Gerrit Blaauw was born on 6 May 1907 in Oldebroek. His parents were Hendrik Blaauw and Hendrikje Flier. He married Jannetje Fikse, born 6 September 1911 in Doornspijk, on 7 March 1929. Early records and family histories describe his work as a driver or bus operator before his later position in the distribution service at Elburg. His family lived in the Doornspijk/Oosterwolde area, including an address recorded as H-153, post Elburg. [17,43,44] Gerrit and Jannetje had five children: Hendrik (“Henk”), born 4 June 1930; Dirkje, 15 March 1932; Batje, 22 June 1934; Gerritje, 21 September 1936; and Johan, 28 April 1940. These dates are preserved in postwar municipal records. Henk was fourteen when the aircraft landed in February 1945. The later family history matters because Gerrit’s death left Jannetje with five young children. [43,49] The administrative sources identify Gerrit’s mother as Hendrikje Flier, but give slightly different readings for her February 1877 birth date. The original civil record is needed to settle that detail. The 1946 mayoral response also corrected an erroneous 1908 birth year to 1907. [43,44]
Chapter 1 of 10
