Originally from Slochteren in the Dutch far north, they all moved to the region between Rotterdam and Gouda. The Gouwens family. They settled in the town of Lekkerkerk. Their last name was actually a toponym: from the Gouda area.
Piet, Dirk, Hilletje, Jannetje, Trijntje, Arie, names like that. And Annigje.
She was the daughter of Tijs, the man who left Lekkerkerk behind and emigrated to Chicago, along with a whole bunch of other Zuid-Hollanders. They built their own village, named it South Holland, now known locally as the most livable part of metropolitan Chicago. Alcohol has only recently been made available in bars and restaurants only, not in retail stores.
Onion capital of the world, they call it there. That’s what the still predominantly Dutch farmers grow around South Holland. How predominant? Today’s mayor is named Don DeGraff, city development is in the hands of Travis Bandstra, finances are managed by Beth Herman, village clerk is Sallie Penman, and the clerk’s office is run by J. Wynstra. Can’t get much more Dutch.
Annigje emigrated with father Tijs to America, became the mother of 13 children, and gave her name to posterity. Angelina.
Angelina Jolie.
Her grandmother was Lois Gouwens, from South Holland, Illinois. That’s also where Angelina’s mother was born. Angelina measures 5’6’’, exactly the average height of Dutch women, the second tallest girls in the world. Managed three husbands, including Brad Pitt. Takes no prisoners.
