Did you know that different types of names were particular to different areas of the Netherlands? For example, names with an -ink suffix like Hoitink are typical for the eastern part of the Netherlands while names with a -stra suffix are typical for the north. Read more about suffixes in surnames. … [Read more...]
Dutch term: stamboom
16 December 2013 by 1 Comment
A stamboom is a family tree. Dutch genealogists will say that they practice stamboomonderzoek [family tree research] when they are asked about their hobbies. Searching for your family name in combination with the word stamboom in a search engine may lead you to Dutch publications about your family. … [Read more...]
Looking for census records in the Netherlands?
13 December 2013 by 4 Comments
In many countries, census records are a popular source for genealogical research. In the Netherlands, we use population registers or civil registration records instead. After the census of 1849, the government decided to keep the information up to date. These records are called population registers and show where a family lived in a certain period. Because the registers cover a longer period (usually 10 years), you can see who moved in or out, or who was born or died, which makes them much … [Read more...]
Quick tip: get notified about the English version of WieWasWie
11 December 2013 by Leave a Comment
WieWasWie is the most comprehensive website with Dutch genealogical records. An English version is in the works. You can now leave your email address and get notified when the English version is available. … [Read more...]
Dutch term: geboorteakte
9 December 2013 by Leave a Comment
A geboorteakte is a birth record. Births have been recorded by the government since 1811 (or 1794-1795 in parts of Limburg and Zeeland). Birth records of people born more than 100 years ago are public. Read more about using birth records to find your Dutch ancestors. … [Read more...]
Preservation
5 December 2013 by 2 Comments
I fondly watch the grainy movie on my HD-television. On the screen, the room has 70s wallpaper with a psychedelic orange/brown motive. A group of children watches excitedly as Saint Nicholas comes through the door. A baby is put in his lap. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUk43JXhhDQ The baby is me, and my grandfather is Saint Nicholas. It was the last time he was able to be "Sinterklaas." I owe it to my mother that I am able to watch these images. She had the home movies from when I was a … [Read more...]
Quick tip: Mind the dates
4 December 2013 by Leave a Comment
In the Netherlands (and most of the rest of the world), dates are routinely written as dd-mm-yyyy so 5-4-2013 means 5 April, not May 4 as it would be in the US. This can easily lead to mistakes. To avoid confusion, just use the full name of the month: 5 April 2013. That way, everybody will understand what you mean. … [Read more...]
Dutch term: bidprentje
2 December 2013 by Leave a Comment
A bidprentje is a prayer card. Prayer cards are a Roman-Catholic tradition to commemorate the dead. Read more about finding prayer cards and using them for your research. … [Read more...]
How to find the cause of death
29 November 2013 by 4 Comments
Several people have asked me how they can find out how their ancestors died. Unfortunately, records that list cause of death are routinely destroyed, so most often it will not be possible to find the cause of death. … [Read more...]
Quick tip: find transcriptions of Achterhoek sources on Genealogiedomein
27 November 2013 by Leave a Comment
Are your ancestors originally from the eastern part of Gelderland known as the Achterhoek? The website Genealogiedomein has hundreds of (free) transcriptions in PDF-format. Most of the transcribed records are church records (baptisms, marriages and burials) from before 1811, but there is also a growing number of indexes of civil registration records (birth, marriages and deaths) after 1811. Just click the name of the municipality in the list on the left and then select the category. Some handy … [Read more...]
