Netherlands, Limburg Parish Register Transcripts - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This Collection will include records from 1562 to 1822. These parish register transcripts include various towns in Limburg Province, Netherlands. Most of the transcripts are arranged in alphabetical order and have been transcribed from parish registers. Some names may not have been transcribed exactly as in the original, so you may want to check the originals. The information is typewritten in the form of a spreadsheet. The transcript records start with a title page describing the place, church name, type of record, and dates of the following records. The names are then listed in alphabetical order. The alphabetizing rules used mean that names such as 'van BEUGEN' will be listed under B for 'Beugen.'

Some records were destroyed in wars and fires. As a result, government officials began collecting copies of some of the church records in the 1700s. Copies or duplicates of the parish records were used as Civil Registers. Duplicate records were maintained by the parish priests prior to 1796. An abstract or transcription of most of these duplicates is housed in state archives. Some of these registers were also collected at the Diocesan Archive. In 1929, the government ordered that all pre-1811 records be sent to the state archives and most parishes complied with this new rule. Those registers deposited at the regional and municipal archives have been microfilmed and are available at the FamilySearch Library for research.

The parish register transcripts in the Netherlands are an excellent source for accurate information on names as well as dates and places of birth, marriages, and deaths. After 1811, it is also recommended to research the civil registration to verify and complement information. Between 1588 and 1795, the Dutch Reform Church was the state church, so it is also recommended to research those registers for those years. Use the transcripts, where available, to supplement the original parish registers, especially when originals are missing or illegible. Be aware that transcripts often differ slightly from the originals.

For a list of records by localities and dates currently published in this collection, select the Browse link from the collection landing page.

Reading These Records
These records are written in Dutch. For help reading these records see:
 * Dutch Genealogical Word List
 * Netherlands Handwriting

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:

Birth and Christening
 * Name of the child
 * Gender
 * Names of the parents
 * Birth date
 * Birthplace
 * Christening date

Marriage
 * Date and Place of Event
 * Name of Bride and Groom
 * Residence, Marital Status, and Age
 * Names of Parents
 * Names of Witnesses

Death
 * Date and Place of Death
 * Name of Deceased Person
 * Age or Birth Date
 * Residence Place and sometimes the Place of Origin
 * Cause of Death
 * Marital Status
 * If Married, the Name of the Spouse and sometimes the Names of Children
 * Sometimes Names of Parents
 * Names of Witnesses

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * Name of the person
 * Approximate date of the event

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Add any new information to your records
 * Use the age to find an approximate birth year to begin your search in church or civil records
 * Continue to search the records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives who may have moved, been recruited or lived nearby. This can help you identify other generations of your family. Repeat this process for each new generation you identify. Compile the entries for every person who has the same surname; this is especially helpful in rural areas or if the surname is unusual. This compiled list can help you identify possible relations that can be further verified by researching vital records indexes in the country
 * When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. Save a copy of the image or transcribe the information. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details such as a title, an occupation, or land ownership. Add this new information to your records of each family. You should also look for leads to other records about your ancestors
 * Church Records often were kept years before government records were required and are a good source for finding ancestors before 1900

I Can't Find the Person I'm Looking For, What Now?

 * Switch to a different record collection. Depending on the time period, either Civil Registration records or Church Records may be more useful
 * While searching, it is helpful to know such information as the ancestor’s given name and surname, some identifying information such as residence and age, and family relationships. Remember that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name as an ancestor and that the ancestor may have used nicknames or different names at different times
 * Keep in mind that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name
 * Standard spelling of names typically did not exist during the periods our ancestors lived in. Try variations of your ancestor’s name while searching the index or browsing through images. Pay special attention to how the name should have been pronounced and try variations on the pronunciation
 * Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle names
 * Search the indexes and records of local genealogical societies
 * Earlier records may not contain as much information as the records created after the late 1800
 * There is also some variation in the information given from one record to another

Research Helps
The following articles will help you research your family in The Netherlands.
 * Netherlands Guided Research
 * Netherlands Record Finder
 * Netherlands Research Tips and Strategies

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.

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