Stromboli's Rolling Log: Day 12, April 25 2017, Looking for roots in the "Archieves" in Utrecht.

The day started with raindrops and that seems to be the way the rain comes here at this time of the year. Five minutes and then it is over, sun comes out and it is a pretty fine day. But we move along each day taking it all in.

Ruth wanted to check the Archive Library and Reading room in Utrecht as that is the government area that her family was born. Some older, smaller towns these days have incorporated with others for more efficiency. Each still, however, remains its own entity and space.

So we went into the city , Utrecht, which has a population of 390,000, but it can also be figured in its Districts, its Conurbanation, and its Muncipality, so take your pick. the latter is about 700,000 people.

The Archive Reading room was where we headed and driving to it went well with a parking space in less just a short walk away.

The 'Archieve' Reading Room building. Utrecht.

Ruth related her need at the desk, all non needed materials were placed in a secured locker and she was assigned a helper to both translate and get her started on her journey to find the other parts of her Dutch family. There is also families of grandparents named Happe, and DeWitte, besides the father's name Imminkhuizen. While she was engaged in that process I took the time to peruse my ancestors also from the Netherlands, but in the mid 1600's. There are few recorded family histories that go back that far there, so I never found anything. The Van Norman's emigrated from the Netherands in about the last part of the 17th century (1650-1675).
The Building is well designed and certainly protected against thievery and mischief. It has heavy doors, bullet proof glass, etc, all quite evident when you walk in.

Just after noon ( There is no Dutch word for noon, correct Renate?) we took a short drive after inquiring about food and some household supplies. Driving the streets of most old Dutch cities and towns is an adventure , Of course to read street names quickly is not easy to English speakers, and secondly the system of turning (though similar to USA) has it's quirks such as a second light upon turning left for the bicycle traffic. There are as many bicycles as people in the Netherlands so you get the drift? One must be alert at all times.We did arrived at an Apotheek but they did not have the stretch tape we needed. But a nearby restaurant was recommended. It was a two block walk so we didn't have to move the car out of the free parking area, (Hard to find one) .

The Guusjes Restuarant where we ate lunch.

Welcome to Guusjes. We are a cozy and modern café. The ideal place for a bite to eat or a drink from the extensive (beer) card. If you have found us once, we are indeed a bit hidden in the middle of Utrecht Bird Area, you'll soon discover why it is called the neighborhood home!

The interior of Guusjes is cozy and familiar; so we have vintage chairs, the floor comes from an old freight train and is our wine stock in stacked pallets.

On tap:

Paix Dieu Brother Jacob Double Port St. Feuillien Brown on the bottle: Maximus: Stout 8 Sisters Brewery: Queen Bee Hill: Sun Beast: Gajes Cheers!

The Beer narrator, third year…

In the past year we have tasted a lot and learned a lot, but there is so much more. The beer narrator and therefore we were unanimous in our decision to continue cooperation. The Beer Storyteller takes you into the rich culture of beer from brewery to Abbey, Trappist to Stout and Malt Hop to! He lets you taste different beers and talks passionately the best anecdotes and tidbits. While enjoying delicious snacks, this is a fantastic night! We have 24 places available, so you'd want to be here, mail to info@etenbijguusjes.nl .

Indeed it was a cozy, and a neighborhood place. Many folks and families with children came to eat at lunchtime.We ended our meal with a piece of carrot cake, very nicely prepared, Here is one side of the menu to read.

Club sandwich, and omelet, tomato soup

The menu.

THE DAY ENDED WITH A LOOK FOR A STORE THAT SOLD BATH MATS, AS THE SHOWER WE ARE USING, ALTHOUGH IT SHOWERS WELL, HAS NO ANTI SKIDDING PROTECTION, SO A MAT WOULD DO THE TRICK. WE STOPPED IN BUNNIK, NEAR OUR APARTMENT, AND FOUND ONE AFTER LOOKING IN THREE STORES.

It was a day well spent, and gave us a chance to see some of the Dutch in action, ending the day at the apartment with a light meal at supper time. (Sandwich and beer for me and a sandwich for Ruth from the leftover bread at lunch. Oh, by the way , many of the restaurants and businesses do not take credit cards of any type although they have a credit card machine??? Haven't figured that one out yet.

See you tomorrow when we head up to one of the Cheese Farms in Volendam (Alida Hoeve), north of Amsterdam with a round trip to the Markermeer and the dike that holds much of the water out of the Netherlands.

SOME MORE OF THE DAY;