@deborahhamer.bsky.social
Director of the New Netherland Institute, Albany, New York, archives rat, #VastNewNetherland
For reasons, I looked up "scholar" in the Rijksmuseum's Collection (with a 1600-1700 filter) and the only woman's image that came up is this one of Ida Block (unknown to me until this moment). I'm excited to learn more about her when time allows.
November 13, 2025 at 12:17 AM
For reasons, I looked up "scholar" in the Rijksmuseum's Collection (with a 1600-1700 filter) and the only woman's image that came up is this one of Ida Block (unknown to me until this moment). I'm excited to learn more about her when time allows.
Abraham Cohen is in the house! (And, by house, I mean research on Nieuw Amstel).
November 7, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Abraham Cohen is in the house! (And, by house, I mean research on Nieuw Amstel).
Came across this request from Abraham and Isaac de Pereira "Portuguese merchants of the Jewish nation" in the records Amsterdam's vroedschap to build a sugar refinery. It is allowed so long as they sell in large measures so that they don't violate the old rules against Jews in the retail trade.
November 5, 2025 at 11:18 PM
Came across this request from Abraham and Isaac de Pereira "Portuguese merchants of the Jewish nation" in the records Amsterdam's vroedschap to build a sugar refinery. It is allowed so long as they sell in large measures so that they don't violate the old rules against Jews in the retail trade.
A friend gave me these images of this married couple with English East India Company connections. I don't know too much about John Parson, other than that he was commander of an EIC ship, and Rebecca Chitty, but looking forward to learning more!
October 10, 2025 at 2:21 PM
A friend gave me these images of this married couple with English East India Company connections. I don't know too much about John Parson, other than that he was commander of an EIC ship, and Rebecca Chitty, but looking forward to learning more!
FYI, the New York State Museum is reconstructing a revolutionary era gunboat in public in one of the back galleries; it's fantastic.
August 14, 2025 at 5:03 PM
FYI, the New York State Museum is reconstructing a revolutionary era gunboat in public in one of the back galleries; it's fantastic.
Big haul (documentary editors edition). (Thanks Southampton College).
July 28, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Big haul (documentary editors edition). (Thanks Southampton College).
I think some of Leo Herskowitz's library may have ended up at my local public library's book store. Herskowitz was a renowned historian of colonial New York. I wasn't in a position today to investigate everything that was there, but I'm going back tomorrow to take a look.
July 27, 2025 at 11:37 PM
I think some of Leo Herskowitz's library may have ended up at my local public library's book store. Herskowitz was a renowned historian of colonial New York. I wasn't in a position today to investigate everything that was there, but I'm going back tomorrow to take a look.
This dog is currently in my house. Her name is Lara, and she's adoptable through Lucky Dog Animal Rescue in DC/MD/VA. Her bio is here: toolkit.rescuegroups.org/javascript/v.... She loves dogs, kids, and is chill with cats.
July 21, 2025 at 4:05 PM
This dog is currently in my house. Her name is Lara, and she's adoptable through Lucky Dog Animal Rescue in DC/MD/VA. Her bio is here: toolkit.rescuegroups.org/javascript/v.... She loves dogs, kids, and is chill with cats.
Haven't had a foster cat in a while, so meet Frank, an absolutely adorable and extremely devoted work associate. As always, available through Lucky Dog Animal Rescue. Read Frank's bio here: toolkit.rescuegroups.org/javascript/v... (and, yes, he does love people).
July 10, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Haven't had a foster cat in a while, so meet Frank, an absolutely adorable and extremely devoted work associate. As always, available through Lucky Dog Animal Rescue. Read Frank's bio here: toolkit.rescuegroups.org/javascript/v... (and, yes, he does love people).
Bought this box at an estate sale today. I was told that the owner's grandfather was Swedish and had been in the "East." Anyone know anything more to help me fill in some context? I'm guessing his name was Aug[ust?] Ljumgberg and that he was in Java. Not sure what the Himdeborg means here.
March 2, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Bought this box at an estate sale today. I was told that the owner's grandfather was Swedish and had been in the "East." Anyone know anything more to help me fill in some context? I'm guessing his name was Aug[ust?] Ljumgberg and that he was in Java. Not sure what the Himdeborg means here.
Only ten day left to get your applications in for NNI's Research Grants! More info here: www.newnetherlandinstitute.org/programs/res....
Image: Wallerant Vaillant, Man and Woman Reading a Letter, late 17th century. From the Collection of the Rijksmuseum
Image: Wallerant Vaillant, Man and Woman Reading a Letter, late 17th century. From the Collection of the Rijksmuseum
February 4, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Only ten day left to get your applications in for NNI's Research Grants! More info here: www.newnetherlandinstitute.org/programs/res....
Image: Wallerant Vaillant, Man and Woman Reading a Letter, late 17th century. From the Collection of the Rijksmuseum
Image: Wallerant Vaillant, Man and Woman Reading a Letter, late 17th century. From the Collection of the Rijksmuseum
Here's Leap Year!
January 4, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Here's Leap Year!
Applications for the New Netherland Institute's Research Fellowships are due on February 15th!. For more information, visit www.newnetherlandinstitute.org/.../research.... Feel free to email with questions.
Image: Francois Stuerhelt, Portrait of Jacob's Arminius. From the Rijksmuseum.
Image: Francois Stuerhelt, Portrait of Jacob's Arminius. From the Rijksmuseum.
December 16, 2024 at 3:17 PM
Applications for the New Netherland Institute's Research Fellowships are due on February 15th!. For more information, visit www.newnetherlandinstitute.org/.../research.... Feel free to email with questions.
Image: Francois Stuerhelt, Portrait of Jacob's Arminius. From the Rijksmuseum.
