He can be found in the various records of the time as Cornelis Teunissen, Cornelis Antonissen, Cornelis Van Slicht (as he himself signed his contract with Kilean Van Rensellaer in 1634), Cornelis van Breuckelen (from Breuckelen) as he was called by van Rensellaer, Broer (brother) Cornelis as called by the Mohawks and Brodeur (brother) by the Dutch.

I found the story of Cornelis and Ots-Toch so compelling that in 1993 I decided to write a book on them. I wanted to trace Ots-Toch's lineage as far as possible, and try to prove which, if either, of the two stories of her parentage was correct. I wanted to know my ancestors as real people - the times they lived in, the neighbours they had, their friends and other relatives, events in their lives, what they wore, and any details I could find to put flesh on the bones.

Cornelis Van Slyke's story is of a Dutchman who came to the New World as a carpenter at the age of 30, who became an interpreter for the Mohawk nation, was adopted into the tribe, and who met and married a French-Mohawk woman (Ots-Toch)who never left her native village. Their children, all raised at Canajoharie, one of the Mohawk castles or villages, became well-known and respected in the Dutch community. All except one left the village and married Dutch settlers.

One of their children was my 8th great grandfather, Jacques Cornelissen Van Slyke who was known as Akes Gautsch, and whose Mohawk name was It-sy-cho-sa-quash-ka. Jacques was also an interpreter and one of the first settlers of Schenectady.

In my 189-page book, I trace Ots-Toch's lineage, and Cornelis' and Ots-Toch's descendants to the mid 1800s. I have included the descendants of Cornelis' nephew Willem Van Slyke aka Willem Neef, and Willem's possible sister Elizabeth Van Slyke, who married Hendrick Cornelissen Van Buren. The book is 8 1/2 x 11, paperback, coil bound. Laminated covers are available on request (see order form for cost). Pages 1-100 are narrative style chapters detailing the lives of Cornelis and his children, as well as Ots-Toch and her parents, and Cornelis' nephew Willem Pieterse. pages 100-189 are Genealogical Report style plus maps. The book is footnoted and indexed.

Cornelise's nephew Willem Pieterse Van Slyke and his descendants were briefly discussed in my first book on the Van Slyke family "The Van Slyke Family in America: A Genealogy of Cornelis Anotnissen Van Slyke, 1604-1676 and his Mohawk wife Ots-Toch, including the story of Jacques Hertel, 1603-1651, Father of Ots-Toch and Interpreter to Samuel de Champlain". In the years that followed, I realized it was time to give Willem a book of his own.

Sometimes one event leads to another serendiptious finding. Such was the case with this book. During my four year research period on this book, I was researching other families for a planned series on New Netherland settlers and compiling notes. In-depth research on the Straetsman family led me to an unexpected revelation of a family connection - one which affects Van Slyke and Barheit descendants. You will read about this in the chapter on Pieter Willemse Van Slyke and his wife Johanna Barheit. Other mysteries were solved along the way, and I hope that Van Slyke descendants are pleased with my findings.

The final motivation to complete this book, which has been four years in the making, were the descendants of Willem, who eagerly sought more details about him.

The book is 8 1/2 x 11, paperback, coil bound. Laminated covers are available on request (see order form for cost). Section 1 is a history of the Dutch in New Netherland including chapters on the Origins of New Netherland, Rensselaerswyck Beginnings, Fort Orange & Albany Beginnings, Early Settlers & Immigration, Religon, Money & Money Substitutes in the New World, Patronymics, The Settlement of Kinderhook. Part II is on the origins of the Van Slyke family in the Netherlands (inlcudes new information from commissioned research). Part III is the Immigrant Van Slyke Ancestors in the New World with chapters on Cornelis Antonissen Van Slyke and his nephew Willem Pieterse Van Slyke. Part IV is the second generation with indivdual chapters on each of Willem Pieterse's six children and their spouses. Part V is the Genealogy Report to 5 generations. Included are maps, a bibliography, glossary and timeline. The 200 page book is footnoted and indexed.

