Netherlands, Gelderland Province Civil Registration - FamilySearch Historical Records

Record Description
Record types found on the films are births, marriages, deaths, 10 year indexes, marriage intentions, marriage proclamations, and marriage supplements. The events are recorded either totally by hand or in partially preprinted books where the information is then entered by hand.

The collection was assembled from existing records, usually books or ledgers. Sometimes the original record book contained one type of entry, such as births. Sometimes, the book contained multiple record types, such as births, deaths, and marriages. Therefore, as you search the records, you will find a mixture of record types even though the heading mentions only one type of record initially. The heading may change as you search the specific collection to reflect the variety of records it contains. Thus, searching in marriages may lead to both marriage and divorce records. The same will be true when searching divorces.

The French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte introduced civil registration to the Netherlands at the time of the French occupation in the late 1700s, first in the southern part of the country and later in the rest of the country. Since March of 1811, the local civil authorities in Gelderland began recording births, marriages, and deaths using a standard format. Two copies of the records were created; one stayed in the local registration district, the second was sent annually to the district court. The district court created “ten-year” indexes and eventually deposited the records and ten-year indexes in the provincial archives.

For a list of records by localities and dates currently published in the Netherlands, Gelderland Province Civil Registration, 1811-1950 collection, select the Browse.

For a list of film numbers currently published in the Netherlands, Gelderland Province Civil Registration, 1811-1950 (includes index) collection, select the Browse.

The collection of the civil registration for the Gelderland Province covers events from 1811 to 1942.

The civil registration serves to officially record the events of births, marriages, and deaths in a person’s life. These records also served for statistical purposes, and in the earlier years, for military drafting.

The civil registration is the most accurate source for records search after March 1811 in Gelderland. For events prior to March 1811, it is best to search church records.

Citation for This Collection
The following citation refers to the original source of the information published in FamilySearch.org Historical Records collections. Sources include the author, custodian, publisher, and archive for the original records.

Suggested citation format for a record in this collection.

Record Content


Key genealogical facts found in most births records:


 * Name of principal
 * Gender of principal
 * Place of birth
 * Date and time of birth
 * Parents' names including mother’s maiden name
 * Occupation, age, and civil status of parents
 * Names of witnesses, who could also be family members



Key genealogical facts found in most marriage records:


 * Names of bride and groom
 * Civil status of bride and groom
 * Places of birth and ages
 * Place, date, and time of the event
 * Occupation and residence
 * Parents' names, residences, and occupation if living
 * Names of witnesses, who could also be family members



Key genealogical facts found in most deaths records:


 * Name of principal
 * Date and place of death
 * Gender and age of the deceased
 * Place of birth of principal
 * Occupation of principal at time of death
 * Spouse’s name and occupation, if deceased person was married; otherwise spouse's death place
 * Parent’s names, occupation, and residence if living; otherwise the place of their death
 * Name and information of the informant, who could be a relative
 * Names of witnesses, who could also be relatives

How to Use the Records
To search the collection, select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page ⇒ Select the Municipality ⇒ Select the Record type and date range which takes you to the images.

Look at the images one by one comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine which one is your ancestor. You may need to compare the information about more than one person to make this determination.

Dutch civil registration records are an excellent source for accurate information on names, places, and dates of events such as births, marriages, and deaths. By doing research in the civil registration records, a person can compile several family groups.

When looking for a birth record, search by the given name of the child, the mother’s maiden name, and that of the father. Children are never labeled as 'illegitimate', but the mother is noted as being 'unmarried'. If the father and mother of the child later married, it will be mentioned in the margin of the birth certificate as well and that the child is 'recognized' as theirs. The child's last name will now have been changed to the father's last name as well, so the child is born with the mother's last name, but will later in life go with the father's last name. If you believe a marriage took place but cannot find a record of the marriage, search records of intent to marry. Take note of the marriage entry number; you will need this to locate the marriage supplements, which are the documents filed by the bride and groom in support of their application to be married. Civil death records often exist for individuals whom there are no birth or marriage records for. Married women are recorded under their maiden surname.

Known Issues with this Collection
For a full list of all known issues associated with this collection, please read the attached Wiki article. If you encounter additional problems, feel free to report them at [mailto:support@familysearch.org support@familysearch.org]. Please include the full path to the link and a description of the problem in your e-mail. Your assistance will help ensure that future reworks will be considered.

Related Web Sites
Genver 2 - To combate difficulties getting to the correct location in this collection. (Website is in Dutch.)

Genlias There is also a site call which is a compilation of indexed records from the Netherlands, including some from Dutch colonies, mostly dating from 1811 until the mid-1900s. (Website is in Dutch, but with an option to view and search in English.) Currently incomplete, but extensive and with records being added.

Images for many of the indexed records on Genlias can be found in the collections on Familysearch.org.

Related Wiki Articles

 * Netherlands
 * Netherlands Civil Registration

Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections
When you copy information from a record, you should also list where you found the information. This will help you or others to find the record again. It is also good to keep track of records where you did not find information, including the names of the people you looked for in the records.

A suggested format for keeping track of records that you have searched is found in the wiki article Help:How to Cite FamilySearch Collections.

Citation Example for a Record Found in This Collection
"Netherlands, Gelderland Province Civil Registration, 1811-1950 (includes index)," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VR8X-GND : accessed 23 May 2012), Johannes Franciscus Antonius De Haan, 1879; citing Zaltbommel (Gelderland), Burgerlijke Stand, Civil Registration of Zaltbommel (Gelderland), FHL 211746, Rijke Archive, Gelderland, Arnhem, The Netherlands.