.
A few years ago my dad, Norman Gudema asked if I had any old Gudema family photos for a get together of the Gudema cousins from Brooklyn. I had been slowly accumulating photos of my grandparents and relatives to scan for other family members but I didn't find any extended Gudema family photos in my collection. The next time I was at my mom's house I decided to dig through a cabinet of old photos that had accumulated over the years to see if there were any photos of my dad's uncle, Mike Gudema or any other Gudema family members other than my brothers and parents. To my surprise I found an envelope of photos I had never seen before of my great grandparents Nachum and Sophie Waag Gudema taken before and after WWII along with other relatives. Finding these photos has led to the sharing of many family stories I never knew. I'm uploading the photos and launching this blog so that we can document as much as possible about the Gudema family and to get my dad to write everything down for all of us. I hope you enjoy the stories as much as I have.
A few years ago my dad, Norman Gudema asked if I had any old Gudema family photos for a get together of the Gudema cousins from Brooklyn. I had been slowly accumulating photos of my grandparents and relatives to scan for other family members but I didn't find any extended Gudema family photos in my collection. The next time I was at my mom's house I decided to dig through a cabinet of old photos that had accumulated over the years to see if there were any photos of my dad's uncle, Mike Gudema or any other Gudema family members other than my brothers and parents. To my surprise I found an envelope of photos I had never seen before of my great grandparents Nachum and Sophie Waag Gudema taken before and after WWII along with other relatives. Finding these photos has led to the sharing of many family stories I never knew. I'm uploading the photos and launching this blog so that we can document as much as possible about the Gudema family and to get my dad to write everything down for all of us. I hope you enjoy the stories as much as I have.
Dear Michelle and family,
ReplyDeleteSeeing these two pictures of my grandparents brings back very emotional childhood memories. Both pictures hung in our kitchen at 1034 Lowell Street, where we lived in the Bronx as long as I can remember. I grew up as an "only child", with older parents, both immigrants, so I was a "first generation" American.
The pictures were about 5x8 each and are of my grandfather, Nachum Gudema, and my grandmother, Sophie Waag Gudema. They had a total of 7 children, with my father, Dan Gudema, being the oldest. Dan was born in 1895. The other six children were: Mike Gudema, Jaap(Jacob)Gudema, Nelson Gudema, Betje Gudema Jakobs, Reik Gudema Schaap, and Rosie Gudema Oudgenucht. I'm not sure of the spelling of Rosie's married name, but cousin Olga told me that it translates as "Old Enough". Both Uncle Jaap and his wife Betje Wallinger and also Rosie and her family, were lost in the Holocaust.
I am named after my grandfather, Nachum, and from what my father, Dan, told me, he was a cattle dealer in northern Holland in the town of Stadskanal, where they lived. I visited the town in the mid 70's with cousin Paul Toff, and Nachum is buried in a small Jewish cemetery on the outskirts of the city. Nachum died in 1917 of kidney disease, and my father, Dan, who was the oldest son, was discharged from the Army at that time, to go home and become the breadwinner to support his mother and 6 siblings. There were no other social services to provide for the family. The burden fell on my father. Dan had been drafted into the Dutch army in 1912, at the age of 17. He had served 5 years when his father died and he was sent home to provide support. I don't remember much else about Nachum that my father had related to me.
My Grandmother, Sophie, (referred to as OMA) I knew as a young man, because she came out to America in'47 after the war and lived with my parents and I on Lowell street, until I entered High School in 1950. So Oma lived with us for a couple of years and then she moved to Uncle Nelson and Aunt Mimi's apartment in the West Bronx on Davidson Avenue, to live with them. We lived in a 2 bedroom apartment on Lowell street and I slept in the Living room on a fold-up trundle bed, which I opened every night. But my mother, Theresa, was determined that I would have my own room when I went to High School, so Oma had to move to Uncle Nelson's place. Aunt Mimi was not happy about that.
