| Notaries were used to provide legal documentation of wills, contracts, marriages, inheritance, sale and transfer of property, annuities, mortgages, inventories, orphans records. They are an excellent source for linking individuals across generations and families. They are usually very lengthy but can be a source of vital information for individuals, families and relatives. Most records are stored according to the notary, so an exhaustive search may be very time consuming in more populated area. The records begin in the 1650s during the Dutch colonial period. Records are found at the National Archives and municipal archives, and identify about 20% of the recorded population. | | Notaries were used to provide legal documentation of wills, contracts, marriages, inheritance, sale and transfer of property, annuities, mortgages, inventories, orphans records. They are an excellent source for linking individuals across generations and families. They are usually very lengthy but can be a source of vital information for individuals, families and relatives. Most records are stored according to the notary, so an exhaustive search may be very time consuming in more populated area. The records begin in the 1650s during the Dutch colonial period. Records are found at the National Archives and municipal archives, and identify about 20% of the recorded population. |