Jan Janse Ryckman

According to traditional sources, New Netherland pioneer Jan Janse was the patriarch of the Ryckman family of early Albany. He probably was born in Holland and emigrated to America with his wife who appears to have been known as "Tryntje Jans." Her story, however, appears to have more potential for development.

Future city father Albert Janse Ryckman was their son and perhaps their only child. One Harman Janse Ryckman may have been Jan Janse's brother or some other kinsman.

The name of this subject does not seem to have been included on the lists of fur traders who petitioned the Court of Beverwyck in 1660 or among those who received houselots in the village a half decade earlier. The translators and editors of the community-based court minutes for the 1650s and 60s believed that the "Jan Janse" whose name appears in those records referenced someone else. Thus, we have added little new learning to his story.

Jan Janse Ryckman is said to have passed on by July 1663 when his widow already was remarried to Elbert Gerbertsen Cruyff - the step father and benefactor of Albert Janse Ryckman.

With little in the way of resources in our view, we move on from the life of this Ryckman family patriarch.

Sources: The life of Jan Janse Ryckman is CAP biography number 1924. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and traditional resources. Online, see: these notes from genealogy.com and the sources cited therein.

working notes: [3/25/15] If his death date (at least by 1663) is correct, we are not surprised that the life of this first settler has not appeared in the community-based resources encountered to date. A number of Beverwyck/Albany contemporaries were known or at least referenced as "Jan Janse."
            At this point, we may not be able to pursue Harmen Janse Ryckman or Cruyff who appears to have lived more in the Manor.