I learned a new word the other day: "peripatetic.' It means "itinerant, moving frequently." The more contact I have with VV descendants researching their particular line, the more I realize how well this term describes our family.

It started with the original emigrant, Lambert VV and his wife Annetje Jacobs who made a major move from Holland to the New World in 1644. One might think that having come so far, they would settle down in New Amsterdam and live out the rest of their lives there. But no, less than ten years later, they had moved over 150 miles north along the Hudson River to Beverwyck, now known as the city of Albany. Their children and grandchildren spread out and settled in many of the eastern counties of New York and even today, there is a large concentration of VVs in this area. In fact, New York boasts the largest number of NAVVF members.

It wasn't long, however, before VVs began moving out into adjoining states and into Canada A typical example is the family of one Isaac VV from Branch 6. By 1773 they had moved from Catskill (Greene Co., NY) to Bradford County, PA. Before Isaac's granddaughter Jane died in 1850, at least one part of the family had moved on to Stark Co., IL.

As trains of covered wagons moved further west seeking adventure or better farmland, VV families were among them. By the mid-1800s VVs had spread across the Midwest and on to the west coast, led in many instances by the discovery of gold in California and British Columbia. By the end of the twentieth century, VVs could be found in almost all of the 50 states -only VT seems to have none listed, although there may be VV descendants there with names other than Van Valkenburg. California is now second only to NY in the number of NAVVF members. As Membership Chairman, I've found that 21st century VVs continue to be peripatetic! When I send out a mailing to a list of VV names gathered from a current telephone book or internet listing, at least a quarter of them or more are returned because the addressee has moved. This means this is a less than efficient way of spreading the word about the NAVVF and gaining new members. It also cannot identify VV descendants bearing other names.

So how do we locate potential new members? Here's where you can help. Are all your siblings and first cousins NAVVF members? How about those second and third cousins, and all the related children and grandchildren? If each of you were to send us the names and current addresses of all your VV relatives, we could check to make sure their names aren't on present membership lists. To each one who is not presently a member, we could send a membership packet with information about the organization and a personal invitation to join. As each new year rolls around, we find that more and more of our members have reached age 80 (or age 75 and have paid dues for five consecutive years) and are being promoted to a LIFE membership when dues are no longer required. And sadly, we receive more notices each year of members who have passed away. If the NAVVF is to continue as a vital organization carrying out its mandate to preserve and honor the VV heritage and history, we must have new members coming into the ranks. Any help that each of you can give will be much appreciated.

MEMBERSHIP REMINDER

September has rolled around again Our children have started a new school year. And a new membership year has started for the NAVVF. You'll notice in this issue of the newsletter a dues notice .Why not stop reading right now, fill out that form and send it off today with a check for $8.50 for your 2001 dues! All of us on the membership team will really thank you!