Johannes (a1) (in 1858 two brothers (a2 & a3) arrived in South Africa) was born (circa 1800) in Dordrecht, Kingdom of Netherlands. He arrived in South Africa circa 1818. He met Susanna Elisabeth Smit (born circa 1801 – George) and they married 5 July 1818 in (what was then known as a “district”) George. They settled in Gamkasvlakte (South East of Calitzdorp – then known only as the farm “Buffelsvlei”) on a smaller farm named “Buffeljachtsfontein”.

 

They raised a small family :

b1. Anthonie Christoffel born 1 Oct 1824 – married 7 Feb 1847 [Mosselbay, Janetta Magdalena Geertruyda OLIVIER] – died 4 November 1912

b2. Margaretha Magdalena (Ehlers) born 24 Jun 1826 – married 29 May 1843 [George, Gert Pieter EHLERS] – died 17 Aug 1868

b3. Hendrik Andries born 23 Jun 1828 – married 30 Jan 1853 [Mosselbay, Johanna Georgina Fredrika VAN GREUNEN] – died 1 Jul 1888

b4. Benjamin Johannes born after 1829 – married 28 April 1850 [Riversdal, Anna Elisabeth NORTIER] – died ?

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a2. 
 Johannes de Ridder born on 9 October 1833 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Arrived in South Africa in 1857. Teacher and later a Gereformeerde minister. Married to Magdalena Jacoba du Plessis on 11 May 1863. 7 children from the marriage. Passed away on 31 October 1896 in Standerton.

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a3.
Thomas de Ridder is the third Progenitor. Thomas was born on 14 October 1835 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Arrived in South Africa in 1859. Married to Heiltje Elizabeth Oosthuizen on 19 September 1862. 6 children from the marriage. Heiltje was born 20 January 1836 and passed away on 18 August 1880.

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Additional RIDDER Progenitors data added by Annelie Els.

SOURCES:
Family Search.
South African Families DVD.