In the 18th century, the Dutch and Belgian regions of Limburg were terrorized
by groups of robbers. They were referred to as
Goatriders
(Bokkenrijders) and
according to local folklore they were believed to worship the devil and ride
through the sky by big black billy-goats. The Bokkerijders were different groups of plunderers over a large area, who operated at the same time. At first it was believed to be only a small group, so the legend was born that they could fly billy-goats through the sky to move quickly from one place to another.
The following persons, who were members of the Bokkenrijders, appear also in my family tree: Jacobus Beinsberger, Joannes (Arnold) Van de Wal (Nolleke van Geleen) and Barbara Baggen.
Under construction.
Under construction.
