Reacties (12)

Mary Christie zei op 25 februari 2016 om 19:50

The story was told from the perspective of my mother (Joanne van der Steen/Seelen), deceased 2001. She was three years old in family photo circa 1926, standing centre front.

Marilou Nillesen bhic zei op 28 februari 2016 om 09:45

Thank you for the beautiful story, Mary. It's an interesting family history!

van der Steen Louis zei op 5 juni 2016 om 13:41

Thank you for this beautiful family story. It was very interesting. My name is Louis van der Steen. I'm living in Belgium in Ghent. I am the son of Antonius van der Steen and my grandfather was Louis van der Steen, the brother of your father. Many greetings from Belgium

Mary christie zei op 6 juni 2016 om 16:52

I am delighted. I am on the road worling out of town for a week. I would like to communicate further. The story does not end there. We can talk more when i get home. Thank you for making contacr

Norbert van de steen zei op 8 juli 2017 om 22:40

Hello, I am Norbert van der steen, I am a Son of the three brothers who take over the Factory. These days THE factory in Rijen is closed but there is some history left. THE factory chimney is still in THE village. All the three brothers are past away, we burried the last uncle today.. Many regards From Rijen, THE Netherlands.

Annemarie van Geloven bhic zei op 10 juli 2017 om 10:29

So respectfull of you to react from Rijen on the day you and your family burried your last uncle. At such moments you feel very strong the end of an era of such enterprising men.

Désirée Akkermans - van der Steen zei op 31 oktober 2017 om 21:33

My name is Désirée van der Steen. Louis van der Steen was my grandfather and I'm the oldest daughter of his son Jan van der Steen, who passed away on the 2nd of july 2017, as last of the three brothers running the factory.
My father was born on the 23th of october 1930 in the house next to the factory.
87 Years later, together with our family, we scatterd his ashes in the old factory chimney, which is still standing as a monument in the center of Rijen.
As my brother said: "Our father is home again".

Annemarie van Geloven bhic zei op 1 november 2017 om 09:45

Thank you very much for your reaction, Désiréé. It expresses the enormous commitment of the family Van der Steen to the leather factory in Rijen. The words of your brother about your father, the last deceased of the three brothers, are very meaningful!

Mary Christie zei op 4 januari 2018 om 17:41

Your grand father lived three doors down from my grand father, Jan Vandersteen. They were brothers and frequently gathered for dinner in my grandfather's home. I have more stories of events, like their Christmas celebrations that took place there. The fire that took down part of the factory, started by a faulty motor, and more. I have worked on the details for many years now, from information provided by my mother before she passed away in 2001. I am sorry to hear of the passing of your father. You and I are 2nd cousins. My mother is cousin to your father. We share the same great grandfather.

Chantal van der Steen zei op 30 oktober 2020 om 21:18

My name is Chantal van der Steen. Jan van der Steen was de grandfather of my father, Hubertus van der Steen. My father is the 2e Son of Simon Petrus van der Steen. We lived a hole time in Breda, a city near Rijen. My sister Desi van der Steen past away at the age of 20, in a car accident. These days my parents stil live in Breda and Begium. I live in Eefde. We have one daugther Noreen. Thank you so much for your story. I love to read it and to know more about our history.

Marilou Nillesen bhic zei op 2 november 2020 om 09:08

Thanks for your kind words, Chantal, and your impressive message. Hopefully Mary Christie reads this as well.

Marcelle van der Steen zei op 5 februari 2024 om 16:39

August van der Steen had a third son Bart. He was my grandfather. I am the daughter of his youngest son Petrus. Fine to find the family history on internet.