Belgium Genealogy

Getting started with Belgium research Since the middle ages, Belgium has been dominated by powerful nations such as Spain, France, and the Netherlandsd.  Although it social, political, and relgious identity has evolved over these many years it began to earnestly striving to gain its independence from the Netherlands in 1830. The London Convention of April 19 1839, also known as the Article XXIV of the Convention, marks the recognition of the Belgian independence. Belgium was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II. The country prospered in the past half century as a modern, technologically advanced European state and member of NATO and the EU. Tensions between the Dutch-speaking Flemings of the north and the French-speaking Walloons of the south have led in recent years to constitutional amendments granting these regions formal recognition and autonomy. Jurisdictions Brussels* (Bruxelles) capital region Flanders* region (five provinces): Antwerpen (Antwerp) Province WWI casualties (1914-1918) Limburg Province Oost-Vlaanderen (East Flanders) Province Vlaams-Brabant (Flemish Brabant) Province West-Vlaanderen (West Flanders) Province Wallonia Region (five provinces): Brabant Wallon (Walloon Brabant) Province Hainaut Province Liege Province Luxembourg Province Namur Province Note: as a result of the 1993 constitutional revision that furthered devolution into a federal state, there are now three levels of government (federal, regional, and linguistic community) with a complex division of responsibilities. Research Tools Websites Belgium, Antwerp Police Immigration Index (FamilySearch Historical Records) (language dictionary, handwriting guide or tutorial, etc.) (helpful tools and resources, gazetteers) The following information comes from the periodical "Belgian Laces": Here is a web-site that will help you find villages or towns that may no longer exist on current Belgian maps: Notre Belgique Under "Coin Lecture" you will find 4 choices: Le Saviez-vous gives you a story behind the creation of Belgium's National Anthem, "La Brabançonne" Vieux Metiers contains a short list of occupations (in French) Dictionnaires offers 3 choices: A 1802 Geographic Dictionary of all Departments in Frnace (3 volumes in alphabetical order) A Geographic dictionary of the 13 Departments in Belgium and East of the Rhein River (2 volumes) A 1882 Belgian Geographic dictionary They ar expecting to add more books in the future. Nine are currently underway. Bibliotheque - under Construction - will offer Etymology Toponymy History of Belgium Dictionary of localities Help Wanted In order to make this wiki a better research tool, we need your help! Many tasks need to be done. You can help by: Expand an articleor short page Create a new article Categorize articles Add external links to articles Add internal links to articles Other... FamilySearch Historical Record Collections Online collections containing these records are located in FamilySearch.org. Wiki articles describing these collections are found at: Belgium, Anthwerp Police Immigration Index (FamilySearch Historical        Records Belgium Births and Baptisms (FamilySearch Historical Records) Belgium Deaths and Burials (FamilySearch Historical Records) Belgium Marriages (FamilySearch Historical Records) Belgium National Civil Registration (FamilySearch Historical Records) Featured Content (Your text or images here) Did you know? That you won't normally find the names of soldiers killed in action in the  "Guldenboek der Vuurkaart" or "Livre d'Or des Cartes de Feu"?  Read more at http://www.tenboome.webruimtehosting.net/guldenboek/Guldenboekprojecttotaal/goldenbook.htm (Your Bullet) (Your Bullet) (Your Bullet) (Your Bullet) (Your Bullet) (Your Bullet) (All text below this is included in a column on the left side of the screen.) News Hot off the Press! more... Topics Civil Registration Golden Book of the Firecard (Guldenboek der Vuurkaart) Maps Population Registers Online Indexes Useful Websites (Your Bullets here)