Miramichi 2008 - K(C)amerman(s)-Homepage

Theunis Kamermans (1869-1955) in front of his shop
in the St. Jacobs St 17, in Vlissingen. About 1930.
While he enlarged his private home and founded his shop (later a shop for
toys) in the St Jacobstraat, his son was a founder of the Christian Union and
active in the Anti-Revolution Party (opposing the secular principals of the
French Revolution). This position according to the reformed mind of this family,
which was well known in Vlissingen.
His grandson was till he died organist at the Reformed Church in Vlissingen.
This emancipation movement from “De Kleine Luiden” (the middle class
man) had always a radical touch. This became apparent in the political
activism of Age Kamermans, who was member of the “Politieke Partij
Radikalen” and so he was also member of the town-council of Middelburg and
of the Council of the province Zeeland (radical means liberal in Anglo-Saxon
political jargon).
Not to forget the very well-known and often mentioned president/administrator
of the “Nutspaarbank” (Saving Bank) in Vlissingen, Christiaan Kamermans
(1876 -1957). He worked about 40 years there first as bookkeeper and later in
the management of that bank.
And another interesting representative of the management and administrative
activities of the Kamermans is the cousin of Christiaan Kamermans, Cornelis
(oom Kees ) Kamermans (see last page). He says that he was procurator from
a bank in Vlissingen, and means also the “Nutspaarbank”.
The Camermans in Flanders were also active and well-known in the area of
administration. In the small population Doel, just in front of Antwerpen, our
Namesakes dominated in the administration during the 19 th century. It is
remarkable that they probable got these important positions as
acknowledgement for their participation in the rebellion against the
regency of King Willem I of Orange in 1830, with the result of the separation from the United Kingdom of The Netherlands and
the formation of the Belgium Kingdom. This family-line even got their own street name (see picture on front page).
K(C)amerman(s) as Fisherman and Pilots
About the general history of the pilot-services we
have written before.
As we have mentioned already before our family
Kamermans had a lot of fisherman, boat makers,
pilots. One of our family members still works as pilot.
The history of piloting shows that the very beginning
of this occupation based on the fishermen, which
were the only ones that knew about the sandbanks
and other hindering obstacles in the waters. In an old
document from the 13 th century “De Vonnissen van
Damme” is written in Art.3 that a pilot in case of a
certain wrong decision can be beheaded without any
formal trial. A kind of summary proceeding, which was
accepted at those days. Meanwhile the rules are less
strong!
The development of the nautical occupations and
the political situations had influence on the locations
where our ancestors lived. For our family especially
the Flemish and Zeeuwse coast
The sea-harbors from Zeeland began to develop in
the 14th century. Here is to mention first the harbors
from Walcheren Arnemuiden, Middelburg, Veere and
Vlissingen. Also Zierikzee.
Most of the traders from that time came with their
products from Biscaya, Castile, Portugal, Genoa,
Venetia to the Flemish and Zeeland coasts. Also from
Scotland and the Baltics came a lot of wool and wood.
The traders needed pilots as assistants to their own
crews.
Our ancestors also became famous in expeditions
and rescue activities. See the article about Izaak
Kamermans and also about his brother Joost
Kamermans.
Rescue of people from the boat Doris by, under more, Skipper Izaak
Kamermans. Extract from an article in „De Wete“, 1996
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