Happy Birthday Catrijna Elisabeth Vuijls

 Today, December 25 marks the birthday of Catrijna Elisabeth Vuijls.  Catrijna was born on December 25 in 1769 in Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands.  She was born to parents Govert Vuijls and Alegonda Maas.  She was the 4th of 5 children.  There were 2 boys and 3 girls in the family. Of the 5 siblings in the family Catrijna and her younger brother Gerardus were the only siblings that lived into adulthood.  The first child, a boy, passed away at 10 years old.  The next child died at 4 years of age.  The next sister it is unknown at this time when she passed away.  Those records have not been recovered.  The youngest child lived to 63 years of age.

It is unknown what profession Catrijna's father was employed with.  None of the records I found listed his profession.  At the time of Catrijna's birth the Netherlands, still a Republic, was known as the "United Provinces of the Netherlands."  They were experiencing a period of relative decline following its "Golden Age" of immense economic and maritime power.  They still remained a significant player in international trade, with its merchants actively involved in global commerce.

At the age of 20 Catrijna married Manta van Nieuwland on May 5, 1789 in Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands.  As is custom in the Netherlands, you must notify the local municipality on your intention to marry at least two weeks before the ceremony.  For Catrijna and Manta, that notification took place on April 19, 1789.

Catrijna and Manta didn't waste any time having children.  They had their first of 12 children later that year.  Out of all their 12 children, unfortunately, only 4 children lived to adulthood - living to adulthood were Adrianus 50 years, Catrijna's namesake Catrina lived to 74 years of age, Alegonda 80 years, and Manta 79 years of age.  The other 8 children lived for 2 years, 1 year, 1 year, 4 years, 1 year, Stillborn child, 2 years and 1 year.  Such a heartbreaking life for this couple to have that many children (12) and more than half pass away in infancy.  

Sadly, Catrijna passed away at 50 years of age on May 7, 1819.  She left behind a  9 year old, 18 year old, 20 year old and a 30 year old.  Quite the age difference between the youngest and oldest child.

Her husband, Manta, lived for 4 more years and passed away on October 11, 1823 at the age of 57.

I would love to know more about Catrijna's life.  I will continue to search through records and try and find more documents or information on this family.  I would love to know what Manta did for a living.  With all those children I'm sure Catrijna stayed home and took care of the family.  Mostly I wonder what was in her heart as she lost child after child to some unknown cause or disease.  It must have broken her heart each time she had to bury another little baby in the ground.  I mourn for never having my own children, so to have 12 children and all but 4 die at 1 or 2 years of age - that's tragic.  

So, Catrijna, on this your Birthday, I honor you and the life you led and were dealt.  The strength you must have had to get through all the heartbreak.  At least now, with all your temple work being done, you will be able to be with all your children once again and raise those little ones that died so young into adulthood.

Happy Birthday Catrijna.

Catrijna and Manta are my 3rd Great Grandparents.