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INTRODUCTION

Researching your Dutch ancestors is exciting because of the amount of information you can extract from a single record. Due to this however, sometimes important details in the records are overlooked and you may be tempted to avoid obtaining other documentation. You should always obtain all records about your ancestor to get a realistic image of their lifetime.

A marriage in the Netherlands, depending on the time period, produced up to as many as six documents! The amount of information extracted from these records alone is astounding.

A bonus to those who have Dutch ancestors is, women are always identified in documents with their maiden name. In the Netherlands, women rarely lose their last name during their lifetime. There are special circumstances for the last name to change. Sometimes you will see a women identified with both her married name and maiden name. When this occurs, it is always written: married name first, hyphen, and then maiden name; e.g. Akke de Groot-Horjus – “de Groot” being the married name and “Horjus” being the maiden name.

As you do your Dutch genealogical research, you may think there are no errors or problems in the records. Wrong! There are errors and you will find them more often the further back in time you search. Often problems involve the men you are searching, unlike North American research where women create roadblocks. The mother is always named in a birth record; however, if the woman is unmarried the father is not always stated.

To carry out genealogical research of your Dutch ancestors in the Netherlands, you will need to know some of the Dutch language. The records from about 1814 to present are all written in Dutch. Prior to 1814, the documents may be written in Dutch, French or Latin, depending on the time period and the type of record that you are looking at.

For those unfamiliar with the Dutch language, you will need to become familiar with Dutch genealogical terms. This will ultimately give you the ability to navigate through the records.

It is suggested you keep a good Dutch-English dictionary handy whether you are searching documents, surfing the Internet or translating your information. It is also suggested you start your own list of often used Dutch words for a quick and easy reference.

There are several ways to access copies of Dutch documents from afar. A number of records can be viewed on microfilm from the Family History Library (FHL) in Salt Lake City. Many of these microfilms are being digitized and are available to be searched on the FamilySearch website. Records can also be requested by postal mail or via email directly from the archive or repository in the Netherlands.

There are a number of resources that can be obtained from FamilySearch through your local FamilySearch Center (FSC). Make sure you know where the closest FSC is to your home; you will visit the center often to do your research. Be sure to check the FamilySearch website to find the closest one to you (https://www.familysearch.org/locations).

You will find databases on the Internet that will provide you with the details needed to obtain the documents directly from the archives in the Netherlands or through the FamilySearch. There are many Dutch citizens volunteering their time to make genealogical information available through the Internet. Be sure to check the databases often, as they are being updated with new information quite frequently.

HISTORICAL INFORMATION

The area of Europe currently known as the Netherlands is rich with history. The official title of the country is the Kingdom of the Netherlands (Koninkrijk der Nederlanden). The country covers 41,528 square kilometres where approximately 16 million people live today. The Netherlands is ranked in the top 25 countries with the largest population density per square kilometres!

Netherlands or Nederland literally means “Low Countries”. A good portion (approximately 27%) of the land lies below sea level and it has been vulnerable to flooding for many centuries. To learn more details about the major floods that have affected the Netherlands, visit Deltawerken Online at http://www.deltawerken.com/Floods/22.html. This site is available in Dutch, English and German.

The Netherlands has endured many wars with countries such as England, France, Spain and Germany. From 50 B.C. to 1588, it had been ruled by the Romans, Charlemagne, Philip the Good, The Habsburgs, Charles V, Philip II, and William of Orange.

In 1588 the country became known as the Republic of the United Provinces and retained that title until 1795. During the next thirty-five year period, 1795 to 1830, the country under went six title changes! The chart below outlines the time period the country changed titles.

