Europe The largest ethnic group in New Netherland were the Dutch. However, there were settlers from nearly every European country. Those who were not Dutch came mainly from Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, the principalities that now make up Germany (and parts of Poland), the British Isles, France, and other European countries. Some of these people, particularly the Huguenots from France and Walloons from Belgium, fled to the Netherlands and its colonies from religious persecution at home. In fact, the first families to settle in New Netherland were Walloons who had fled to the Netherlands. Others came for economic reasons.
In addition to cultural diversity, there was some religious diversity among the settlers. Most were members of the Dutch Reformed Church but there were also Jews, Lutherans, Quakers, et cetera. A number of Jewish refugees arrived in New Amsterdam in 1654 when the Portugese had taken over the Dutch colony they had been living in in Brazil. While the Dutch were known for their tolerance, there was some intolerance, especially during the administration of Director-General Peter Stuyvesant.
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Michelle's Main Page New Netherland Family History Origins Page To contact me: michelle@boydhouse.com
Last updated 4 Nov 2003.
© Michelle Boyd, 2003.
