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We are almost at the end of our 2020 A to Z Challenge. Have you been enjoying yourself so far? I have loved sharing this topic especially when folks are forced to stay at home due to the Covid-19 Virus. I hope you are all staying safe and finding opportunities to engage in activities like family research that you would not otherwise have the time for.
For today’s V post I wanted to share about my search for VAN VALKENBURG relatives and the realities that just because one shares the same surname does not necessarily mean you are connected.
Table of Contents
My Van Valkenburg Connection
Myself
My Mum
Grandpa
Great-Grandma Hazel Van Valkenburg
My Agonizing Research of the Van Valkenburg Family
If you were to do a Google search for Van Valkenburg, one of the first sites that would pop up is “The National Association of the Van Valkenburg(h) Family” put together by descendants of Lambert Van Valkenburgh in 1970.
At first – I got so excited and signed up for a paid membership in order to get whatever information they had about my ancestors. Sandra, the very nice family genealogist, sent me some family sheets and lo and beyond (funny enough) the information she had was what my mom had previously given her in the 90s! So that was a wasted $10 but for the fact, it taught me something:
Just because my great-grandmother was Dutch, had the name Van Valkenburg, and hailed from Upper State New York, did not mean that she had any known connections to the “official” Van Valkenburg(h) family.
So that family crest on the website? Not my great-grandmother’s (unless we find a connection going further back).
Do I belong to that “national association”? Not anymore (stopped paying dues after the first year when I hit my head against a figurative wall. And perhaps I never should have been accepted into the association when Sandra saw the family lineage that I shared.
What next after a research stumbling block?
I had to put my detective’s hat back on and research the family line the old fashion way. One treasure trove of information was my Great-Great Grandfather’s obituary that someone kindly posted on Find a Grave. It confirmed the names of my great-grandmother’s siblings and of her parents. And thanks to my detective work, I was able to trace my Van Valkenburg line back to 1789! I still have a lot of digging left to do but I keep tapping away.
3 Suggestions for Staying Positive After You’ve Hit a Stumbling Block
Like me, you might want to scream with disappointment and frustration. But remember that just because one door closes, that doesn’t mean that another won’t open. Here are 3 suggestions for how you too can stay positive after you’ve hit a stumbling block in your ancestry-search.
#1. Turn your attention onto another branch of your family tree for a while.
When I get frustrated with my research or lack thereof with one branch of the family, I take some time to recharge by focusing on another line of the family that hopefully can provide more puzzle pieces to put together and fewer riddles to solve.
#2. Reach out to Other Genealogists Who’ve Shown Interest in Your Ancestor.
During your research, you might have seen a name or two pop up from time to time in connection to your ancestor. Perhaps they added a photo or an obituary to your relative’s Find a Grave page? Or perhaps they have your ancestor listed in their family tree on Ancestry.com?
When you’ve hit that stumbling block, there is nothing wrong with reaching out with a polite email to the contributor via either of those sites. Remember to be respectful, polite, and grateful, and you just might hear back! They might have stories, photos, and further connections for your tree! Just because you can’t build your family tree upwards doesn’t mean you can not learn a lot by building horizontally too!
#3. Consider hiring a professional genealogist.
If this particular branch of your family means so much to you, your last best bet would be to speak with a professional genealogist. Nowadays, they are everywhere online. However, I’d personally go with ancestry.com (not an ad!) who offer Ancestry Pro Genealogists.
According to the website,
Our researchers have spent years helping clients tackle difficult family history problems, find family members through DNA analysis, and trace their family trees. Using online and offline resources—and experts around the world—we have the experience and passion to help you reach your family history goals, large or small.
Pricing is not cheap. As of 25 April 2020, prices start at $2,500 USD. However, if this is very important to you – perhaps you can ask for gift certificates for Christmas or your birthday to help with the cost?
According to the website, gift certificates are available upon request.
Sharing is Caring
I hope my story of searching my VAN VALKENBURG family connections has been encouraging and that you found the 3 suggestions for how best to bounce back after reaching a stumbling block to be helpful! Keep pushing forward and I hope to hear how your own search is going.
VAN VALKENBURG Search seems a bit exhausting yet exciting! I hope to try it soon. Thanks for the info.
Family genealogy is so much fun! I need to do more. I also really want to do a DNA test.
I am loving your daily series! Very fascinating! I think I will take your advice and hire a professional genealogist to learn more about my family as well.