Time Period      Country Title 1588-1795 The Republic of the United Provinces 1795-1805 The Batavian Republic 1805-1806 The Batavian Commonwealth 1806-1810 The Kingdom of Holland 1810-1813 Departments of the French Empire 1814-1830 The Kingdom of the United Netherlands

The Land The present day Netherlands comprises of twelve provinces: Groningen, Friesland, Drenthe, Overijssel, Gelderland, North Holland (Noord Holland), South Holland (Zuid Holland), Zeeland, Flevoland, Utrecht, North Brabant and Limburg. A map of these provinces and their capital cities are outlined in Illustration No. 1-1. The landscape of the country has undergone many changes over the centuries. “Holland”, once a single province, was divided into North Holland and South Holland in 1840. Flevoland is the youngest province which became populated during the 1970’s. This province is comprised of land that was reclaimed from the South Sea (Zuiderzee). The South Sea ceased to exist in 1933, when the Afsluitdijk was closed off at the northern end and it became the IJsselmeer. Today it is two lakes, called IJsselmeer and Markermeer. Due to the many changes in the landscape, the use of maps is important when doing research in the Netherlands. It is equally important to use maps from the time period of your ancestor. How the land is shaped today is not the way it was 100 or 200 years ago.

Jurisdictions Over the centuries the Netherlands had its jurisdictions change a number of times. Knowing the various jurisdictions during the different time periods will assist you with your genealogical research.

Prior to 1543, the present day provinces were under the following jurisdictions:

• Counties of Holland and Zeeland • Bishopric of Utrecht, including the city of Groningen and present day provinces of Overijssel and Drenthe • Duchy of Gelre, including most of the present day Limburg • Duchy of Brabant, including the southern part of present day Limburg • Friesland • Groningen, except the city of Groningen

During 1543, these jurisdictions were united under the reign of Charles V, King of Spain and Emperor of Germany. In 1555, Philip II, son of Charles V, reigned over the Netherlands. From 1568 to 1572, the country was at war with France with the rebellion being led by Willem I of Orange and later by his sons. The Dutch had established their own central government and incorporated the liberated provinces from 1572 to 1588. Illustration No. 1-1 Map of the Netherlands – Provinces and Major Cities 

When the country was known as the Republic of the United Provinces (1588-1795), there were the following seven provinces:

• Holland • Friesland • Zeeland • Gelderland • Utrecht • Groningen • Overijssel and Drenthe In 1795, the government of the Republic of the United Provinces was overthrown and replaced by the Batavian Republic. This was the beginning of many changes that were to occur over the next thirty-five years. In 1806, Napoleon’s brother, Louis Bonaparte reigned over the country and created the Kingdom of Holland. Then in 1811 it was annexed to the French Empire until 1814. When France was defeated in the Napoleonic wars, William Frederick, son of William V, returned to the Netherlands and became King William I.

In 1830, the people in the southern area of the Netherlands rebelled and formed the Kingdom of Belgium. The final border disputes were not resolved until 1839. That same year Limburg became a province and the next year, the province of Holland was divided into North Holland and South Holland. This would also be the last time borders changed to shape the present day provinces.

If you would like to learn more details about the different periods in Dutch history, visit the website “History of the Netherlands” (De Nederlandse Geschiedenis) at: http://www.historici.nl/overview/history/en/home.html. This site has been developed by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Buitenlandse Zaken) and is available in Dutch, English, French, German and Spanish. This easy to navigate website provides excellent details covering all periods between 50 B.C. and present day.

ADDITIONAL HISTORICAL INFORMATION

The Provinces

Each province of the Kingdom of the Netherlands has its own history that can affect your genealogical research. Here you are provided with a brief timeline, beginning during the 16th century, of events for each province.

Groningen 1536- 1555 Charles IV was ruler. 1561 The Roman Catholic Bishopric of Groningen was created. 1568 Beginning of the Eighty Years’ War – rebellion against Spain and its ruler, Philip II. 1594 The province became part of the Republic of the United Provinces; churches began to keep records. 1648 Eighty Years’ War ended with the Peace of Münster. Population increased by immigrants from the western provinces. 1795 Patriots take over the province with the help of French troops. 1798 Civil municipalities were created. 1806-1810 Part of the Kingdom of Holland. 1810-1814 Part of the French Empire; known as Departement van Westereems. 1811-1812 Civil registration began; surnames adopted. 1814 Part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Friesland 1566 Reformed ideas preached in public. 1576-1648 At war with Spain; Reformation takes hold; Roman Catholic properties were confiscated and they were forbidden to perform any services and sacraments. 1626 &amp; 1668 Civil conflict between the working and ruling classes caused by high taxes. 1747, 1770 &amp; 1782 More civil friction. 1795 Part of the Batavian Republic. 1805 Part of the Kingdom of Holland. 1810-1814 Part of the French Empire. 1811 Civil registration began; surnames adopted. 1816 Friesland became a province of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. 1849-1850 Population registers began.

