The Floris Vander Schaaf and Ruurdje Visser Family

Sjoerd's parents were Floris Vander Schaaf and Ruurdje Visser.

Sjoerd’s father, Floris Sjoerd van der Schaaf, was born in Midlum on December, 31 1832. He earned a living as a tigchelknecht, (laborer in a tile factory). Floris obtained a deed of indigence in order to get married free of costs from the burgemeister of Sexbierum (a municipality) on April 24, 1861. His wife-to-be, Ruurdje Jans Visser, obtained a similar deed from the mayor of Franeker (a municipality) on April 23, 1861. Floris and Ruurdje were married on May 18, 1861.

Ruurdje Jans Visser was born in Harlingen on November 21, 1831. She earned money for the family as a kramersche (seller of small goods). 

Floris died on Jan 23, 1869 in Midlum.  His wife, Ruurdje, continued to live in their house in Midlum, built in 1868, in the Koningsbuurt area, with their three children Antje, Sjoerd, and Jan. 

That same year she entered into a relationship with Sied Pinxter, and married him in November 22, 1869.  In May of 1870 they moved to another house in the Koningsbuurt area, where Ruurdje Visser gave birth to daughters Maartje (born June 20, 1870) and Trijntje (born June 30, 1872). 

After Ruurdje Visser died on October 18, 1873, Sied Pinxter stayed in this house until May of 1875. The three children from Ruurdje Visser’s first marriage left home (although they were still minors) at that time and Sied Pinxter had only his two own daughters to care for.  The reason(s) for this change in living arrangements is not known.

In 1876, Sied hired a servant, Trijntje Wijtses Vlietstra. Sied Pinxter and his two little girls moved to Almenum in May of 1877.  He married Geertje Wielinga in 1882.