It was interesting that when we moved to Iowa that a number of people called Jabaai instead of Jabaay. I did come in contact with this family and had several visits with Leonard Jabaai from Colfax, Iowa. Leonard told me that his family came to Iowa in the mid 1850's, about the same time my family moved to Munster, Indiana. My family came from the village of Strijen in South Holland and Leonard's family came from the neighboring village of Maasdam in South Holland. Leonard also told me that when his grandfather Jabaai came to this country, his name was originally spelled Jabaay.
It was also interesting that the name Leonard also runs through my family. May grandfather's name was Leonard "Leendert", and my middle name is Leonard.
It was a pleasant surprize to find these Jabaay cousins here in Iowa!
Don Jabaay
djabaay@kdsi.net