Emigration from The Netherlands

Before the 19th century, emigration from The Netherlands was rare. There was, of course, the odd settlement in the colonies, and some people started a family and did not return from their career in the east or west Indies, but only small groups settled abroad, and then almost exclusively in Dutch colonies.

This changed by the events of October 1834. In that month, Hendrik de Cock, a minister of the Dutch Reformed Church, broke away from the church: the Afscheiding (Secession).

Many people followed De Cock's decision, especially in the rural (and poor) northern provinces. Because of the discrimination against the secessionists, but also because of economic circumstances, two of their leaders decided to guide their followers to the new world.

Rev. Albertus van Raalte and his followers left in 1846. They settled in Michigan, where they founded Holland. A year later, Rev. Hendrik P. Scholte and his followers settled in Iowa, where they founded Pella.

Most emigrants travelled by trekschuit (tow boat) and over land to Rotterdam, then by boat to New York, and over land again to their final destination.

The first part of the trip was not too bad. Rotterdam could easily be reached by coach or tow-boat. Even from the most remote corner of the country it was possible to get to Rotterdam in no more than three days. It may have taken emigrants more than that (they did not necessarily use the fastest - and most expensive - mode of transport), but rarely much more than a week.

The next part was a different matter. In the mid 19th century the crossing was made with too many people on too small ships. The crossing lasted six weeks, so food and drinking water were not too fresh by the time they reached New York. No wonder quite a few did not make it.

The trip to the final destination was also not easy. Holland and Pella were near the frontier, and especially Holland was in an inhospitable region.

On their final destination, early settlers still had to endure a lot of hardship. The area was still undeveloped, and especially West Michigan was difficult to cultivate. Later emigrants, who arrived in established settlements, had it a lot easier in that respect.

I suspect that in the 1850s and 1860s both the trip and life in the new world was a lot harder than the emigrants expected, and many must have regretted their decision. But their work and hardships made the mass emigration of later generations possible.

The secessionists were soon followed by others - first other secessionists, later others seeking economic improvement. Emigration became a hot topic, and thousands seeked a better life in the New World. Most settled in the U.S.A., especially in Michigan, New York, Illinois and Iowa, but Canada was also a popular destination.

The Ellis Island era was the time railways and steam ships made travelling fast and (relatively) comfortable. Most emigrants travelled by train to Rotterdam, then by steam ship to Ellis Island, and over land again to their final destination. Around 1900, big steam ships crossed the ocean in just over a week. The situation was a lot better than in the time of the secessionists, but the crossing was still not a pleasure trip (except for the few who could afford first class). The trip to the final destination was also a lot easier than before (but still not easy).

Most emigrants followed neighbours, friends, or family members who already lived in the new world. They arrived in established settlements, and had it a lot easier than their predecessors.

Triggered by the ruins of the war, the rampant housing shortage, and the bleak economic prospects in the agrarian sector, emigration from The Netherlands peaked in the fifteen years after the second world war. Emigration was actively encouraged by the Dutch government. The U.S. was no longer the most popular destination: Most people went to Canada and Australia.

Canada, already a popular destination for Dutch emigrants since the late 19th century, was the most popular destination. The first group of emigrants were the war brides (Canadese bruiden, Canadian brides, in Dutch), young women, many of them with babies, who were engaged to Canadian soldiers that took part in the liberation of The Netherlands. Currently, a million Canadians claim to be of Dutch descent, 300,000 are still able to speak Dutch.