Gerardus Van Laanen &
Johanna Van der Heijden

Gerardus VAN LAANEN was born in August 17th, 1788, in the village of Uden, Noord Brabant, Holland, the son of Peter (Petrus) VAN  LAANEN and Wilhelmina VAN DEN ANKER.

Johanna Adriaan Giele VAN DER HEIJDEN was born December 29th, 1790, in Boekel, Noord Brabant, Holland, the daughter of Adriaan VAN DER HEIJDEN and Anna Maria PETERS.

Gerardus Van Laanen married Johanna Adriaan Giele Van der Heijden on January 26th, 1815, in Boekel, Noord Brabant, Holland. Gerardus and Johanna farmed and raised a family in Boekel.

Gerardus and Johanna's first child, Peter was born on March 12th, 1817.  He grew up in Boekel and eventually married Wilhelmina Jansens. This couple raised 6 children together  (see Peter Van Lanen Family History) - one born in Holland that the rest born in Wisconsin.

Gerardus and Johanna's second child was Mary, born in Boekel, in 1818. Mary and what became of her is still a matter of research.  We know that she did immigrate as one of the five children with Gerardus (as documented in the 1850 census). But little else is known about her at this time.

Third son Johannus, was born on October 20th, 1820, in Boekel, Noord Brabant, Holland.  Like his brother Peter, he helped his father farm their holdings in Boekel.  He eventually struck out on his own and married Allegonda Van Den Berk in Boekel, on February 2nd, 1842 (see Johannus Van Lanen Family History).

Ariton (Antone, Anthony) was born in Boekel, Noord Brabant, Holland in 1823.  Ariton married Johanna Diricks (probably in Wisconsin), this couple raised three children (Antone Van Lanen Family History) all born in Wisconsin.

Gerardus and Johanna's fifth child was Bernard (Gerardus) L.  He was born in Boekel, in 1825, he eventually immigrated to the U.S with his parents and married Elisabeth Vander Landen on May 14th, 1860 at Holy Cross Church in Bay Settlement, Wisconsin.  Bernard and Elisabeth raised 11 children (see Bernard Van Lanen Family History).

Antonette was born in Boekel, Noord Brabant, Holland, in 1827. nothing further is known about Antonette.

Hendrick (Henry, Drick) was the seventh child of Gerardus and Johanna Van Lanen, born in Boekel, Noord Brabant, holland, on August 21st, 1829. Hendrick's first wife has yet to be identified,  he did however father two children with her. His second wife was Helena Verbakel, who he married in 1860. Hendrick and Helena had five children children together (Hendrick Van Lanen Family History).

In 1849 Gerardus, Johanna and five of their children (Mary, Ariton, Bernard , Antonette and Hendrick) immigrated to the United States.  He is listed in the book "Dutch Immigrants to the US, South America, and Southeast Asia" with the occupation of "landbouer" which means farmer, Age 61, Roman Catholic, with five children.  His reason for leaving Holland was listed as "religious and economic freedom", with a destination of Wisconsin.  His originating province and municipality are listed as Noord Brabant and Boekel. They arrived in the port of  New York in July of 1849. The family probably traveled by rail to Syracuse, and from there up the Erie Canal to Buffalo, New York, where they likely caught a lake steamer to Mackinac and on to Green Bay.  Peter, his wife Wilhelmina immigrated later in October of 1849, probably because Wilhelmina gave birth to their first son Cornelius in July of 1849.  On November 4th, 1849, Gerardus filed a Declaration of Intent to become a citizen of the United States.

The 1850 Census of the United States finds the extended Van Lanen family in Green Bay, District #12 Dwelling 342, Family 375 as:

• Gerardus Van Lanen, Age 61, Male, Farmer, $200.00 in property, Born n Holland
• Johanna, age 58, Female, Wife, born in Holland
• Peter, Age 32 (33), Male, Farmer, born in Holland
• Mary, Age 32, Female, born in Holland
• Antone (Ariton), Age 27, Male Farmer, born in Holland
• Bernard (Gerardus), Age 25, Male, Farmer, born in Holland
• Antonette, Age 23, female, born in Holland.
• Hendrick (Henry), Age 20, Male, Farmer, born in Holland.

Its not known, as to why Wilhelmina Peter's wife and son Cornelius nor Hendrick's two daughters are not listed in the 1850 census. We do know that Peter, Wilhelmina and their son moved to a farm in the town of Scott sometime in 1851.

The 1860 census shows Gerardus and Johanna living with their son Bernard (Gerardus) and daughter-in-law Elisabeth Vander Landen as follows:

• Gerardus L. Van Lanen, Age 35, male, Farmer, born in Holland, Land = $100.00, Property = $125.00
• Elisabeth, Age 18, Female, Spouse, born in Belgium
• Gerardus, Age 72, Male, Father, born in Holland
• Johanna, Age 70, Female, Mother, born in Holland.

 Both Gerardus and his wife Johanna died before 1870 as indicated by the fact that they no longer show up in the census.

VAN LANEN Ancestry 

The VAN LANEN surname originates in the towns of Boekel and Uden, Noord Brabant, Holland and means "from the lanes".  The earliest Van Lanen identified to date is Peter VAN LAANEN who was married to Wilhelmina VAN DEN ANKER.  This couple had at least one son Gerardus VAN LANEN (1788 - <1870) who married Johanna Adriaan Giele VAN DER HEIJDEN (1790 - <1870) described above.

VAN DEN ANKER Ancestry 

The VAN DEN ANKER surname.

VAN DER HEIJDEN Ancestry 

The VAN DER HEIJDEN surname originates in Holland, and is the subject of on-going research. At present the oldest known Vander Heijden is Adriaan VANDER HEIJDEN (?) who married Anna Maria PETERS (?).  They had at least one daughter Johanna Adriaan Giele VAN DER HEIJDEN who married Gerardus VAN LANEN and are described above.

PETERS Ancestry 

The PETERS surname.

INDICES:  Surnames, People

Last updated: November 27th, 1999
Copyright, Richard M. Balza, 1999
To make corrections or obtain more information contact: Richard M. Balza