Belgium Genealogy

Europe Belgium

Belgium Wiki Topics

Beginning Research
Research Strategies Record Finder Finding Towns of Origin Online Learning
Record Types
Cemeteries Church History Church Records Civil Registration Directories Emigration & Immigration Compiled Genealogies Jewish Records Land and Property Military Records Naturalization and Citizenship	Notarial Records Occupations Online Genealogy Records Periodicals Poorhouses, Poor Law, etc. Population Registers Probate Records Religious Records Schools and Education Records Taxation
Belgium Background
Dutch Words List French Word List Gazetteers German Word List History Languages	Latin Word List Maps Naming Customs Social Life & Customs For Further Reading
Local Research Resources
Archives and Libraries Societies FamilySearch Centers
Moderator
The FamilySearch moderator for Belgium is Daniel Jones.

Guide to Belgium ancestry, family history, and genealogy birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records.

Country Information[edit | edit source]

Since the middle ages, Belgium has been dominated by powerful nations such as Spain, France, and the Netherlands. Although its social, political, and religious identity has evolved over these many years it began 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.

Getting Started[edit | edit source]

Getting Started with "Country" Research

Links to articles on getting started with United States research.

See More Research Strategies

"Country" Research Tools

Links to articles and websites that assist in United States research.

Record Finder
[Boundary Changes Maps]
Archives and Libraries

See More Research Tools

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"Country" Clickable Map[edit | edit source]

Genealogy records are kept on the state level in the United States. Click on a state below to go to the state Wiki article listing more information.

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Jurisdictions[edit | edit source]

Brussels* (Bruxelles) capital region

Flanders* region (five provinces) -- Dutch Speaking:

Antwerpen (Antwerp) Province
Limburg Province
Oost-Vlaanderen (East Flanders) Province
Vlaams-Brabant (Flemish Brabant) Province
West-Vlaanderen (West Flanders) Province

Brussels* (Bruxelles) capital region

Wallonia Region (five provinces) -- French Speaking:

Brabant Wallon (Walloon Brabant) Province
Hainaut Province
Liège 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.

More United States Research Strategies[edit | edit source]

Research strategies give guidance on how to research or what records to search for first. Below are additional research strategy Wiki articles for the United States.

More "Country" Research Tools[edit | edit source]

Research tools can include resources that assist in locating correct records to search and determining the correct locality to search in. Below are links and Wiki articles to research tools in the United States.

FamilySearch Resources[edit | edit source]

Below are FamilySearch resources that can assist you in resourcing your family.

Facebook Communities - Facebook groups discussing genealogy research
Learning Center - Online genealogy courses
Historical Records
Family History Center locator map

GEO Belgium Map lg.jpg

Getting started with Belgium research[edit | edit source]

Jurisdictions[edit | edit source]

Research Tools[edit | edit source]

(language dictionary, handwriting guide or tutorial, etc.)
(helpful tools and resources, gazetteers)

The following information comes from the periodical "Belgian Laces": Here is a website 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 Métiers contains a short list of occupations (in French)

Dictionnaires offers 3 choices:

A 1802 Geographic Dictionary of all Departments in France (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 are expecting to add more books in the future. Nine are currently underway.

Bibliothèque - under Construction - will offer

Etymology

Toponymy

History of Belgium

Dictionary of localities

Wiki articles describing online collections are found at:

Help Wanted[edit | edit source]

In order to make this wiki a better research tool, we need your help! Many tasks need to be done. You can help by:

To add your knowledge and help expand the wiki click here:

Did you know?[edit | edit source]

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

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