Big rumor in Holland: Barack Obama has Dutch/Frysian roots

Yep, you heard that right? On a Dutch newspaper they're claiming that Barack Obama's great-great grandfather, Jelle Obbema emigrated from the Netherlands (the province Friesland) to Kenya to go into the peppermint business. He had numerous children, all or most of which where named after him, Obbema. Later on that name was changed to Obama.

They're also claiming that "yes we can!" is the Obbema family slogan in Frysian "ja wy kinne!".

Related links: www.volkskrant.nl...

www.historien.nl...

56572.blogspot.com... (English)

[edit on 11-11-2008 by TheBandit795]

The story is a little bit over the top. So most likely it is a hoax. Sorry, for all those proud frisians out there.