Angela S. and Gerit J. Bussemaker
Photograph Albums
University of Washington

Gerit (Johnny) Bussemaker was born in Holland in 1912. He lived with his aunt and uncle after his mother died in 1924. He attended college in Rotterdam, Holland and worked as a civilian interpreter as part of the Special Services division of the U.S. Army in Bad-Nauheim following World War II. On August 17, 1946, he married Angela Saturnia, who was born on February 1, 1922 in Lithuania.

Between 1947 and 1951, the Bussemakers traveled through Europe, sightseeing and visiting friends. In 1952, they immigrated to the United States from Holland aboard the U.S.S. Ryndam. The Bussemakers traveled across the United States by bus, arriving in Washington State in 1953. They lived in Auburn, Washington until 1954, when they moved to Seattle. Johnny worked as an agent for the New York Life Insurance Company and Angela worked for Pacific Northwest Bell. In 1957 they purchased a house at 6210 43rd Avenue Northeast, Seattle. John died in early October 1966 at the age of 54. Angela died on December 18, 2004 at the age of 84.

This digital collection contains selections from two photograph albums that document Angela and Johnny Bussemaker's lives in post-World War II Europe, and eventual immigration to the United States. The first album documents time spent living and working in Germany, as well as traveling around Europe. The second, later album documents the couple's immigration to the United States, from their trip across the Atlantic, to their arrival in New York, a trip across the United States and their life in Seattle.

For more information, view the finding aid to the Angela S. and Gerit J. Bussemaker Photograph Albums.