http://boards.ancestry.co.uk/surnames.bethlehem/mb.ashx 2005-06-14 21:52:26Z http://c.ancestry.com/s/0/p/5538/i/logo.gif http://boards.ancestry.co.uk/surnames.bethlehem/mb.ashx 175 38 http://boards.ancestry.co.uk/surnames.bethlehem/1.2/mb.ashx Dear Kimberly Young,<br>Iread your posting from April 2000<br>The Bethlehems were way back in the 17th and<br>18th century farmers at Beetsterzwaag in the<br>Dutch county of Friesland, known for its<br>famous cattle. Various family menbers moved<br>to the U.S. at the beginning of this century,<br>so i assume that your grandparents are originating from Beetsterzwaag or the <br>surrounding area. In this village you still<br>find the beautiful farmhouse, where the ancient farmers used to live.<br>My grandfather came to Amsterdam around 1867<br>where he married an young girl from Friesland<br>Frisian people in general are very proud of<br>their origin and I know that in the latter half of the 19th century many Frisians moved<br>to the area of Grand Rapids and Holland in<br>Michigan.<br><br>Best Regards<br><br>Hans Bethlehem Amsterdam the Netherlands 2005-06-14 21:52:26Z http://boards.ancestry.co.uk/surnames.bethlehem/1.2/mb.ashx http://boards.ancestry.co.uk/surnames.bethlehem/1/mb.ashx I am starting a search for information on the Bethlehem surname I know that my greatgrandparents came from Holland and that my grandfather Bethlehem (Jay) lived in the upstate new york area until his death in 1979. please if you have any info email me 2005-06-14 21:51:56Z http://boards.ancestry.co.uk/surnames.bethlehem/1/mb.ashx