Thijs-Gerritsvolk (Tijs-Gerritsvolk), a branch of Dutch Mennonites, followers of Elder Thijs Gerrits, who separated from the main Frisian body in 1589 together with Elder Jan Jacobsz; but in 1599 he left the Jan Jacobsz group. The Thijs-Gerritsvolk were a branch of the strict Frisians (Harde, or Oude Vriezen). This group, which always was rather small, was dissolved soon after the death of its leader (1601). In later times, when the reason of the schism was forgotten, some strict branches of the Dutch Mennonites, like the Huiskoopers or Danzig Old Flemish and Ukowallists occasionally, though incorrectly, also were called Thijs-Gerritsvolk.

Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Virginia, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 4, p. 713. All rights reserved. For information on ordering the encyclopedia visit the Herald Press website.

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