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Archiver > Dutch-Colonies > 2003-08 > 1061403906


From: "Lorine McGinnis Schulze" <>
Subject: Re: [D-Col] inheritance customs and guardians
Date: Wed, 20 Aug 2003 14:25:06 -0400
In-Reply-To: <006501c36717$e464b5e0$71ce580c@ddg>


On 20 Aug 2003 at 8:38, RMH wrote:

> Could someone explain when the policy of appointing
> guardians for minor children left fatherless came into
> practice? And is this a Dutch custom, or did it arise after
> the Dutch customs had given way to the English?
>

Hi Regina

Under Dutch law, when a person died, and his/her spouse was
to remarry, the rights of all underage children had to be
assured.

The Weeskamer (OrphanMasters) were responsible for assuring
that children had guardians appointed who would guarantee
their rights.

You can search OrphanMasters records in both New Netherland
and Amsterdam (probably elsewhere in the Netherlands too
but I'm not as familiar with other areas besides Amsterdam)

"The Minutes of the Orphanmasters of New Amsterdam, 1655 to
1663" translated and edited by Berthold Fernow is one
source that is very useful.

Lorine
Lorine McGinnis Schulze
--
* The Olive Tree Genealogy
http://olivetreegenealogy.com/
* Naturalization Records
http://naturalizationrecords.com/
* USA Genealogy
http://www.rootsweb.com/~ote/usa_genealogy/

or

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