Image: Francois Stuerhelt, Portrait of Jacob's Arminius. From the Rijksmuseum.
Coming soon from the Stadsarchief, the digitized Simon Hart cards! And another example from the cards: testimony from a 1749 voyage from Rhode Island to Amsterdam with Campeche wood, sugar, rum, and hides. These cards are important for Dutch trade in North America *both* before and after 1664.
December 12, 2024 at 8:18 PM
Coming soon from the Stadsarchief, the digitized Simon Hart cards! And another example from the cards: testimony from a 1749 voyage from Rhode Island to Amsterdam with Campeche wood, sugar, rum, and hides. These cards are important for Dutch trade in North America *both* before and after 1664.
A striking thing from the @jcblibrary.bsky.social exhibition is this 1758 book that records the VOC's rules for food lading/ distribution going back to 1695. The existence of this book testifies how contested food was and how non-uniform provisioning was even within an ostensibly strong institution.
November 15, 2024 at 3:55 PM
A striking thing from the @jcblibrary.bsky.social exhibition is this 1758 book that records the VOC's rules for food lading/ distribution going back to 1695. The existence of this book testifies how contested food was and how non-uniform provisioning was even within an ostensibly strong institution.
A little pet update for those I haven't seen in awhile. We are now a two cat household. Shadow on the left is a chaos monster, and Camilla remains unsure about the whole situation.
November 15, 2024 at 2:03 PM
A little pet update for those I haven't seen in awhile. We are now a two cat household. Shadow on the left is a chaos monster, and Camilla remains unsure about the whole situation.
I'm (back) here.
Parrot for visual interest. From the collection of the Rijksmuseum: www.rijksmuseum.nl/nl/zoeken/ob...
Parrot for visual interest. From the collection of the Rijksmuseum: www.rijksmuseum.nl/nl/zoeken/ob...
November 10, 2024 at 4:37 PM
I'm (back) here.
Parrot for visual interest. From the collection of the Rijksmuseum: www.rijksmuseum.nl/nl/zoeken/ob...
Parrot for visual interest. From the collection of the Rijksmuseum: www.rijksmuseum.nl/nl/zoeken/ob...
Only three weeks left to get in your applications for NNI's Wendell Research Grant and Student Scholar Research Grant! Visit this page for more information: www.newnetherlandinstitute.org/programs/res..., and we look forward to seeing you in Albany!
Image: Jan Luyken, Learned Men Study Insects
Image: Jan Luyken, Learned Men Study Insects
January 26, 2024 at 12:40 AM
Only three weeks left to get in your applications for NNI's Wendell Research Grant and Student Scholar Research Grant! Visit this page for more information: www.newnetherlandinstitute.org/programs/res..., and we look forward to seeing you in Albany!
Image: Jan Luyken, Learned Men Study Insects
Image: Jan Luyken, Learned Men Study Insects
Are you a graduate student who wants to learn 17th century Dutch? Do you have graduate students who want to learn 17th century Dutch? Check out the call for applications for Columbia's 3 week Dutch summer course (May 28-June 14). See attached and contact Wijnie de Groot with questions.
January 4, 2024 at 6:02 PM
Are you a graduate student who wants to learn 17th century Dutch? Do you have graduate students who want to learn 17th century Dutch? Check out the call for applications for Columbia's 3 week Dutch summer course (May 28-June 14). See attached and contact Wijnie de Groot with questions.
Upcoming Deadlines at NNI!
1) Submit your dissertation manuscript on New Netherland for the Hendricks Prize by Jan. 15.
2) Apply for our Wendell and Student Scholar Fellowships by Feb. 15.
Information here: www.newnetherlandinstitute.org/programs/res...
1) Submit your dissertation manuscript on New Netherland for the Hendricks Prize by Jan. 15.
2) Apply for our Wendell and Student Scholar Fellowships by Feb. 15.
Information here: www.newnetherlandinstitute.org/programs/res...
December 21, 2023 at 2:56 PM
Upcoming Deadlines at NNI!
1) Submit your dissertation manuscript on New Netherland for the Hendricks Prize by Jan. 15.
2) Apply for our Wendell and Student Scholar Fellowships by Feb. 15.
Information here: www.newnetherlandinstitute.org/programs/res...
1) Submit your dissertation manuscript on New Netherland for the Hendricks Prize by Jan. 15.
2) Apply for our Wendell and Student Scholar Fellowships by Feb. 15.
Information here: www.newnetherlandinstitute.org/programs/res...
Because I would like to find this platform more fun, here's a cat in an igloo.
December 20, 2023 at 11:31 PM
Because I would like to find this platform more fun, here's a cat in an igloo.
I visited the collections of the Dutch Settlers Society (est. 1924) in Albany over the weekend. Lots of scrapbooks which contain an amazing record of what it meant to be of Dutch descent in the 1920s and 30s. Pageants in period clothes were popular like this reenactment of a wedding from 1642.
December 6, 2023 at 3:32 PM
I visited the collections of the Dutch Settlers Society (est. 1924) in Albany over the weekend. Lots of scrapbooks which contain an amazing record of what it meant to be of Dutch descent in the 1920s and 30s. Pageants in period clothes were popular like this reenactment of a wedding from 1642.
Just learned that in 1927, AJF van Laer, eminent translator of Dutch documents, wrote to Johnston Redmond (owner of the Livingston papers) to say that "the letters of Alida Livingston are of no great importance" except as they pertain to the larger (male) history of Livingston Manor.
November 8, 2023 at 3:48 PM
Just learned that in 1927, AJF van Laer, eminent translator of Dutch documents, wrote to Johnston Redmond (owner of the Livingston papers) to say that "the letters of Alida Livingston are of no great importance" except as they pertain to the larger (male) history of Livingston Manor.