While working with husband Pieter in Australia in June of 1988, I did visit my uncle Louis (Dad's younger brother) and aunt Gerd in Broken Hill, NSW. Pieter had a program at the University of Melbourne on Saturday, so he dropped me off at the airport on Saturday morning and I flew solo.
Talking about our family heritage, my uncle Louis handed me three copies he had from a distant relative. We had been talking about the French influence in our southernmost province of The Kingdom of The Netherlands; Limburg.
Napoleon Bonaparte ruled the French Empire, including The Netherlands.
Strasbourg 2 March 1809
French Empire
The mayor of the city of Strasbourg Department of the Lower Rhine
To Sir Mayor of the municipality of Horst Department of the Roer
According to the article 80 of the Napoleon code, I have the honor to pass on to you a copy of the death certificate of Pierre Van Munckoff who died at the military hospital of this city and who had his place of residence of right in your municipality.
I have the honor to greet you
The officer of the State – Civilian
Pierre, was the elder brother of my great great great Grandfather and he died at the age of 19. There was another brother, Nicolaus, who was one year older than Pierre who got dismissed from war, due to wounds. He did live to be 66.
This is the extract of the registers of death certificate for Pierre van Munckoff and below is the copy of the envelope. Funny for receiving this while in Australia at work consulting and visiting an uncle...
My 4th cousin, Fred Van den Munckhof from Venray in Limburg, has put together our family tree from 1560 - 2000
My Dad gave it to me on my 50th birthday.
Fred did contact my Dad for the info and that did not work out very well...
Dad told Fred over the phone: Peter Fedder instead of Pieter Vedder and he did NOT mention our adopted daughter Liz...
Fred did contact my Dad for the info and that did not work out very well...
Dad told Fred over the phone: Peter Fedder instead of Pieter Vedder and he did NOT mention our adopted daughter Liz...
Here is the mention of Nicolaus who got wounded while serving under Napoleon... He got dismissed and managed to live till age 66.
This was Pieter the one year younger brother of Nicolaus.
He was registered as Pierre van Munckoff while serving under Napoleon and he died in Strasbourg.
Since there are no other Van den Munckhofs in the USA, I was keen enough to keep my maiden name as I am very proud of it.