Geneaologieonline, http://www.genealogieonline.nl/en/stamboom-dusseljee/I1423.php, accessed 7 January 2015.


  1. Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census [database].  Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations Inc., 2004.  Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census.  Twelfth Census of the United States, 1900. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1900.  Census Place: Brooklyn Ward 26, Kings, New York; Serial: T623, Roll: 1064, page 2A, Enumeration District: 0467, FHL microfilm: 1241064. 
  2. Ancestry.com. New York State Census, 1892
  3. Letter from Gerald Thomas to his daughters, April 1979. Photocopy in collection of author. Original location unknown. 
  4. Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census
  5. Ancestry.com. New York State Census, 1905. 
  6. Letter from Gerald Thomas.
    Ancestry.com. 1910 United States Federal Census. 
  7. Letter from Gerald Thomas. 
  8. Ancestry.com. New York State Census, 1915. 
  9. Ancestry.com. 1920 United States Federal Census. 
  10. Ancestry.com. New York State Census, 1925
  11. Ancestry.com. 1930 United States Federal Census. 
  12. Ancestry.com. 1940 United States Federal Census. 
  13. Letter from Gerald Thomas. 

52 Ancestors #1: The Life of Walter Noteboom

Walter Noteboom, c. 1905, probably in Brooklyn, NY

Walter Noteboom, c. 1905, probably in Brooklyn, NY

This is the life of Walter Noteboom, a Dutch man who immigrated to the United States in 1870, and became quite successful as a saloon and hotel owner in Manhattan. Born in Winschoten, Netherlands in 1844, Walter made his way to the United States, eventually marrying three times and fathering eight children.

The Childhood of Walter Noteboom

Walter (born Wolter) Noteboom was born at six o’clock in the evening on November 12, 1844 in Winschoten, Groningen, Netherlands to Wolter Noteboom and Hendrina Harms de Weert.

Wolter Noteboom Birth Registration

Wolter Noteboom Birth Registration

From the register of his birth in Winschoten:

In the year one thousand eight hundred and forty-four, the thirteenth of the month of November for our undersigned Councillor official of the Civil State of the municipality Winschoten, District Winschoten, Groningen Province, appeared Wolter Noteboom, thirty-nine years old, of professional Dyer and [Squeezer] and Calenderer, residing Winschoten, which stated that on the twelfth of the month of November in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty-four, in the evening at six o’clock, within the municipality of Winschoten, a child is born of the male sex, to which the first name Wolter shall be given; of which child’s Mother is, Henderina Weerdt, and Father Wolter Noteboom said spouses.

And this declaration and statement done in the presence of William Guits Strootman, aged sixty years, occupation Hatter, residing in Winschoten, and Frederik Jan Hockzema, aged fifty-one years, a professional Book Seller, residing in Winschoten, as to do so elected witnesses selected by the party.

Of which this deed and immediately enrolled in the [twice] in the birth registry of this town, and this deed after them was read to witnesses appearing and signed by them beside us.1

Walter was ninth of eleven children. His father, Wolter, was a fabric manufacturer and dyer who apparently died young of indigo poisoning, on November 19, 1852, when Walter was only eight years old. Wolter, the elder, born in Emden, Germany on May 31, 1805, moved to Winschoten circa 1843 to ply his trade in the garment industry.2 His mother, Hendrina was born on February 11, 1807 in Emden, and also worked in the garment industry as a seamstress. She lived until November 28, 1884 when she died in Winschoten.3

Winschoten, Groningen, Netherlands

"Dommersen Winschoten 1889". Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dommersen_Winschoten_1889.jpg#mediaviewer/File:Dommersen_Winschoten_1889.jpg

“Dommersen Winschoten 1889”. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons

During his childhood, Winschoten was a small town, with a population numbering only about 4000-5000 people. By the time he immigrated to the United States, the town held 5500 people. Nicknamed the “Mill City”, Winschoten had thirteen mills at one time. The inhabitants are jokingly call Tellerlikkers (plate lickers) for the propensity to eat voraciously and then lick the plate clean.4

The patron saint of Winschoten is St. Vitus, who was persecuted and died a martyr in 303 A.D. under co-Emperors Diocletian and Maximian. He is considered one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, saints who come to the aid of the ill. Vitus is the patron saint of dancers, actors and entertainers, epileptics, dogs, oversleeping and storms, among others.5

Winschoten was home to the second largest community of Jews in the Netherlands. During the Second World War, however, it became a transit depot for the movement of European Jews to Germany’s concentration camps. Winschoten was liberated in 1945 by Belgian, Canadian and Polish troops. At the end of the war, only 20 of Winschoten’s Jews had survived.6