This was a great post on dealing with the block. Thank you for sharing. Your posts have inspired me to dig the history of my ancestors.
remember that just because one door closes, that doesn’t mean that another won’t open — so a strong sentence and advise! yes! never give up!
I really enjoy these posts on ancestry. I love making family trees.
Wow, this is some interesting work. Geneology is always something to dig into to learn more of where you came from!
that is a steep price but for some people it would be worth it. i’m adopted so i may look into it someday.
You are really making progress here even when you run into a stumbling block. I went to college with some Van Valkenburgs — I wonder if they are part of the family tree!
The association does not have all of the answers. The current family tree has 60,000+ names in it and will, most likely, never be complete as it is a constant work in progress.
Several factors are in play here:
1 – the State of New York is indeed where most VV’s originate from.
2 – the State of New York was at the center of the Rev. War so, many records are either lost or extremely difficult to find.
3 – the State of New York is holding back many records. Genealogical groups have taken them to court to have those records released.
4 – The VV tree was largely researched in the 1930’s and later, that research was published around 1970. No significant research has been since. The research since that time has been largely collaborative because the VV genealogist, Sandra, is not a full time position within the association nor is it paid. There is a movement today to start a more aggressive research effort.
5 – Researching records from 1940 forward is tough sledding. These records are protected by privacy laws. So, I usually advise people to go back as far as they can with known information – father/mother, grandparents, g-grandparents….etc. MAYBE then you might get an idea on where to join up to the main VV tree.
I’m certainly not defending the association, don’t get me wrong. But, for $10 per year, it is what it is – an association.
My son just started asking me about the names of our ancestors. I can only remember the names of my grandparents! I need to do more research and if I fail in my efforts, a professional genealogist would be my next step.
Hazel L. Van Valkenburg (1915-1988)
Lewis George Van Valkenburg & Sarah A. Brown
Charles Wetmore Van Valkenburg & Agnes Eliza LOWERY
Eli Van Valkenburg & Electa Bell
James Van Valkenburg & Betsy Hilligas
Dirrik Van Valkenburg & Maria GROEM Groom
Lambert Van Valkenburg & Catrina Van Vechten
Jacob Van Valkenburg & Christina Winne
Jochem Lambertse Van Valkenburgh & Eva Hendrickse Vrooman
Lambert Jochemse Van Valkenburg & Annetie Jacobs
Lambert Dryeskens van Valkenburg & Maria Van Der Goes
Andries van Valkenburg & Maria
Holy crap! $2500 is a lot of money to find out your ancestry. But you are also lucky because you have an unusual last name. I can’t imagine how difficult it would be to find someone named “smith”. Besides, how would you even know if it’s true. LOL!
Hi i amThe Stephen Vollick i am a Descendant Of Cornelius Van Van Valkenburg and was able to trace the family back To the Netherlands 1590’s . I read your problem with your research at the “National Association of the Van Valkenburg(h) Family. I am a member of that group . We have a Facebook page that probably can help with your Family Connection. the link is below https://www.facebook.com/groups/48139606894/?ref=bookmarks There are almost 1200 members on there . Try leaving some info about your Van Valkenburg Family on there Several Very good researchers on there that probably assist you . As a member did you look at the 2 volume book on the Van Valkenburgh Family . There was PDF files you could of downloaded as a member. I have reached out two other Researchers of the Family name . They have there own website http://www.heritagepin.com/vv/gene/
VanValkenburgh-Vollick-in-Canada. Check that out also. “National Association of the Van Valkenburg(h) Family is in the process of updating there website to alot newer and member friendly site . The website you referred too was way out dated . Think if you give NAVVF another chance you my be surprised how much info is out there !!! Check out the facebook page leave a a few questions about your family with some detail and i believe you will get alot of free help !!! You can email me with your family info and i can see what i can find for you .
although I can extend a considerable amount of patience, I guess resorting to a professional genealogist is a great idea. I am doubtful of the credibility of my outputs. haha!
It is just so amazing how much we can find out ourselves now if you are internet-savvy. One thing just leads to another and you can feel like a real detective with the knowledge you can gain by doing some digging. Of course, there are times when you will hit a brick wall – in which case, it is good to know that there are options around to help you out.
Geneology is so interesting. Almost like a good mystery.
Those are all great ideas when you run into a stumbling block. I like the idea of moving on to something else in the time being. Your other research can lead to a light bulb going off on the previous person you were looking for.
Your detective brain and your research mind are really tempting me to perform the ancestry exercise for my family tree. Seems interesting and way you analyse is awesome.