| Salzburgers in Holland |
Some went to Holland. Firmian had not allowed some salt miners to leave with
the others in 1731, but in 1732, Dürrnberg miner Tobias Woerndl made secret
inquiries as to which nation would be willing to take in extra exiles. He returned
with favorable letters from Holland. The area of today's West Zeeuws
Vlaanderen had lost many inhabitants because of a bad economy and had an
urgent need for new farm workers. Firmian and his chancellor determined the
emigration day as November 29, 1732. The Dutch envoy Baron von Gallieris
promised them admission into the Netherlands under generous terms. They
would immediately receive Dutch nationality and be deemed equal to the native
population in all things.
the others in 1731, but in 1732, Dürrnberg miner Tobias Woerndl made secret
inquiries as to which nation would be willing to take in extra exiles. He returned
with favorable letters from Holland. The area of today's West Zeeuws
Vlaanderen had lost many inhabitants because of a bad economy and had an
urgent need for new farm workers. Firmian and his chancellor determined the
emigration day as November 29, 1732. The Dutch envoy Baron von Gallieris
promised them admission into the Netherlands under generous terms. They
would immediately receive Dutch nationality and be deemed equal to the native
population in all things.
On the morning of November 30, 1732, 780 Duerrnberger and Berchtesgadener boarded three ships
at Hallein and on December 14th they landed at Regensburg. From there they had to make the rest
of the journey on foot to Nürnberg. Here they were allowed rest for a week. They arrived at
Kitzingen on the Main January 24, and from there the journey was continued in 8 ships. When they
arrived in Ruesselsheim, many of the emigrants became ill and they had to bury four children. They
had to stay until February 8th because of bad weather. Storm after storm forced them to land until
February 21, when they arrived at Dutch "Nymwegen" where again they rested for a week before
travel on 18 sailing boats continued. Now death took 13 adults as well and they watched three ships
sink in horrible weather. Finally, on March 9, 1733 after four grueling months, they safely landed on
the island Cadzand. However, they were forced to locate all over the island even though they had
been promised they would remain together.
at Hallein and on December 14th they landed at Regensburg. From there they had to make the rest
of the journey on foot to Nürnberg. Here they were allowed rest for a week. They arrived at
Kitzingen on the Main January 24, and from there the journey was continued in 8 ships. When they
arrived in Ruesselsheim, many of the emigrants became ill and they had to bury four children. They
had to stay until February 8th because of bad weather. Storm after storm forced them to land until
February 21, when they arrived at Dutch "Nymwegen" where again they rested for a week before
travel on 18 sailing boats continued. Now death took 13 adults as well and they watched three ships
sink in horrible weather. Finally, on March 9, 1733 after four grueling months, they safely landed on
the island Cadzand. However, they were forced to locate all over the island even though they had
been promised they would remain together.
"Swamp fever" killed another 1hundred, and many left in November
of 1733, the devastated Berchtesgadeners for Nürnberg and the rest
leaving mostly for Frankfort am Main. By the end of December, only
42 families with 224 people were left. Under the guidance of their
preacher, Johann Gottlob Fischer, these remaining Salzburgers
founded a Lutheran municipality in Groede on March 7,1734. The
Amsterdam Church Council made it possible for the newcomers to
buy farmland and a house. In January, 1735, the Church Council
bought a house in Groede that could be used as a house church for
the immigrants. The new church was inaugurated on September
1,1743. Meanwhile, the Council had established a fund for
permanent support of the immigrant municipality, the Cadzand
Fund, and it existed from 1739 up to 1963.
of 1733, the devastated Berchtesgadeners for Nürnberg and the rest
leaving mostly for Frankfort am Main. By the end of December, only
42 families with 224 people were left. Under the guidance of their
preacher, Johann Gottlob Fischer, these remaining Salzburgers
founded a Lutheran municipality in Groede on March 7,1734. The
Amsterdam Church Council made it possible for the newcomers to
buy farmland and a house. In January, 1735, the Church Council
bought a house in Groede that could be used as a house church for
the immigrants. The new church was inaugurated on September
1,1743. Meanwhile, the Council had established a fund for
permanent support of the immigrant municipality, the Cadzand
Fund, and it existed from 1739 up to 1963.
Dissatisfaction of the newcomers arose because many were housed in decrepit houses and stables
where Flemish migrants had lived in the summer months. Many were immediately forced to provide
for their own maintenance, in contradiction of their agreements. Their separation and dispersion
caused language problems, as did the fact that so many Salzburgers were miners and craftsmen, of
which there was no need, and not farm workers. The local residents were therefore also
disappointed. There were too many children and old people among the immigrants unable to perform
farmer work.
where Flemish migrants had lived in the summer months. Many were immediately forced to provide
for their own maintenance, in contradiction of their agreements. Their separation and dispersion
caused language problems, as did the fact that so many Salzburgers were miners and craftsmen, of
which there was no need, and not farm workers. The local residents were therefore also
disappointed. There were too many children and old people among the immigrants unable to perform
farmer work.
All travel expenses for the Dürrnbergers, including food
would be taken over by the Dutch. In Holland they
would have free worship, and teachers and ministers at
public expenses in their own language. Furnishings,
clothing and food were to be free of charge until they
could earn a living on their own.
would be taken over by the Dutch. In Holland they
would have free worship, and teachers and ministers at
public expenses in their own language. Furnishings,
clothing and food were to be free of charge until they
could earn a living on their own.
Some Salzburger Emigrants who went to Holland were related to the Schaitberger family. Two of Joseph's sisters
had married but died, leaving children. Both of their husbands remarried and went on to Holland with some of
these children (Schaidmann and Kranzbichler). Many of the Holland group later came back to Germany the way
they had come after the bitter Holland experience, and went on to settle elsewhere. Some of the Holland group
then went to the USA: Maurer, Biltz, Crainwetter, Bach, Lackner, Oberdorfer, Saddler and Winter. Some of these
names can therefore be found in Ebenezer records.
had married but died, leaving children. Both of their husbands remarried and went on to Holland with some of
these children (Schaidmann and Kranzbichler). Many of the Holland group later came back to Germany the way
they had come after the bitter Holland experience, and went on to settle elsewhere. Some of the Holland group
then went to the USA: Maurer, Biltz, Crainwetter, Bach, Lackner, Oberdorfer, Saddler and Winter. Some of these
names can therefore be found in Ebenezer records.
A small group of 59 Salzburgers had already been attracted to Holland under a strict criteria that
allowed only families and no people older than 45 years old or young independent single people. This
group of Salzburgers formed a small minority on the island Walcheren and their names were quickly
lost and they assimilated within thirty years. see: 1732 file below for names
allowed only families and no people older than 45 years old or young independent single people. This
group of Salzburgers formed a small minority on the island Walcheren and their names were quickly
lost and they assimilated within thirty years. see: 1732 file below for names
The small group which decided to remain assimilated rapidly. They remained faithful to the Lutheran
church, but their names changed, and within two or three generations, their language, an alternative
of the Salzburg dialect, disappeared.
church, but their names changed, and within two or three generations, their language, an alternative
of the Salzburg dialect, disappeared.
| PDF Files: Salzburger Names in Holland. You need Adobe |
Their small stone Church in Groede is still standing. Groede, old and new, above