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Re: Poortstra in New Jersey
mvansluis Posted: 19 Feb 2012 9:52PM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Vlietstra, Poortstra, Douma

Reinder was born on 3 February 1866 in Pingjum, son of Sybren Poortstra and Geertje Reinders Mulder. The birth was registered on 3 February 1866 [source: blad nr. 12 x]. Reinder died on 21 October 1965 in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania (USA), aged 99. Reinder married Baukje Scheffer (born 1869) on 12 May 1888 in Paterson, New Jersey (USA). This marriage was dissolved around 1903 (divorce).
Note about Reinder: Walked away as a 12 year old boy because he hated farm work. He went to work on ships as cabin boy, later as a deckhand. From 1887 he was an American citizen. Lived in Paterson. He's been back several times. Probably working on ships. On June 30, 1902 he came again on Ellis Island. He then traveled with the Potsdam from Rotterdam. On one of his stays, he and Aukje Vlietstra fell in love. He was married to Boukje Scheffer and she was married to Fokke Douma. Probably he took her on a boat where he worked. In 1903 he was removed from the census of Harlingen. They ran away together and were married in 1908 in America. She was married since 1901 with Fokke, who recognized her child Gary, whose surname was Douma. In 1915, Fokke Douma asked for a divorce. He indicated that the residence of Aukje was unknown. Later the parents of Aukje come to America. They lived with them.

1920 Census:

Reinder Poortstra, "United States Census, 1920"

name: Reinder Poortstra
residence: , Passaic, New Jersey
estimated birth year: 1867
age: 53
birthplace: Holland
relationship to head of household: Self
gender: Male
race: White
marital status: Married
father's birthplace:
mother's birthplace:
film number: 1821065
digital folder number: 4313366
image number: 00109
sheet number: 8
Household Gender Age Birthplace
self Reinder Poortstra M 53y Holland
wife Ankje Poortstra F 42y Holland
dau Magie Poortstra F 14y New Jersey
dau Gertrut Poortstra F 12y1m New Jersey
dau Henrietta Poortstra F 8y8m New Jersey
son Raymond Poortstra M 2y10m New Jersey
Citing this Record

"United States Census, 1920," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M4YH-RY7 : accessed 28 Feb 2013), Reinder Poortstra, , Passaic, New Jersey; citing enumeration district (ED) , sheet 8B, family 189, NARA microfilm publication T625, FHL microfilm 1821065.