Belgium, Namur, Civil Registration - FamilySearch Historical Records

Belgium

What is in This Collection?
The collection consists of vital records from the province of Namur for the years 1800-1912. The original records are held at the Belgian National Archives and additional images will be added to the online collection as they become available. For information on the content of the records please see the wiki article Belgium, Civil Registration (FamilySearch Historical Records).

Image Visibility
Whenever possible, FamilySearch makes images available for all users. However, ultimate rights to view images on our website are granted by the record custodians. These images can be viewed at the Family History Library or a family history center near you. For additional information about image restrictions, please see the Restrictions for Viewing Images in FamilySearch Historical Record Collections page.

Collection Content
This collection contains primarily civil registration records of births, marriages, and deaths. A few other records are included, primarily marriage proclamations and marriage supplements, but they make up only a very small part of the collection.

Sample Images
Click on images for a larger view.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following lists indicate potential information given in each type of record. It must be remembered that every record may not provide all the listed information, as record-keeping practices often varied by time and location.

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before beginning a search in these records, it is best to know the full name of the individual in question, as well as an approximate time range for the desired record. When entered into the search engine on the Collection Page, this information provides the quickest, most reliable path to finding the correct person. Of course, other information can be substituted as necessary.

Search By Name By Visiting the Collection Page
Fill in the requested information in the initial search page to return a list of possible matches. Compare the individuals on the list with what is already known to find the correct family or person. This step may require examining multiple individuals before a match is located.

View Images in This Collection By Visiting the Browse Page
⇒ Select Browse through images on the initial collection page ⇒ Select the appropriate Lieu category ⇒Select the appropriate Type de enregistrement category to go to the images Compare the information found on the images with what is already known determine if a particular record relates to the correct person. This process may require examining multiple records before the correct person is located.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Make sure to fully transcribe and cite the record entry for future reference; see below for assistance in citing this collection. Save or print a copy of the image if possible.
 * Use the information which has been discovered to find more. For instance, use the age listed in the record to estimate a year of birth, if that is yet undetermined.
 * Continue to search the index to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives. Note that family members often appear on an individual's vital records, such as in the role of witnesses to a marriage.

I Can't Find the Person I'm Looking For, What Now?
For additional help searching online collections see FamilySearch Search Tips and Tricks.
 * 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 records.
 * Check for variants of given names and surnames. Alternate versions of an individual's name could appear in different records for a variety of reasons: the individual could have gone by a nickname, middle name, or an abbreviation of their given name at any point; spelling or pronunciation might not have been standardized at the time of the record's creation; or there might simply have been a clerical error in recording the event. Note that some women reverted to their maiden name when their husband died, and therefore could be buried under their maiden name.
 * Vary the search terms. For example, search by either the given name or surname to return broader list of possible candidates which can then be examined for matches.
 * Search the records of nearby parishes. While it was uncommon for an individual in this period to move more than about 20 miles from their place of birth, smaller relocations were not uncommon. Note that marriages usually took place where the bride resided.
 * Look at the actual image of the record to verify the information found in the online description, if possible.

Known Issues With This Collection
For a full list of all known issues associated with this collection see the attached article. If you encounter additional problems, please email them to [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.

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.
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