Siebe Eeltjes Dijkstra was born October 25, 1843 the son of Eeltje Nannings Dijkstra and Lieuwke Sijbes Houtsma in Osterbierum, Friesland, Netherlands. He was baptized December 10, 1843 in the Sixtuskerk in Sexbierum. Siebe was married to Grietje Martens van Straten May 19, 1870 in Sexbierum, Friesland, Netherlands. Grietje was the daughter of Marten Jelts van Straten and Akke Jans Bierma born August 3, 1843.

There were 6 children born to this union. A son Eeltje was born April 7, 1871. A daughter Akke was born March 29, 1878, a daughter Lieuwke born February 22, 1880; a daughter Elizabeth born October 18, 1882; a daughter Geertje born October 2, 1885 and a son Marten born September 21, 1888.

Siebe Eeltjes Dijkstra had 4 siblings. Geertje Eeltjes Dijkstra; born 1840, Nanning Eeltjes Dijkstra born 1847, Alida Eeltjes Dijkstra born 1857 and Cornelis Eeltjes Dijkstra born 1858. Each of the siblings was born in Sexbierum. Nanning Eeltjes Dijkstra traveled to America in 1890, Geertje Eeltjes Dykstra, Alida Eeltjes Dykstra and Cornelis Eeltjes Dijkstra traveled to America in 1896.

In 1893 Eeltje, the eldest son of Siebe and Grietje traveled to America.

In 1897 Siebe's wife Grietje passed away in Sexbierum. It is reported she baked breads to sell for income; one day was suffering with a headache, but chose to go out to sell the breads. She died while out selling her breads and was later buried in the cemetery at the Sixtuskerk in Sexbierum.

Siebe Eeltjes Dijkstra traveled to America with his 5 youngest children February 16, 1900. They made their home in the area around Sioux County, IA. Mr. Dijkstra passed away April 25, 1908 near Archer IA.

Biographical information and obituary provided by Shari Jacobsma

Obituary translated from 1908 Dutch newspaper

Because of the terrible illness of S.E. Dykstra at Archer; Mrs. C. Dykstra and Mrs. G. Van der Meer were last week at his bedside. Later on, Siebe Dykstra depart this life and has gone to his last journey as the results of the fevers of his lungs at home of his children, Mr. and Mrs. Faber in the neighborhood of Archer, IA. He was the age of 65 years and 6 month. The mortal remains was carried to her and will be buried this afternoon in the cemetery (dodenakker: field of the death), after a becoming service at the house of the deceased brother, N. Dijkstra and then in the church of the First Reformed Church presided by Reverend Engelsman. Different years ago and before he came to America he lost his wife early. She left him 6 children; Eeltje and Mrs. Keuning, both at Harrison, S.D., Mrs. Faber at Archer, IA, Mrs. Groendyk at Newkirk, IA, Mrs. Hoekstra at Hospers, IA and Marten, still unmarried. We did not know the deceased man, but we hope that he passed away peacefully. And we hope he is now in the present of Jesus. Provided by C. Menning