Our branch of the Nieland family originated in Kreis (County) Borken, Westfalen, Prussia (Germany), near the eastern border of the Netherlands. Church records show that our Nieland ancestors have lived in Gemen, Weseke, Südlohn, Eschlohn, Ramsdorf and Gescher as early as the 1600s.

Borken is situated about 70 km (50 mi) north of Duseldorf. This map of the present day Kreis Borken in the area now called Nordrhein-Westfalen shows that the ancestral villages still exist.

We know that there are many Nielands still living in the region today.

For more detailed maps and driving directions, visit http://maps.google.com.