photograph
Catalog Number
2015.10.113Date of Origin
ca. 1919Description
4 generation photo showing Aaltje Arendsen Van Dyk (seated), Jeanette Vanden Belt Meinsma, Marie Meinsma and mary Van Dyk Vanden Belt.History
Meinsma/Vanden Belt Family HistoryMuch of 2015.10 focuses on the lives of sisters Eva and Marie Meinsma and their grandparents, Henry and Mary Vanden Belt.
Henry Vanden Belt was born in Fillmore, MI in 1868. His parents are Johannes Vanden Belt and Jantje “Jane” Russcher. Henry grew up in the Fillmore area. He died in 1945 and was buried in Pilgrim Home Cemetery.
Mary Van Dyk was born in the Netherlands in 1867. Her parents are Albert Van Dyk and Aaltje Arendsen. By 1869, the Van Dyk family had moved to Holland, MI. Mary died in 1951 and was buried in Pilgrim Cemetery.
Henry and Mary were married in Holland, MI in 1892. They had three children, all born in Holland, MI: Jeanette; Albert; and Johannas “John”.
The family moved to the area of Dixon, IL, the vicinity of one of Holland Furnace’s many plants.
Eva and Marie are Jeanette’s daughters. Jeanette married Arthur Meinsema. Upon her death on 5-12-1923 in Dixon, IL, the daughters left their father and returned to Holland, MI to live with grandparents Henry and Mary Vanden Belt.
Eva Meinsma (1923-2003) lived in Holland, MI most of her life. The 1930 US Census shows her living at 334 Van Raalte with her sister Marie Meinsma Van Dyke (1919-2005) and grandparents, Mary Van Dyk Vanden Belt (1867-1951) and Henry Vanden Belt (1868-1945). Throughout the 1940's and 1950's, the sisters lived together in Holland (at 54 E. 14th and 207 W. 17th). Eva would later marry Ben Schakelaar (1908-1972) ca. 1966 and John Kobes (1895-1987). Eva is buried in Pilgrim Home Cemetery. Marie would later marry Fred Van Dyke ( -1992).