On 10 October 1962, an aircraft departed from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport bound for Australia. Among the passengers was 36-year-old Thomas de Wit, born on 2 June 1926 in Kesteren.
Thomas was the son of Arie de Wit, an agricultural labourer, and Hendrika Flora de Wit. His parents were living at Mr. Poldermanweg 18 in Renkum at the time.
Thomas worked as a telegraph operator and emigrated to Australia with the intention of settling there permanently. According to his incoming passenger card, he was recorded as married.
The first marriage of Thomas de Wit
Thomas married his first wife, Marritje Kooij, on 10 August 1945 in Maartensdijk. They had four children. Marritje, who was born in Maartensdijk, died on 10 July 1959, leaving Thomas to care for their family.
The children from this marriage were:
- Maria de Wit, born on 11 October 1948 in Blauwkapel. She was 13 years old when the family departed for Australia.
- Arie de Wit, born on 25 October 1951 in Maartensdijk. He was 11 years old.
- Marjanne de Wit, born on 16 February 1954 in Maartensdijk. She was 8 years old.
- Hendrika Flora (Henny) de Wit, born on 6 February 1948 in Groenekan. She was 16 years old and worked as a sales assistant.
Frederika Christina van Toornburg
Also travelling on the same flight was Frederika Christina van Toornburg, born on 27 December 1925 in Amsterdam. She was 36 years old and was registered as a housewife.
According to the available records, Frederika married Thomas on 30 August 1960. She also had children from a previous marriage.
Her first husband was Pieter Jacobus Tinus Groenewegen. They married on 18 December 1946 in Amsterdam. On 23 November 1955, Frederika filed for divorce.
Two children were born from this marriage:
- Petronella Johanna Theodora (Nelly) Groenewegen, born on 9 April 1947 in Amsterdam.
- Pieter Jacob Tinus Groenewegen, born on 11 December 1948 in Amsterdam.
Both children also travelled to Australia.
A new life in Australia
The passenger records dated 10 October 1962 show Thomas de Wit and Frederika Christina van Toornburg travelling together with their children on the same flight from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to Australia.
It therefore appears that Thomas and Frederika intended to establish a new life together in Australia, accompanied by the children from their previous marriages.
Their emigration represented a major change for this blended family. Leaving the Netherlands behind, they began a new chapter in their lives, thousands of kilometres away from their birthplaces and relatives.
Additions and corrections are welcome and can be sent to Fred Stuij at info@alblasserwaard-genealogie.nl.
Photographs and document: National Archives of Australia.
