Dutch term – Noaber

In the Low Saxon dialect spoken in the eastern parts of the Netherlands, a noaber is a neighbor.

The duties of a noaber were quite extensive. When a new person moved into the neighborhood, they would expect to be invited for a strong drink. They would help with renovations of the house.

three dressed up men

Traditional “Brulfteneugers” [wedding inviters], 1933. Collection Gelderland, Open Cultuurdata (CC-BY-SA)

During childbirth, female neighbors would assist the midwife and help take care of mother and child after birth. If a person died, the neighbors would help to dress the deceased and put him in his coffin. Male neighbors would announce the death to the other people in the neighborhood and then carry the coffin to the grave.

See bruiloft (marriage) for an example of the duties of neighbors during a wedding.

About Yvette Hoitink

Yvette 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.

Leave comment

*