Early Life
Corrie was born on April 15, 1892. She was born to Casper and Cornelia Ten boom in Haarlem, Netherlands. Corrie was the youngest of four. She had two older sisters named Betsie and Nollie. She also had an older brother named Willem. Her family were Calvinists. Her dad was a watchmaker, and he had his shop on the first level of her home. The shop was titled the Beje. Some thought of it as the center of life in Haarlem. The family were firm believers in Christ, and they devoted time each day to bible reading. Corrie's family took in many foster children, and she worked with the mentally challenged. As she grew up, her mother's sisters moved in and helped out. They were very conservative women, and not afraid to voice their opinions. Both Corrie's sister Nollie and her brother were married, but neither her nor her sister Betsie were married. Although she did not have a college education, Corrie spoke three languages, English, Dutch, and German. Corrie was closest to her oldest sister Betsie. They lived together in the Beje most of their lives.