A drive into our past

I am making an assumption that most of my readers are aware that I have Dutch roots.  But perhaps this is the first time some of you have heard of this, so let me explain.

My maiden name is Vandehey (the spelling and pronunciation were altered upon immigrating over the ocean), and I am 1/8 Dutch.  The Hermens (my great-great-great-great grandmother's side) and the van de Heis (my great-great-great-great grandfather's side), grew up on the same street in a tiny town called Oventje.  It is located in the southern part of the Netherlands, in the province of Brabant.  Both families migrated to America, and it wasn't until they were living over there when they actually met and married.  


When my grandfather (who is 100% Dutch), learned we would be living in the Netherlands for this year, he set to work putting together helpful and wonderful information for us, both to visit around the country, as well as giving us a specific map of the street in Oventje.  Both homes in Oventje still stand, although we are not exactly sure where the Hermen home was.  The van de Hei home was built in 1782, and we have reason to believe we found the right house, based on pictures from the past and information that had been given to us about the house/barn.  Oventje is not easily spotted on a map, and I have talked with several natives here, who have never heard of the town.  We were successful in locating the town, finding one of the two houses, and even having an in-depth conversation with the owners of the town cafe, in which they pulled out an old yearbook from hundreds of years ago and found pictures of several van de Heis.  It was a fascinating experience for all of us!

The start of our road trip - and the first time we've driven a car in 4 months!  So exciting!  With our chosen itinerary, having a car made our entire trip far more doable and enjoyable, rather than using the train and bus system. 

Maddie had the back seat all to herself...that is, along with all of our luggage.  There was just enough space for her car seat, which was good enough for her (and lucky for all of us!)  Our kids were both pretty happy to sit in their car seats again - imagine that!  It made for a pretty smooth trip.

We had an amazing sunroof (it did not open), that made for riding in the middle row so much more bearable.  It stretched from the very front of the car to behind the middle row, and it helped to not feel tight and stuck in the middle of the car.  We were happy campers!

Dad, leading the way down the street, map in hand.

It was a beautiful and quaint little town - really, it was a town that consisted of about 3 streets.

We found the van de Hei home (although, it looks to have been a bit remodeled since 1782)!

This is the other part of the home, which was the old barn.

Feeling the call of his roots.

We made it!

The wonderful conversation we had with the cafe owners, as they showed us the old yearbook.

They were great people, and they even took the time to make photocopies of several of the pictures and pages written about the van de Heis, for my dad to take back home with him. 

If you ever find yourself in Oventje, be sure to visit this cafe!

We are so grateful to be living over here and fortunate enough to be able to go and trace the roots of my ancestors.  What a great opportunity!