Driven by my passion for history and a deep curiosity about my Aruban-Caribbean roots (I am half Caribbean and half European), I started building a private book collection focused on Aruba. My goal is to gather everything I can find related to the island’s history. Today, my collection includes around 20 books, some of which are several decades old.

Alongside my book collection, I have also been conducting genealogical research to trace my family’s history. These two pursuits—book collecting and genealogy—have opened doors to Aruba’s past, shedding light on the island’s rich history. I have realized that much of the history we have been taught is either incomplete or inaccurate.

I have documented the detailed timeline of European rulers who shaped this period.

Given the importance of culture in Aruba, I believe we, as Arubans, are still on a journey to define our identity. By diving deep into the history of Aruba and comparing different accounts, texts, and materials, I’ve uncovered details that help explain the foundations of our roots, heritage, and culture.

Books in my collection

• Het oude fort van Aruba – Dr. J. Hartog
• De wijd-beroemde voyagien na oost- en westindien, mitsgaders adere gedeeltens des werelds, gedaan door de Engelsen, Vol. 2 – Johan Lodewijck Gottfried
• Antilliaans verhaal – Luis H. Daal, Ted Schouten
• Nederlanders overzee – Leonard Blusse & Jaap de Moor
• Buki conmemorativo di Prokia di Noord, 1777 – 1979 – M.J. Flanegien, P.V.D. Vaart, A. Flanegien

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