[Featured photo: 1931 Bandoeng, Tim’s Mum in front of door]
by Tim O’Callaghan of Chicago, Illinois USA
My name is Tim O’Callaghan and I am the youngest son of Maria Gerichhausen who left the Netherlands at age 11 months with her family to begin a new life in the Dutch East Indies. They lived initially in Bandung and then Batavia for a total of 22 years. The years prior to 1941 hold many pleasant memories for my mother and her sisters and the stories recounted today always seem to bring them all to tears of laughter.
During the war years my family were held in various camps around Java including Tjideng and Kamp Makassar and it was these years in particular that were difficult for them to talk about even though when in 2003, the silence broke, they insisted it was their laughter and positive spirits that got them through (both attributes very much alive in them today). At the end of 1949, like many others, they reluctantly returned to the Netherlands on board the Willem Ruys. In 1953, my mother and her two sisters began life once again, two in New Zealand and one in Australia.
As for me, I grew up in New Zealand knowing little of my family’s past mainly because the subject was never brought up. I went to the Netherlands at age 15 for two months and it was this trip that fueled my desire to see the world. Early in 1986, I left NZ to travel. I didn’t return home for seven years and then left again to begin life in America.
In late 1986, I became a tour guide for a company based out of London. We escorted groups to all accessible parts of Europe, Africa, Asia, South America, and Scandinavia. I worked primarily in Europe, South America, and Asia. In 1988, I began working as a freelance travel writer in addition to my role as a guide. In the early 90s, I came to America and worked as a guide for the convention bureau escorting corporate groups around Chicago and the Midwest.
Tim in Front of Same Door Many Years Later
In 1995, I operated an importing company which brought art from Indonesia to the Midwest. During a trip to Indonesia (my 12th) in 2003, I became intensely aware that this country held more than a business or touristic attraction for me. The grip the country had on me was nothing short of tangible and I set about documenting, researching, interviewing, and filming everything that was relevant to my family and the Dutch-Indonesian experience. I spent hours talking to my mother and aunts about their lives in Indonesia. Obviously, this research and interest continues to this day.
The photo on the right was taken in Bandung at my Mum’s old house on Jalan Bima. The new owners were fascinated by the pictures I had from the 30s showing their house in colonial times. I spent the evening and dinner with them, got a tour of the house, and saw all the changes. Apparently the husband’s mother had been born in the house.
Editors Note: Tim O’Callaghan brings extensive knowledge and travel experience to the project. With his guidance, the itinerary will provide a meaningful and educational experience for all who participate.
Hello Tim,
I happened to read your page on the Internet. I read your story about my uncle Stef, your grandfather. Aunt Leida (your grandmother) was a sister of my father. We lived for 20 months in their house in Oosterbeek during her stay in Australie and New Sealand to visit her daughters for each half a year. That was in the year 1970 untill 1972. So you see that your grandfather passed away (I think) already in the year 1969. I don’t know your mother oder any aunts who live in Australie or New Sealand very well, because I am a younger neece. My age is 65. I really enjoy reading something of a distant cousin.
Hello Marga – Your message will be sent on to Tim who is between travels. I am sure he would love to hear from you.
You re correct, the name was Gerichhausen. My Opa was a policeman in Batavia in 1948 and is originally from Hussein. I would love to see a copy of the photo you have. My email address is timoc773@hotmail.com.
When he and Oma left Indonesia they settled in Oosterbeek just outside of Arnhem. Unfortunately he passed away in 1976. My mother tells me he never really got over the fact that he had to leave behind “his beloved Indies”.
Geichhausen is a fault it must be: Gerichhausen.
I have a photo from Batavia around 1948 and you see on the photo:
Father Gerichhausen and his wife and a daughter together with Henk Scholten and The Polman from Huissen.
Geichhausen comes from Huissen and he was a policeman in Batavia.
I cannot finf him with the other family who lives now in Huissen.
Can you help me ?