Netherlands, Utrecht, Notarial Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
Notarial records in this collection are from several municipalities in Utrecht for the years 1580-1815. Original records are located in the Regionaal Historisch Centrum Rijnstreek en Lopikerwaard, Woerden, Utrecht, Netherlands. These notary records include the following municipalities:


 * Bodegraven
 * Cabauw
 * IJsselstein
 * Kamerik
 * Lopik
 * Montfoort
 * Oudewater
 * Reeuwijk
 * Woerden
 * Zevender

While you will find all kinds of legal documents in notarial records, the most useful for genealogical research include:


 * Wills [testamenten]
 * Marriage contracts [huwelijksvoorwaarden]
 * Divisions of estates [boedelscheidingen or akten van scheiding en deling]
 * Appointments of guardians [benoemingen van voogden or voogdij]
 * Land transfers [transporten van onroerend goed, akten van verkoop, vestbrieven or recognitieën]
 * Mortgages [hypotheken]

Sample Images
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View the Images
View images in this collection by visiting the :
 * 1) Select Province
 * 2) Select Municipality
 * 3) Select Record Type and Years to view the images.

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.

Tips to Keep in Mind

 * When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct.
 * Remember that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name as your ancestor and that your ancestor may have used nicknames or different names at different times.
 * Continue to search the records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives who may have lived nearby.
 * If your ancestor used multiple names throughout their life, look for all their names.
 * Titles may be clues to property ownership, occupations, rank or status within the community.
 * If your ancestor was both the landlord and occupier, they generally owned the land.
 * If the property was an estate, there may be multiple types of notarial records.
 * If it was a business, there may be other commercial records.

I Found Who I was Looking for, What Now?

 * Use the age in the citizen 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 Who 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. Try searching for these names as well.
 * 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 in your research for your family in Netherlands.
 * Netherlands Guided Research
 * Netherlands Record Finder
 * 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.