Tuinstraat, Amsterdam

Getting Married

Prior to setting sail in May of 1639 for America, Jan Van Husum and Volkje Juriaens lived on Tuinstraat in Amsterdam. This fact comes from the marriage certificate kept in the Nieuwe Kerk where they were married, dated April 30th, 1639.

Detail of marriage Certificate of Jan Franz Van Husum and Volkje Juriaens

[Note. One immediately notices that there are variations in spellings of names and places. Jan's name is spelled "Jan Franz Van Housum". Volkje's name is spelled "Volckje Juriaens dr van Noortstrandt". Tuinstraat is spelled "Tuijnstraat." Spelling conventions have changed over time. Moreover, spelling may depend on whether the language is Dutch, German, of English.]

Tuinstraat, Amsterdam

Tuinstraat (meaning "Garden Street") can still be found in Amsterdam, near the Dam Platz and the Niewe Kerk where Jan and Volkje were married. From the Dam Platz, head past Rembrandt's studio towards the Jordaan District.It is not too far from the Anne Frank House.

The marriage certificate's reference to "Corte" (Spanish for courtyard) likely refers to courtyard. Keep in mind that the Dutch provinces were once part of the Spanish empire, not achieving formal independence until 1649, ten years after the newly weds left.

Dam Platz and New Church, 1659, Jacob van der Ulft, Musee Condee, Chantily

The couple married in the relatively close Nieuwe Kirk located in the Domplatz.