SCHOTANUS-FOUNDATION

Last update of this page: 12/19/08

The Schotanus-foundation is a voluntary organization and was founded in 1955 to try and compose the family-tree of all the Schotanuses all over the world. The history of the family goes back as far as the year 1385; the family-name refers to the village of Schoot in the province of Friesland in the North of the Netherlands.

The family-tree of almost all the branches of the family has been published in 18 booklets ‘Gens Schotana’, but the research is still going on.

The foundation publishes a 3-monthly family newspaper, called ‘Aldfaers Erf’. We also organize family reunions every spring somewhere in the Netherlands.

When you click on list you will find a list of all the Schotanuses ( and also Scholtanus and Schotanus á Sterringa), born since the year 1899. If your last (or maiden) name is Schotanus and you are not on the list, we know nothing about you. If that is the case, send an email to Mr. Jan Schotanus with some data and he will find the link to your roots.

Also, if you want to have more information, you know where you can always find him. Hoping to hear from you.    

***

Summary for our readers abroad

Nr 180 December 2008

Van de redactietafel (From the editor’s desk).

Our appeal  for photo’s of the Schotanus flag has not been very successful. So we ourselves place a photo of this flag because of the birth of our third granddaughter.

Whose flag will follow?

David sent us from the States an article about elections for president. He had sent it before election day, so he is not influenced by the outcome.

Jan Hengstmengel continues his story about the Flemish Schotanusses.

Roelie and I wish you a merry Christmas and a happy 2009.

 

Van de voorzitter (From the chairman).

Having one or more trees is good for one’s condition. The leaves in autumn give work for the leafblower, the broom or the rake. Working in the garden is also good for social contacts.

This article about trees is an example for contacting our family members, we are happy that there is a Schotanus Foundation. The inquiry into your own history is important . And so is exchanging experiences with each other. I hope to see you on our next familyday on Saturday, June 6th, 2009.

I wish you a merry Christmas, a wonderful turning of the year and good health in 2009.

 

Van de bestuurstafel (From the board’s desk)

Saturdaymorning November 12th  there was the boardmeeting in the restaurant of the Africamuseum near Nijmegen. In this museum the next familyday (June 6th 2009) will take place.

Subjects concerning Aldfaers Erf: a page for children and more stories about the history of Schotanusses.

A good place for our archives has to be found, there is a temporary solution, but the board is looking for a definitive accommodation.

The next meeting is March 14th 2009.

 

Toekomst  (Future)

The Schotanus Foundation was established on April 12th 1955, it is the oldest family foundation in the Netherlands. The existence of the foundation is connected with the activities of our supporters. For the future it is necessary to find new supporters for the Foundation.

I write this, Nanning Schotanus says, because Jan Schotanus, the webmaster, archvist and seller of the Schotanalia has declared to stop in the (near) future. A positive response will be appreciated.

 

Op Schotanusexpeditie in Vlaanderen, deel 2 (On Schotanus expedition in Flanders, part 2)

Jan Hengstmengel continues his expedition in Flanders, especially in Turnhout and surroundings. A town and its history may have influence on the lives of the inhabitants. In this part Jan tells about the long history of Turnhout.

 

 

Letter from America October 2008.

David writes to us from America a few weeks before the elections for president. So the outcome is not yet known. David reminds us of the hurricanes Gustav and Ike while he and his family were walking in a wood in East Texas, their way regularly being blocked by enormous firtrees; hundreds of those trees did not survive the hurricanes. It is like a picture of the recent gales on the financial markets, David writes.

America is a country of extremes. the American constitution is a pursuit of life, liberty and happiness. There are rights but also duties for the white and coloured people. There are the two parties, Republicans and Democates, a good social system, but the difference between black and white remains.

David describes the out-of-date street where his mother-in-law lives, just outside of Dallas, it gives us a good idea of the microcosmos of America.

 

Schotanussen in de pers (Schotanusses in the press).

* Emblem of Shipyard decorates flat Welgelegen. From former employees of the old shipyard Welgelegen, including our chairman Nanning’s brother Wieger Schotanus (70), had the honour to open the new apartmentcomplex “Welgelegen” in Harlingen.

 

* Boerinnengroep “Skarsterlân”: Vereniging voor boerinnen (Group of farmerwives “Skarsterlân” society for farmerwives.

This group exists already for a couple of years and wants to be an organization for women with a heart for the agricultural life.

Gea Schotanus from Sint-Nicolaasga is the secretary of this society.

 

*During a concert on Saturday December 13th Janny Schotanus was honoured, being member of the music society in Sumar for 60 years. In many of those years she was also a member of the board.

Beside her activities in Sumar, she also plays in a senior orchestra in Leeuwarden.

 

* Schotanusatlas en een Donald Duck (Schotanus atlas and a Donald Duck)

An atlas from the 17th century, maps drawn by Bernardus Schotanus, and a first issue of Donald Duck, from 1952, were the most striking books at eetcafe De Buurman in Heerenveen. The value of the atlas was some thousands of euros, the Donald Duck was estimated  €200,-- _ €300,--.

 

Familieberichten (Familyaffairs)