Like many young men of his time Cornelis faced the prospect of an uncertain future if he remained in Gorinchem. He signed up with the VOC (Verenigde Oostindische Compagnie) in late 1713. Politics and economic situation in 1713 A number of wars had taken place over the decades leading up to the time Cornelis was…
In my last blog post we learned that Cornelis van Rooijen hailed from the town of Gorinchem. We do not have a date of birth for Cornelis, which is not unusual for the time, but we know he was baptised at the Nederlands Hervormde Kerk in Gorinchem on 15 April 1695.[1] The baptism entry gives in…
I’d like to begin this series on the origins and life of South African progenitor, Cornelis van Rooijen, with his place of origin, Gorinchem (Gorcum) in the Netherlands. South African progenitor of the Van Rooyen family, Cornelis van Rooijen, hailed from Gorinchem in The Netherlands, a city used in defence of the Dutch Waterline, being…
This website aims to share historical and genealogical information on the Van Rooyen family in South Africa (as well as the diaspora) who descend from Cornelis van Rooijen who arrived at the Cape of Good Hope in 1714. This website format has changed and includes both static pages (please use menu at top) and blog posts. Click on ‘database’ to go to the website where I host the Van Rooyen genealogical information.
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Last database update 4 May 2026.
Hello,
I have been researching the Van Rooyen family descended from Cornelis for more than two decades. I’m delighted to share my ongoing research with you.
van Rooyen Genealogy 