The "Fökkink Farm" Photo Gallery
In 1861 Mother Dela ten Damme-te Selle had to find a new home
for herself and her seven sons. She had been living at the farm "De Selle"
and raising her family on her own, as her husband, Jan Albert te Selle, had
passed away in 1845 at the young age of 45. However, in 1861 Mother Dela
and her sons could no longer live at the farm "De Selle", because that farm was
sold. The te Selle family had lived at "De Selle" for many years as
tenants of the owner Jan Albert Bennink. However, Jan Albert Bennink sold
the "De Selle" farm in 1861 to Jan Hendrik Hijink, who had become Jan Albert's
son-in-law. Jan Hendrik Hijink decided to settle himself at "De Selle", so
Mother Dela and her family had to move.
Fortunately, finding a new farm home in 1861 proved to be
relatively easy, perhaps because many Winterswijk farmers were already beginning
to sell their farms to emigrate to America. Mother Dela and her eldest son
Derk Willem te Selle (1827-1904) selected the farm "Fökkink", located in the
Winterswijk hamlet of Kotten. Three of Dela's sons (Jan Hendrik, Harmen
Jan, and Gerrit Jan) were all living at "Fökkink" when they decided to emigrate
to the United States in the mid-1800's.
Although the following pictures were taken
in 1957, the farm probably was little changed from its original appearance in
1861. In several pictures is Derk Willem te Selle (1888-1963), who is the
grandson of Derk Willem te Selle (1827-1904) and great grandson of Dela ten Damme-teSelle.
The younger Derk Willem retained ownership rights to "Fökkink" because he was
the oldest son of the oldest son (Jan Albert te Selle: 1856-1939) of the oldest
son (Derk Willem te Selle: 1827-1904) of Dela ten Damme-te Selle. When the
younger Derk Willem died in 1963, the ownership of "Fökkink" passed to his
eldest son Albert Hendrik (1925 - ), who still lives at "Fökkink" today.
Sometime after these photos were taken in 1957, Derk Willem
te Selle got permission from local officials to build a new farm on the same
location. He turned the farmhouse 180 degrees to get more sunlight into
the living areas. Today it would have been impossible to demolish such an
antique farm as "Fökkink", but during the years of extensive reconstruction
after World War II, it was possible to renovate even historic structures.
(Note: Click on any of the thumbnail photos to view
an enlarged version.)
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Derk Willem te Selle (1888-1963) at old "Fökkink" farm in 1957 |
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Johanna Christina te Selle (1927-present) at "Fökkink" farm |
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Old "Fökkink" living room (note rock floor) |
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Old "Fökkink" kitchen and barn |
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Derk Willem te Selle (top) and oldest son Albert Hendrik te Selle (1925-present) |
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Derk Willem te Selle at old "Fökkink" farm |
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Albert Hendrik te Selle with Family Bible |
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