• Marinus and Meis' departure from Haarlemmermeer to Chicago in 1868 really started it all. And unfortunately, his decision to come is the least understood. Marinus was the first Vanderkloot to come and his decision brought Meis and their 6 children and started a long chain of events. It is uncertain what drove Marinus to make what had to be a risky change of venue. Over a twenty-year period from 1849 to 1868, he had moved from Texel to Zijpe to Harlemmermeer, married and raised a family. His parents lived nearby and records indicate he was in the middle class. All I can speculate is that he had continued ambitions and like the Silicon Valleys of today, Chicago then beckoned via stories from successful friends and the advertisements of the times. It is likely that Marinus had a friend or colleague in Chicago who wanted him to come and would help him get started. Since I am sure we'd all like to know more, hopefully, someone from the Marinus Vanderkloot line would drop me a line to share any insights.
• Adrianus, Peter and Marinus all came about 1881 or 1882 to work in their Uncle Marinus' expanding Ironworks in Chicago. Some information suggests that Peter may have come first, then Adrianus, then Matthijs Jr. but other data suggests they all came together and other information suggests that Adrianus came first. We do know Adrianus came in August1881. Either way, it is most likely that their Uncle Marinus or his sons had written them of the opportunity, new lifestyle, and that they could use their help in Chicago if they wanted a little adventure. The Mirian Eastman letter suggests there were not many opportunities for young people in Holland at the time and Nancy Sayles' letter suggests that the blacksmith shop in Cocksdorp could not support the large family. In Adrianus', Peter' and Marinus' situation, the decision to go was a bit less complicated than their Uncle Marinus'; they were unmarried; they had letters on what it was like in Chicago, and they knew there would be jobs, friends and cousins waiting there.
• Martha Tanis came in 1882 to marry her fiancé Adrianus.
• Matthijs came in 1886. It is likely he came because his brother Marinus asked him. The story History of Chicago-Vanderkloots, written in 1886, paints a picture of Marinus' rapidly expanding business, which had to be in need of reliable and skilled workers. If you were in Marinus' shoes, I am sure you would write your brother and tell him you could use his help and to bring along Matthijs, Cornelius, and John too. Alette's story paints a picture of dwindling helpers for Matthijs as the older boys move away and there were tensions with the Dominie. Nick Vanderkloot's 1977 letter states: "The Vanderkloots came to America because the Iron Works on the Island of Texel was not doing well and there was a religious problem that caused concern to my grandfather [Matthijs]. So at some point, Matthijs must have decided things sounded better in Chicago and one might guess that he talked things over with Trijntje and they agreed to leave Texel. Dr. Al Vanderkloot letter then suggests that Pieter, who was already in Chicago, went back to bring his parents over. So at some point Matthijs begins transferring the business to his son Klaas, starts building their sea chests, packs their belongings, says goodbye to Klaas and Maatje. Then with Pieter's help takes the family to Rotterdam and sails to America with their guide Pieter, wife Trijntje, and four of his children, Matthijs Jr., Jannetje, Cornelius and John.
• Later Matthijs must have written back to his old helpers from Cocksdorp, Rhinderd and William Kramer, about how well things worked out. Convinced, they to come to Chicago to work at the Iron Works also.
• Later it appears that Peter Vanderkloot went back again to marry Bertha Dros and bring her to Chicago.
  

Initial Web Publication Date: 07/27/2001
Intermediate Additions:

• Go to the Tanis Story Outline
• Go to the Vanderkloot Story Outline
• Go to the Tanis Initial Page
• Go to the Vanderkloot Intial Page