My wife Juliet is Afrikaans and her surname is Claassen.
One of Juliet’s cousins, Johann, is a genealogist and he contacted me recently after discovering my family history website.
Johann sent me a gedcom file, which I’ve now uploaded to show the Claassen family tree.
Claassen is a Mennonite name that originated in the Netherlands.
Juliet is descended from Claus and Marlene Clauszen, of Delve, Germany. Their son Claus was born at Delve in 1695 and sailed with the Dutch East India Company (VOC) to Cape Town in 1720.
Claus, ook bekend as Claas Claasz gaan op 21.7.1720 aanboord van die “Blijenburg” as matroos indiens van die VOC. Op 20.8.1720 ontvang hy sy matroospak na ‘n maandlange opleiding as matroos. Hy arriveer aan die Kaap Desember 1720. Gedurende 1722-1734 is hy ‘n boerkneg nadat hy op 16.2.1722 met Goewerneur Swellengrebel se toestemming bedank. In 1734 verkry hy met waarnemende goewerneur Jan de la Fontainne se magtiging vryburgerstatus. Na sy troue in 1735 vestig hy hom op die plaas “Hemelrood”,Herbertsdale.
Op 21.10.1735 verkry hy die plaas “Elandsrugge” en op 10.5.1752 die plass “Buffelsfontein”. Op 4.8.1764 leen Claus die verlate plaas “Langetouw” (nou genoem “Langfontein”) van Jacobus Visagie Op 27.11.1767, na die dood van Claus, leen Dirk Uwes vir “Buffelsfontein” en op 16.2.1785 gaan die plaas oor aan Jacobus Rademeyer.
Op 6.5.1772 word die agterstallige huurgeld van Claus betaal met geld en velle, vermoedelik deur sy seun, Cornelis.
Clausz is gedoop deur Pastoor Dethlevi in die Lutherse Marienkirche van Delve. Die kerkie is opgerig in 1250 en bestaan vandag nog.
Delve is geleë aan die Eiderivier en was ‘n hawedorp. Die dorp is deel van Ditmarschen, tans in Schleswig-Holstein, Noord Duitsland. Destyds was dit deel van die Koninkryk van Denemarke.
Claus left the company service in 1734 and settled on the farm “Hemelrood” at Herbertsdale in 1735.
×0
I remember my father telling me that my grandfather was Dutch/Netherlands. They used to live in Aberdeen in the karoo. I never had the privilege of meeting him, but it’s good to know that I can start somewhere in getting to know the history of my family.
I am so excited to have found old Claus Clauszen as my direct ancestor! I have just confirmed with my grandmother (nee Claassen) as her father was born on the same farm, Hemelrood, Herbetsdale!
Twitter: mgorey
says:
That’s great Claudia. It means you must be related to my wife Juliet and our children.
I am so excited about this! I have just confirmed with my grandmother (nee Claassen born 9/04/1929) Her father was born on the same farm, Hemelrood in Herbetsdale! At last, I have found my first ancestor! Her mother was a Meyer and grandmother was a Weyers.