I was tagged in a Facebook post asking how to deal with variations of surnames in your genealogy software. Genealogy software typically requires us to choose one name as the default to use in reports and lists, and allows us to enter alternative names. I use three different strategies to select which name to use as the main name, depending on when the person was born. I record other names and major spelling variations as alternative names. Born after the civil registration The civil … [Read more...]
Dutch term – Meisjesschool
20 March 2023 by Leave a Comment
A meisjesschool is a school for girls. These schools started to appear in the 1800s to teach the daughters of the upper classes. Besides reading and arithmetic, they would be taught to draw, sew, and make music. Meisjesscholen were typically available in large cities only. … [Read more...]
Which archive keeps the records for your Dutch ancestors?
17 March 2023 by 1 Comment
In the Netherlands, most government records about our ancestors are created and kept at three different levels: Municipal level Provincial level National level. All these authorities have agreements with archives to keep the records that are over twenty years old. Municipalities either have their own city archives, or collaborate in a regional archives. Each provincial capital has an archive, but that archive often also keeps records of municipalities in the area. The records … [Read more...]
Quick tip – Check the calendar
15 March 2023 by Leave a Comment
If you are dealing with a date between 1582 and 1701, please check the calendar. Different places in the Netherlands changed from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar at different times. The change made the calendar jump forward by 10 or 11 days. Sometimes, you can resolve a conflict in dates by checking the calendar. Someone born in Brabant on 5 December 1699 could be baptized in Gelderland on 1 December 1699, for example, because Gelderland was still using the Julian calendar which was 11 … [Read more...]
Dutch Genealogy News for February 2023
10 March 2023 by Leave a Comment
Here is an overview of the new sources, websites, and projects that were announced last month. Sources Arjan Buikstra is indexing records of crew members who sailed for the Rotterdam Admiralty (1763-1795). The indexed can be searched on his website. The West-Brabants Archief digitized records relating to the madder industry. Madder was a plant root that was used as red dye. See the announcement for links to the finding aids with the images. The Zeeuws Archief digitized the records of … [Read more...]
Dutch term – Pakhuis
6 March 2023 by 1 Comment
A pakhuis is a warehouse. Pakhuizen were typically owned or rented by merchants or craftsmen who stored their wares. You may come across the term in cadastral, court, or notarial records. You may also see the occupation pakhuisknecht, a hired hand who worked in a warehouse. … [Read more...]
Quick tip – Do online research first
1 March 2023 by Leave a Comment
If you are planning a trip to the Netherlands, do not assume you can do on-site research. Many of the most popular genealogical records can now be found online, as explained in this article. Archives typically no longer allow you to consult records that have been put online. … [Read more...]
Dutch term – Olieslager
27 February 2023 by Leave a Comment
An olieslager is an oil miller, someone who works in a mill that presses vegetable oil, for example from rapeseed. … [Read more...]
Unusual death place case study: Thomas Cammenga
24 February 2023 by 3 Comments
When Thomas Cammenga died on 5 May 1842, he did not die in his place of residence, Leeuwarden in Friesland, but in Deventer, Overijssel. His death record showed he died at the Bagijnenstraat.1 Deventer was 120 km/75 miles from Leeuwarden. Whenever we notice something odd like this, we have to ask ourselves why: Why did Thomas die in Deventer even though he lived in Leeuwarden? Let's go through some of the common reasons why somebody died away from home: Jail. Leeuwarden had its … [Read more...]
Dutch term – Gepensioneerd
20 February 2023 by 1 Comment
Gepensioneerd literally means "pensioned," having a pension ("pensioen"). In general use, it often means retired. Before say 1940, most jobs did not come with a pension after retirement. Government jobs, including the military, did often come with a pension. The pensioner would need to meet requirements for age and number of years in service. … [Read more...]
