In the 1800s and 1900s, there were many organizations for every aspect of a person’s life. Here are some examples I encountered in my research projects:
- Honorary member of the Society for the Promotion of the Musical Arts.
- Chairman of a local branch of the Anti-Revolutionaire Partij [Anti Revolutionary Party], a Christian political party.
- Deacon of the Dutch Reformed Church.
- Secretary of the Teacher’s Association.
- Guardian of the Weavers’ Guild.
- Director of the Church choir.
- Editor of the journal for prisoners-of-war during the Anglo-Boer War.
In many cases, I first came across their involvement using newspaper articles. By tracing down the records of the organizations, I managed to find a lot more information that allowed me to tell their story, instead of just their vital events.
What is the most unusual function you ever encountered in your research?
Civil Guard taking aim at a festival. Credits: Joop van Bilsen, collection Nationaal Archief (CC-BY)
About Yvette Hoitink
