Enlarge Dutch article
Genealogy has fascinated him for longer than that, but for the last two years the preparations were in full swing. Leo Akershoek received some 50 guests from abroad for a visit!
Two years ago Leo started making contacts, via e-mails, with descendants of some of his ancestors, who had emigrated all over the world. He wanted to organize a kind of reunion, also because his own motto for his hobby is "digging-up dead relatives" which means just as well "the renewing of relations diminished by the passing of time".
For the past two years Leo has been busy keeping in contact with and looking for more persons interested in visiting Goeree-Overflakkee. That, finally, happened last week. They live scattered all over the world and scattered they arrived. The first came the previous week, and during the rest of that week, and this week the number of visitors reached 50, according to the laughing Leo Akershoek. A genealogical contribution was asked from the visitors. That is why on the invitations was written: "Bring as much genealogical data as you have."
A lively program has been made, so there is no time to be idle or for vacation. Last Friday morning the group started with a visit to the m.f.g. Dorpstienden in Ouddorp, where they had a cup of coffee, after which they walked to the Raad and Poldermuseum on the Ring in Ouddorp. Based on the reactions and the enthusiasm, it was obvious that the guests were very interested in the things they saw there. The next stop was the Regional Museum Goeree-Overflakkee in Sommelsdijk. Here too, the "persons from overseas" (as they all were) enjoyed the visit. A look at the the harbour of Middelharnis, a walk through the old streets of Goedereede and an address by the burgomaster of Goedereede, Mr. C. Sinke, were next on the program. Hoping that the sought-after information about thier ancestors had been secured, the guests returned to homebase last weekend.