The early Dutch settlers were centered in Manhattan and several of our direct ancestors owned property there in the 17th century. Following is a map depicting the locations where our ancestors lived. Imagine if our family still owned those properties.
Cornelis Melyn and Isaac De Forest have been featured in other blogs. Immetie Dircks (or Dircx) is out 8th great-grandmother. She was born in Amsterdam about 1615 and married Franz Claesz Van Dyke at Oude Kercke, Amsterdam on 10 March 1640. Their children were born in Amsterdam, and it is not certain when they made the trip to New Netherland but were there before 1655. Franz was a seaman serving as first mate and navigator. After giving up the sea life, he was a school master and a shoemaker. Franz died in 1658 which is why Immetie is identified as the property owner on this map. Immetie and Franz were the great-grandparents of Maritje Van Dyke who married Abraham Van Winkle.