Five Brothers and a War

The van Pelts—Pieter and Leentje

In 1964, 51-year-pld Pieter Dirk van Pelt married 53-year-old Leentje Dirkje van Pelt, raising questions about possible incest. In looking at the family relationships, the common thread goes back to Leendert Huibert van Pelt, who lived from 1739-1807 and married Jenneke Boer in 1767.

Leendert Huibert van Pelt (1739-1807) [1767] Jenneke Boer (~1737-1807) Marijnus van Pelt (1779-????) [ ] Hendrina van Campen (1789-????) Jan van Pelt (1821-????) [1852] Angenita van Pelt (1829-?)

Leendert Huibert van Pelt (1739-1807) [1767] Jenneke Boer (~1737-1807) Cornelis van Pelt (1776-????) [1798] Agnita de Geus Leendert van Pelt (1798-1852) Hendrika Konings Angenita van Pelt (1829-????) [1852] Jan van Pelt (1821-????)

Thus, Jan and Angenita were first cousins once removed, where Jan’s grandfather was Angenita’s great-grandfather. Without taking into account any previous inter-marriages, the common blood percentage is 1/32 or 3.125%. The relationship was entirely legal, even by today’s laws and standards.

van Pelt

Five Brothers and a War

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