January 1 1861

My great-grandfather Petrus Joannes Ravijst was born in Nieuwenhove on New Year's day in 1861. He was the natural son of Rosalia Ravijst, born in Nieuwenhove on June 24 1839.

Rosalie (named Ravats in her birth certificate) was a daughter of Joannes Baptist born ca 1808 and Joanna Devits born ca 1808. She served in a castle when she became pregnant of Petrus Joannes.

The Ravijst family is the "mystery" branch in my familiy tree, although I must say that my research has been very limited.  I have been unable to locate the date and place of birth of Rosalia's parents. I do not know all her brothers and sisters. I do not know the name of the natural father of Petrus Joannes ; there are some family legends but no real lead.

After Petrus Joannes' birth, Rosalia married, probably in Tollembeek, but I do not know the name of her husband, and I do not know the possible half-brothers and -sisters of my great-grandfather (according to a family source, there must have been at least a nun). I do not know when and where Rosalia died.

Petrus Joannes was a servant and a coachman in Meerbeke. He married Joanna Maria De Schepper (1864 - 1926) in 1890 and they had at least six children, including my paternal grandmother Rosalia Margaretha Ravijst (1892 - 1973). He died in Meerbeke on Januari 21 1944.

My grandmother was not one to tell long stories about her family and relations with her siblings were not always easy, but now I deeply that I did not ask her more questions about her ancestors.