Belgium Genealogy

Getting started with Belgium research Since 1830 Belgium was 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 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 Useful websites: Familiekunde Vlaanderen forum-yahoo-groepen Forum Familiekunde Vlaanderen Belgium Genealogy Links The Belgium-Roots Project Belgium Genealogy Forum The Belgium Researchers This web-site includes WWI and WWII Belgian-American draft cards Genealogy Research Belgium Genealogy: Belgium Belgium Tourism Directory of Royal Genealogical Data (helpful tools and resources, gazetteers) (language dictionary, handwriting guide or tutorial, etc.) 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... 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)