Several cultural landmarks have survived the ages and still stand in Winschoten today. The Dutch Reform Church, built on the Marktplein, dates from the 13th century. The Synagogue dates from 1854. Three of the thirteen mills still stand: Molen Berg, built in 1854; Dijkstra Molen, built in 1862; and Molen Edens, built in 1763. 7

Molen Berg was innovative for the times because the sailes were built with moveable blades (similar to mini-blinds). The Dijkstra Molen was sold in 1953 to the local government and restored in 1982-1983. Molen Edens is the oldest mill in the entire province of Groningen.
Many of the inhabitants speak English and German in addition to Dutch, while many older generations speak a local dialect called Gronings, which is influenced by the Hebrew and Yiddish of the Jewish residents.8

His Early Years in the United States

Walter emigrated from the Netherlands to the United States on June 28, 1870, arriving in Brooklyn, New York. When he first arrived, he was a sailor, like several of his brothers, but by the mid-1870s, he was working in the hotel and bar industry. He became a naturalized citizen on 20 October 18839 He married Beta Nüllmeyer on November 11, 1876. Beta was born in Bremen, Germany sometime in 1850. She died in 1878, possibly during childbirth. He next married Beta’s sister, Christiane Nüllmeyer on September 21, 1879 in Brooklyn. Christiane was born on June 27, 1852 in Bremen, Germany. She immigrated to the United States in 1877. By 1900 Christiane had given birth to eight children, of whom five had survived. He married his third, and final, wife Katherine A. Dulk (known as “Mama Kate”) on June 25, 1901 in Brooklyn. Kate was born in New York on February 9, 1862 and had a twin brother Michael.

How He Made a Living

When Walter first came to the United States, he worked briefly as a sailor, but eventually purchased a saloon. According to many documents, he started his career in the hotel and bar business as a porter in Manhattan. As early as May 1882, he was working as a porter, which continued until as late as 1889. By 1892, he had purchased his bar at 143 Park Row in Manhattan. He continued as a liquor dealer until 1901, when he expanded his business to include lodgings at 450 Pearl Street in New York.10

His Children

Walter had five children, who survived to adulthood:

Anna Henrietta “Annie” Noteboom

Walter’s oldest child, Anna Henrietta “Annie” Noteboom, was born on October 31, 1880 in Brooklyn, New York. By 1900 she had found work as a dressmaker. She married Francis Theodore Thomas, who her father had forbidden her to marry because he was an orphan with no prospects. They had three children: Gerald Francis Thomas, Mae D. Thomas and Frank Thomas. Gerald was born on March 10, 1902 in Manhattan. Mae was born in 1903 and Frank was born in 1908. Sometime before 1910, her husband had disappeared. He had gone to Rockaway Beach for a swim and was never heard from or seen again. Anna died in 1958 at the age of 78.11

Dorothea A. “Dora” Noteboom

Dorothea was born on September 5, 1882 in Brooklyn, New York. In 1910, she was working as a lace house clerk and by 1910 she was working as a typist at McMillan Publishing. She married Richard Krankenberg. She died on June 20, 1968 at the age of 85.12

Johanna Christina “Honey” Noteboom

Johanna was born on December 7, 1884 in Brooklyn, New York. By 1905, she was working as a wholesale drug clerk in Brooklyn. She married Harry Wistar Weymer on June 12, 1907 in Brooklyn. Together, they had four sons, two of whom died at tragically young ages. Harry Wistar Weymer Jr. was born on July 23, 1908 in Brooklyn. Walter Stanley Weymer as born on March 2, 1910 in Brooklyn and died at the age of 8 on October 20, 1918. John Spencer Weymer was born on August 24, 1911 and died at the age of 15 on March 12, 1927. Horace Jerome Weymer was born on July 26, 1923.13

Walter Noteboom, Jr.

Walter Jr. was born on November 5, 1885 in Brooklyn, New York. Beginning circa 1904, Walter began work as a photo engrave, electrotyper or printer. He married Dorothy Mann in June 1927, but they do not appear to have had any children. He eventually moved back to Brooklyn sometime before 1920. He died in 1955 and is buried in the Evergreens Cemetery in Brooklyn.14

Geraldine Meta “Dina” Noteboom

Geraldine was born on November 7, 1888 in Brooklyn, New York. By 1910, she worked as a clerk in a sporting goods store in Brooklyn, New York. On April 8, 1917, she married James Francis Clark. They had two children, a son named James Francis and a daughter named Helena Dorothea. James died on July 15, 1963 and Geraldine followed six years later on December 23, 1969.15

There were possibly three other children during these years, according to the 1900 Federal Census. Based on the spacing of the birthdates of the three surviving children, they either came before the birth of Anna, the eldest child, possibly in between Dorothea and Johanna, possibly in between Walter and Geraldine, or after Geraldine. Christiane was deceased shortly after the 1900 Census was enumerated, possibly during childbirth. Since that is 12 years after the birth of the youngest surviving child, the likelihood that there were children in between Geraldine’s birth and Christiane’s death that did not survive. No official record of these births has been located other than the reference in the 1900 Census.16

