Manuscript family chronicle incorporating multiple chronicles from the 17th and 18th century. The manuscript chronicles the births and deaths of four generations of the Bos, Werdolen (or Verdole) and Roda family in Amersfoort, Groningen, The Hague, Scheveningen, IJsselstijn, Tiel, Deventer, Kampen, Zuilen and Edam. The book was probably compiled by Dirk Daniel Roda (1726-1898), a lieutenant in the infantry and later beer brewer, shortly after the death of his father in 1747. It incorporates chronicles by his father Michiel Roda (1686-1747), his maternal grandfather Jacob Werdolen (chronicling 1668-1686), Jacob Werdolen's father Hendrik van Werdolen (a note from 1639) and a copy by Hendrik's wife Barbera Bos (born 1596), of the chronicle written by her father (chronicling 1577-1601).
The different chronicles are interleaved with notes by Dirk Daniel Roda, which supply additional biographical information. In several pages he describes the his own Roorda ancestors in the 17th century and the process by which they changed their name to Roda. Other notes chronicle the origins of the Roorda family crest of which he has drawn the known six versions. A full-page coat-of-arms containing three salamanders, was possibly drawn by Barbera Bos. Although this specific crest could not be identified it probably refers to a branch (other than "Bos", meaning forest or wood) in her family.
With the bookplate of Eltjo Aldegondus van Beresteyn (1876-1948) on the front paste-down. Also with his library label on the front board. Van Beresteyn was very interested in genealogy, explaining his possession of the present family chronicle, and founded the Centraal Bureau voor Genealogie (CBG. A pencil inscription on the second to last leaf notes that the book was bought from H. Coffrie in 1938.
Binding somewhat worn and rubbed, leather on the spine somewhat cracked and with a few minor gaps, paste-downs slightly browned, some occasional spotting, browning and soiling, but overall in good condition. A fascinating family chronicle with a very interesting provenance. For Van Beresteyn: J.A.A. Bervoets, 'Beresteijn, jhr. Eltjo Aldegondus van (1876-1948)' in: Biografisch Woordenboek van Nederland (online source).