Sietze NIJDAM

Sietze suffered from pneumonia often (it returned each year) until penicilen was developed during? WWII. He worked for Uilke DYKSTRA (his son-in-law) on the farm. He operated a special wooden tool to remove thistles from the pasture. He also helped with the milking until the grandchildren were old enough to take over this task. They lived in a small house in Andyk close to the Calvinist church. They were being supported by Uilke and Ietje, which was customary in cases such as theirs where they didn't have any resources themselves. Sietze and Akke moved later than 1928 to Andyk. First they stayed for a time with their daughter Pietje (Tante Piet) in Woudsend, Friesland, later moving to Andyk. Before moving into the small house, they stayed with Uilke and Ietje in the "green room" of their house. They often joined the family on special occasions and their grandson remembers many fun times with them.

Sietze was one of 7 sibs (Agnes [NIJDAM] PRINS has info). Kids of Tante Piet (ATSMA) are 1: William (injured on farm), 2: Arte m. Chum, 3: Durk, 4: Luce, 5: Sietze, 6: ?, 7: ?. Luce's son and his friend came to BC a few yrs back. Kids of Durk and Dorothy are 1: Agnes m. Jake PRINS, 2: ? (m), 3: Nel (f), 4: Ami (f). Jake turned 79 Jul 2005, at which time triple bypass recently. Confusion due to: (Stan's cousin) Bill DYKSTRA's mom and Agnes' mom are both SLYS (sisters), Jake's mom SLIJS (no known relation).

Sietze was good with horses. However, he was once kicked in the chest by one, and narrowly escaped serious injury since the kick landed on a pocket watch in his shirt pocket, which took the brunt of the kick.

Source: family memories