De naam Bijlsma is afkomstig uit de provincie Friesland/Fryslân. Verschillende, niet verwante gezinshoofden kozen deze achternaam in 1811. De oorsprong van de naam ('bijl') heeft te maken met het beroep van timmerman of slager. Het doel van deze groep is om te onderzoeken of het mogelijk is een website te maken die de genealogische informatie van alle bekende Bijlsma-families bij elkaar brengt, inbegrepen andere spellingswijzen als zoals Bylsma en Bielsma.

The surname Bijlsma originated in the province of Fryslân/Friesland in the Netherlands. Various unrelated heads of families chose this surname in 1811. The name origin ('bijl' or axe) is related to the trade of carpenter or butcher. The purpose of this group is investigate the possibility of creating a website bringing together genealogical information for all known Bijlsma families. This includes other spelling variants such as Bylsma and Bielsma.

To have access to Messages, Files and Links, you must become a group member. Under Files are spreadsheets which list all Bijlsma forefathers from 1811, as well as the names, email addresses and websites of genealogists who have done research on these particular ancestors. Under Links are websites for particular Bijlsma families as well as some general sites of interest for Frisian genealogy. Under Members are all group members and their email addresses.

Group members are free to add their own Files or Links to this site. It is clear that adding further Bijlsma genealogy links is especially desireable. In the Messages section, please feel free to raise your queries regarding where your own Bijlsma ancestor may fit in the group listings; group members may be able to fill you in with what you are missing.