I am interested in finding out the family history of my Dutch ancestors in Sumatra. All I know is that my ancestors the van Weine family or Weine had a plantation in Sumatra. I do not know what type of planatation they had. What type of employment was given to the native Sumatran's on their plantation? I am hoping to find that they were given payment for their work however I read in an article on the internet that slavery was abolished in 1863 in the Dutch East Indies.
If anyone has information on the van Weine or Weine plantations could they email me please whether it is good news or bad ( as in the treatment of the native Sumatrans on their plantations.
There is a story about my great great grand father who may have been born in Amsterdam in 1830 under the name Johanus Weg. he joined the Dutch Navy and jumped ship in Sumatra. He hide from the Dutch Navy and Government by changing his christian name to John also changing his surname to his mother's maiden name Weine. He stayed with relatives The Weine family or van Weine family on their plantation for a while before coming to Australia.
He was able to find work as a Bullock teamer driver on the goldfields of NSW as well as marrying an Australian women of English born parents. John and his wife had a large family. He died at Hill End which was a large at the time. goldmining town.