Gerben Douwes

Here is the extract about the second baptized child of Douwe GERBENS of which we have records:

Gerben DOUWES: (The surname according to Frisian custom at the time is derived from the first name of the father = patronym.)

Leeuwarden, dopen, doopjaar 1663

Dopeling: Gerben

Gedoopt op 25 oktober 1663 in Leeuwarden

Kind van Douwe Gerbens en niet genoemde moeder

Gestandaardiseerde namen (voornaam en patroniem):

Dopeling : GERBEN of GERBRICHJE

Vader : DOUWE GERBENS

Bron:

Collectie Doop-, Trouw-, Begraaf- en Lidmaatboeken (DTBL)

Herv. gem. Leeuwarden, doop 1654-1667

Inventarisnr. : 931

Op microfiche beschikbaar op studiezaal Tresoar

Wijzigingsdatum: 19-12-2006

I think it is highly probable that Gerben GERBENS also was a son of Douwe GERBENS.

However, if he was, why was he not mentioned in the 1687 will of his father? Most feasible explanation would be that he died at a young age.

A search in the electronic archives of Tresoar.nl has not shown any records about his death and/or burial have been found thus far.

More research is needed... Very interesting would be to do a full genealogical research on the descendants of Age Douwes to see if one could find some living descendants. Their DNA could be genealogically compared with the DNA of living descendants of Jacobus Steyn *c.1683 If they are significantly similar, then one would be able to conclude that Jacobus was the biological son of Douwe Gerbrand Steyn. If they are dissimilar, one would know that Jacobus was the adopted son but not the biological son of Douwe.

Lodewyk Christiaan 'Chris' STEYN