Netherlands, Utrecht, Notarial Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in the Collection?
Notarial records in this collection are from several municipalities in Utrecht for the years 1580-1815. Original records are located in the Regionaal Historisch Centrum Rijnstreek en Lopikerwaard, Woerden, Utrecht, Netherlands. These notary records include the following municipalities:


 * Bodegraven
 * Cabauw
 * IJsselstein
 * Kamerik
 * Lopik
 * Montfoort
 * Oudewater
 * Reeuwijk
 * Woerden
 * Zevender

While you will find all kinds of legal documents in notarial records, the most useful for genealogical research include:


 * Wills [testamenten]
 * Marriage contracts [huwelijksvoorwaarden]
 * Divisions of estates [boedelscheidingen or akten van scheiding en deling]
 * Appointments of guardians [benoemingen van voogden or voogdij]
 * Land transfers [transporten van onroerend goed, akten van verkoop, vestbrieven or recognitieën]
 * Mortgages [hypotheken]

Sample Images
Click on images for a larger view.

How Do I Search the Collection?
To browse the images in this collection: ⇒ Select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page ⇒ Select the 'Province' category ⇒ Select the 'Municipality' category ⇒ Select the 'Record Type and Years' category which takes you to the images.

Look at each image comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine if the image relates to them. You may need to look at several images and compare the information about the individuals listed in those images to your ancestors to make this determination.

Tips to Keep in Mind

 * When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct.
 * Remember that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name as your ancestor and that your ancestor may have used nicknames or different names at different times.
 * Continue to search the records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives who may have lived nearby.
 * If your ancestor used multiple names throughout their life, look for all their names.
 * Titles may be clues to property ownership, occupations, rank or status within the community.
 * If your ancestor was both the landlord and occupier, they generally owned the land.
 * If the property was an estate, there may be multiple types of notarial records.
 * If it was a business, there may be other commercial records.

I Found Who I was Looking for, What Now?

 * Use the age in the citizen 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 indexes 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.
 * Church Records often were kept years before government records were required and are a good source for finding ancestors before 1900.

I Can't Find Who I'm Looking for, What Now?

 * Switch to a different record collection. Depending on the time period, either Civil Registration records or Church Records may be more useful.
 * While searching, it is helpful to know such information as the ancestor’s given name and surname, some identifying information such as residence and age, and family relationships. Remember that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name as an ancestor and that the ancestor may have used nicknames or different names at different times.
 * 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.
 * Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle names. Try searching for these names as well.
 * Search the indexes and records of local genealogical societies.
 * Earlier records may not contain as much information as the records created after the late 1800.
 * There is also some variation in the information given from one record to another.

Citing this Collection
Citing your sources makes it easy for others to find and evaluate the records you used. When you copy information from a record, list where you found that information. Here you can find citations already created for the entire collection and for each individual record or image.

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