From 30 people I was chosen to be 1 of 6 speakers at the gentalks at the 2018 famillement.
After almost half a year knowing that I had been chosen to speak, it was finally time. Normally I never speak for such a large group of people. It was therefore a real challenge. I had told my half brother Noah a long time ago that I was going to give a gentalk presentation. He asked if I would like it if he also comes to it. And thought why not. My dear half-brother Noah is about to sit on the train for so long.
3 June 2018 it was finally time at 12.00 we started the approximately 2 hour drive towards Friesland together with my mother Truus. In the car I practiced my presentation and started to learn further for my resit for school .
In between I called my mother Claudia in the car. My brother had applauded her that he was already at the event. We had once taken a wrong turn and were already close to the event, but we had to find a parking space. When we found a parking space, we could finally go to the family. Noah was already there waiting. We then walked across the market at the event. Everything was about genealogy. It really felt like a mecca to me. That was a lot of fun as you could take all kinds of free things with you. (typically Dutch thoughts😄🤣)
After walking a few laps because we were an hour early for my gentalk and in the meantime we talked a lot with Noah about all kinds of things, the hall was already open and we could enter. I was the first to give my presentation, so I was preparing myself mentally. I already put my mobile on a tripod to film my gentalk.
Then I had to go back to connect my microphone. I opted for a headset microphone. Only I didn't realize that there was another cupboard attached to it that I had to cling to something, and I was wearing a dress. Fortunately, the problem was solved. The microphone was really nice to talk to. I didn't have to hold a microphone, which is definitely recommended for holding your presentations. My presentation went well and within time. After my presentation it was Marco Bakker's turn about his family history and he showed his animated video, among other things.
Afkomst (Descent), the movie
Marco Bakker (historian)
Where do I come from? After years of archival research, Bakker put the residences of 1,106 of his ancestors on the map. The result is a unique animation film that tells the story of ordinary people between historical events; from the Disaster Year to the Second World War. After Marco Bakker was Marita van Brussel, owner of http://www.vrouger.nl
The Zeelster queer
Marita van Brussel (social scientist)
Through research in Delpher, Van Brussel came across an uncle of her great-grandmother: the "poor insane" Jacobus de Greef. His trail led to prisons, the Rosmalen insane asylum, the senseless home in Antwerp, the Ommerschans, Medemblik state mental asylum and Voorburg asylum in Vught
After the presentations, people could still ask us questions. Very good questions had been asked of me. All speakers had also received a goodie bag from Friesland. Afterwards we left again and went outside. My mother went to get the car and I went to chat with Noah. We talked about how we envision the future in 10 years, when we probably already know our half brothers and sisters. And that we find it strange that when our younger half-brothers and sisters meet our donor father that he is already that old. And that is a very strange thought. Because we met him when he was still quite young.
We also talked about school, vacation, and ideas for future meetings with half siblings. And about future trips that we would like to make together. Then after a while my mother arrived and we had to say goodbye. We said goodbye with a big hug. I can't wait to see my brother Noah again. This is one of the many encounters of a life full of fun. Below you can watch my gentalk.
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