eltje Dircksen was born about 1625-30 at Steenwyck in the Dutch Province of Overijssel. Little is known about her earyly life. At her marriage in 1658 she is called Aeltje Dircx, Van Steenwyck with no notation as to whether she was single, widowed or divorced. She was deceased previous to January 15, 1661 when Willem Traphagel, Wedr van Aeltje Dircx had banns announced with his third wife. In his deposition of 1671 she is called Aeltie Dirrecks Meermans.

        In the Council session under date of September 9, 1652 is found a suit between Jacob Claessen, plaintiff, vs. Aeltien Dirricksen, defendant; the plaintiff demands to know of his wife, Aeltien Dirricksen, the reason why she will not live with him and remains away from him. The director and counsel, having heard the parties and read the depositions, order that the plaintiff be held in confinement until the ships depart for the fatherland, in order to prevent any trouble. There is no further mention of this case or the outcome. It would appear that the Council sanctioned a separation of this couple, but it is uncertain which member of the couple left the colony, Jacob or Aeltje. Since no other Aeltje Dircksen has been found, it is feasible that this is the same woman that married Willem Jansen Traphagen.

        There is mention of another Meermans in New Amsterdam. There was an Elizabeth (Lysbeth) Meermans who witnessed two baptisms, one November 8, 1665 to Gerrit son of Hendrick Bosch and July 20, 1667 with Thomas Lambertson to Lysbeth, daughter of Jacob Van de Water and Engeltie Jeurians. here is no other mention of an Elizabeth Meermans but there was a reference to a Lysbeth Dircks that might fit this puzzle.

Child of Willem Jansen and Aeltje Dircksen (Meermans) Traphagen:

1. Johannes.

SOURCES:

• Collection of the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society, Volume IX, Marriages in the Reformed Dutch Church of New York City, 1639-1801, 1940, New York
• New York Historical Manuscripts-Dutch. Volume IV, Council Minutes, #128, page 157, hereafter NYHM-D
• NYHM-D, Volume V, Records of the Colonial Secretary.
• NYHM-D, Volume II, Register of the Provincial Secretery, #35a, page 83.