Catalyntje is the main character of my historical fiction novel and has filled my thoughts for the past several years. She lived in Europe during the Spanish Inquisition but had to leave due to dangerous circumstances. So, she traveled to Amsterdam, but then her life took an unexpected turn. She sailed across the ocean to help settle the Dutch Colony of New Netherland. 

Catalyntje had eleven children in the New World, none of whom died at birth. The remarkable thing about her is that she is the only European to live through the colony’s entire existence. She was on the first ship of colonists to land on its shores and was there forty years later when the English took over. The others who arrived at the colony with her sailed back to Europe or died before the English ruled the area.

Catalyntje lived to be eighty-three and was widowed for the last 28 years of her life. While living in New Netherland, she experienced backbreaking work, death, loneliness, love, and triumphs. Today, she has over one million descendants living in the United States. My book is getting close to being published, and I can’t wait to share the life of this remarkable woman with the world.

Who is your favorite person from the past?