Van halven bedde literally means “from half a bed.” It is a term indicating half-siblings or half-aunts and -uncles.
For example, if somebody refers to a woman as her “zuster van halven bedde” [sister from half a bed] this refers to a half-sister and a “oom van halven bedde” [uncle from half a bed] refers to a half-uncle.
Hindeloopen interior showing a bedstead and crib, 1892. Credits: Christoffel Bisschop, collection Zuiderzeemuseum, available via Rijksdienst Cultureel Erfgoed (CC-BY-SA)
About Yvette HoitinkYvette 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.
Yvette Hoitink, CG®, QG™ is a professional genealogist in the Netherlands who helps people find their Dutch ancestors. She is certified by the Board for Certification of Genealogists and has a post-graduate diploma in Family and Local History from the University of Dundee.
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Example text: Lier, Belgium, Death certificate 216 in 1823:
… zijn verschenen Petrus Van Dessel, bakker, …, broeder van den halven bedde en … van Karel Jacob Joseph Van Dessel, …
Hence, Petrus, who comes to declare the death, is a half-brother of the deceased Karel Jacob Joseph.