Arconti-King Family Tree

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Re: Poortstra in New Jersey
mvansluis Posted: 19 Feb 2012 9:52PM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Vlietstra, Poortstra, Douma
Aukje (Ada) Vlietstra was born on 6 October 1877 in Franeker, daughter of Roelof Vlietstra and Maaike Postma. The birth was registered on 8 October 1877. Ada died on 15 May 1968 in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania (USA), aged 90 [source: ssn 180-40-0537].
(1) At the age of 23, Ada married Fokke Douma, aged 21 or 22, on 12 May 1901 in Franeker [source: akte nr. 13 x]. The marriage was dissolved on 17 December 1914 (echtscheiding) [source: echtscheidingsakte 14-08-1915 Franeker akte nr. 46 x].
Note about the marriage of Ada and Fokke: In 1901, the son Gauke recognized by Fokke Douma, Gauke was born in Almenum. The mother of the bride could not sign the marriageact because she could not write. Fokke Douma has in 1915 submitted a judgment of the District Court of Leeuwarden that he is separated from Aukje Vlietstra.
Fokke was born on 12 October 1879 in Franeker, son of Tjiepke Douma and Hinke Baukes Post. Fokke married Wietske Koopman (born 1887) on 23 September 1915 in Schoterland [source: akte nr. 102 x].
(2) At the age of 30, Ada married Reinder Poortstra, aged 41, on 4 January 1908 in Paterson, New Jersey (USA). 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.
More information you can find in my book about the Poortstra family. I presume you are a familymember (son, grandson) of Kathleen Poortstra and Bill Connelly. One of your familymembers must have the book.

Social Security Death Index:

Ada Poortstra, "United States Social Security Death Index"

given name: Ada
middle name:
surname: Poortstra
name suffix:
birth date: 6 October 1877
social security number: 180-40-0537
state: Pennsylvania
last place of residence: Monroe, Pennsylvania
previous residence postal code: 18301
event date: 15 May 1968
age: 91
Citing this Record

"United States Social Security Death Index," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/J23G-224 : accessed 28 Feb 2013), Ada Poortstra, 15 May 1968.