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{{Belgium-sidebar}}<br>'''[[Belgium Genealogy|Belgium]]'''  
{{CountrySidebar
|Country=Belgium
|Name=Belgium
|Type=Topic
|Topic Type=Records
|Records=Church Records
|Rating=Standardized
}}{{breadcrumb
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==Online Records==
*'''1580-1920''' {{RecordSearch|2138510|Belgium, Luxembourg, Civil Registration, 1580-1920}} at FamilySearch — [[Belgium, Luxembourg, Civil Registration - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; images, includes church records before 1796
*'''1582-1910''' {{RecordSearch|2139860|Belgium, West Flanders, Civil Registration, 1582-1910}}, at FamilySearch — [[Belgium, West Flanders, Civil Registration - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images, includes church records before 1796
*'''1582-1910''' {{RecordSearch|2139860|Belgium, West Flanders, Civil Registration, 1582-1910}}, at FamilySearch — [[Belgium, West Flanders, Civil Registration - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images, includes church records before 1796
*'''1582-1914''' {{RecordSearch|1482191|Belgium, Brabant, Civil Registration, 1582-1914}},at FamilySearch — [[Belgium, Brabant, Civil Registration - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images, includes church records before 1796
*'''1590-1947''' {{RecordSearch|4439347|Belgium, Liège, Church and Civil Registration, 1590-1947}} at FamilySearch - [[Belgium, Liège, Church and Civil Registration - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
*'''1600-1913''' {{RecordSearch|2138500|Belgium, Hainaut, Civil Registration, 1600-1913}} at FamilySearch - [[Belgium, Hainaut, Civil Registration - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images, includes church records before 1796
*'''1621-1914''' {{RecordSearch|2138505|Belgium, Liège, Civil Registration, 1621-1914}} at FamilySearch - [[Belgium, Liège, Civil Registration - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images, includes church records before 1796
*'''1621-1914''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-20117/belgium-liege-civil-registration-of-births?s=275764761 Belgium, Liège, Civil Registration Of Births ] at MyHeritage - index ($), includes church records before 1796
*'''1668-1875''' {{RecordSearch|4147974|Belgium, Limburg, Lommel, Civil Registration and Church Records, 1668-1875}} at FamilySearch - index and images
*'''1925-1983''' [https://www.sa.dk/ao-soegesider/da/other/index-creator/17/797175/17118994 The Danish Seamen's Church in Ghent: Main Ministry Book (Den Danske Sømandskirke i Gent: Hovedministerialbog, 1925-1983)] at Rigsarkivet - images
* [https://genealogie.arch.be/search/ Church and Civil Records] at Belgium State Archives; index & images ($)


=== Church records (Parochieregisters, Kerkelijke registers, Registres ecclésiastiques)  ===
==Catholic Diocese Information==
{|
|-
|style="vertical-align:top"|
|[[File:BelgischeBisdommen.png|400px]]
|style="vertical-align:top"|
|<center>'''Dioceses of Belgium'''</center><br>Antwerpen (Anvers)<br>Brugge (Bruges)<br>Gent (Gand)<br>Hasselt<br>Liège (Luik)<br>Mechelen (Malines)<br>Namur (Namen)<br>Tournai (Doornik)<br>
|}


'''Research use: '''Usually information given is quite complete and identifies parents and other relationships. There are gaps, however, in many parish registers.
==State Archives==


'''Record type:''' Births and baptisms; marriages, marriage proclamations; deaths and burials; confirmations; church censuses, memberships, and family registers.  
The State Archives of Belgium (''Rijksarchief in België/Les Archives de l'Etat en Belgique'') has digitized church and civil status registers. In addition, there are over 42 million names in their ''Persons in the database of the State Archives.'' Searchable databases are online at [https://genealogie.arch.be/ Genealogical sources] at the State Archives of Belgium. The site is available in English, French, German or Dutch (see top right corner).  


'''Time period: '''1500s-present. Many early church records were destroyed during the Thirty Years’ War 1618-1648 and in subsequent conflicts. Generally registers exist for the following denominations:
===GeneaKnowHow===
Some church records can be found on the site [http://geneaknowhow.net/digi/bronnen.html Geneaknowhow], which contains many links to local genealogical websites and sources.


*Roman Catholic (Rooms Katholieke, Eglise catholique) 1527-
==Information Content==
*Dutch Reformed (Nederlands Hervormde) 1553-
*Church records (''Parochieregisters / Kerkelijke registers / Registres paroissiaux'') 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).
*French Reformed (Waals Hervormde, Eglise réformée) 1583-
*Records are written in Latin for Catholics (legal religion before 1781) or in the local language, either Dutch, French or German.
*Evangelical Lutheran (Evangelisch Lutherse, Eglise luthérienne) 1590-
*Besides the Catholic majority, there were a small number of Dutch Reformed (''Nederlands Hervormde''), French Reformed ''(Église Réformée'') and Lutheran churches, and Jews.
*Old Catholic (Oud Katholieke) 1615-
*For most localities, digital copies of church records are included in the civil registration online collection.
*German Reformed (Evangelisch Hervormde) 1615-
*In about 1796, Church records were used by the civil government to keep vital records.
*Baptist/Mennonite (Doopsgezinde, Eglise baptiste) 1622-
*Roman Catholicism has been the pre-dominant religion in Belgium.
*Anglican (Engelse) 1698-  
*Church records can start as early as the 1500s, but in many parishes they do not start until well into the 1700s.
*Jews (Joodse gemeende, Congrégation Juive) 1709-
*Greek Catholic (Grieks Katholieke) 1798-


