Until the end of 1714 all deceased Jews of Ashkenazi origin in Amsterdam were buried at the Jewish cemetery Muiderberg. As the number of poor Jews in Amsterdam increased, the costs of transportation became too heavy a burden for the poor relief fund. In addition, it was feared that Muiderberg would become fully occupied as a result of the high infant mortality rate and the fast growth of the Jewish community. Grounds for an additional Jewish cemetery had to be purchased, preferably as close to the city as possible. The Ashkenazi Jewish cemetery at Zeeburg near Amsterdam was taken into use on 11 October 1714 (2 chesjvan 5475). The cemetery was intended for children, the poor and for members of the Jewish community who had bought a burial plot there. Until the introduction of the ‘Burgerlijke Stand’ (Registry Office) in 1811, more than 35.000 people were buried at Zeeburg.