Angela S. and Gerit J. Bussemaker photograph albums

Angela S. and Gerit J. Bussemaker photograph albums, 1923-1966

Overview of the Collection

Creator: Bussemaker, Angela Saturnia
Title: Angela S. and Gerit J. Bussemaker photograph albums
Dates: 1923-1966 (inclusive)
19231966
Quantity: 195 photographic prints (1 box and 1 folder) ; various sizes
Collection Number: PH0834
Summary: Activities in the life of John and Angela Bussemaker (who were probably "Displaced Persons" or refugees) following World War II, including their life in Europe, their trip to America, and their life in Seattle
Repository: University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions: The collection is open to the public. Use viewing photocopies of the albums first.
Languages: English
Sponsor: Funding for encoding this finding aid was partially provided through a grant awarded by the Washington Women's Consortium

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Gerit (Johnny) Bussemaker was born in Holland in 1912. He lived with his aunt and uncle after his mother died in 1924. He attended college in Rotterdam, Holland and worked as a civilian interpreter as part of the Special Services division of the U.S. Army in Bad-Nauheim following World War II. On August 17, 1946, he married Angela Saturnia, who was born on February 1, 1922 in Lithuania.

Between 1947 and 1951, the Bussemakers traveled through Europe, sightseeing and visiting friends. In 1952, they immigrated to the United States from Holland aboard the U.S.S. Ryndam . The Bussemakers traveled across the United States by bus, arriving in Washington State in 1953. They lived in Auburn, Washington until 1954, when they moved to Seattle. Johnny worked as an agent for the New York Life Insurance Company and Angela worked for Pacific Northwest Bell. In 1957 they purchased a house at 6210 43rd Avenue Northeast, Seattle. John died in early October 1966 at the age of 54. Angela died on December 18, 2004 at the age of 84.

Historical BackgroundReturn to Top

It is highly likely that Angela and Johnny were displaced persons. The term "Displaced Persons" was first widely used during World War II and the resulting refugee outflows from Eastern Europe, when it was used to specifically refer to one removed from his or her native country as a refugee, prisoner or a slave laborer. Combat operations, ethnic cleansing, genocide, and general fear resulted in millions of people being uprooted from their original homes in the course of World War II, becoming displaced. Estimates for the number of displaced persons varies from 11 million to as many as 20 million. The majority were inmates of Nazi concentration camps, labor camps and prisoner-of-war camps that were freed by the Allied armies. In addition, many were people who had been forced to work in German factories and farms, and others who fled their countries to escape Communist rule.

As the war ended, these people found themselves in unfamiliar places facing an uncertain future. Allied military and civilian authorities faced considerable challenges in resolving the problem of displaced persons. Most were unable, or unwilling, to return to their native countries, and therefore lived in Displaced Person camps until they were able to immigrate into a new home. Over time, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, Chile, and Australia all opened their doors to immigrants.

The United States began allowing displaced persons to immigrate into the U.S. in 1948. As a condition of immigration, the displaced persons were required to have sponsors in the United States. This sponsor would help arrange housing and employment for the new immigrant.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Two photograph albums documenting Angela and Johnny Bussemaker's lives in post-World War II Europe, and eventual immigration to the United States. Both albums include handwritten captions, apparently composed by Angela Bussemaker, dating and describing many of the photographs. The first album documents time spent living and working in Germany, as well as traveling around Europe. The second, later album documents the couple's immigration to the United States, from their trip across the Atlantic, to their arrival in New York, a trip across the United States and their life in Seattle.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Alternative Forms Available

Photocopies of the original photographs are available for viewing.

View selections from the collection in digital format.

Restrictions on Use

Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation, or publication. Contact Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries for details.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Acquisition Information

Source: Aurora Antique Pavilion, 2006.

Processing Note

Processed by Marion Brown, 2009.