Drenthe 1st quarter of the 16th Century Province occupied by the Duke of Gelre and his armies. 1543 Duke of Gelre was defeated by Charles V. 1559-1566 Reorganization of ecclesiastical jurisdictions transferred the province from the Bishopric of Utrecht to the Bishopric of Groningen. 1568-1648 Eighty Years’ War. 1598 Roman Catholics were forbidden to perform any services and sacraments; properties were confiscated and were controlled by the Dutch Reformed Church. 17th &amp; 18th Centuries Roman Catholics unable to perform church rituals openly; many went to Germany for services and sacraments. 1795 Area became part of the Batavian Republic; religious restrictions lifted; Roman Catholics built churches, held services and began record keeping. 1813 Became a province in the Netherlands.

Overijssel 1528 Charles V was Lord of Overijssel; start of Reformation and the Lutheran religion strengthened in the province. 1566 Calvinists increased their influence throughout the province; Roman Catholic properties were destroyed. 1572 The province sided with the King of Spain, Philip II, in the Eighty Years’ War. 1573-1576 Province was occupied by Spanish troops. 1576-1580 Spanish troops left and Overijssel joined the other provinces. 1583-1653 During the years 1583, 1595, 1598, 1628 and 1653 ordinances were issued allowing only the Dutch Reformed Church to perform christenings and marriages. 1591-1597 Province was liberated by Prince Maurits of Orange. 1648 Eighty Years’ War ends. 1787 Patriots took over many of the government offices. 1791 Ordinances required duplicate registers to be produced--one being kept locally and the other being sent to the province. 1795 Overijssel became part of the Batavian Republic and called Departement van Oudenijssel; civil marriages were made mandatory; manorial system was abolished. 1805-1810 Province became part of the Kingdom of Holland. 1810-1814 Province part of the French Empire 1811 Civil registration began; surnames adopted. 1814 Overijssel became province of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; final border adjustments made with the province of Gelderland.

Gelderland 1543 Charles V became Duke of Gelre 1555 Charles V abdication; son, Philip II became King. 1568-1648 Eighty Years’ War 1572-1588 Dutch Reformed Church took over properties and possessions of the majority of Roman Catholic churches. 1672-1675 At war with France, England, Münster and Cologne. 1795 Part of the Batavian Republic and called Departement van de Rijn. 1806-1810 Part of the Kingdom of Holland. 1810-1813 Part of the French Empire and called Departement De L’lssel Superieur. 1814 Province of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. 1816-1817 Parts of Prussia annexed to Gelderland; some changes made in municipal boundaries. 1939-1945 Some archives and their records destroyed during World War II.

North Holland (Noord Holland) 1540s Period of reformation; many people became Lutherans and Anabaptists. 1568-1648 Eighty Years’ War 1578-1628 Rapid increase in population of Amsterdam. 1795 Batavian Republic established. 1806-1810 Area became part of Kingdom of Holland. 1810-1813 Part of French Empire. 1814 Part of the province of Holland in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. 1840 The two provinces of North Holland and South Holland were created from the single province of Holland. 1852-1853 Haarlemmer Lake (Haarlemmermeer) drained to reclaim land. 1941 Wieringer Lake (Wieringermeer) polder developed.

