A grietenij is a municipality. The term is mainly used in Friesland. In 1851, it was changed to gemeente, the common Dutch word for municipality. In parts of Groningen, the term grietenij was also used to refer to the local courts.
A grietenij was led by the grietman, whose function was similar to that of a mayor.
Map of the grietenij Oost-Dongeradeel, 1718. Credits: B. Schotanus a Sterringa (public domain)
About Yvette HoitinkYvette Hoitink, MLitt, CG®, QG™ is a professional genealogist, writer, and lecturer in the Netherlands. She has a Master of Letters in Family and Local History from the University of Dundee, and holds the Certification of Genealogist and Qualified Genealogist credentials. Yvette served on the Board of Directors of the Association of Professional Genealogists and won excellence awards for her articles in the National Genealogical Society Quarterly and the Association of Professional Genealogists Quarterly. Yvette has been doing genealogy for over 30 years. She helps people from across the world find their ancestors from the Netherlands and its former colonies, including New Netherland. Read about Yvette's professional genealogy services.
Yvette Hoitink, MLitt, CG®, QG™ is a professional genealogist, writer, and lecturer from the Netherlands who helps people find their ancestors from the Netherlands and its former colonies, including New Netherland. She has a Master of Letters in Family and Local History from the University of Dundee, and holds the Certified Genealogist and Qualified Genealogist credentials.
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Hi Yvette,
I have an ancestor William Gritman. The first record of him is 1685, baptizing his son Wilhelmus at the Dutch church in Flatbush (Brooklyn), New York. This was after the conquest of New Netherland by the English. It is unknown whether he was the original immigrant, or was born in New Netherland.
His son Wilhelmus baptized several children at the Dutch church in Jamaica, Long Island, starting in 1702. He is listed as a subscriber to the church in 1715. The original Jamaica church records survive, and the recorder (probably the dominie) spelled the name variously as “Grotman” or “Gretman”.
After the family assimilated the name has been spelled “Gritman”.
Given that the Dutch did not use surnames until much later, I assume the family had to choose a surname in New York.
You point out that “Grietman” was a term primarily used in Friesland. I’m interested whether you think the selection of this surname could indicate that William’s ancestry was Frisian?
Thank you!
Mark