Deutsche Version s. u. / Version française ci-dessous
Genealogical research in the Netherlands
The Netherlands offer excellent possibilities for genealogical research. There is a dense network of well developed and accessible archives, national, provincial, regional and local archives. Nearly all of them have accessible websites, many times with sources (listings, images etc.) available online. Throughout the Netherlands you will find all kind of historical and genealogical associations. You can find their websites easily through http://www.archieven.nl (also with an national online catalogue for any name or subject) and the Internet search engines.
In spite of the small size as a country, you will find more than 1000 museums in the Netherlands. Among them many are of interest for genealogists and also many of worldwide importance (http://www.museum.nl). There are a few genealogical foundations, associations and websites of national importance, which are briefly described hereunder. It is certain that there are more than 25.000 amateur-genealogists in the Netherlands. Most of them are member or contributor of at least one of the national genealogical organizations. Many of them publish the result of their research and donate copies to the genealogical organizations, the National Archive , or the National Library, which all have huge genealogical collections. Very often the websites have an introduction in English and other foreign languages. All major genealogical organizations have their magazines and publish manuals on many genealogical themes. The CBG (see below) is also the publisher of the "Nederlands Adelsboek" (Almanac of the Dutch Nobility) and of "Nederlands Patriciaat" (Almanac of Dutch patrician families).
Centraal Bureau voor Genealogie (Central Bureau for Genealogy - CBG)
The CBG is the Dutch information and documentation centre for genealogy, family history and related sciences. It was founded in 1945, just after WW II, with strong support and participation of the state. The CBG is an ideal starting point for most research into Dutch ancestors, migrants who settled in the Netherlands, or Dutch migrants who settled in other countries around the world. On their website you will find information about the foundation (with about 14.000 paying contributors, so called: (vrienden = Friends) and you can meet other genealogists on the CBG Forum. You can check family names in an online catalogue and find corresponding indications to the collections. The CBG is located in The Hague, in the same building as the Dutch National Archive. On the CGB-Website you will find all about using the catalogue in "catalogue info".
Nederlandse Genealogische Vereniging (Dutch Genealogical Association - NGV)
The NGV, founded in 1946, has today over 11.000 members. It is entirely run by volunteers who aim to support and facilitate research by persons interested in genealogy. The NGV does not perform genealogical research on demand for individuals.
The NGV has 31 regional departments in the Netherlands, where regularly lectures and meetings are held. These meetings offer people interested in genealogy an opportunity to meet and exchange ideas and information. These meetings are also open to non-members (attendance is free). The NGV also has three functional divisions, which operate on a national level: the Computer Genealogy division, the Heraldic division and the Family Organisations division. The last one is concerned with Associations which concern themselves with a single family only. NGV membership includes the magazine "Gens Nostra" (only available in Dutch, published ten times per year) and access to the Association's National Centre, in the city of Weesp (20 minutes by car or train east of Amsterdam).
There are also a number service groups that support members. Some of these service groups operate from the Association's National Centre, others are working on a local or regional level: the Contact service, the Research Exchange service, and the Information and Promotion service. There is also a Genealogical Advice service which offers help when research attempts have come to a "dead end". The NGV-Website offers a lot of general information, a forum and a tremendous number of links to genealogical and historical websites in the Netherlands and abroad.
The GENLIAS Database
Genlias is a national Dutch database, containing essential information for genealogical research. It is a joint initiative by a number of public archives in the Netherlands. You can use Genlias to find information recorded in official Dutch civil registers. The Dutch archives aim to enter all data from the open civil registers in the Netherlands into Genlias in the near future. Genlias provides a first step in tracing your family history in the Netherlands. You will have to find more recent information yourself. After that, you can find the names and important dates in the lives of ancestors in Genlias from 1780 onwards. But there is plenty more for you to find out. This site provides some hints on where to go next and includes a quick tour in English. Genlias currently (2004) contains 7.5 million records, representing almost 32 million individuals. In 2004, Genlias was visited 1.5 million times and over 9.2 million questions were answered. The database contains records of births, marriages and deaths from the Civil Register for the period 1811-1952. It also contains some parish records of baptisms, weddings and funerals back well beyond 1811, as well as statements of succession.
The GENEAKNOWHOW Database
This database includes all digital resources form the Netherlands and Belgium on the internet, diskette and CD-rom, to support your genealogical research (n Dutch and in English).
- Editiert von Nico am 04.12.2006, 13:52 -
