Horlings conference reporting logo
The Horlings conference reporting logo is based on the 'huismerk', the heraldic sign by which a farm or family and its belongings was recognised and with which deeds were signed, and which has been used by the Horlings family for centuries.
There is probably only one Horlings family. The name Horlings occurs in Denmark, Finland and England, but, in any case, all those Horlingses who are mentioned in the family tree 'The House of Horlings from Mediaeval times up to the end of the twentieth century' and their descendants in the Netherlands, United States and Canada originate from Horlings House, a farm in Smeerling between Onstwedde and Vlagtwedde in the province of Groningen (the Netherlands).
This farm still exists. Since about 1800 it has had house number 13 and during the years 1980 to 1983 it underwent restoration by the Smeerling-Metbroekbos foundation.
Since the Middle Ages six farms haven been mentioned in Smeerling: the Horlinghs, the Halmingh (now a tea shop), the Hoissingh (demolished in about 1930), the Hiddingh, the Edingh and the Lotteringh. The beautiful countryside in the Metbroekbos has been a protected area of natural beauty since 1972.
Lida Horlings belongs tot the 16th generation of the Horlingses.