Netherlands Notarial Records: Difference between revisions

From FamilySearch Wiki
(Changing links and wording from outlines to Wiki articles)
(Removed TOC (will be adde back in the correct place later).)
Tag: Manual revert
 
(48 intermediate revisions by 13 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
[https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/The_Netherlands Netherlands Homepage] <br>Notarial records [''notariële akten''] are records prepared by a notary public [''notaris'']. Notary publics were quasigovernment officials who received their appointment by the provincial court upon recommendation of the officials of the town where they planned on practicing. The notarial system is based on Roman law and was established in the Netherlands by Charles V in the 1500s. With a few exceptions, there were no notaries in the provinces of Drenthe, Friesland, Gelderland, Groningen, Limburg (some parts), and Overijssel. Notaries became government employees in 1811 and were appointed in the provinces where formerly there were none.  
{{CountrySidebar
|Country=Netherlands
|Name=Netherlands
|Type=Topic
|Topic Type=Records
|Records=Notarial Records
|Rating=Standardized
}}{{breadcrumb
| link1=[[Netherlands Genealogy|Netherlands]]
| link2=
| link3=
| link4=
| link5=[[Netherlands Notarial Records|Notarial Records]]
}}
<div id="fsButtons"><span class="online_records_button">[[Netherlands Online Genealogy Records]]</span></div>
<br>
 
==Online Resources==
*'''1600-1800s''' [https://www.openarch.nl/indexen/21/notariele_archieven Netherlands, Notarial Records] at OpenArch
*'''1600-1935''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10754/netherlands-notarial-records-1600-1935?utm_source=organic_blog&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=supersearch&tr_funnel=supersearch&tr_country=US&tr_creative=dec19firsthalf&utm_content=dec19firsthalf Netherlands, Notarial Records, 1600-1935] at MyHeritage - index ($)
*[https://archief.amsterdam/indexen/persons Amsterdam city records (including notarial records)] at Amsterdam city archive
*[https://haagsgemeentearchief.nl/archieven-mais/overzicht?mivast=59&mizig=210&miadt=59&micode=0372-01&milang=nl&miview=inv2#inv3t10 the Hague (den Haag) notarial records] (images of handwritten index of people's names) - see also [https://rollemagenealogie.nl/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/ONA-Den-Haag-index-1670-1811-voor-website.pdf images at FamilySearch]
*[https://stadsarchief.rotterdam.nl/zoek-en-ontdek/notariele-akten/ Rotterdam city notarial records] at Rotterdam archive (limited results; indexing still in process)
*[http://hetutrechtsarchief.nl/onderzoek/resultaten/archieven?mivast=39&mizig=199&miadt=39&milang=nl&miview=ldt Utrecht city notarial records] at Het Utrechts Archief
 
==Introduction==
{| style="float:right"
|-
| style="padding-right:0px"|
[[Image:Notarial records.png|thumb|<center>Notarial records before 1811. Areas in green indicate heavy coverage. Areas in red indicate no coverage.</center>]]
|}
Notarial records [''notariële akten''] are records prepared by a notary public [''notaris'']. Notaries public were quasigovernment officials who received their appointment by the provincial court upon recommendation of the officials of the town where they planned on practicing. The notarial system is based on Roman law and was established in the Netherlands by Charles V in 1531.<ref name=Gehlen>Gehlen, A. Fl. ''Notariële Akten uit de 17e en 18e Eeuw: Handleiding voor Gebruikers (Notarial Documents from the 17th and 18th Centuries: Handbook for Users),'' p. X; Zutphen: De Walburg Pers, 1986. (FS Library book 949.2 N37g.)</ref> With a few exceptions, there were no notaries in the provinces of Drenthe, Friesland, Gelderland, Groningen, Overijssel, and most of Limburg. In 1811, notaries were appointed in all provinces and became government employees.  


Notarial records often do not contain their own indexes. Fortunately, the Dutch archives are indexing the notarial records. Always check for the existence of indexes before using the records. Large towns had several notaries at one time. Cumulative indexes for these places will save you an enormous amount of time. For example, such indexes have been created for Amsterdam, Breda, Dordrecht, Haarlem, ’s-Gravenhage, Rotterdam, and Utrecht.  
Notarial records often do not contain their own indexes. Fortunately, the Dutch archives are indexing the notarial records. Always check for the existence of indexes before using the records. Large towns had several notaries at one time. Cumulative indexes for these places will save you an enormous amount of time. For example, such indexes have been created for Amsterdam, Breda, Dordrecht, Haarlem, ’s-Gravenhage, Rotterdam, and Utrecht.  
Line 5: Line 36:
While you will find all kinds of legal documents in notarial records, the most useful for genealogical research include:  
While you will find all kinds of legal documents in notarial records, the most useful for genealogical research include:  


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


A very useful handbook for notarial records is:  
A very useful handbook for notarial records is:  


Gehlen, A. Fl. ''Notariële Akten uit de 17e en 18e Eeuw: Handleiding voor Gebruikers (Notarial Documents from the 17th and 18th Centuries: Handbook for Users).'' Zutphen: De Walburg Pers, 1986. (FHL book 949.2 N37g.)  
Gehlen, A. Fl. ''Notariële Akten uit de 17e en 18e Eeuw: Handleiding voor Gebruikers (Notarial Documents from the 17th and 18th Centuries: Handbook for Users).'' Zutphen: De Walburg Pers, 1986. (FS Library book 949.2 N37g.)


