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Jeanette Crans (McKindley)
Born September 10, 1895. Her parents were William Karl Crans and Francoise Tjaden. She died May 20, 1988. For more information, see Crans Family.

Born January 14, 1863 in Wijhe, Netherlands. Her parents were Peter George Tjaden of Holland and Jeanette A. Brandt of Holland. (See Brandt family information.) Francoise was only 5 years old when she lost her mother.

Francoise was the middle child among five or six siblings.  Her siblings were John, Ubbo, Ruloph, Adriaan, and perhaps a sister named Tantalene ("Helen").  According to Mom, Helen never married and stayed in Holland. Jelle Vandeveer, the grandson of Adriaan, says he heard his grandfather remark that Francoise was the only one of his siblings who went to the United States: "She was always the adventurous one!" Adriaan said.

Francoise grew up in Holland with various relatives, aunts, and cousins, but remained in contact with her father.  She eventually became a governess for a wealthy family there.  

Francoise was brought to America by her father. A boat passage leaflet states that "Francoise Tyaden" came to America on August 13, 1892, on a boat called the SS Werkendam. [NOTE: The boat passage leaflet was kept by Grandma McKindley, and Aunt Helen showed it to me.]

Francoise was 28 when she got together with William Karel Crans in Pasaic, New Jersey, where Willem had a greenhouse business.  PHOTO OF WILLEM.  After that, she got another half-brother, because her father remarried and had a baby in New Jersey.  SEE PHOTO.  

Francoise and Willem went to Benton Harbor, Michigan.  Their three children were born there:    Jeanette, Wilhelmina, and Peter. Francoise was known for her singing talent.

She died October 15, 1927, or October 17, 1927. She is buried at the Crystal Springs Cemetery in Benton Harbor.

Jeanette A. Brandt

Mother of Francois Tjaden.

Jeanette A. Brandt was given a very long name: Jeanette Adolphine Margaretha Johanna Gertruda Brandt.

Jeanette was born in Wijhe, Holland, June 1, 1834. Her parents were Francoise Fredr. Brandt of Germany and Johanna H.C. Scherten (Schouten?) of Holland.

She married Peter George Tjaden, and they had a number of children, Francoise F. Tjaden, Tantalene ("Helen") Tjaden, and two or three sons.  (After her death, her husband remarried and had another son, Peter George Tjaden "Jr.")

Jeanette A. Brandt died in Antwerpen, Belgium, in 1870. See Brandt Family information for her lineage.

(also known as George Tjaden)

Born October 2, 1837 in Wijhe, Holland. His father was Ubbo Peter Tjaden, M.D., and his mother was Elizabeth Hoffman of Germany (born 1804, died 1875).

George Tjaden married Jeannette A. Brandt on August 17, 1860 in Wijhe, Holland.  

His children were as follows (according to information from Jelle van der Veer):

1. Johannes ("John") Tjaden, born in Weije, Holland, on Nov. 22, 1857. He died in Gombong, which was located in the Dutch East Indies.
2. Ubbo Pieters Tjaden. He was born Dec. 13, 1860 in Weije. He died in Holland.
3. Francoise Fredrika Elise Tjaden. She was born January 14, 1863 in Wijhe, Holland.. She married Willem Karl Crans and had three children, Jeanette, Wilhelmina, and Peter. She died October 17, 1927 in Benton Harbor, Michigan.
4. Roelof Tjaden, born Nov. 23, 1864 in Wijhe, Holland. .He married Johanna Hoefnagels on March 9, 1913.  (Johanna was born Dec. 12, 1888).  Roelof had one son, George Gerardus Marie Tjaden (born July 30, 1914) and four grandchildren: Joke Wilhelmina Tjaden, b. Feb. 23, 1941; Anke Maria Tjaden, b. April 6, 1943; Ubbo Roelof Tjaden, b. September 5, 1944; and Sjoerd Fokko Tjaden, b. August 12, 1953.
5. Helena Adriana Johanna Tjaden, born in Roesendaal, Holland March 17, 1866.  Died in Utredht, Holland February 2, 1943.
6. Adriaan Tjaden, born 1868 in Roosendaal, Dutch East Indies.  He married Johanna Duena Walstra. He had two daughters:  Johanna Tjaden, and Roosje Tjaden.  He is the grandfather of Jelle van der Veer.  Adriaan Tjaden died in 1938 in Dutch East Indies.

