Belgium Naturalization and Citizenship
Naturalization and name adoption records (Naamsaanneming registers, Lettres de naturalisation)
Research use: Patronymic surnames were common in Dutch provinces prior to 1795. After that all citizens were required to adopt a fixed surname. These records are used to determine prior naming patterns and residences.
Record type: Naturalization and assignment of surnames for patronymic families and Jews.
Time Period: 1635- present.
Content: Heads of families’ previous and new residences, names, ages and/or birth dates, number or names and ages of children and grandchildren, marks or signatures.
Location: Provincial, state, city and municipal archives.
Population coverage: 10%.[1]
References
- ↑ The Family History Department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, “Family History Record Profile: Belgium,” Word document, private files of the FamilySearch Content Strategy Team, 1987-1999.