Recollections of Oma when she lived with us: I once asked my father if Oma had any other dresses besides the black one she always wore (as in the picture). My father said that he always remembered Oma dressing that way, even when he was a young boy. Oma basically lived on Zweiback, which was like a hard crusted, toasted slice of bread. I remember her spreading a very thin bit of butter on the toast and nibbling on a piece for breakfast. I don't remember her eating anything else, and I'm not sure if Zweiback is still available. Oma passed away in 1963, at the age of 90. I have a copy of her obituary, which cousin Dan in Phila. sent me. Oma survived the war in hiding in an attic in Amsterdam, similar to Anne Frank, but Anne, of course, was discovered and did not survive. Oma weighed 65 pounds at the end of the war. The winter of 1945 was called the winter of starvation, because the Germans confiscated all foodstuff. My father told me that one day, Oma's hosts brought up a small piece of meat on a plate for her. It was either dog or catmeat. She didn't know and didn't ask.
And then one day when the sun was shining, she went outside for some sun. She was sitting on a bench quietly sunning herself in her black dress, and a German soldier sat down next to her with his girlfriend. Suddenly with a wail of sirens the streets were blocked off and a razzle (roundup) was underway. Everyone was asked to show their papers. The soldier turned to Oma and told her: "Quick, Grandma, go home, go home". And she hustled home.
Norm Gudema
Is this my grand father b/c he looks just like him!!!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThese pictures are of my great grandparents, Nachum and Sophie Gudema which I think are also your great grandparents. I will post some other pictures that include Mike Gudema.
ReplyDeleteDear Gudema - family,
ReplyDeleteIs this blog still active ?
Greetings,
Paul Kuiper
Paul: There hasn't been any activity on this blog since 2012. If you or any others interested in sharing Gudema Family Memories please post.
ReplyDeleteBest,
Michelle Gudema
ReplyDeleteMary Zimmerman (Mary Gudema)
Birthdate: September 22, 1908
Birthplace: New York, Bronx, New York, United States
Death: December 21, 1988 (80)
Texas City, Galveston, Texas, United States (Old age natural)
Place of Burial: Galveston, Galveston, Texas, United States
Immediate Family:
Daughter of Aron Gudema and Josephine Gudema
Wife of Frances Leeroy Zimmerman
Mother of Viola Porter and Private User
Sister of Clara Gudema; Daniel Gudema; Josephine Gudema and Frieda Gudema
Aron Gudema
Birthdate: May 19, 1876
Birthplace: Stadskanaal, Stadskanaal, Groningen, Netherlands
Death: April 21, 1931 (54)
Bronx County, New York, United States
Immediate Family:
Son of Daniël Gudema and Rike Philippstein
Husband of Josephine Gudema
Father of Mary Zimmerman; Clara Gudema; Daniel Gudema; Josephine Gudema and Frieda Gudema
Brother of Nochem Gudema; Nathan Gudema; Sophia Gudema; Frouke / Fraadche Gudema and Clara Gudema
Rike Philippstein
Also Known As: "Rika"
Birthdate: 1839
Birthplace: Emden, Basse Saxe, Allemagne (Germany)
Death: July 10, 1903 (63-64)
Stadskanaal, Stadskanaal, Groningen, Netherlands
Immediate Family:
Daughter of Nathan Samuel Philippstein and Sophie Wolff
Wife of Daniël Gudema
Mother of Nochem Gudema; Nathan Gudema; Sophia Gudema; Frouke / Fraadche Gudema; Aron Gudema and 1 other
Sister of Samuel Nathan Philipstein; Levi Nathan Philippstein; Clara Philippstein and Philipp Philipstein
Aaron Mozes Gudema
Also Known As: "Arond Arend-Abraham"
Birthdate: March 13, 1770
Birthplace: Holtenau (or Stolzenau?), Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
Death: May 26, 1860 (90)
Oude Pekela, Pekela, Groningen, The Netherlands
Immediate Family:
Son of Moshe ben Elchanan and Blumche bas R. Moshe Katz
Husband of Frouwke / Fraadche Nochums
Father of Nochum Aaron Gudema; Mozes Gudema; Elchanan Gudema; Levie Aron Gudema; Mozes Gudema and 4 others
Label: Wife Rike Phillipstein
Moshe ben Elchanan
Birthdate: estimated between 1705 and 1765
Death: April 21, 1796
Stolzenau, Lower Saxony, Germany
Immediate Family:
Husband of Blumche bas R. Moshe Katz
Father of Aaron Mozes Gudema