=== Locating Notarial Records ===
==Accessing Notarial Records==


While some notarial records have been destroyed, many still survive. They are found in the state, regional, and municipal archives. The following book describes the whereabouts of all known notarial records; it is arranged by locality and by the name of the notary:  
While some notarial records have been destroyed, many still survive. They are found in the state, regional, and municipal archives. The following book describes the whereabouts of all known notarial records; the two sections are arranged by the name of the notary and by locality:  


*Hartong, F. L. ''Register der Protocollen van Notarissen in Nederland: Samengesteld in Opdracht van de Broederschap der Notarissen in Nederland van [circa] 1550 tot Heden (Register of Notarial Records in the Netherlands from about 1550 to Today).'' [Rotterdam]: De Broederschap, 1916. (FHL book 949.2 N24h; film 599146 item 1.)
*[https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/800863-redirection Hartong, F. L. ''Register der Protocollen van Notarissen in Nederland: Samengesteld in Opdracht van de Broederschap der Notarissen in Nederland van circa 1550 tot Heden (Register of Notarial Records in the Netherlands from about 1550 to Today).''] [Rotterdam]: De Broederschap, 1916.


If you do not find records for your ancestor’s town of residence, try searching the records of nearby towns. Most notaries had clients from a wide geographical area. Furthermore, families often continued using the same notary even though they had moved elsewhere.  
If you do not find records for your ancestor’s town of residence, try searching the records of nearby towns. Most notaries had clients from a wide geographical area. Furthermore, families often continued using the same notary even though they had moved elsewhere.  


=== Records at the Family History Library ===
===Records at the FamilySearch Library===


The Family History Library has many Dutch notarial records on microfilm. Most are from the provinces of Noord–Holland, Zuid–Holland, Utrecht, and Zeeland and are pre–1811 records. Check the Family History Library Catalog under:  
The FamilySearch Library has many Dutch notarial records on microfilm. Most are from the provinces of Noord–Holland, Zuid–Holland, Utrecht, and Zeeland and are pre–1811 records. Check the FamilySearch Catalog under:  


NETHERLANDS, [PROVINCE] – NOTARIAL RECORDS  
NETHERLANDS, [PROVINCE] – NOTARIAL RECORDS  
Line 32: Line 63:
NETHERLANDS, [PROVINCE], [TOWN] – NOTARIAL RECORDS  
NETHERLANDS, [PROVINCE], [TOWN] – NOTARIAL RECORDS  


In many ways, notarial records are simply a subset of court records. Both contain the same kinds of documents. For that reason you should use this article in connection with the [[Netherlands Court Records]]&nbsp;and [[Netherlands Guardianship]].  
In many ways, notarial records are simply a subset of court records. Both contain the same kinds of documents. For that reason you should use this article in connection with the [[Netherlands Court Records]] and [[Netherlands Guardianship]].  
 
 


[[Category:Netherlands]]
[[Category:Netherlands]]
[[Category:Court Records by Country]]

Latest revision as of 19:36, 20 March 2024


Netherlands Wiki Topics
Flag of Netherlands
Netherlands Beginning Research
Record Types
Netherlands Background
Netherlands Genealogical Word Lists
Cultural Groups
Local Research Resources


Online Resources[edit | edit source]

Introduction[edit | edit source]

Notarial records before 1811. Areas in green indicate heavy coverage. Areas in red indicate no coverage.

Notarial records [notariële akten] are records prepared by a notary public [notaris]. Notaries public were quasigovernment officials who received their appointment by the provincial court upon recommendation of the officials of the town where they planned on practicing. The notarial system is based on Roman law and was established in the Netherlands by Charles V in 1531.[1] With a few exceptions, there were no notaries in the provinces of Drenthe, Friesland, Gelderland, Groningen, Overijssel, and most of Limburg. In 1811, notaries were appointed in all provinces and became government employees.

Notarial records often do not contain their own indexes. Fortunately, the Dutch archives are indexing the notarial records. Always check for the existence of indexes before using the records. Large towns had several notaries at one time. Cumulative indexes for these places will save you an enormous amount of time. For example, such indexes have been created for Amsterdam, Breda, Dordrecht, Haarlem, ’s-Gravenhage, Rotterdam, and Utrecht.

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].

A very useful handbook for notarial records is:

Gehlen, A. Fl. Notariële Akten uit de 17e en 18e Eeuw: Handleiding voor Gebruikers (Notarial Documents from the 17th and 18th Centuries: Handbook for Users). Zutphen: De Walburg Pers, 1986. (FS Library book 949.2 N37g.)

Accessing Notarial Records[edit | edit source]

While some notarial records have been destroyed, many still survive. They are found in the state, regional, and municipal archives. The following book describes the whereabouts of all known notarial records; the two sections are arranged by the name of the notary and by locality:

If you do not find records for your ancestor’s town of residence, try searching the records of nearby towns. Most notaries had clients from a wide geographical area. Furthermore, families often continued using the same notary even though they had moved elsewhere.

Records at the FamilySearch Library[edit | edit source]

The FamilySearch Library has many Dutch notarial records on microfilm. Most are from the provinces of Noord–Holland, Zuid–Holland, Utrecht, and Zeeland and are pre–1811 records. Check the FamilySearch Catalog under:

NETHERLANDS, [PROVINCE] – NOTARIAL RECORDS

NETHERLANDS, [PROVINCE], [TOWN] – NOTARIAL RECORDS

In many ways, notarial records are simply a subset of court records. Both contain the same kinds of documents. For that reason you should use this article in connection with the Netherlands Court Records and Netherlands Guardianship.

  1. Gehlen, A. Fl. Notariële Akten uit de 17e en 18e Eeuw: Handleiding voor Gebruikers (Notarial Documents from the 17th and 18th Centuries: Handbook for Users), p. X; Zutphen: De Walburg Pers, 1986. (FS Library book 949.2 N37g.)