Francoise also had a sister, Tantalene (Helen), according to Mom. Tantalene stayed in Holland.

George's wife died in 1870.  In 1880, he came to America.  He worked at a green house, employed by Willem Crans.  George was a brilliant chemist but his alcoholism interfered with his work. He married a woman in Possaic, New Jersey whose name was "Jo."  She was energetic and basically supported the family working as a supervisor in a big mill. 

In 1892, George brought his daughter Francoise to America.  Sometime before or after that date, he also remarried.  His wife's name was Johanna, but she went by the name "Jo."  They had a baby, who was also named Peter George Tjaden.  Francoise was living in her dad's home when her half-brother was a baby.  (That boy grew up in New Jersey, got married, and had three children of his own-- George Ralph, William Joseph, and Annabelle-- who were still living in Passaic, New Jersey in the early 1960's.)  

[NOTE:  Information about the children of Francoise' half-brother came from "The Lutheran" Vol. 45, no. 11, Dec. 12, 1962, page 23. Newsletter of the United Lutheran Church of America, 2900 Queen Lane, Philadelphia, PA.  Grandma McKindley had saved that publication among her things when she died, and Aunt Helen showed it to me.]

George died in Passaic, New Jersey, but his date of death is not known.

Elizabeth Hoffman

Born October 2, 1804, Elizabeth Hoffman is the great grandmother of Francoise Tjaden.

Elizabeth Hoffman was born in Middelstum. Her parents were Bernard Wilhelm Hoffman and Elizabeth Goenhoff.

On May 4, 1825, she married Ubbo Peters Tjaden. Their son, Peter George Tjaden, traveled to America and later sent for his daughter, Francoise.

Elizabeth Hoffman died March 8, 1875 in Wijhe, Holland.

[According to a story I heard from Mom, at one time, in the town of Jena, someone from the Hoffman family was the burgermeister, or mayor.]

Dr. Ubbo Dieters Tjaden  SEE PHOTO

Also known as Ubbo Peters Tjaden, he was born September 1, 1797 in Rijsum. His father was Arent Tjaden and his mother was Jatske Ubben Tjaden.

Ubbo was married to Elizabeth Hoffman May 4, 1825 in Gronigen. They had a son, Peter George Tjaden. They may have had additional children.

Ubbo died on August 20, 1878 in Zwolle.

[Mom tells me he was a German from East Frisia who settled in Holland.]

NOTE about the name TJADEN ---  visit a web site, www.tjaden.com for information about Tjadens from around the world.

Born January 16, 1758 in Namen. His parents were Johann Martin Hoffman (1723 to 1763) and Jacoba Roda.

He married Elisabeth Groenhoff on July 11, 1791. His daughter was Elizabeth Hoffman, wife of Ubbo Peters Tjaden.

Bernard was a pastor in Middlestrum. He was a representative in the Batavia Republic for the district of Appingdam.

Bernhard WilhelmHoffman died November 6, 1816 in Middelstum.

Born October 18, 1765 (or 1755?) in Amsterdam. She married Bernhard Wilhelm Hoffmann on July 11, 1791 and had a daughter, Elizabeth Hoffman.

Elisabeth Groenhoff died June 25, 1852 in Wijhe, Holland.

Born April 29, 1723 in Heusden [Germany?]. His parents were Johann Martin Hoffman "Sr." and Heltjen Drunen Van.

He married Petronella Otto on March 6, 1753 in Namen. He had a son, Bernhard Wilhelm Hoffman. He died January 15, 1763 in Arnhem.

He moved from Germany to Holland, and became the founder of the Dutch branch of the Lutherides (descendants of Martin Luther).

Wife of Dr. Johann Martin Hoffman. She was the mother of Bernhard Wilhelm Hoffman, and grandmother of Ubbo Peters Tjaden.

Born August 17, 1686 in Kahla. His parents were Johann Ernst Hoffman and Elisabeth Dorothea Luther.