His Death

Walter passed away on 14 December 1913 in Brooklyn, New York. He was 69 years old at the time of his death. In his obituary, several fraternal and club memberships were listed, including
the Eastern Parkway Fishing Club, the Odd Fellows, Alleghany Lodge, Knights of Pythias and Tyrian Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons.17


  1. “Wolter Noteboom”, BS Geboorte, Groninger Archieven, Geboorteregister 1844, Bron: Boek, Periode: 1844, Record No. 112, Record date: 13 November 1844, WieWasWie, https://www.wiewaswie.nl/en/search/search/record-details/a2apersonid/371157245/srcid/19034961/oid/31, accessed 7 January 2015. 
  2. “Wolter Noteboom”, Stamboom Dusseljee, Geneaologieonline, http://www.genealogieonline.nl/en/stamboom-dusseljee/I217.php, accessed 7 January 2015. 
  3. “Hedrina Harms de Weert”, Stamboom Dusseljee, Geneaologieonline, http://www.genealogieonline.nl/en/stamboom-dusseljee/I230.php, accessed 7 January 2015. 
  4. “Winschoten”, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winschoten, modified 18 December 2014, accessed 7 January 2015. 
  5. “Vitus”, Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitus, modified 20 December 2014, accessed 7 January 2015. 
  6. “Winschoten”, Wikipedia. 
  7. ibid. 
  8. ibid. 
  9. “Wolter Noteboom”, GenealogieOnline.
    Ancestry.com. New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957, database. Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Original data: Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving in New York, New York, 1820-1897 Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, Microfilm Serial: T715, Roll: 2198, Page 25, Line 4, Year 1913.
    Ancestry.com U.S. Naturalization Record Indexes, 1791-1992 (Indexed in World Archives Project), database. Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Original data: Selected U.S. Naturalization Records. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, Microfilm Serial: M1674, Roll: 195. 
  10. Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989, database. Provo, UT: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. Original data: Variety of directories from Manhattan and Brooklyn, for the years 1882, 1887, 1888, 1889, 1892, 1894, 1897, 1901, 1902, 1903, 1904, 1905, 1907, 1910, 1912. 
  11. Letter from Gerald Thomas to his daughters, April 1979. Photocopy in collection of author. Original location unknown.
    “Anna Noteboom”, Stamboom Dusseljee, Geneaologieonline, http://www.genealogieonline.nl/en/stamboom-dusseljee/I1423.php, accessed 7 January 2015.
    Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census database. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Twelfth Census of the United States, 1900. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1900. Year: 1900; Census Place: Brooklyn Ward 26, Kings, New York; Roll: 1064; Page: 2A; Enumeration District: 0467; FHL microfilm: 1241064. 
  12. Ancestry.com, Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014, database. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2011. Original data: Social Security Administration. Social Security Death Index, Master File. Social Security Administration. Number: 088-05-6009; Issue State: New York; Issue Date: Before 1951.
    Ancestry.com. 1930 United States Federal Census database. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2002. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1930. Year: 1930; Census Place: Brooklyn, Kings, New York; Roll: 1540; Page: 10A; Enumeration District: 0481; Image: 467.0; FHL microfilm: 2341275.
    “Dorothea Noteboom”, Stamboom Dusseljee, Geneaologieonline, http://www.genealogieonline.nl/en/stamboom-dusseljee/I1307.php, accessed 7 January 2015. 
  13. Letter from Gerald Thomas.
    Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census.
    “Johanna Christina Noteboom”, Stamboom Dusseljee, Geneaologieonline, http://www.genealogieonline.nl/en/stamboom-dusseljee/I1424.php, accessed 7 January 2015. 
  14. “Walter Noteboom”, Stamboom Dusseljee, Geneaologieonline, http://www.genealogieonline.nl/en/stamboom-dusseljee/I1305.php, accessed 7 January 2015.
    Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census
  15. Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census.
    “Geraldine Meta Noteboom”, Stamboom Dusseljee, Geneaologieonline, http://www.genealogieonline.nl/en/stamboom-dusseljee/I1306.php, accessed 7 January 2015.
    Ancestry.com. New York, New York, Marriage Index 1866-1937, database. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. Original data: Index to New York City Marriages, 1866-1937. Indices prepared by the Italian Genealogical Group and the German Genealogy Group, and used with permission of the New York City Department of Records/Municipal Archives. 
  16. Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census
  17. The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, New York, Tuesday, December 16, 1913, Page 3, Column 4.”Walter Noteboom Obituary”. Newspapers.com, http://www.newspapers.com/image/54328490/