Here is an overview of the new sources, projects, and news about archives that were announced last month. Online sources Open Archives started a pilot to search scans by content. This works for typed records only. It uses Optical Character Recognition technology to make the records searchable. You can submit your own URLs of records hosted on Archieven.nl or that use the software by Picturae (e.g. Tilburg, West-Brabant, Zutphen, Alkmaar archives). Scans of criminal verdicts of the court … [Read more...]
Quick tip – What Interpretations Were Added to the Abstract?
8 August 2019 by Leave a Comment
I recently came across a publication that abstracted Dutch records. In the publication, the compiler had grouped a marriage record and two baptismal records together. The parents of the child in the first baptismal record, a year after the marriage, had the same names as the married couple. The name of the child in the second baptismal record matched the bride's, and that child was baptized 22 years before the marriage. By the way he grouped the records, the compiler of the abstracts implied … [Read more...]
Quick tip – Use Scanning on Demand
31 July 2019 by 2 Comments
Research in original sources can be difficult if you do not live near the repository. Good news: several archives in the Netherlands offer scanning on demand from their finding aids. They will scan the records for you. Often, they're put online for everyone to use, while other archives choose to send you the files personally. Some archives charge a fee, others provide this great service for free. See the list of archives that provide free scanning-on-demand. … [Read more...]
Dutch term – Voorkind
29 July 2019 by Leave a Comment
A voorkind, literally a before-child, is a child born before the marriage. In the 1900s, this term was commonly used for a child born out of wedlock, before the mother was married. In the 1600s and 1700s, it could be used to describe the children of a previous marriage. For example, in a will, you may find a parent describing what to leave to the voorkinderen (children from a prior marriage) and what to leave to the nakinderen (after-children), of the current marriage. … [Read more...]
10 Tips for Doing On-Site Research in the Netherlands
25 July 2019 by 1 Comment
Are you planning a trip to the Netherlands and want to do some on-site research while you're here? Here are ten tips to make the most of the time you have available. 1: Check if the record is already online There is little research that requires on-site research anymore in the Netherlands. Many of the popular genealogical records have been scanned and are available online for free. Once records have been digitized, the originals are not available anymore. You can check the website Digital … [Read more...]
Dutch term – Zomer
22 July 2019 by Leave a Comment
Zomer means summer.Traditionally, summer was the time for harvesting. Even outside the summer holidays, school attendance was lower in the summer in rural areas, because children were kept home to help bring the harvest in. Summer is a nice period to visit the Netherlands, although popular tourist destinations can be overcrowded. Opening hours of museums and tourist attractions are great during the summer, but beware that opening hours of archives may be reduced. … [Read more...]
Q&A – Lesser Used Records for Research in the Netherlands
17 July 2019 by Leave a Comment
After the webinar on Lesser Used Records for Research in the Netherlands I did earlier this week, there were several interesting questions. I answered some of them in the Q&A session after the webinar. Since several of those referred to websites, I thought I'd answer them here as well. [Note: If you use the link to the webinar to view it, I will get a small commission and you will be sponsoring this free website and newsletter.] When did the Dutch stop using patronymics? Hereditary … [Read more...]
Webinar Lesser Used Records for Research in the Netherlands online (limited time)
17 July 2019 by 3 Comments
On Tuesday 16 July 2019, Yvette Hoitink presented a BCG webinar on "Lesser Used Records for Research in the Netherlands." The webinar is now available for free for a limited time. You can watch the webinar at FamilyTreeWebinars for free for a week after the recording. After that, it is available via pay-per-view or subscription. The webinar comes with a 6-page-hand-out full of tips for researching Dutch ancestors. Note: If you view or subscribe using these links, Yvette will receive a … [Read more...]
Dutch term – Beroep
15 July 2019 by Leave a Comment
The beroep is the occupation of your ancestors. Knowing the beroep not only gives you some insights into your ancestors lives, but can help you in your research since different occupations created different types of records. See the article How to Find your Dutch Ancestor's Occupation for more information. … [Read more...]
Dutch term – Nakomeling
12 July 2019 by 1 Comment
A nakomeling (literally: one who comes after) is a descendant. It's a term you may encounter in wills or endowments, for example when certain branches of the family get an inheritance or rights to a recurring payment or other provision. … [Read more...]
