The Leiden Archive Mystery — research worksheet
De Groene Poort, 1611
1. The first two deeds
- Using Source 2 (27 January 1611) and Source 4 (5 May 1611), list all four names on each deed. What changed?
- Using Source 3 (1 April 1611), explain what happened to the person whose name disappeared from the buyer list, and when.
2. People and relationships
- In Source 3, which witness is explicitly called a blood relative of the bride? What is that relationship?
- What is the difference between a witness who is called a named relative and one who is only called an "acquaintance"?
3. Ownership vs. residence
- Using Source 5 (the citizen registration) and any burial records your teacher provides, which of the four 1611 buyers has records tying him to the neighbourhood itself, beyond just the property deed?
- Why is owning a share in a house not, by itself, proof that you lived there?
4. Final conclusion
- Based on everything above, whose household do you think actually lived at De Groene Poort? List at least two records that support your answer.
- Using Source 6, is there anything that confirms — or complicates — your answer?
- Name one thing about this case that you think is proven, and one thing you think is only probable.