Sources for Dutch Genealogy – Pre 1811 Cheat Sheet

Looking for information about Dutch ancestors in the period from say 1650 until 1811 (before the introduction of the civil registration)? This cheat sheet will tell you which sources to consult.

In some cases, not all types of records are available in each region. If a town did not have an orphan chamber, the administration of the estates of (half-)orphans was handled by the court. Not all regions had notaries, in which case voluntary legal actions were handled by the court as well. 

If you’re looking for… …first look at… …then look at… …and if that fails…
Birth information
Marriage information
  • court marriage records
Death information
Divorce information (rare)
  • subsequent marriage record
  • court records
Emigration/immigration
Parents
Children
Property
Address
Neighbors
  • tax records
  • census records
  • town records
Occupation
  • census records
  • criminal and civil court records
  • guild records
  • town records
Religion
Military career
  • court records
Poor ancestors
  • church poor administration (“diaconie”)
  • tax records
  • town records
Criminal ancestors
  • criminal court records
  • town records
Graves
  • lists of graves in churches (only richer people)

 

About Yvette Hoitink

Yvette Hoitink, CG®, QG™ is a professional genealogist in the Netherlands. She holds the Certified Genealogist credential from the Board for Certification of Genealogists and has a post-graduate diploma in Family and Local History from the University of Dundee. She has been doing genealogy for over 30 years and helps people from across the world find their ancestors in the Netherlands. Read about Yvette's professional genealogy services.

Comments

  1. Wynand van Bakel says

    I’m trying to link up Van Bakels in the USA with my family. Originally from Noord Brabant. I find it difficult to gather info on ships passenger list to establish when and from where to which port in the USA they emigrated. Any ideas or help?

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