An article I wrote on Cornelis Van Slyke, his Mohawk wife and his life in the Colony of Rensellaerswyck New York called Cornelis Antonissen Van Slyke uit Breukelen en zijn Mohawk vrouw Ots-Toch was published in Tijdschrift Historische Kring Breukelen Jaargang 12, Nummer 1, Maart 1997. Translated from English to Dutch by Max Schulte

Since the publication of my first book I have been researching and updating the Van Slyke book. I also commissioned research in the archives in Breuckelen, Netherlands and other areas in the Netherlands, with interesting results! I will be publishing one supplement on the descendants of Cornelis Antonissen Van Slyke with updates, corrections and additions ; and a second complete book on The descendants of Willem Pieterse Van Slyke. Both books will contain the new information on the ancestry of the Van Slyke family in the Netherlands.

Both books contain full source information, detailed citations for each event, and full information on individuals. Please note that the supplement to Cornelis Antonissen Van Slyke does not replace the original book, and cannot be used without the original.

Watch this page for details on price and availability!

Download an order form for the book on the Van Slyke Family in America. Or pay by Paypal.

Here is an interesting document from my supplement:

Source: History of New Netherland
O'Callaghan, E. B. (Edmund Bailey), 1797-1880.
2d ed. New-York, D. Appleton & company, 1855.

WE, Willem Kieft, Director-general, and council, on behalf of the High and Mighty Lords States General of the United Netherlands, His Highness of Orange, and the Noble Lords Directors of the Privileged West India Company, residing in New Netherland: To all who shall see or hear these presents read, Health. Whereas Cornelis Antonissen, [Van Slyck,] of Breuckelen, hath appeared before Us, and with his associates requested permission to settle in free possession the land of Katskill lying on the River Mauritius, there to plant with his associates a Colonie, which he hath promised to do, according to the freedoms and exemptions of New Netherland: WE, therefore, considering the great service which the aforesaid Cornelis Antonissen hath conferred on this country, as well in the making of peace as in the ransoming of prisoners, and it being proper that such notorious services should not remain unacknowledged, We have, as Director and Council, conceded and granted to the aforesaid Cornelis Antonissen, the above-mentioned land of the Katskill, to plant there a Colonie, within the time therefor enacted, and in the order appointed, or to be appointed, by the Noble Lords Majors. Wherefore WE, in the quality aforesaid, deed and transport in a true, free, and perpetual possession, to the said Cornelis Antonissen, the aforesaid lands of the Katskill, giving him full power, authority, and special command, to enter on, cultivate, and make use of the said lands in the same manner as he should conclude to do with his other patrimonial estate, without our in any manner, in quality aforesaid, having, reserving, or retaining thereon any part, action, or authority in the least, but as regards the same, desisting from all henceforth and forever; promising to maintain this transport firmly, inviolably, and irrevocably; to perform and to fulfil every part thereof under the penalty of answering therefor according to law, without art or guile. This is subscribed, and with our Seal in red wax, fully and perfectly confirmed. Done in Fort Amsterdam, in New Netherland, this 22d of August, of the year of our Lord and Saviour one thousand six hundred six and forty. [Signed,] "WILLEM KIEFT. " By order of the noble Director-general and council of N. N. " CORNELIS VAN TIENHOVEN, " Secretary."

Book of Dutch Patents, GG 157, translation 363. The original of the above patent, on a small piece of parchment, and written in fine old Dutch text, is among the Rensselaerswyck MSS. in a high state of preservation. It is from this last-mentioned document that the above translation was made by O'Callaghan.

Genealogy Tools To Help with your Brick Walls

Once you have found an article you wish to read, you can obtain copies of by using the PERSI online order form

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You might want to consider joining the VAN SLYKE mailing list (I'm the list administrator).

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You can also search the VAN SLYKE archives for a specific message or browse them, going from one message to another.

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Following are some of the URLs I have found on the 'net which have more information on the Van Slyke family. I posted these (and more!) on the VAN SLYKE mailing list, so you may wish to join us there for updates.