The photographs were removed from the albums for preservation purposes and placed in envelopes in album page order. Photocopies were made of the album pages to show the original arrangement of the photographs on each page.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Album 1Return to Top

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Box/Folder	item
1/1	1.1a	Ten men in uniform with drinks and Angela Bussemaker Written on the page: Johnny's buddies at a party-- I was the only female in the bunch --alas I did not speak English but had a great time with my new American friends.	1946
1/1	1.1b	Card written in Lithuanian Written on the page: Johnny wrote in Lithuanian a birthday greeting for me-- I never could find out how he did it because he did not know Lithuanian.	1947
1/2	1.2a-c	Johnny and Angela Written on the page: Johnny and I in 1947 in Bad-Nauheim-- Johnny in American uniform working as civilian interpreter.	1947
1/2	1.3a	Johnny in uniform	1947
1/2	1.3b	The Headquarters Continental Base Section at the Special Services Division Headquarters European Command	1947
1/2	1.3c	Johnny in uniform at a desk Written on the page: Johnny's work place and office.	1947
1/3	1.4a-b	Johnny with his American buddies in Bad-Nauheim	1947
1/3	1.4c	Johnny outside a building called Dofiami	1947
1/3	1.4d	Johnny outside a building	1947
1/3	1.5a	Angela outside the Special Services Division Headquarters European Command	1947
1/3	1.5b-c	Angela outside a building Written on the page: Bad-Nauheim--1947--Visiting Johnny at work.	1947
1/4	1.6a-b	Angela and Johnny in a garden Written on the page: Johnny and I in Munich	1948
1/4	1.7a-b	Portrait of Angela	1947-1948
1/4	1.7c	Angela and Johnny	1947-1948
1/5	1.8a	Tennis court and players Written on the page: Johnny playing tennis--competition--he won--1948.	1948
1/5	1.8b	Two women on a bench Written on the page: Anetta DeRosa and I watching John play tennis--Bad Nauheim--1948.	1948
1/5	1.8c	Anetta DeRosa and Angela walking on a path	1948
1/5	1.9a	Johnny and some of his tennis trophies Ted Russell (Photographer)	circa 1948
1/5	1.9b	Angela facing a tennis court Written on the page: Tennis 'widow'-- that's me.	circa 1948
1/6	1.10a	Two people, likely Angela and Johnny	circa 1948
1/6	1.10b	Angela	circa 1948
1/6	1.10c	Two people, likely Angela and Johnny, at the front gate of a house	circa 1948
1/6	1.11a-b	Anetta and Angela in Bad-Nauheim	1948
1/6	1.11c	Anetta and a horse Written on the page: Anetta is getting friendly to the horse I rode.	1949
1/7	1.12a-b	A dog--possibly a German Shepherd Written on the page: My first dog 'Ceasar'-- Johnny gave the dog to me as a puppy--1948--Bad Nauheim.	1948
1/7	1.12c	Woman (likely Angela) playing with Ceasar	circa 1948
1/7	1.12d	Ceasar and a small dog	circa 1948
1/7	1.13a	Johnny walking Ceasar Written on the page: Johnny and I with Ceasar.	undated
1/7	1.13b	Angela with Ceasar	undated
1/7	1.13c	Johnny hugging Ceasar	undated
1/8	1.14a	A German Shepherd dog Written on verso: Poor Tyiao with his ears hanging down! But we still love him very much. Some day you will see him again.	Circa 1952
1/8	1.14b	Ceasar	undated
1/8	1.14c	Johnny and Ceasar	undated
1/8	1.15a	Angela and Anetta	1949
1/8	1.15b	Anetta, Marco and Ceasar Written on the page: Anetta and her son Marco--Visiting in us Bad-Nauheim. Ceasar was alway [sic] guarding Marco.	circa 1949
1/8	1.15c-d	Portrait of Angela	circa 1949
1/9	1.16a-d	Angela Written on the page: Anetta's brother took these pictures when I visited Anetta & Renato in Heidelberg.	1949
1/9	1.17a-d	Portrait of Angela Likely also taken by Anetta's brother when Angela visited them in Heidelberg.	1949
