Walter Noteboom

Zion German Evangelical Lutheran Church

Zion German Evangelical Lutheran Church, Brooklyn Heights

Zion German Evangelical Lutheran Church, Brooklyn Heights
By Beyond My Ken (Own work) [GFDL or CC BY-SA 4.0-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0], via Wikimedia Commons

The Zion German Evangelical Lutheran Church was founded in 1856 and still operates today at 125 Henry Street in Brooklyn Heights, New York.  My 3rd great-grandparents Walter Noteboom and Beta Frederike Christiane Nullmeyer were married there on 11 November 1876.  They were married by the founding pastor, Friedrich W.T. Steimle.

The first church service was held on the first Sunday in Advent in 1855 (December 2nd), with twelve worshipers in attendance.  The service was held in a hall at Nassau and Fulton Streets.  The congregation was comprised of recent German immigrants, who wished to maintain their traditions as Lutheran Christians.  The services were conducted in German.  In the early days, the church was very small, with no more than four worshippers in atttendance.  However, the congregation grew quickly, welcoming the many recent Germans who immigrated to the New York area and necessitating the move to a new home at 189 Washington Street in May 1856. Before the end of the year, the church was incorporated and purchased its permanent home at 125 Henry Street for $14,500.  The Henry Street church was originally built as a Dutch Reform church in 1839, making it the oldest church in Brooklyn Heights that is still being used.1

Pastor Friedrich Wilhelm Tobias Steimle was born in 1827 in Wurttemberg, Germany, and earned his missionary education in Basel.  He arrived in New York in January 1851, and served as an assistant pastor to Dr. Stohlmann until 1855, when he began the Zion German Evangelical Lutheran Church.  He was licensed by the Ministry of New York, and helped found the German New York Synod for which he served as President for six years.  He passed away on 28 February 1880 at almost 53 years of age.2


  1. Church Marriages“, The German Genealogy Group, http://www.germangenealogygroup.com, Accessed: 2 Feb 2015.
    Nicum, John. Geschichte des Evangelisch – Lutherischen Ministeriums vom Staate New York und Angrenzenden Staaten und Ländern (History of the Evangelical – Lutheran Ministry of the State of New York and Adjacent States and countries), New York: Lutheran Church, New York Ministry, 1888, page 351, digital images, Google Books (https://books.google.com/books?id=eo0sAAAAYAAJ&source=gbs_navlinks_s, Accessed: 2 February 2015). 
  2. Nicum, 375. 

Death Certificates for Walter and Christiane Noteboom

I got two death certificates in the mail yesterday – one for Walter Noteboom and one for Christiane Noteboom.

Walter Noteboom Death Certification, NYC Municipal Archives Image ©Larisa Thomas, Roots of Kinship

Walter Noteboom Death Certification, NYC Municipal Archives
Image ©Larisa Thomas, Roots of Kinship

Transcript of Walter’s Death Certificate:

Date: 14 Dec 1913
Surname: Noteboom Given Name: Walter Sex: M
Street: Schenck Avenue Street #: 247 City: Brooklyn County: Kings
State/Province: New York Country: United States
Place of Death: Lutheran Hospital
Marital Status: Married Color/Race: White Age: 70 Occupation: Retired
Birth Place: Netherlands Birth Date: 12 November 1844 Spouse: K. Noteboom
Father: Wolter Noteboom Birth Place: Netherlands
Mother: Henderina de Wirdt Birth Place: Netherlands
Informant: not listed
Cause(s) of Death: Exhaustion following operation for removal of prostate gland
Contributary Cause(s): Chronic hypertrophic prostatitis , chronic cystitis
Duration of Illness: 3 ds.
Physician: W. Haybolt Address: 114 Pennsylvania Avenue
Burial Date: 17 December 1913 Burial Place: Evergreens Cemetery
Undertaker: [illegible] Moore Address: 64 [illegible] Ave
Remarks: I hereby certify that this foregoing particulars (Nos. 1 to 14 inclusive) are correct as near as the same can be ascertained, and I further certify that I attended the deceased from Jan 1 1912 to Dec 14, 1913, that I last saw him alive on the 13 day of Dec 1913, that death occurred on that date stated above at 9am, and that the cause of death was as follows:
[see cause of death]
duration 0 yrs. 0 mos. 3 ds.
duration of contributory cause of death 15 yrs. 0 mos. 0 ds.

 

Comments on Walter’s Death Certificate

  1. Walter died at Lutheran Hospital following prostate surgery, for a condition he suffered from for 15 years, according to the Doctor’s certification.  Lutheran Hospital is now Lutheran Medical Center and is still a fully functional teaching hospital.
  2. I wonder if his dying at Lutheran Hospital is a possible indicator of his faith, or if that is just coincidence.
  3. His mother’s maiden name is spelled differently than in other records I have for her, but that may be an error of the unknown informant.
  4. I have another address for him that I didn’t previously have – 247 Schenck Avenue.  It’s still located in the general vicinity of his other properties in East New York.
  5. He is buried at Evergreens Cemetery.   FindaGrave.com and BillionGraves both had no record of his burial.  I created a memorial for him on FindaGrave.com.

