Records created by the municipality can be a great source of information about our ancestors’ lives.
The municipality collected taxes, provided poor relief, gave permits, and kept population registers. They employed many people, including teachers, architects, and police officers. They wrote reports about the state of the municipality, which can give information about crops, industry, and special events. The mayor was informed if a resident was admitted to an asylum, or of other special events.
When I wanted to know how my ancestor Adriaan Marijnissen died, I turned to the municipal records and found a police report detailing how he drowned.
Policeman directing traffic. Credits: J.D. Noske, collection Nationaal Archief (CC-0)
About Yvette Hoitink