1/10	1.18a-d	Portrait of Angela Written on the page: 1949--Heidelberg visiting Anetta & Renato & Marco.	1949
1/10	1.19a	Angela and Johnny's Aunt outside a restaurant Written on the page: Holland--Utrecht. Johnny's Aunt & Uncle--1949.	1949
1/10	1.19b	Johnny's aunt and uncle with Angela Written on the page: Holland--Utrecht--1950--Johnny's Aunt & Uncle & I came from Zeist for dinner & shopping.	1950
1/10	1.19c	Angela with Johnny's aunt and uncle	circa 1949
1/10	19d	Johnny's uncle talking with Angela	circa 1949
1/11	1.20a-b	Angela in Amsterdam, Netherlands	1950
1/11	1.20c	Johnny's aunt, Johnny and Angela around a table in Zeist, Netherlands	1950
1/11	1.21a-c	Johnny's aunt and uncle, with Angela in Holland	1950
1/12	1.22a-1.22d	Angela and Johnny on vacation in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany	1951
1/12	1.23a	Kay Curtis, Johnny and Marie in an office in Nuremberg, Germany	1951
1/12	1.23b-c	Johnny in Nuremberg, Germany	1951
1/12	1.23d	Johnny in front of the Palace of Justice Written on the page: His working place.	1951
1/13	1.24a	Angela and Johnny with a child Written on the page: With our friends the Matson's daughter Pamela-- we were crazy about Pam '51.	1951
1/13	1.24b	Johnny at Soldier's Field	circa 1951
1/13	1.24c	Johnny looking at ruins across a canal	circa 1951
1/13	1.25a-d	Angela and Kay Curtis in various locations Written on the page: On a trip with Kay Curtis visiting Bavaria and Northern Italy.	1951
1/14	1.26a	Four people outside a shopping center	undated
1/14	1.26b-c	Angela, and four other people sitting on a bench	undated
1/14	1.26d	Angela, Johnny and a woman (possibly Kay Curtis) around the trunk of a car	undated
1/14	1.27a	Angela, Johnny and a woman outside a building	undated
1/14	1.27b	Johnny, Angela and a woman around a car	undated
1/14	1.27c	Two women crouching near snow	undated
1/15	1.28a	A woman holding a baby Written on the page: Going to Italy with Anetta and Marco.	undated
1/15	1.28b	A woman and a man holding a baby This may be Anetta, Renatto and the baby, Marco.	undated
1/15	1.29a	Two women and a baby Written on the page: Anetta, Marco and I in Italy.	undated
1/15	1.29b	A woman (possibly Anetta) with a book	undated
1/15	1.29c-d	Two women and a baby near railroad tracks	undated
1/16	1.30a	Angela in Italy	undated
1/16	1.30b	Angela and Count Caiatano in Italy Count Caiatano is part of Renato's family.	undated
1/16	1.30c	Angela and Renato on a street in Italy	undated
1/16	1.30d	Angela outside a magazine shop in Italy Written on the page: Italy--I didn't like what I saw.	undated
1/16	1.31a	Johnny sitting on a cliff in Capri, Italy	undated
1/16	1.31b	Angela outside ruins in Capri, Italy	undated
1/16	1.31c	Angela working in Anetta's garden on Ischia, Italy	undated
1/16	1.31d	A stone building in Ischia Written on the page: Ischia--Anetta and I stayed in this tower when we wanted to be alone-- Tower belongs to Anetta.	undated
1/17	1.32a-d	Angela in various locations in Italy Written on the page: Travels in Italy.	undated
1/17	1.33a-d	Angela in Venice, possibly in the Piazza San Marco	undated
1/18	1.34a	Johnny in Paris	undated
1/18	1.34b	Angela in Sacre Coeur, Paris	undated
1/18	1.35a	Angela near a canal, possibly in Italy Written on the page: Travels. Angela is standing next to a sign written in Italian. It is likely this sign translates to "To Train to Rome".	undated
1/18	1.35b-c	Jerry looking at stone buildings	undated
1/18	1.35d	Three women on a street, possibly in Italy	undated
1/18	1.36a	Angela outside the Cliff House in San Francisco, California	circa 1956
1/18	1.36b	Angela outside a mission, somewhere near San Francisco, California	circa 1956

