Find My Dead

Genealogy of Sharon & Scotty

Archives for February 2010

Burgraff/Kortlever/Stek/Bel

The Last of Willem & Sygje

Willem died in early 1900, probably in April in Marion County. I find several land transactions in April 1900 between Willem and his son John during that time. I will do further research when I’m in Salt Lake City and see if I can narrow down the date.

Sygje is enumerated with older son Albert in Union Township, Mahaska County on 6 June 1900. She appears as Sallie on this census record and is listed as a widow. On this census Sygje informs us that she is the mother of 7 children – we only know about 5 – and only 3 of them are living at the time of the census. She’s living with Albert, Anna is in Sioux County, and John is in Minnesota, so Jantje and Goverdina are both deceased before this census. This record also confirms that Sygje still does not read, write, or speak English.

Sygje dies in 1901 according to her tombstone, and I have found an obituary for her that is a little confusing. The obit reads:

MRS. WILLIAM BURGRAAF,
Died, Friday of last week at the home of her daughter in Rock Valley in Sioux county this state, Mrs. William Burgraaf, aged over 81 years. The remains were brought to Pella Saturday. Funeral services were hel Sunday forenoon at about 11 o’clock in the First Reformed Church by the pastor, Rev. H. J. Veldman after which the burial took place at the Porterville cemetery about six miles southeast of town, where they were deposited at the side of those of her husband, who preceded her in death only a few months ago.—Pella Blade.

This obituary came out of a loose group of clippings that someone had collected and has a handwritten date of 13 June 1902 on the right side. I believe either the handwritten date is in error or perhaps this is one of those “One Year ago today” or some type of compilation item. Notice it says her husband “preceded her in death only a few months ago.” Also, note that the name of the paper is at the end of the piece, indicating that this clipping is from another location and not from the Pella Blade. I have no idea of the actual date of death, but I’m sticking with the tombstone for now. I hope to clarify Sygje death date this summer.

While Willem and Sygje started out in the Porterville Cemetery they were eventually moved to Graceland Cemetery in Pella when Porterville was closed.

Burgraff/Kortlever/Stek/Bel

Willem and Sygje in Iowa 2

The most interesting censuses to me are the 1854 and 1856 Iowa State Census records.1,2 In 1856 Willem’s farm is listed as a new farm and his older brother Pieter (Peter on this record) is on the same page. Pieter’s farm is established by 1856 and his crops are listed. Willem is listed as a voter and a member of the militia. Usually men that serve in the military for a period of time are granted citizenship upon completion of the service. With citizenship would come the right to exercise their franchise, and Willem is listed as a voter on the census records. Both Willem and Peter (the younger) were militia members and voters, while Pieter was not. I have found a muster record for Peter, but I haven’t found anything beyond the census records for Willem that establish his service.

By the 1860 census the family as we know it is firmly established.3 Willem and Sygje appear to be in about the same financial class as their neighbors.

On the 1870 census Willem and Sygje are listed as being unable to read and write English.4 Willem is listed as a citizen.

On the 1880 census the only child left at home is the 24 year old Anna, but Jantje and Goverdina are in the next two dwelling.5 By now both Willem and Sygje appear to be able to read and write English.

Both Willem and Sygje appear on the 1895 Iowa State Census, which on Ancestry has no images attached.6


1. 1854 Iowa State Census, Marion County, Iowa, population schedule, Lake Prairie Twp., p. Roll IA 122, line 2, W. Burggraaf, 2 males, 3 females, 1 voter, 1 militia; digital images, The Generations Network, Inc., Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 9 Jul 2009); citing State Historical Society of Iowa via Heritage Quest.
2. 1856 Iowa State Census, Marion County, Iowa, population schedule, Lake Prairie Twp., p. 450, dwelling 75, family 80, Willem Burggraaf, age 35; digital images, The Generations Network, Inc., Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 9 Jul 2009); citing State Historical Society of Iowa via Heritage Quest.
3. 1860 U.S. census, Marion County, Iowa population schedule, Pella, Lake Prairie Twp, p. 199, dwelling 1431, family 1340, Willem Burggraaf; digital images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 5 Jul 2009); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm M653, roll 335.
4. 1870 U.S. census, Marion County, Iowa population schedule, Pella, Lake Prairie Twp, p. 134, dwelling 211, family 210, Willem Burggraaf; digital images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 5 Jul 2009); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm M593, roll 409.
5. 1880 U.S. census, Marion County, Iowa population schedule, Lake Prairie Twp., enumeration district (ED) 120, p. 8, dwelling 70, family 70, William Burgraff, age 59; digital images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 9 Jul 2009); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm T9, roll 354.
6. 1895 Iowa State Census, Marion County, Iowa, population schedule, Lake Prairie, p. 74, Wm Burgraaf; digital images, The Generations Network, Inc., Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 9 Jul 2009); citing State Historical Society of Iowa via Heritage Quest.