Auke Atzes van der Ploeg, born in Akkrum on April 29, 1844, son of Atze Aukes van der Ploeg (carpenter's man) and Jitske Wybes Feenstra (maid servant).

Auke was married in Utingeradeel on March 7, 1869, at the age of 24 to
Grietje Ypma (aged 22 years), born in Franeker on January 17, 1847, daughter of Theodorus Ypma and Stientje Canter Visser.