Album 2Return to Top

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Box/Folder	item
1/19	2.1a	Postcard of theS.S. Ryndam Written on the page: The ship we came over as immigrants from Holland to N.Y. 1952.	1952
1/19	2.1b	Portrait of Angela Karl Harren, Nuremberg, Germany (Photographer) Written on the page: The photos below the way we looked when we landed in N.Y.	1952
1/19	2.2a	Angela and Johnny sitting on a couch together looking through a book Written on the page: 1952. The night before we left Holland looking at old family photos of John.	1952
1/19	2.2b	Kay Curtis sitting at a table Written on the page: 1952 Kay Curtis who found sponsors for us to come to U.S.A.	1952
1/19	2c-d	Angela and Johnny on the deck of theRyndam Written on the page: On 'Ryndam' crossing to N.Y. We both look cold--Feb, '52.	February 1952
1/19	2.3a	Johnny leaning against a wall Written on the page: On the ship 'Ryndam' somewhere on Atlantic Feb '52. Going to N.Y.	February 1952
1/19	2.3b	Angela looking out at the Atlantic Ocean	February 1952
1/19	2.3c-d	Angela on the deck of theRyndam	February 1952
1/20	2.4a	John, Ed Thwaits and Angela during the first week of the Bussemaker's stay with the Thwaits family in Plandome, N.Y. On verso: Our kids.	March 1952
1/20	2.4b	Helen and Ed Thwaits reading papers Written on the page: Two most wonderful people-- Helen and Ed Thwaits--They met us in Hoboken, N.Y. and gave us such warm reception and home.	March 1952
1/20	2.4c	John and Angela Bussemaker On verso: Am so glad we have this.	circa March 1952
1/20	2.5a-e	Angela and John at a party Written on the page: Kay Curtis' friends in Chicago who were so hospitable and gracious to us--they treated us like royalty. On the way west & sponsors whom we never met--the end of March '52. We stayed with Ed Rager & his mother. He was an artist.	March 1952
1/21	2.6a	Angela in front of an American Airlines airplane Written on page: Helen Thwaits took this photo at the airport--3/52 we took a bus across USA. Could not afford to fly. On verso: My Lovely Daughter!	1952
1/21	2.6b	Blurry photo of Angela and John at the airport On verso: Some wind.	1952
1/21	2.7a	John and a man standing next to a small plane Written on page: Chicago '52-- Ed Fager's friends gave us a "ride" in a small plane all over Chicago--BRRR-- On verso: 'Johnny' Bussemaker and pilot, Boatwright, at Lombard, Ill., after flight over Chicago. 3/31/52	March 31, 1952
1/21	2.7b	A man and Angela near a small plane On verso: 'Angie' Bussemaker and pilot, Dunakin at York TWP airport, Lombard, Ill. after flight over Chicago. 3/31/52	March 31, 1952
1/22	2.8a	Angela and John standing near a lake Written on page: At Lake Meridian--Vivian's Home- '54.	1954
1/22	2.8b	John and Angela in front of a New York Life Insurance Company sign Written on page: The very first New York Life convention in Victoria B.C. I attended.	circa 1953-1966
1/22	2.8c	Angela standing next to a car Written on page: Our first car in U.S.A. --taking a trip to Calif. 1953.	1953
1/22	2.10a	View of a house from the sidewalk Written on page: Our very first home in Seattle 6200 43rd Ave N.E. On verso: Our house.	circa 1959
1/22	2.10b	Angela standing in front of the house On verso: My roses!	1959
1/22	2.10c	Angela standing on the steps in front of the house On verso: Front door. July 1959.	July 1959
1/22	2.11a	Side of the house and roses Written on page underneath photo: This is kitchen entrance. The window is in the kitchen and also you can see the entrance to backyard--don't look at the garbage can.	circa 1959
1/22	2.11b	Angela lounging in a lawn chair On verso: Summer 1959. In backyard.	Summer 1959
1/22	2.11c	Angela, John and their car Written on page: Our 2nd car. On verso: Driveway. Garage + car. 1959	1959
