Belgium Church Records

In the period before 1795, church records (Parochieregisters / Kerkelijke registers / Registres paroissiaux) are the main genealogical resource in Belgium. The main types of church records are: baptisms, marriages, burials, and confirmations. The records will be written in Latin for Catholics (the vast majority of the population, and the only legal religion before 1781), or in the local language, either Dutch, French or German. Besides the Catholic majority, there were a small number of Dutch Reformed (Nederlands Hervormde), French Reformed (Église Réformée) and Lutheran churches, as well as some Jews.

The earliest start in the 1500s, but in many parishes they do not start until well into the 1700s. After 1795, civil registration is the major source for births, marriages and deaths in Belgium.

Online Records

 * 1580-1920 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; images, includes church records
 * 1668-1875 at FamilySearch - index and images

Information Content

 * Church records are vital records kept by priests and are often called parish registers or church books. They include records of christenings (baptisms), marriages, and deaths (burials).
 * For most localities, digital copies of church records are included in the civil registration online collection.
 * In about 1796, Church records were used by the civil government to keep vital records.
 * Roman Catholicism has been the pre-dominant religion in Belgium.

Baptisms
Catholics traditionally baptized children a few days after birth. A typical baptism record includes: Always note the witnesses, as they often are a close relative such as an aunt/uncle, grandparent or an older sibling, even if it is not stated that they are related.
 * The name of the baptized
 * The date of baptism, and sometimes the birth date
 * The names of the parents, usually including the mother's maiden name
 * The names of godparents or witnesses
 * Sometimes the residence of the parents, the relationship between witnesses and child, and whether the child was illegitimate

Marriages
A typical marriage record includes:
 * The names of the bride and groom
 * The date of marriage
 * Sometimes place of origin
 * Whether they were single, divorced or widowed. Any previous spouses may be named
 * The witnesses to the marriage
 * Sometimes parents' names, birthplaces and residences

Marriage Contracts and Banns

 * Couples’ names
 * Marriage intention dates
 * Residences
 * Occupations
 * Witnesses’ names
 * Sometimes parents’ names and sometimes other relationships.

Burials
A typical burial record includes:
 * The name of the deceased
 * The date of burial
 * The spouse or widow of the deceased for married women, and the parents' names for children
 * Sometimes additional information such as age or residence

Confirmations
Children were confirmed between the ages of 7 and 12.
 * Candidates name
 * Age
 * Residence
 * Father’s name

Other Records
Church censuses, membership lists, family registers: Names of married couples, their ages or birth dates and places, sometimes marriage dates, children's names, ages or birth dates, death or burial dates of children. Sometimes marriage dates and names of spouses of children are given. Donations before death or for masses for the dead: Names of husbands and wives, and sometimes other family members.

Online at the State Archives
The State [i.e. Federal] Archives of Belgium (Rijksarchief in België/Les Archives de l'Etat en Belgique) has images and some indexes of church records. Free registration is required to view the records The site comes in English, French, German or Dutch (see top left corner).

Most of the records are available only as images. They can be browsed here. A few have been indexed. They can be searched here. The images placed online are not necessarily the entirety of the records are available - the remaining records would need to be viewed in person at the archives. Nonetheless, the vast majority have been placed online.

GeneaKnowHow
Some church records can be found on the site Geneaknowhow, which contains many links to local genealogical websites and sources.

FamilySearch Catalog

 * a. Click on this link to see the Belgium page in the FamilySearch Catalog
 * b. Click on "Places within Belgium" and a list of towns and cities will open.
 * c. Click on the province. Open Places within.... that province.
 * d. Click on the town or city you wish to search.
 * e. Click on "Church Records" topic. Click on the blue links to specific record titles.
 * f. Choose the correct event and time period for your ancestor.
 * g. Some combination of these icons will appear at the far right of the film listed for the record. FHL icons.png. Clicking on the magnifying glass will take you to the index. Clicking on the camera will take you to an online digital copy of the microfilm.The microfilm image means that the film has not yet been digitized. You can view the microfilm at the FamilySearch Library at Salt Lake City. All microfilms should be digitized by 2020.

Writing to a Catholic Priest for Church Records
When you cannot locate the records online or in a microfilm, baptism, marriage, and death records may be found by contacting or visiting local parish priests.

Write a brief request to the proper church using this address as guide replacing the information in parentheses:
 * Reverend Pastor
 * (Street address, if known: see The Catholic Directory)
 * (Postal code) (City)
 * (province), BELGIUM


 * Find the Belgian postal code here.

Send the following:
 * Cashier’s check or international money order (in local currency) for the search fee. Usually $10.00.
 * Full name and the sex of the person sought.
 * Names of the parents, if known.
 * Approximate date and place of the event.
 * Your relationship to the person.
 * Reason for the request (family history or medical).
 * Request for a complete extract of the record