Dutch term – Voorkind

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.

Photograph

Toos and Annie Flooren (circa 1922). Annie was a voorkind while Toos was born after their mother’s marriage.

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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