1/23	2.12a	Angela and John on a lawn chair in the backyard On verso: under patio 1959. Covered with 'silver lace'.	1959
1/23	2.12b	Angela and John sitting on steps Written on page: In our back-yard -1959.	1959
1/23	2.12c	Patio and lawn chair On verso: Summer 1959. Where we spent summer evenings.	1959
1/23	2.13a	John and Angela in the backyard Written on the page: Our backyard. Note under photograph: Our backyard. I am really sorry this is so dark, that you can hardly see us, but at least you can see us smiling.	circa 1959
1/23	2.13b	Side of the house with snow on the ground	undated
1/24	2.14	Angela sitting on a couch near a Christmas tree	undated
1/24	2.15a	Johnny and three women sitting in lawn chairs Written on page: 1965--Cascade, Colorado--Visiting Ed & Helen Thwaits. This picture is at Lucia's Home (Thwaits Daughter). Johnny was feeling pretty good in this trip--he wanted to be with the Thwaits one more time.	1965
1/24	2.15b	John and Ed Thwaits with their hats on in a pool Written on page: Johnny & Ed Thwaits having a great time in a swimming pool at their Denver condo 1965.	1965
1/25	2.16a	Johnny and Helen Thwaits in Colorado	1965
1/25	2.16b	Johnny sitting in a chair holding a cigarette Written on page: Johnny 2/1966 at Barb's & Joe's home on Einars B'day--Johnny died in October of that year.	February 1966
1/25	2.17a	Johnny with his aunt and uncle in Holland	1961
1/25	2.17b	Johhny's Uncle Henry Written on page: Johnny's uncle in whose home he grew up after his mother died. Johnny was 12 years old at the time. On verso: 12.9.1940. Jan's Uncle Henry.	December 9, 1940
1/25	2.17c	Uncle Henry and a dog J.H. Kolling, Zeist (photographer)	1939
1/26	2.18a	Man, women and two children	circa 1910-1920
1/26	2.18b	Three boys in sailor suits	circa 1910-1920
1/26	2.19a	Three boys, one in a sailor suit	circa 1910-1920
1/26	2.19b	Portrait of a young boy	1926
1/26	2.20a	Three boys standing near a bicycle	October 13, 1922
1/26	2.20b	A group of 26 boys and one man This is possibly a sports team.	1923
1/26	2.21a	A boy and a woman sitting in a chair outside	July 1927
1/26	2.21b	Two boys and Uncle Henry around a bicycle	1928
1/26	2.21c	A boy playing a violin	undated
1/26	2.21d	A boy on a bicycle	undated
1/27	2.22a	Boys and bicycles on a street, Enschede, Netherlands On verso: Maei 1923 Enschede.	May 1923
1/27	2.22b	Boy leaning on a boat railing	undated
1/27	2.22c	Two boys and a woman	undated
1/27	2.22d	Three men lounging in lawn chairs On verso: Pinksteren, 1931. Translated this means "Pentecost" in Dutch.	1931
1/27	2.23	Young Johnny dressed as a cowboy On verso: J. Bussemaker [illegible]1 Augustus .27.	August 1927
1/28	2.24a	Two boys holding cigarettes, Enschede, Netherlands On verso: Saeuduskr. 5 Enschede.	undated
1/28	2.24b	Two boys	undated
1/28	2.24c-d	Three young men	Pentecost 1931
1/28	2.25a-b	Sports team	undated
1/28	2.25c	Three boys on bicycles The bicyclist in the right foreground is likely Johnny. On verso: 30 Juni 1929. Haverskaad Enschede.	June 30, 1929
1/28	2.25d	Two boys walking on a sidewalk The boy on the right is likely Johnny.	undated
1/29	2.26a	Johnny standing next to another man	undated
1/29	2.26b	Johnny standing in a street	undated
1/29	2.26c	Johnny and another man in a suit outside a large brick building	undated
1/29	2.27a	Johnny and a woman sitting in an outdoor cafe with two waiters standing behind them	undated
1/29	2.27b	Johnny and a woman in a car	undated
1/29	2.27c	Johnny standing by a fountain	undated
1/29	2.28a	Johnny and another young man	undated
1/29	2.28b	Johnny in an outdoor cafe	undated
1/29	2.28c-e	Portrait of Johnny 28c is a passport photo dated May 10, 1935.	undated

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