Vinkenvleugel (Finkenflugel/Fink) Family Reunion

Descendants of Gerrit Jan (John) and Hermanus (Herman)

When:  Saturday, June 12, 2004

Place:  Doyle Park Poolside Pavilion

100 Van Buren St., Little Chute, WI

Time: Noon to 6:00 p.m.

Plans: Very Informal

• Bring your own food/drink and something to share if you like
• Bring Pictures and any Info you have about THE FAMILY
• Come see how YOU are connected to these Wisconsin Pioneers
• Meet long lost relatives and learn something about your Dutch Fink Family Roots

Over 150 years ago, two brothers named Gerrit Jan (John) and Hermanus (Herman) Vinkenvleugel (Fink) and their families emigrated to the United States from the Netherlands, specifically, from the Dinxperlo area of Holland which lies on the German border. Over these past 150 years, much of their history has been lost.  But, through the efforts of many folks, both here and in Holland, many of the descendants of these two men have found each other during these past few years.  Some of us have even traveled to Holland and met the relatives of Gerrit Jan and Herman’s brother, Arend, who still live in the Dinxperlo area. (Hopefully, some of them will come and join us this year or in future reunions!!!)

In the summer of 2002, the various arms of the Herman Vinkenvleugel (he had 3 wives) Family met for a reunion in Green Bay along with two other pioneer families of the area.  This past summer (2003), several descendants of Gerrit Jan and Hermanus, reunited at the Kermis Festival in Little Chute. We had such fun and so much to talk about that we plan to get together again next summer. We thought that many of you would like to join us.

Interesting notes many of us have found in common:

• Most of us grew up thinking our name (or our ancestor’s name) was Fink
• Most of us thought the Fink family was from Germany.
• Most of us knew little about the other Finks in the area, tho we knew there was “some connection”.

History has proved that our Vinkenvleugel Family was from Holland. As mentioned above, they were from Dinxperlo and it is a German/Holland border town, thus the thinking that we might have German roots.

We’d love to have you join us. If you’d like to, please send us the following information:

• Name and relationship to Gerrit Jan or Hermanus. Please be as specific as possible. Contact one of us if you need help
• Snail mail address, Email address, Telephone number
• How many in your family you think might join us.

 So that we can completely coordinate this event, please send all info to:

Helen Fink Forbeck

1869 Arrowhead Dr.

Beloit, WI 53511

(608) 364-4247

forbeckhf@charter.net.

Or…..

Jeanne Brooks Selig

1443 W. Kimberly Ave.

Kimberly, WI  54136-1217

920-733-7375

seligs@athenet.net

JSelig@belkauusa.com