Precies 7 jaar geleden schreef ik een blogje over de familie Hut – vader, moeder en 13 kinderen – die in 1947 vanuit de Wilhelminastraat in Noordwijk emigreerde naar de Verenigde Staten. Vader Hut, in Noordwijk nog commies bij de belastingen, ging er mede op advies van zijn al eerder geëmigreerde broer boeren in New York State.
Nu krijg ik de volgende aardige reactie op dat blogje van dochter Gretha Hut, inmiddels Grace Hutt Feenstra.
My Name is Grace (Hutt) Feenstra. I am the youngest girl in the picture on in this blog. I find it wonderful and fascinating that you were talking about my family. My family left Noordwijk via the Veendam in July 1947. We arrived in Hoboken New Jersey 10 days later. My father’s brother already lived in the USA in Goshen New York, so that is where we lived the first year. My youngest brother was born in the US that November. My parents acquired a farm in Middletown NY, and we lived there until 1954. We then moved to Marion NY, where my father continued to farm until he retired. My parents did not leave the Netherlands because they disliked it. It was their homeland. After the war, conditions were bleak and it was difficult for them to visualize a future for their large family. They emigrated entirely to give the children opportunities for a better future. All of the children were able to obtain a higher education and do well. (By working very hard and paying their own way). Both parents, 3 brothers and 1 sister have passed away.
As a matter of fact, this is very fortuitous. I am going to be in Noordwijk with my own family for a few hours on the 24th of this month (June 2023) to show my children my childhood home. I am still a “Dutchman” at heart. My parents went back to the Netherlands several times to visit family. I have also been back several times.
BLOGnoordwijk (Heimatsammlung) 
What a great story about a journey towards a better future which was not for granted. If this reaches your eyes, do you speak some Dutch and understand the language? A meaningful life and hard work pays off and meeting expectations although there are always obstacles to overcome.
Beware of the fact that “ons dorp” has changed a lot over the years. The 2 parts of Noordwijke are fully integrated nowadays, but there are certainly some remains of the past. Especially the Wilhelminastraat.
Be welcome and knowing your roots is 50% of your dna to pass on to everybody in the family and beyond. 🙏
Thank you for opening this blog. I am Grace Hutt Feenstra and will be in Noordwijk on the 24th of this month. We lived at 33 Wilhelminastraat at the time of our emigration to the USA. I can understand and still speak Dutch. I can read it slowly. I am going to let the rest of my family know about this blog and hopefully you will get a few more responses. My parents assimilation into this country was not an easy one, but they sacrificed their comfortable lives to allow better opportuities for their children. My mother suffered greatly for the first five years, but eventually, made new friends and grew to love it.
Thanks for responding and great to read about your ability to speak and write/read Dutch. A part of my family emigrated to Canada and Australia. All the siblings were born there and non of them are bilingual. The generations before didn’t get opportunities to learn English and by passing of our “Dutch relatives” the possibility of connecting got lost in a way. To my opinion that’s a bit worrisome as it is important to know your roots and history.
I’m not in Noordwijk at the time of your visit would/ ould have been nice though. Maybe by exchanging and other opportunities through this blog? Wish you and your family all the best and a memorable visit and stay in Holland.