Writer wants to interview Westerwolde emigrants for book

Plans to tour North America

WINSCHOTEN, the Netherlands – Publicist and writer Harry Wubs, who for nearly forty years worked as a reporter for a regional daily newspaper, wants to make contact with people who left the Groningen quarter of Westerwolde for a new life in Canada and the U.S. Wubs plans to visit North America in 2008, and where possible visit former Westerwolde residents and interview them for a book he hopes to write on Westerwolde’s emigrants.

The Winschoten-resident who has traveled in North America before, wants to include the second and third generation of Westerwolde emigrants in his project. The Westerwolde quarter includes the towns Bourtange, Onstwedde, Sellingen, Ter Apel, Vlagtwedde and Wedde, and surrounding villages and hamlets.

In addition to interviews, Harry Wubs is also looking for supporting material such as family correspondence, photographs and other documents.

Since his retirement from the newspaper in 2005, Wubs has devoted much of his time to researching and documenting the quarter’s history. His first book, Boerendorp in een boerenland, which records the history of his birthplace Onstwedde from 1795 to 1940, was recently published and is now available in book stores.

In general, the province of Groningen has been a significant emigrant contributor to the Dutch community in North America, particularly in Chicago and area. As well, Montana’s Gallatin Valley attracted emigrants from various parts of Groningen as far back as the 1870s.

Anyone wishing to contact the writer, is invited to respond to H. Wubs, St. Vitusholt 86, 9673 AK Winschoten, the Netherlands, or via e-mail: hwubs01@hetnet.nl.