'''Contents:'''
=== Baptisms===
*'''Baptismal/birth records:''' Baptism and/or birth dates; children’s names, parents’ residence and names (sometimes mother's maiden name is given); witnesses’ and godparents’ names, and sometimes their residence and relationships to infants.
Catholics traditionally baptized children a few days after birth. A typical baptism record includes:
*'''Marriage records:''' Candidates’ names, marriage and/or proclamation dates; often parents’ names, birth places, residence, witnesses and former spouses.  
* The name of the baptized
*'''Death/burial records:''' Name of deceased, death and/or burial dates; often age and/or birth date and cause of death; residence, spouse’s name, especially for women; parents’ names for deceased children.  
* The date of baptism, and sometimes the birth date
*'''Confirmation records:''' Children were confirmed between the ages of 7 and 12. Candidates name, age, residence and father’s name. Church censuses, membership lists, family registers: Names of married couples, their ages or birth dates and places, sometimes marriage dates, childrens’ names, ages or birth dates, death or burial dates of children. Sometimes marriage dates and names of spouses of children are given.
* The names of the parents, usually including the mother's maiden name  
*'''Donations before death or for masses for the dead:''' Names of husbands and wives, and sometimes other family members.  
* The names of godparents or witnesses
* Sometimes the residence of the parents, the relationship between witnesses and child, and whether the child was illegitimate
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.
[[File:Belgium, Oost Vlaanderen, Parish Registers DGS 4455752 46 Baptism.jpg|thumb|A Latin baptism record]]
===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
[[File:Map of Eparchies of Serbian Orthodox Church in Europe.png|300px|thumb|right|<center> Eparchies of Serbian Orthodox Church in Europe (including Belgium)</center>]]


'''Location: '''Provincial, state, municipal and church archives.  
===Confirmations===
Children were confirmed between the ages of 7 and 12.  
*Candidates name
*Age
*Residence
*Father’s name


'''Population coverage:''' 20% before 1700; 50-70% after 1700.<ref name="profile">The Family History Department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, “Family History Record Profile: Belgium,” Word document, private files of the FamilySearch Content Strategy Team, 1987-1999.</ref>


=== Marriage contracts and banns (Huwelijksvoorwaarden en bijlagen, Contrats de mariage)  ===
'''Research use:'''Gives marriage information, identifies family relationships, shows places of residence not shown in parish registers.
'''Record type:''' Marriage information and documentation.
'''Time Period:''' 1300-present.
'''Content: '''Couples’ names, marriage intention dates, residences, occupations, witnesses’ names, often parents’ names and sometimes other relationships.
'''Location: '''City, state and church archives.
'''Population coverage:''' Possibly 5-10%.<ref name="profile" />
he old Parish Registers are of great use to the genealogists. They include:
*Baptism Records - note the sponsors, i.e., godparents and their place of origin
*Marriage Records - note the witnesses
*Deaths or Burials - often disconcertingly sparse in information
Alphabetical indexes by parish are available and could comprise more than one village. All of these records are generally kept at the National Archives (Archives générales du Royaume) for the Brabant Province, and at the State Archives in each of the other Provinces (see list above for addresses). They are sometimes found in City Archives (Brussels, Antwerp, and Mechelen for example).
Depending on the parish, the records go back to the early 18th century, and in some cases, to the 17th and 16th centuries. Although some may not have been available, all of Belgium’s Parish registers that are extant have been microfilmed, along with their indexes (Tables). In an effort to preserve the records in Brussels (AGR), using the microfilms is preferred over handling the originals.
Parish records sometimes give minimal information, such as missing parents’ names on christening records. In such cases, it is vital to take note of the godparents or sponsors to establish kinship.
Belgian genealogists have created a huge national file that contains all old Parish registers Indexes. This should prove invaluable to all researchers.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has microfilmed and is continuing to microfilm these records for all of Belgium for the Archives Générales du Royaume (AGR) as the privacy laws permit. The microfilms can be viewed at the Archives’ facilities or through a Family History Center. Check the FamilySearch Catalog at [http://www.familysearch.org/ http://www.familysearch.org] to find the one you need.
== References  ==
== References  ==


Latest revision as of 09:56, 10 April 2024


Belgium Wiki Topics
Flag of Belgium
Belgium Beginning Research
Record Types
Belgium Background
Belgium Genealogical Word Lists
Local Research Resources

Online Records

Catholic Diocese Information

BelgischeBisdommen.png
Dioceses of Belgium

Antwerpen (Anvers)
Brugge (Bruges)
Gent (Gand)
Hasselt
Liège (Luik)
Mechelen (Malines)
Namur (Namen)
Tournai (Doornik)

State Archives

The State Archives of Belgium (Rijksarchief in België/Les Archives de l'Etat en Belgique) has digitized church and civil status registers. In addition, there are over 42 million names in their Persons in the database of the State Archives. Searchable databases are online at Genealogical sources at the State Archives of Belgium. The site is available in English, French, German or Dutch (see top right corner).

GeneaKnowHow

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

Information Content

  • Church records (Parochieregisters / Kerkelijke registers / Registres paroissiaux) 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).
  • Records are written in Latin for Catholics (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, and Jews.
  • 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.
  • Church records can start as early as the 1500s, but in many parishes they do not start until well into the 1700s.

Baptisms

Catholics traditionally baptized children a few days after birth. A typical baptism record includes:

  • 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

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.

A Latin baptism record

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
Eparchies of Serbian Orthodox Church in Europe (including Belgium)

Confirmations

Children were confirmed between the ages of 7 and 12.

  • Candidates name
  • Age
  • Residence
  • Father’s name


References

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