 

Christiane Noteboom Death Certification, NYC Municipal Archives Image ©Larisa Thomas, Roots of Kinship

Christiane Noteboom Death Certification, NYC Municipal Archives
Image ©Larisa Thomas, Roots of Kinship


Transcript of Christiane’s Death Certificate:

Date: 9 Oct 1900
Surname: Noteboom  Given Name: Christiane  Sex: F
Street: Van Siclen Avenue Street#: 64  City: Brooklyn  County: Kings 
State/Province: New York  Country: United States
Place of Death: 64 Van Siclen Avenue
Marital Status: Married  Color/Race: White  Age: 48 years, 3 months, 12 days  Occupation:  Housewife
Birth Place: Germany  Years in the U.S.: 25 years  Years in City of New York: 21 years
Father: August Nullmeyer Birth Place: Germany
Mother: Dora Nullmeyer Birth Place: Germany 
Informant: not listed
Cause(s) of Death: Cerebral Apoplexy
Physician: W.P. Hickok Address: 114 Pennsylvania Avenue
Burial Date: 10 October 1900  Burial Place: Evergreen
Undertaker: Louis Bacler  Address: 477 Liberty Avenue
Remarks: I hereby certify that I attended the deceased from Oct. 7, 1900 to Oct. 9, 1900 that I last saw her alive on the 9th day of Oct. 1900, that she died on the 9th day of Oct. 1900, about 4:15 o’clock P.M., and that to the best of my knowledge and belief, the cause of her death was as hereunder written. [see cause of death]

 

Comments on Christiane’s Death Certificate

  1. Details of her age match other records I have that list her date of birth as 27 June 1852.
  2. The birth index I found lists her father as Albert Nullmeyer, while this record names him August Nullmeyer.  Given the time and distance, and without knowing who the informant on the death certificate is, I would argue that Albert is probably the correct given name for her father.  But this is an area I will have to research further.
  3. I had thought she might have died in childbirth, but this clearly is a stroke.  That means, it is probably his first wife, Beta, who died in childbirth.  I have found little to no records of Beta’s actual existence, so this will be another area of research.
  4. She is buried in Evergreens Cemetery in Brooklyn.  FindaGrave.com and BillionGraves both had no record of her burial.  I created a memorial for her on FindAGrave.com and linked it to Walter’s memorial.  I would like to get a photo of both of their gravesites.
  5. The number of years she’s was in the United States differs from the number of years that she was in New York City.  This means that she likely entered the United States either through Canada or in a different port of entry, such as Baltimore or Philadelphia.  This gives me another clue for finding her immigration records, as I had previously been unable to find her on New York Passenger Lists.

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 #2: Francis Theodore Thomas

Francis and Anna Thomas

Francis and Anna Thomas, from the collection of 2nd cousin 1x removed Paul, posted to Ancestry.com

I’ve written about Francis Theodore Thomas in the past – see “The Missing Thomas” -but I have chosen him again because I’ve learned more about him since the last post, largely in part because I connected with my 2nd cousin, 1x removed, Paul.  He had some photos and a letter from my great-grandfather, Gerald Thomas, that filled in some of the details about Francis Theodore Thomas.

Francis was born in circa 18811, the son of William Thomas and Emma J. Fredericks.  He had four older siblings: Kate, William, May and Maud.2

 

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

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

In 1905, he was living at 172 Miller Avenue with his wife Anna and his oldest two children, Gerald [age 3] and May [age 2].  There were six other families living in the building, which stands the block of Miller Avenue between Fulton Street and Atlantic Avenue.  He was working as a shirt ironer, and at 24 years old, was supporting his family of four.3

According to the letter my great-grandfather wrote to my grandmother and her sister, Francis met my 2nd great-grandmother through her brother, Walter Noteboom, Jr.  He was an orphan by the time they met, and “she felt sorry for him”.  They were married in 1901 against her father’s wishes, and she became estranged from her family for several years as a result.4

Snippet from letter - Anna and Frank marry

Snippet from letter – Anna and Frank marry

When things happened…

Anna Noteboom and Francis Thomas at Rockaway Beach

Anna Noteboom and Francis Thomas at Rockaway Beach

My 2nd great-grandmother Anna always referred to 1906 as the time when things happened.  In August 1906, Francis went to Rockaway Beach for a swim and never came home.  No body was every found, nor were any of his belongings.  He went to get his paycheck, and then to the beach.  After things happened, the family didn’t talk about it much and Anna was left to raise three children, ages 5 and under, on her own.  She borrowed money from the local butcher, and took to cleaning houses and washing clothes to make ends meet.  It was only after Francis disappeared did she reconcile with her father.5

Not much is known about Francis’s family.  Gerald writes in the letter that he had a brother William, who was murdered on the Brooklyn waterfront.  His sister Kate married Thomas Bouse, and Mae married Jack Gardner.  His mother’s maiden name was Fredericks, and she had a sister who married a Captain Hall, who served during the U.S. Civil War.  He is buried at Cypress Hills Cemetery in Brooklyn.  His father is said to have ancestors who were Pennsylvania Quakers.6


  1. Ancestry.com. New York, State Census, 1905 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014.  Original data: New York, State Census, 1905. Population Schedules . New York State Archives, Albany, New York.  State Population Census Schedules, 1905; Election District: A.D. 21 E.D. 19; City: Brooklyn; County: Kings, Page 48. 
  2. Ancestry.com.  Devine-Thomas Family Tree. Posted by pxdbrewer. 
  3.  Ancestry.com. New York, State Census, 1905. 
  4. Letter from Gerald Thomas to Marion Reilly and Ethel Furia, photocopy in my collection, original unknown, April-May 1979. 
  5. ibid. 
  6. ibid. 

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/