GENEALOGY ZIJLSTRA
DE BJIRMEN
fragments
ZIJLSTRA

In this new coat of arms design of Erfgoed Fundaasje, the colors red and silver are based on the coat of arms of Easterbierrum, the ‘tribal village’, where the first generations with the name Zijlstra lived.
The helmet’s crest is a bundle of rods with an axe (fasces), an ancient Roman symbol of the authority of magistrates.
This refers, among other things, to the administrative functions of various Zijlstras and to the magistracy of Jelle and Rinse Zijlstra (VI.9 and VI.10 in this family tree).
The wheat stands for arable farming, the three clovers (symbol of sincerity and hope) for livestock farming.
The split red twill in gold indicates the sail at Ropta, from which the name is derived.
The half eagle refers to the Frisian origin.

Although it appears finished, this coat of arms is still a work in progress, and, in collaboration with the heralds of the Frisian Heraldry Council, it is still carefully considered, tested and will ultimately be adopted and registered.
Preliminary description:
divided: I. the Frisian eagle in black on gold; II. in red: above three wheat ears in gold, through a split golden twill of three golden clovers below.
Crest: a bundle of sticks with an axe in gold. Helmet: red, lined with silver.

This family tree serves as support and background information for the archives in the Zijlstra Collection that were donated on August 1, 2020 by Theodora Jelles Zijlstra (no. VI.12.1 in this genealogy) and her husband Tæke Meintes Brandsma from St.-Annaparochie. This Zijlstra business and family archive was deposited there because this family branch was the last to farm at their parental place at Klooster-Lidlum (Mûntsewei 1) under Oosterbierum where the documents were kept. The archive is of great value, as business accounting has been kept virtually without gaps from the end of the 19th century to the 90s of the twentieth century.

Heritage Foundation appraises and archives this collection so that it is well documented for the future and is accessible for agricultural research. The archive is housed in the town hall of the municipality of Waadhoeke and can be viewed on request in the study room at Heritage Foundation (058-212 00 25; info@erfgoed-fundaasje.nl).
The aim is to expand this archive with historical material, such as letters, certificates, photo albums and realia, such as samplers, birth certificates and other silverware containing relevant names and initials.
This genealogy will also continue to expand: with personal stories, anecdotes and data about younger generations to this day. The photos have been digitized and are usually shown here in actual size. If the name of the photographer is not listed, then it is not known at this time.

A genealogy on the internet has its advantage over a book in print: it can be supplemented and edited. The use of the search function replaces a register and is much more convenient: one enters the name or item and one is immediately in the right place, indispensable to adequately view such a genealogy.
We very much appreciate improvements and additions, see: form
Eventually this genealogy will be translated into English.

During compilation, the research of Sjoerd Jelles Zijlstra (V.4) and of the family register that was established in 1984 by his grandson Foppe de Haan have been invaluable.
As for the first generations mentioned here, and earlier ones, in-depth research is still ongoing. The surname will certainly have been derived from Roptazijl, where this family lived.

For the full genealogy (in Frisian), click here.