Dirk was born on December 28th, 1712 in Niawier. Dirk's father was Hein Joukes and his mother was Antje Fokkes. His maternal grandparents were Fokke Ruurds and Dirkien Harderwijk. He had three brothers named Fokke, Ruird and Dirk. He was the second youngest of the four children. He died at the age of 1 in 1713.