Van Slyke Castle, Ramapo Mountains
List of Militia Officers in New York, 1700
MILITARY LODGE NO. 93, FREE & ACCEPTED MASONS Town of Manlius Membership The First 100 Years: 1802-1829; 1851-1902
Military Burials and Inscriptions Manlius
Town of Manlius Soldiers War of 1812
Canadian Virtual War Memorial Search for VAN SLYKE or VAN SLYCK
Capt. Jacob Klock's Regiment 2nd Tryon Co. Militia
Oriskany battle Roster
Unrest and War
76th NY Volunteer Infantry
Schoharie & Mohawk valley Raids
Texas Adjutant General Service Records 1836-1935
Database of Illinois Civil War Veterans
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Canadian Expeditionary Force WW1 (searchable database)

You might also want to read Cliff Lamere's page on Dutch Method of Naming Children. He has used the Van Slyke family as his example.

Following is my direct line through the Van Slyke family.

                                     VAN SLYKE DESCENT
 
1> Antonis aka Teunis  VAN SLICHT
   Born: Abt 1580               Netherlands
    Spouse:  ?   ________
2> Cornelis Antonissen  VAN SLYKE
   Born: 1604                   Breuckelen, Utrecht, Netherlands
   Died: 1676                   Canajoharie, NY, USA
   Spouse:  Ots-Toch   ________
   Born: Abt 1620               Mohawk Castle, Canojaharie, NY USA
   Marr: Abt 1635/1640          Mohawk Castle, Canajoharie, NY

3> Jacques Corneliese  VAN SLYKE
   Born: Abt 1640               Canajoharie, Montgomery Co., NY, USA
   Died: Aft 11 May 1690        Albany, NY, USA

   Spouse:  Margarita aka Grietje  RYCKMAN
   Born: Abt 1640               
   Died: 1695                   Albany, NY, USA
   Marr: 1662                   Schenectady, NY

4> Lydia   VAN SLYCK
   Born: Abt 1685               Schenectady, NY, USA

   Spouse:  Isaac VAN VALKENBURG
   Chri: 4 Jul 1686             Albany, NY, USA
   Marr: 4 Oct 1705             Schenectady, NY, USA

5> Isaac   VAN VALKENBURG
   Born: Abt 1712               Schenectady, NY, USA
   Died: 1785                   Wysox, PA, USA

    Spouse:  Maria   BRADT
    Born: Abt 1713               Albany, NY
    
6> Isaac  VOLLICKUEL
   Born: 1732                   Schoharie, NY, USA
   Died: Aft 1802               ON
   Spouse:  Anna Maria (Mary) WARNER
   Born: 28 Oct 1735            Schoharie, NY, USA
   Marr: 28 Oct 1757            St. Paul's Evang, Schoharie, NY

7> Cornelius   VOLLICK UEL
   Born: 1761                   Albany, NY, USA
   Died:                       ON

   Spouse:  Eve LARROWAY
   Born: Sep 1776               Niagara, ON
   Marr: 24 Mar 1795            Niagara

8> Richard   VOLLICK
   Born: Oct 1809               Upper Canada
   Died: 17 Jul 1891            Hay Twp., Huron Co., ONt.

   Spouse:  Elizabeth (Betsy)  BURKHOLDER
   Born: Abt 1816               Hamilton, ON
                  

9> Isaac   VOLLICK
   Born: Abt 1832               Upper Canada
   Died: 25 Mar 1904            Flos Twp., Simcoe Co., ON

    Spouse:  Lydia (Liddy)  JAMIESON
    Born: 11 Oct 1837            Wentworth Co. ON
    Died: 15 Oct 1917            Flos Twp., Simcoe Co., ON
    Marr: Bef 1858               

10> Mary Elizabeth  VOLLICK
    Born: Apr 1861              Seaforth, Minto Tp., Wellington Co., ON
    Died: 24 May 1914           Guelph, ON

    Spouse:  Stephen Edward PEER
    Died: 13 Oct 1897           Guelph, ON
    Marr: 12 Jul 1879           Milton, ON