A brief summary of John and Lynda’s family backgrounds

John: Born in The Netherlands and immigrated to New Zealand with his family ( six brothers and mother and father ). Two more brothers and a sister were born whilst working and moving about the South Island, eventually settling to a dairy farm at Rangiora ( 30 minutes NW of Christchurch ). That farm is still in the van Beek family and milking cows.

Lynda: ( nee McLauchlan ) Also of farming background with around 1,500 sheep and cropping cereals. Eldest born to parents of Scottish Decent with a brother and a sister who are five years younger and twins.
That farm is at West Eyreton, 20 minutes West of Rangiora and farmed today by Lynda’s brother Donald.