22,302
edits
no edit summary
Gublerjones (talk | contribs) No edit summary |
|||
| Line 5: | Line 5: | ||
| link4= | | link4= | ||
| link5=[[Belgium Church Records|Church Records]] | | link5=[[Belgium Church Records|Church Records]] | ||
}}In the period before 1795, | }}In the period before 1795, church records (''Parochieregisters, Kerkelijke registers, Registres paroissiaux'') are the main genealogical resource in Belgium. The main types of church records are: baptisms, marriages, burials, and confirmations. The records will be written in Latin for Catholics (the vast majority of the population, and the only 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, as well as some Jews. | ||
The earliest start in the 1500s, but in many parishes they do not start until well into the 1700s. | The earliest start in the 1500s, but in many parishes they do not start until well into the 1700s. After 1795, [[Belgium Civil Registration|Civil Registration]] is the major source for births, marriages and deaths in Belgium. | ||
==Online Records== | ==Online Records== | ||
*'''1668-1875''' {{RecordSearch|4147974|Belgium, Limburg, Lommel, Civil Registration and Church Records, 1668-1875}} at FamilySearch - index and images | *'''1668-1875''' {{RecordSearch|4147974|Belgium, Limburg, Lommel, Civil Registration and Church Records, 1668-1875}} at FamilySearch - index and images | ||
==Information Content== | ==Information Content== | ||
=== Baptisms=== | === Baptisms=== | ||
Catholics traditionally | Catholics traditionally baptized children a few days after birth. A typical baptism record includes: | ||
* The name of the baptized | * The name of the baptized | ||
* The date of baptism, and sometimes the birth date | * The date of baptism, and sometimes the birth date | ||
* The names of the parents, | * The names of the parents, usually including the mother's maiden name | ||
* The names of godparents or witnesses | * The names of godparents or witnesses | ||
* Sometimes the residence of the parents, the relationship between witnesses and child, and whether the child was illegitimate | * Sometimes the residence of the parents, the relationship between witnesses and child, and whether the child was illegitimate | ||
| Line 24: | Line 24: | ||
* The names of the bride and groom | * The names of the bride and groom | ||
* The date of marriage | * The date of marriage | ||
* Sometimes place of origin | |||
* Whether they were single, divorced or widowed. Any previous spouses may be named | * Whether they were single, divorced or widowed. Any previous spouses may be named | ||
* The witnesses to the marriage | * The witnesses to the marriage | ||
* Sometimes | * Sometimes parents' names, birthplaces and residences | ||
=== Marriage Contracts and | === Marriage Contracts and Banns === | ||
*Couples’ names | *Couples’ names | ||
* | *Marriage intention dates | ||
* | *Residences | ||
* | *Occupations | ||
* | *Witnesses’ names | ||
* | *Sometimes parents’ names and sometimes other relationships. | ||
=== Burials === | === Burials === | ||
A typical burial record includes: | A typical burial record includes: | ||
* The name of the deceased | * The name of the deceased | ||
* The date of burial | * The date of burial | ||
* The spouse or widow of the deceased for married women, and the | * The spouse or widow of the deceased for married women, and the parents' names for children | ||
* Sometimes additional information such as age or residence | * Sometimes additional information such as age or residence | ||
===Confirmations=== | ===Confirmations=== | ||
Children were confirmed between the ages of 7 and 12. | Children were confirmed between the ages of 7 and 12. | ||
*Candidates name | *Candidates name | ||
* | *Age | ||
* | *Residence | ||
* | *Father’s name | ||
===Other Records=== | ===Other Records=== | ||
'''Church censuses, membership lists, family registers:''' Names of married couples, their ages or birth dates and places, sometimes marriage dates, | '''Church censuses, membership lists, family registers:''' Names of married couples, their ages or birth dates and places, sometimes marriage dates, children's names, ages or birth dates, death or burial dates of children. Sometimes marriage dates and names of spouses of children are given. <br> | ||
'''Donations before death or for masses for the dead:''' Names of husbands and wives, and sometimes other family members. | '''Donations before death or for masses for the dead:''' Names of husbands and wives, and sometimes other family members. | ||
| Line 62: | Line 65: | ||
===Online at the State Archives=== | ===Online at the State Archives=== | ||
The State [i.e. Federal] Archives of Belgium | The State [i.e. Federal] Archives of Belgium (''Rijksarchief in België/Les Archives de l'Etat en Belgique'') has images and some indexes of church records . Free [https://search.arch.be/en/login/registration registration] is required to view the records The site comes in English, French, German or Dutch (see top left corner). | ||
Most of the records are available only as images. They can be [https://search.arch.be/en/themas/tips/507-church-registers-en browsed here]. A few have been indexed. They can be [https://search.arch.be/en/zoeken-naar-personen searched here]. The images placed online are not necessarily the entirety of the records are available- the remaining records would need to be viewed in person at the archives. Nonetheless, the vast majority have been placed online. | Most of the records are available only as images. They can be [https://search.arch.be/en/themas/tips/507-church-registers-en browsed here]. A few have been indexed. They can be [https://search.arch.be/en/zoeken-naar-personen searched here]. The images placed online are not necessarily the entirety of the records are available - the remaining records would need to be viewed in person at the archives. Nonetheless, the vast majority have been placed online. | ||
===GeneaKnowHow=== | ===GeneaKnowHow=== | ||