Johann "Sr." married Heltjen Drunen Van on November 9, 1708 in Heusden. His son was Johann Martin Hoffman "Jr."

He died December 16, 1762 in Heusden, Holland.

She was the wife of Johann Martin Hoffman "Sr." Her husband was born August 17, 1686. Her son was Johann Martin Hoffman "Jr."

Heltjen died October 5, 1748.

Born November 17, 1652 in Naumburg. His parents were Johann Hoffman "Sr." and Elisabeth Dorothea Luther.

Johann married Anna Margareta Zwaden on October 31, 1676 in Possneck. He had a son, Johann Martin Hoffman "Sr."

His date of death was July 7, 1652, in Kahla.

She was the wife of Johann Ernst Hoffmann. She had a son, Johann Martin Hoffman "Sr." Her date of death was in 1702.

Born March 31, 1626 in Freyburg, Unstrut. He married Elisabeth Dorothea Luther on February 17, 1652. He had a son, Johann Ernst Hoffman "Jr."

Born June 25, 1624, the daughter of Johann Ernst Luther and Martha Blumenstengel. She married Johann Hoffman "Sr." on February 17, 1652 and had a son, Johann Ernst Hoffman "Jr."

Elisabeth died May 20, 1690 in Jena.

Born August 24, 1560 in Weimar, the son of Paul Luther and Anna Warbeck Von. He married Martha Blumenstengel on September 18, 1610 in Zeitz. Their daughter was Elisabeth Dorothea Luther, wife of Johann Hoffman "Sr."

Johann Ernst Luther died November 30, 1637 in Zeitz.

Wife of Johann Ernst Luther, whom she married September 18, 1610 in Zeitz. Her daughter was Elisabeth Dorothea Luther, wife of Johann Hoffman "Sr."

Further information about Martha Blumenstengel is not available.

Born January 28, 1533 (or January 29) in Wittenberg, the son of Martin Luther and Katharina Von Bora. He was their fifth child.

On February 5, 1553, Paul married Anna Warbeck Von in Torgau. They had a son, Johann Ernst Luther.

Paul Luther died March 8, 1593 in Leipzig.

Anna Warbeck Von

She was born in 1532, and married Paul Luther on February 5, 1553 in Torgau. She had a son, Johann Ernst Luther. She died on May 15, 1588 in Dresden.

Martin Luther

Born November 10, 1483 in Eisleben, Saxony, German. He was the son of a mining family of rural origin. His parents were Hans Luder and Margarete Lindemann. Martin Luther went to school intending to become a lawyer, but changed his mind and entered a monastery instead. He became a monk in 1505. In 1517 he started the Protestant reformation movement in Europe by nailing his ideas to the door of a church. He was excommunicated in 1521.

Martin Luther married a former nun, Katharina Von Bora, on June 13, 1525 and had numerous children. He published a German translation of the Bible in 1534, called the Wittenburg Bible, because he was in Wittenburg when he wrote it.

He died February 18, 1546 in St. Andrews, E.S., Germany. He is buried at Castle Church in Wittenburg, the same church where he nailed his paper to the door.

The wife of Martin Luther, she was born January 29, 1499 in Lipendorf, n8, S, Germany. Her parents were Hans Van Bora, born about 1475, and Anna Haugurtz.

Katharina Von Bora died December 20, 1552 in Torgau, Saxony, Germany.

Anna Haugurtz

Anna Haugurtz was the mother of Katharina Von Bora, and the mother-in-law of Martin Luther. Her parents were John Hawgwitz Von and Anna Von Mergenthal.

He was born about 1475. He married Anna Haugurtz. His daughter, Katharina Von Bora, married Martin Luther. The father of Hans Von Bora was also named Hans Von Bora.

Hans (The Gross) Luder

Born in 1459, in Mohra, Hans Luder was the son of Heine Luder and Anna Margaret Ziegler. Hans married Margarete Lindemann in 1479 in Eisenach. His son was Martin Luther. Hans died May 29, 1530 in Mansfeld.

Born in 1460, Margarete was the daughter of Johann Lindemann and Ms. Ziegler. Margarete was born in Eisenach, where she married Hans Luder.

They had a son, Martin Luther.

Margarete died June 30, 1531 in Mansfeld.