South Holland (Zuid Holland) 1543-1561 The keeping of baptismal and marriage registers required. 1568-1648 Eighty Years’ War. 1580 Civil marriages began; taxation began. 1695 Introduction of taxes on marriages and burials. 1792 Duplicate baptismal and marriage registers were required. 1795 Area became part of the Batavian Republic; guilds abolished; only civil marriages legal; church burials forbidden; records generated for voters and militia; census of males. 1806 Part of Kingdom of Holland. 1810 Area annexed to France. 1811 Civil registration began; surname adoptions; all church and civil registers ordered to be sent to the archives; municipalities organized with manors, liberties and areas with small populations dissolved. 1813-1814 Area became part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. 1816-1819 Border adjustments made with Utrecht and North Brabant. 1840 The creation of the provinces of North Holland and South Holland from the area known as Holland. 1973 Most populated province in the Netherlands with 153 municipalities.

Zeeland 1568-1648 Eighty Years’ War. 1713 French troops occupy Zeeuws Flanders 1795 Part of Batavian Republic; Zeeuws Flanders became part of France. 1809-1810 Zeeland became part of the French Empire and called Departement des Bouches de Schelde. 1814 Zeeland was liberated from France; Zeeuws Flanders became part of the province of Zeeland. 1830 Belgium made claim to Zeeuws Flanders. 1839 Provincial archives established. 1944-1945 Parts of the provinces heavily damaged from WW II bombings.

Flevoland Late 19th &amp; early 20th Century Began to reclaiming land from the South Sea (Zuider Zee). 1970s Reclaimed land started to be inhabited.

Utrecht 1528 Charles V became ruler of area. 1559 Bishop of Utrecht became Archbishop; changes in diocese boundaries. 1568-1648 Eight Years’ War 1580 Protestants gain control; Catholicism banned and properties confiscated. 1672-1674 War with France, England, Münster and Cologne; French troops occupy the area; Roman Catholics regain control of their churches for the two year period. 1795-1806 Part of the Batavian Republic; initially called Departements van Delft, Tessel and Rijn. 1801 Name changed to Departement van Utrecht. 1806-1810 Part of the Kingdom of Holland; borders changed. 1810-1813 Part of the French Empire and called Departement Du Zuiderzee. 1814-1815 Part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. 1816-1820 Provincial and municipal boundaries changed. North Brabant (Noord Brabant) 1568-1648 Eight Years’ War 1609-1621 Many Roman Catholics christen their children in Antwerp and ‘s Hertogenbosch. 1625-1648 Area became part of Dutch Republic. 1648 Area divided into Dutch and Spanish territories. 1747 French troops occupy Bergen op Zoom. 1798-1805 Part of Batavian Republic and known as Departments De ‘L Escant et Meuse en du Dommel. 1806-1810 Part of Kingdom of Holland; called Department Brabant. 1810-1814 Brabant annexed to France; western area called Departement Des Deux Nethes and eastern area known as Departement Des Bouches Du Rijn. 1815 Brabant became North Brabant province in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. 1830 Belgians revolt against the Dutch. 1839 Borders settled between the Netherlands and Belgium.

Limburg 1534 Religious persecution of Protestants. 1559 First Calvinists converted. 1566-1567 Invasion of Spanish troops; severe persecution and heavy taxation. 1568 Start of Eighty Years’ War; Prince of Orange invaded area. 1579-1632 Occupation by Spanish troops. 1621-1646 Many battles rage throughout area; Dutch troops occupy area. 1648-1661 Area divided by the Dutch and Spanish. 1673-1678 Area invaded by French troops. 1688-1697 French troops invaded and raged war until forced to leave. 1713 Land in the upper Gelderland area of Limburg divided between the Austrian Netherlands, the Dutch Republic and Prussia. 1747-1748 French troops invaded area and occupied Maastricht. 1785 The Dutch Republic and Austrian Netherlands exchanged land –Daalhem for Oud Valkenburg. 1794-1795 French occupied Limburg; area became part of Departement van de Ourthe and Departement van der Bezeden Maas; civil registration began. 1815 Limburg became a province of Kingdom of the Netherlands. 1830 The province except Maastricht was annexed to the Kingdom of Belgium – disputed by the Netherlands. 1839 Limburg returned to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.