Belgium Census and Population Registers - FamilySearch Historical Records

Belgium

What is in This Collection?
This collection contains images of census records and population registers. Not every municipality is included. Most records approximately cover the years 1830-1910. Records are arranged either chronologically, alphabetically, by neighborhood or village. Some volumes are indexed, and some places contain separate index volumes.

Reading These Records
For help reading these Dutch records see the following guides:
 * Netherlands Language and Languages
 * Dutch Genealogical Word List
 * Netherlands Handwriting

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:
 * Name of head of household
 * Names of family members
 * Date of birth
 * Birthplace
 * Age
 * Gender
 * Occupation

Sample Images
Click on images for a larger view.

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * Your ancestor’s full name
 * The approximate age at the time of the census, or their date of birth

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?

 * 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 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

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

 * Switch to a different record collection; depending on the time-period, one or the other collection may be more helpful
 * While searching, it is helpful to know the ancestor’s given name and surname, some identifying information such as residence and age, and family relationships
 * 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

Research Helps
The following articles will help you research your family in Belgium.
 * Belgium Record Finder

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.