Rolffs stamboom / Family tree

1. VOS, Johanna Christina [I9172]
2. VOS, Willem [I9168]
3. VOS, Maria [I9176]
4. VOS, Mourits [I9180]
5. VOS, Pieternella [I9184]
6. VOS, Dirk [I9188]

In 1897 Hendrik married Cornelia Vos and she became the mother of his two small children. They were blest with six children of their own. Hendrik continued in the occupation of his forefathers and practiced the art of Blacksmithing. He had a shop behind the house they lived in. The family lived in the village of Sprang Capella, (in the province of Noord Braband). All the children were born there. Life was very difficult at the turn of the century and the lure of the new life in America seemed inviting to many Hollanders. Hendrik and Cornelia felt there wasn't much of a future for their growing family in Holland, and in 1914, under the sponsorship of Willem Vos, a brother of Cornelia, they set sail from their home on the ship Nortdam, along with Cornelia's sister Marie and her husband Adrian Geenen and family. The family all sailed for America, except their son Willem, who chose to stay behind and fulfill a military obligation with the Horse Cavalry.
The trip from Holland took nine days of sailing. All the families belongings were packed in one trunk except for the clothes they were wearing. Dick remembers the boat as being quite large. The rooms were comfortable, and there was a large play area for the children. It was Anna's, Johanna's and Durkies duty to watch their younger brothers. The passengers went 1st. 2nd. and 3rd. class. They journied by 3rd class. Cornelia was very sick on boat and spent about five days in her bunk. The children spent the time watching the waves, and the fish in the ocean.
They arrived in New York Harbor, and without rest were put on a train which took them three days journey to Newton, Iowa. Dick remembers the train ride as very hot and muggy. The conductors would crowd as many people on the train as they could, and they got on the train in late evening and their family had to stand up all night. Dick and Lou laid down on the floor between people. Dick said his mother was exhausted and almost dead when they arrived in Newton. Cornelia's brother Willem was in Newton to welcome them, and they journeyed to the town of Sully, Iowa by way of the M & St.. L. Railroad. Minneapolis and St. Louis Railroad; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minneapolis_and_St._Louis_Railway}
Much of the town of Sully was curious about the arrival of the "Dutchmen". They gathered at the depot to see them get off the train, but Willem knew his tired family didn't need a welcome like that, so he hurried them off the train on the side away from the depot and they all walked to the home of their Aunt Tante Ryntje (the widow of Dirk Vos, Cornelia's brother). So the town of Sully didn't get to see the "Dutchmen" get off the train.
The two families moved into the old building which is now, George's Market in Sully. The Geenen family were bakers by trade, and started a bakery on the first floor and lived in the back of the building. The Rolffs family moved into the rooms upstairs and Hendrik worked as a blacksmith for a man by the name of Piet Lubberden.

(Source: Hendrik Ludolf Rolffs book)

Grandmother Rolffs had a dry-goods store in the front of their home, and she was an accomplished seamstress. Her hand operated sewing machine came to America with them, and is now in the family of Aunt Durkie.

1. ROLFFS, Hendrik Jacobus [I9162]
2. ROLFFS, Johanna Christina [I9222]
3. ROLFFS, Dirkie [I9223]
4. ROLFFS, Dirk [I9224]
5. ROLFFS, Ludolph Hendrik [I9225]
6. ROLFFS, Cornelis [I9226]