Dutch ancestors all over the world
Even though the Netherlands is only a small country, it might surprise you how many people around the world have Dutch ancestors. There is Dutch ancestry in countries like Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Israel and the United States, to name but a few. So how did your Dutch ancestors end up halfway across the world?
Dutch in Canada, USA and Australia
After the Second World War, many Dutch families emigrated to Canada and the United States. These were the countries that liberated Europe, and this was where the future lay. Nowadays, there are still many people with Dutch roots in Canada and the US. The history of Dutch immigrants in America even goes back a lot further than the twentieth century; Dutch people have been immigrating to the United States ever since the seventeenth century, when they first settled in New Amsterdam. History shows that many Dutch people followed, both before and after WW2.
There are also many Dutch Australians, New Zealanders and South Africans, whose ancestors emigrated after the Second World War in search of a better life. In fact, Dutch Australians represent one of the largest groups of people with Dutch ancestors outside of Europe, with 1,5% of the Australian population claiming Netherlands ancestry. In New Zealand, there are reportedly around 100.000 people with Dutch ancestry, and the reason many people in South Africa have Dutch ancestry is because of the country’s history as a former colony under Dutch rule.
‘Dutch’ ancestors in former colonies
During the same period in which many Dutch immigrants landed in America, Canada or Australia, people in former Dutch colonies faced other difficulties. In 1949, the former Dutch Indies gained independence, followed by former Dutch New Guinea in 1962. As a result, many families from these countries were required to “return” to the Netherlands, despite never having been there before. Many of these “returned” families became Dutch citizens, while others continued on to countries such as Brazil or Argentina.
Do you have a Dutch Jewish surname?
The Second World War killed over 100.000 Dutch Jewish people. It is no wonder that many Jewish people from the Netherlands moved away from the country afterwards, for instance to Israel, where many people nowadays still have a Dutch, Jewish surname. Not sure how to find your great-great great grandmother, or looking for living relatives instead? Dutch Family Roots can help you discover your family history. Read for instance about a project in which we discovered a living relative in Israel for one of our clients.
Help with Netherlands genealogy records online
Whether you’re looking for more information about your Netherlands ancestry, like trying to find out where your Dutch ancestors lived, or need help sifting through Netherlands genealogy records online; Dutch Family Roots can help you in your research. Our Digital Screening or Check consists of 10 hours of online research, after which we will provide you with a detailed report on your Dutch family history.
Researching your Netherlands ancestry
Additionally, we offer special services, like on-site research or help writing a book. Interested in what we can do for you? Contact us through our website for a full proposal.