{"id":140361,"date":"2020-01-20T08:11:00","date_gmt":"2020-01-20T06:11:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oudaalten.nl\/emigration\/emigration-to-the-united-states\/"},"modified":"2026-04-07T23:46:24","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T21:46:24","slug":"emigration-to-the-united-states","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/oldaalten.nl\/en\/emigration\/emigration-to-the-united-states\/","title":{"rendered":"Emigration to the United States"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

During the 19th century, thousands of people left the Achterhoek region to build a new life in the United States. Many residents departed from Aalten as well. What began as a religiously motivated exodus grew into a broader emigration movement that continued well into the 20th century. On this page, you will find stories by and about these emigrants, as well as a list of emigrants<\/a> from Aalten.<\/p>\n\n

<\/div>\n
\"Gradus<\/a>\n

“We have it better than ever”<\/a><\/h2>\n
Letters from the Aalten emigrant Gradus Heinen from America.
Bekijk<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
\"Harry<\/a>\n

A mother remained faithful to her birthplace<\/a><\/h2>\n
American corporal visits Aalten in 1953 and speaks Achterhoeks.
Bekijk<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
\"Arrival<\/a>\n

A trip back and forth to the Netherlands<\/a><\/h2>\n
In 1950, Hendrik Jan Tuininga visited the old homeland.
Bekijk<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
\"American<\/a>\n

Aalten residents who fought in the American Civil War<\/a><\/h2>\n
Some emigrants from Aalten fought with them.
Bekijk<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
\"Willy<\/a>\n

Adventurous couple<\/a><\/h2>\n
The emigration story of Willy Bulten and Peter Klaassen (1955)
Bekijk<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
\"Fishing<\/a>\n

Amsterdam Pier, Sheboygan<\/a><\/h2>\n
Once an important transshipment point for wood, agricultural products and fish.
Bekijk<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
\"Navis<\/a>\n

Emigrant family Navis<\/a><\/h2>\n
An overview of emigrants from the Navis family.
Bekijk<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
\"Sheboygan,<\/a>\n

Emigration from Aalten to America<\/a><\/h2>\n
In the 19th century, almost a third of the population of the Achterhoek emigrated to
Bekijk<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
\"Clymer,<\/a>\n

Gruesome arrival in New York<\/a><\/h2>\n
The unfortunate story of Berend Hendrik Legters. (1854)
Bekijk<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
\"Shoshone<\/a>\n

Indian stories<\/a><\/h2>\n
About a conflict between descendants of Aalten emigrants and original inhabitants.
Bekijk<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
\"List<\/a>\n

List of emigrants from Aalten to the USA<\/a><\/h2>\n
Emigrants from Aalten to the US in the period 1835\u20131920.
Bekijk<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
\"Wilhelmina<\/a>\n

Miss te Slaa has not forgotten the Netherlands after 42 years in the U.S.<\/a><\/h2>\n
Wilhelmina te Slaa (1899\u20131981) left for the US in 1911.
Bekijk<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
\"Jan<\/a>\n

Peak became Pike in the US<\/a><\/h2>\n
How an emigrant from Bredevoort laid the foundation for a successful construction company in the
Bekijk<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
\"Willemina<\/a>\n

Pioneers in Wisconsin \u2013 Duenk<\/a><\/h2>\n
The Duenk family emigrated to Wisconsin in 1847.
Bekijk<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
\"Evert<\/a>\n

Pioneers in Wisconsin \u2013 Haartman<\/a><\/h2>\n
The Haartman family emigrated to Wisconsin in 1846.
Bekijk<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
\"Kerkstraat<\/a>\n

Pioneers in Wisconsin \u2013 Heebink<\/a><\/h2>\n
About the Heebink family from Aalten, their journey and how they fared in America.
Bekijk<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
\"Gerrit<\/a>\n

Pioneers in Wisconsin \u2013 Hilbelink<\/a><\/h2>\n
Gerrit Jan and Garritjen Hilbelink emigrated to Wisconsin in 1847.
Bekijk<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
\"Derk<\/a>\n

Pioneers in Wisconsin \u2013 Huinink<\/a><\/h2>\n
The Huinink family emigrated to Wisconsin in 1869.
Bekijk<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
\"Grave<\/a>\n

Pioneers in Wisconsin \u2013 Ruesink<\/a><\/h2>\n
The Ruesink family emigrated to Wisconsin in 1855.
Bekijk<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
\"Holland,<\/a>\n

Pioneers in Wisconsin \u2013 Stronks<\/a><\/h2>\n
How the Stronks family from Dale found their way in the New World.
Bekijk<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
\"Walvoord<\/a>\n

Pioneers in Wisconsin \u2013 Walvoord<\/a><\/h2>\n
Stories of members of the Walvoord family who emigrated to the US.
Bekijk<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
\"Grave<\/a>\n

Pioneers in Wisconsin \u2013 Wevers<\/a><\/h2>\n
The life story of emigrant Harmen Jan Wevers (1833\u20131905).
Bekijk<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
\"Phoenix<\/a>\n

The Phoenix Disaster (1847)<\/a><\/h2>\n
At the end of 1847, dozens of residents from Oud-Aalten perished on Lake Michigan.
Bekijk<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
\"Head<\/a>\n

The sailing ship ‘Hector’ (1846)<\/a><\/h2>\n
In 1846, dozens of emigrants from Aalten left for America on this ship.
Bekijk<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
\"The<\/a>\n

The sailing ship ‘Kath Jackson’ (1847)<\/a><\/h2>\n
In 1847, 131 emigrants from Aalten left for America on this ship.
Bekijk<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
\"Heading<\/a>\n

The sailing ship ‘Leila’ (1854)<\/a><\/h2>\n
In 1854, about 120 emigrants from Aalten left for America on this ship.
Bekijk<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
\"Steamship<\/a>\n

The steamship ‘Nestorian’ (1869)<\/a><\/h2>\n
In 1869, more than 100 emigrants from Aalten left for America on this ship.
Bekijk<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
\"Brevoort<\/a>\n

Traces of Brevoort in New York<\/a><\/h2>\n
Around 1660 Hendrick Janszen ‘van Brevoort’ came to New Amsterdam.
Bekijk<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
\"Nieuw<\/a>\n

Two Aalten boys in search of fortune<\/a><\/h2>\n
Cousins Johan and Jan Hoftiezer emigrate to the US in 1948.
Bekijk<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
\"Walvoord<\/a>\n

Walvoord Cemetery<\/a><\/h2>\n
In his will, Hendrik Walvoord (1801\u20131865) reserved land for a family cemetery.
Bekijk<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t