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Fryske Akademy Fryske Akademy

Genealogical Working Group

The Genealogical Working Group (Genealogysk Wurkferbân, since 1946) digs into Fryslân's paper past. Genealogists deal with the research of genera. They focus on the cohesion of those genera and the circumstances in which they lived. They do so to deepen their own understanding, but also to help others, such as historians, with the results of their research.

After World War II, the Genealogical Working Group of the Fryske Akademy was founded to join forces in that field. After 1970, the Working Association boomed, so that at one point it had more than 500 members. From the members of the Genealogical Working Group, a number of members were installed as the Fryske Rie foar Heraldyk (Frisian Council for Heraldry) in 1956. This heraldic college deals with all matters concerning arms and flags.

 

 

Board Genealogical Working Group
Photo: Mary van der Put

Front from left to right: dr. Jabik van der Bij (secretary), dra. Anneke Westerhuis-de Jager.

Back from left to right: Anne-Hielke Lemstra, Jelle de Jong, Rinse Spits en Gosse van der Plaats (chair).

Board and contact

Chair: Gosse van der Plaats (e-mail)
Secretary: Dr. Jabik van der Bij (e-mail)
Board members: Jelle de Jong, Anne Hielke Lemstra, Rinse Spits, Anneke Westerhuis-Jager.

 

About the Genealogysk Wurkferbân

The Genealogical Working Group:

  • takes care of the publication of the Genealogysk Jierboek;
  • organises meetings focusing on a genealogical or heraldic subject to increase the knowledge and insight of the members;
  • organises an annual excursion to a few churches to view gravestones, funeral boards, etc.;
  • organises a Genealogical Day every two years in collaboration with the Frisian branch of the Dutch Genealogical Association and the foundation Freonen fan de Argiven yn Fryslân;
  • has an epitaph committee, which investigates gravestones that come to light during church restorations. 

Our study group does not do genealogical research for third parties. Some members are prepared to do this personally, for a fee. Genealogists can go to Tresoar, the Historical Centre Leeuwarden, the Regional Archives Northeast Friesland and all municipal archives for their research in Friesland. These institutions are also happy to include genealogical publications, often based on research in these archives, in their collections. There is no room for unpublished research and databases in their collections. The Stichting Erfgoed Fundaasje  is prepared to do so under certain conditions. This institution can charge a fee for expenses in consultation. 

Epitaphs Commission

Over the past few years, several churches in Friesland have been restored. The Epitaph Commission of the Genealogical Association makes an accurate inventory of known and unknown epitaphs on the gravestones whenever a church floor is removed.

Documentation (reports)

2026 
2025
2024

Agenda

Winter season 2025-2026

Saturday 31 January 2026 
Lecture by Martha van der Zwaag on the ‘Pilat’ family. The Pilatten and Pilotten originally came from Burgsteinfurt in Germany, but when the linen industry collapsed due to industrialisation in the early 19th century, Jan Heinrich and Johann Pilat decided to seek their fortune elsewhere. They ended up in Fryslân. In Metslawier, they found work as weavers, and so began the story of the Pilat and Pilott families in Fryslân and the surrounding area; a family that grew into a colourful, diverse community with deep roots and a rich history.
Invitation with more information >>

  • Saturday 7 March 2026 Joint meeting with NGV and the Maritime History Working Group, with lecture by Jan Auke Walburg on 'Friezen op zee. De Gouden eeuw van de koopvaardij in Friese steden en dorpen’
  • Saturday 4 April 2026 Presentation of the 75th Genealogical Yearbook

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Earlier in the winter season 2024-2025

Saturday 3 January 2026 
Lecture tour (NL/FR) based on the book En toch willen we liever hier blijven (And yet we would rather stay here) by Tjitte de Vries. De Vries tells the moving story of his Jewish ancestors who fled Poland before the war and built a new life in Amsterdam. Henk van der Veer will lead the discussion between De Vries and the audience this afternoon. 
De Vries' book will be on sale during the break for €15.
Invitation with more information >>

Saturday 29 November 2025 
Lecture by Rob Dix on Middeleeuws Vlechtwerk, a database containing genealogical information on approximately 140,000 individuals born before 1700 (including approximately 7,000 Frisians)
Invitation with more information >>

Saturday 25 October 2025
Lecture by Klaas Abma on ‘Voorlanden, boerderijen en landerijen van mijn voorouders 1700-2000'
More information >>

Saturday 13 September 2025 Excursion Scheepvaartmuseum Sneek (13:30, Kleinzand 16, 8601 BH Sneek)
The programma (NL) consists of a lecture from former skipper Pier Sijbranda and a guided tour in the Fries Scheepvaartmuseum. 
More information >>