We are expanding in the Netherlands
Ancestors unKnown is going strong in the Netherlands, including new programmes in Amsterdam and expanding to new cities!
Joan Windzak presents an Ancestors unKnown lesson in Den Bosch
A new school programme in partnership with ‘s-Hertogenbosch Heritage Department
Last month, more than seventy students from ‘s-Hertogenbosch (Den Bosch) and Rosmalen participated in a freshly designed Ancestors unKnown programme, examining their family histories and reflecting on the international and local journeys of their ancestors.
“Make a ticket” worksheet (designed by Helma Timmermans)
Preparing a family history museum box
Erfgoed ‘s-Hertogenbosch (Den Bosch Heritage) decided to bring the curriculum to schools in Den Bosch. According to Alderman Marianne van der Sloot (translated from Dutch): “It is very enriching to find out where you come from and how you were formed through the stories of ancestors. I also know this from my own family history. It gives you who you are. It teaches children very well that every child has his or her own story.”
What Happened in the School Programme?
Participants included primary school pupils in groups 7 and 8 (ages 11-12) from De Hobbit in Rosmalen and Het Rondeel in ‘s-Hertogenbosch.
The Ancestors unKnown lessons were delivered by one of our valued education partners, Joan H. Windzak. And the students completed research and learned about local archives under the guidance of the education team from Erfgoed ‘s-Hertogenbosch, including Anne Verwaaij-Moorman, Thimo Burggraaf and Harmke Nijhof.
Although this programme was shorter than our typical approach, with only 4 weeks of Ancestors unKnown lessons, the team from Den Bosch spoke highly of the programme’s outcomes. They described both challenges and exciting discoveries made by the children.
As always, the Ancestors unKnown curriculum pays special attention to world histories that typically are left out of primary school history lessons. In this case, we asked students to focus on the journeys their ancestors had taken. Therefore, migration played a major role in many of their family stories. According to the education team from Den Bosch, the students presented stories about their ancestors’ journeys that were “surprising and sometimes confrontational,” ranging from talents that have been in families for generations to poignant war stories.
At Ancestors unKnown, we expect students and teachers to confront some challenging histories, while also empowering them to claim the power over their own stories – whether that means sharing their histories with their classmates, learning a lesson from it, or simply keeping that personal history for themselves and their family members. So, we’re thrilled to see the students and facilitators were able to make the most of this opportunity.
Have a look at some of the incredible family history artefacts students shared with their classmates:
Family stories in Den Bosch – a new, 6-month exhibition!
In the Fall of 2023, Den Bosch will open a new heritage centre, Groot Tuighuis of Erfgoed ‘s-Hertogenbosch. To commemorate this exciting new space for the city, the heritage centre will host a 6-month exhibition that highlights the family stories of Ancestors unKnown students.
On display will be some of the students’ research results, including the personal museum boxes they created, and in some cases, video testimonials about their family histories.
Continuing from above, Alderman Marianne van der Sloot explained (translated from Dutch):
“I am very much looking forward to the exhibition in the autumn and hope that many families will take a look.”
We are too, Alderman van der Sloot. We are too!
Want to learn more?
Learn more about our programmes in the Netherlands by checking out our website in Dutch: Ancestors unKnown Nederland.
And bring Ancestors unKnown to your school in the Netherlands or in the UK! Contact us today to get started.
Note: Images shared courtesy of Erfgoed ‘s-Hertogenbosch
