Cornelis Gootjes
| Geslacht: | Man | |
| Vader: | Jan Gootjes | |
| Moeder: | Weintje Slot | |
| Geboren: | 29 Dec 1912 | Sint Pancras |
| Overleden: | 17 Feb 2007 | Oudkarspel |
| Religie: | Geref. | |
| Beroep: | landbouwer | |
| Aantekeningen: | Last Name: Gootjes First Name: Cornelis Date of Birth: 29/12/1912 Rescuer's fate: survived Nationality: THE NETHERLANDS Religion: PROTESTANT Gender: Male Place during the war: Heerhugowaard, Noordholland, The Netherlands Rescue Place: Heerhugowaard, Noordholland, The Netherlands Rescue mode: Hiding Providing forged documents File number: File from the Collection of the Righteous Among the Nations Department (M.31.2/2626) Cornelis and Antje Gootjes were living with their four young children in the rural area of Heerhugowaard, North Holland, when people from the underground asked them to shelter a 14-year-old Jewish girl. On September 9, 1943, the Querido girl was taken to the Gootjes family. Cornelis and Antje warmly welcomed the frightened child into their home. They fed and clothed her without ever asking for financial compensation. On several occasions, the girl fell ill. Despite the danger involved, a doctor was called in to treat her. With the help of the underground, Cornelis and Antje obtained false identity papers for her, and she adopted the surname de Graaf, Antjes maiden name. Heerhugowaard was a small community where most residents knew each other. Consequently, the presence of the Jewish refugee had to be kept completely secret. The situation was made all the more perilous because an NSB family that spied on their neighbors lived opposite the Gootjeses home. However, Cornelis and Antje were devout Protestants and were convinced that people in dire need had to be assisted despite the danger to their own lives and the lives of their children. The girl remained with the Gootjes family for 20 months, until the liberation in May 1945. The Querido girl stayed in touch with the Gootjes family even after the war, and in 1977 they held a reunion in Israel in honor of Cornelis and Antjes 40th wedding anniversary. On January 12, 1984, Yad Vashem recognized Cornelis Gootjes and his wife, Antje Gootjes-de Graaf, as Righteous Among the Nations. |
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Gezin 1
| Huwelijkspartner: | Antje de Graaf | geb. 19 Jan 1915 overl. 2 Juli 2006 |
| Huwelijk: | 24 Juni 1937 | Broek op Langendijk |