Netherlands Civil Registration

On 6 January 1811 the French Imperial (Napoleon) decree served notice that by 1 March 1811 all births, marriages and deaths had to be recorded by the civil authorities of each municipality. In some southern areas Napoleon had already conquered, this recording had started earlier. After this date all individuals who lived in the Netherlands are recorded. They cover the entire population and have one year and 10 year indexes. Civil registration records are the most important source for genealogical research in the Netherlands and are easily accessible,

The following information will usually be found in a birth entry: • The name of the child. • The birth date of the child. • The birth place of the child. • The name of the child's parents. • The names, ages, occupations, and residences of the witnesses. • The relationships of the witnesses to the child, if any. • The residence of the parents. • The age and occupation of the parents. • It will never say if the child is legitimate or illegitimate.

If a child was born out of wedlock it will just not mention a father, even if he is known. If the child's parents do later marry and acknowlegde the child as theirs, it will mention this in the margin. At that time the last name of the child will also change from the mother's last name to the father's last name.