Jan Boersma

Geslacht:	Man
Vader:	Syds Boersma
Moeder:	Pietje Dijkstra
Geboren:	8 MRT 1891	St. Annaparochie, gemeente Het Bildt
Overleden:	29 OKT 1981
Religie:		Ger. Kerk
Beroep:		landbouwer, veehouder
Aantekeningen:	Boersma Jan (1891 - 1981 ) Personal Information Last Name: Boersma First Name: Jan Date of Birth: 08/03/1891 Date of death: 29/10/1981 Rescuer's fate: survived Nationality: THE NETHERLANDS Religion: CALVINIST Gender: Male Profession: FARMER Place during the war: Twijzelermieden, Friesland, The Netherlands Rescue Place: Twijzelermieden, Friesland, The Netherlands Rescue mode: Hiding Supplying basic goods Other File number: File from the Collection of the Righteous Among the Nations Department (M.31.2/689) Commemoration Date of Recognition: 25/05/1971 Righteous Commemorated with Tree/Wall of Honor: Tree Ceremony organized by Israeli diplomatic delegation in: The Hague, Netherlands Ceremony held in Yad Vashem: Yes Rescued Persons Israels, Beer de, Marta Wallage, Jacques Israels, Maurits Israels, Salomon Wallage, Arnold Rescue Story Boersma, Jan & Sjoerdje (van der Meulen) & Boersma, Rinse & Frederika (Koers) Jan Boersma and his wife Sjoerdje, of Twijzelermieden, Friesland, were central figures in their large, close-knit family, which was based in the same rural area. Jan and Sjoerdje were strict Calvinists and believed that it was their religious duty to help Jews in the dark times of the occupation, despite the risks involved. The Boersma family relied solely on faith and followed the maxim: “Love thy neighbor.” Jan and Sjoerdje hid Jews on their farm at the end of 1942. In 1943, Jan de Vries*, an underground activist, brought Jacques Wallage to the Boersma farm. De Vries had helped Jacques escape from Westerbork and had initially hidden him with a cousin of the Boersmas’ in Dokkum. However, the hideout had become unsafe within only a few weeks and so Jacques was relocated to Jan and Sjoerdje’s. Jacques’ wife (née de Beer) and young son, Benjamin, were already hiding with Jan’s son, Rinse Boersma*, and his wife, Frederika, nearby. Even though Rinse and Frederika were only recently married and lived in a small farmhouse, they unhesitatingly welcomed Jacques into their home a few weeks after he arrived at Jan and Sjoerdje’s. During the war, the Boersmas also hid other members of the extended Wallage family. These included Arnold Wallage, who had managed to escape from Westerbork, and a sister-in-law, Martha de Beer, and her husband, Salomon Israels. In early 1945, Maurits Israels, Salomon’s brother, who had fled from his former hiding place with Theunis and Hiske Boonstra*, and Benjamin and Helen de Beer also found shelter with various members of the Boersma family. The Boersma farm was constantly buzzing with activity. Jan opened up his farm for training sessions of the local underground and hid ammunition that was dropped near his home. During the hunger winter, he illegally slaughtered some of his cows, hid the meat in coffins, and smuggled it to starving people in Amsterdam. All the people helped during the war survived and a close friendship between the Boersmas and the Wallages was maintained afterwards. On May 25, 1971, Yad Vashem recognized Jan Boersma and his wife, Sjoerdje Boersma-van der meulen, as Righteous Among the Nations. On July 7, 1986, Yad Vashem recognized Rinse Boersma and his wife, Frederika Boersma-Koers, as Righteous Among the Nations.

Gezin 1

Huwelijkspartner:

Sjoerdtje van der Meulen

geb. 3 MRT 1895 overl. 31 Juli 1973

Gezin 2

Huwelijkspartner:	Tjitske van der Mark	geb. 24 Feb 1892 overl. 1 Feb 1941
Huwelijk:	15 MEI 1913	Oostdongeradeel
Kinderen:
	Saapke Boersma	geb. 23 MEI 1914
	Sijds Boersma	geb. 26 OKT 1915
	Rinse Boersma	geb. 13 Juli 1919 overl. 21 MEI 1998