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This website will keep the memory alive of those who aren't here anymore. It also gives the scattered family members a change to meet, get to know each other and exchange information. Since this website was set up in September of 2003, it brought people together from all parts of the world. Americans came to Holland, as did some Israelies. American family member, who all live in the US arranged to meet each other. Some family members only discovered through this site, that they have a jewish heritage. |
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 Strijen
- "1940-1945 NEVER AGAIN"
Gina, my daughter who
just turned 13, gives a speech in front of about 150 people attending a
memorial day (may 4th 2008) ceremony by the monument for the van Coevorden, Kleinkramer and Zwarenstein families. It was impressive and many people were touched and came to thank her. |
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Why a site for the Zwarensteins? The Zwarenstein family was one of the Jewish families that mostly lived in the Hoeksche Waard, province of South-Holland, the Netherlands. On the first of may, 1826, Napoleon ordered everyone to take on a familyname. Salomon Meijer, born in Heinenoord and living in Strijen decided to continue in live with the surname 'Zwarenstein', together withhis wife and two year old, who was born in Strijen. Salomon, his three younger brothers (who now were also called Zwarenstein also) and their wives had (until 1845) 22 little Zwarensteins, who were born in Strijen. The Zwarenstein were active citizens, they made a living running diferent kind of shops, being a watchmaker, butcher or cattletrader. Phillip Zwarenstein, my great-greatgrandfather founded the (still excisting, but with another name) local soccer club Be Quick. It is said, that 10 Zwarenstein from Strijen were killed in the war, 2 Kleinkramers and 3 van Coevordens. But those were the people who still lived in Strijen at the beginning of the war. A total 44 Zwarensteins were killed during WOII, 24 of them were born in Strijen. A total of 51 Kleinkramers were killed, 10 of them were born in Strijen. Their spouses and children with other surnames are not added to the total. At the end, there were only a handfull survivors from the three families. My grandparents and father being among them. |
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Personally
I believe, that for families that have lost so much, there
is far too little history known and saved and linked together.
And
I want to make an effort to see that changed!!!
 Everybody
who has
something
interesting to share, mail me
This site was started in September 2003. With thanks to Edik Zwarenstein and Sprientje (Rooigrond) Zwarenstein, the Jewish Historical Museum, former Kamp Westerbork, Wim van der Hoek, and newly found family members. My thanks to them. |