Dutch term: weduwnaar

The word weduwnaar means widower. In most marriage records, even the early ones, the fact that groom is a widower will be mentioned. If you’re lucky, the name of the previous spouse is mentioned too, but that has only been required since the civil registration (1811 or slightly earlier).

Etch of an older man holding a woman's had

Courting widower. Image credits: Rijksmuseum

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.

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