Netherlands, Archival Indexes, Public Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

Netherlands

Why Should I Look at This Collection?
This collection includes indexed records from across the Netherlands. This collection does not include any records of birth marriage, or death. For indexes to other records, see Netherlands, Archival Indexes, Population Registers and Netherlands, Archival Indexes, Vital Records.

What Is in This Collection?
The data in this index was contributed from many archives around the Netherlands. The collection continues to grow as records become available. The indexes were originally collected, combined, and published by OpenArchives. For the entire index collection and more information visit OpenArchives.

Reading These Records
These records are written in Dutch. For help reading these records see: FamilySearch Learning Center videos:
 * Dutch Genealogical Word List
 * Netherlands Handwriting
 * Reading Dutch Handwritten Records Lesson 1 - The Dutch Alphabet
 * Reading Dutch Handwritten Records Lesson 2 - Dutch Words and Dates
 * Reading Dutch Handwritten Records Lesson 3 - Reading Dutch Records

What Can These Records Tell Me?
This collection contains an index to notarial records, emigration and immigration, military enrollment and more. The indexed data may provide birth date, residence information, and occupation.

Coverage Table
For a list of the archives which have contributed to this collection, please see OpenArchives' page showing the number of individual entries.

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * Name of the person
 * Their residence at the time of the event
 * The 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?

 * Copy down all the information from the record detail on the results page
 * Cite the record. See below for help citing this collection
 * OpenArchive may have more information about the record or may even lead you to a record image. To visit this site, click on the "Visit Partner Site" button to the right of the record detail
 * Family members often appear on an individual's vital records, such as in the role of witnesses to a marriage. Continue to search the records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives who may have lived nearby
 * Use the information you have found to find more. For instance, use the age listed in a record to estimate a year of birth

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

 * Church Records often were kept years before government records were required and are a good source for finding ancestors before 1900
 * When looking for a person with a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which individual is correct. Use other information, such as place of birth, age, occupation, or names of parents, to determine which candidate is the correct person. If listed, a personal title may be a clue to property ownership or occupation, either of which might be noted in other record
 * Check for variants of given names and surnames. An individual might have been listed under a middle name, nickname, or abbreviation of their given name. Some women may also have returned to their maiden name after the death of their husband
 * Vary the search terms. For example, expand the date range or search by either the given name or surname to return broader list of possible matches
 * Search the records of nearby areas. While most people in this period never lived too far away from their place of birth, it was not uncommon for someone to move several times over the course of a lifetime

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.