Genealogy Research in Belgium
Charles of Lorraine, founder of Brussels c. 979
Belgium, is a great place to do research because of the wealth of historical material that can be found at the country's many archives, libraries, and other repositories. Some of Belgium's best resources for historical research can be found in Brussels at places like the National Archives of Belgium and Royal Library of Belgium. Another great resource for Belgian genealogy is the FelixArchief, or City Archive, in Antwerp.
In addition to country-level archives, records can also be found locally at various church parishes, public libraries, and civil registry offices. Many records are also now available online at a number of great websites including Ancestry.com and FamilySearch, which both have large searchable databases relating to Belgian history and genealogy.
There are a number of ways to get copies of vital records (birth, marriage, and death certificates) in Belgium. Belgium began countrywide registration of vital records in 1796, but church parish registers, which would include baptismal, marriage, and burial records, can be found throughout Belgium, many dating back to the 1600s, or even earlier. Some of these records are now available online at Ancestry.com and FamilySearch, or on microfilm at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. However, most civil and church records in Belgium would be found at local church parishes and civil registration offices at the local level with the help of a professional genealogist.
The Family History Library holds a large collection of records relating to Belgium. This is the largest and most important genealogy collection in the world and is worth a visit to explore the many billions of records that can be found there. Published material consists of books, microfilm, microfiche, and other records for all areas of Belgium. The Family History Library also has smaller family history centers located throughout the world where you can order microfilm and have these records shipped to the local area where you live. The library has also transcribed and indexed billions of Belgian church records, civil registers, published histories, censuses, and other types of records which are available online at FamilySearch.org.
In addition to country-level archives, records can also be found locally at various church parishes, public libraries, and civil registry offices. Many records are also now available online at a number of great websites including Ancestry.com and FamilySearch, which both have large searchable databases relating to Belgian history and genealogy.
There are a number of ways to get copies of vital records (birth, marriage, and death certificates) in Belgium. Belgium began countrywide registration of vital records in 1796, but church parish registers, which would include baptismal, marriage, and burial records, can be found throughout Belgium, many dating back to the 1600s, or even earlier. Some of these records are now available online at Ancestry.com and FamilySearch, or on microfilm at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. However, most civil and church records in Belgium would be found at local church parishes and civil registration offices at the local level with the help of a professional genealogist.
The Family History Library holds a large collection of records relating to Belgium. This is the largest and most important genealogy collection in the world and is worth a visit to explore the many billions of records that can be found there. Published material consists of books, microfilm, microfiche, and other records for all areas of Belgium. The Family History Library also has smaller family history centers located throughout the world where you can order microfilm and have these records shipped to the local area where you live. The library has also transcribed and indexed billions of Belgian church records, civil registers, published histories, censuses, and other types of records which are available online at FamilySearch.org.
The Belgian Diaspora
National flag of Belgium
If your goal is to trace your immigrant ancestors back to their place of origin, it is important to first locate the many different types of records that your ancestors left behind in places like the United States, Canada, and elsewhere. Records like ships' passenger lists, naturalization petitions, censuses, military records, vital records, obituaries, and cemetery records can often provide you with information about your ancestor's birthplace, names of relatives, and other important information. This will help you narrow your search parameters when your ancestry search continues overseas. It is generally not possible to locate family records in Belgium without first conducting extensive research in the places where your ancestors immigrated to.
Getting Started with Your Research
Brussels circa 1610
Many people wonder where they should begin with their family history research in Belgium. If you are new to genealogical research, the first thing you'll need to do is to start building a family tree with the information you already have at your disposal. There are some great genealogy software programs available that will help you get started with this process. Family Tree Maker, Legacy Family Tree, Family Historian, and RootsMagic all make great programs that can help organize your research.
Get started by first creating a pedigree chart for yourself and family group sheets for your parents, grandparents, and other close family members. You can download free copies of these forms at FamilySearch.org and Ancestry.com. You can also create these records using a genealogy software program. Family group sheets allow you to record information like family members' birth dates, marriage dates, death dates, burial places, spouses' names, and other information that will be helpful to you as your research progresses. Interview living relatives and take notes about the major events of their lives. Add this information to your family files so that you will have a strong foundation of information as you move forward with your project.
During the initial stages of your research, you can accomplish a great deal using online resources. It is highly recommended that you get subscriptions to websites like Ancestry.com to help with your ongoing research. Information can also be found for free at FamilySearch.org. Many types of records including censuses, vital records, obituaries, and immigration records are available online and will help you put in place the building blocks for the first part of your family tree. Using a combination of online resources along with more traditional archival research will allow you to create a thoroughly documented family history.
Get started by first creating a pedigree chart for yourself and family group sheets for your parents, grandparents, and other close family members. You can download free copies of these forms at FamilySearch.org and Ancestry.com. You can also create these records using a genealogy software program. Family group sheets allow you to record information like family members' birth dates, marriage dates, death dates, burial places, spouses' names, and other information that will be helpful to you as your research progresses. Interview living relatives and take notes about the major events of their lives. Add this information to your family files so that you will have a strong foundation of information as you move forward with your project.
During the initial stages of your research, you can accomplish a great deal using online resources. It is highly recommended that you get subscriptions to websites like Ancestry.com to help with your ongoing research. Information can also be found for free at FamilySearch.org. Many types of records including censuses, vital records, obituaries, and immigration records are available online and will help you put in place the building blocks for the first part of your family tree. Using a combination of online resources along with more traditional archival research will allow you to create a thoroughly documented family history.
Bruges, Belgium circa 1775
A professional genealogist could also be helpful to your research in Belgium. With the expertise and knowledge of a skilled researcher, you can have someone visit local archives and libraries on your behalf throughout Belgium. This is especially helpful if you don't live in the area and don't have ready access to court, land, and many other types of records that can often only be found after a visit to a local courthouse, public library, historical society, or council office. If you would like a professional genealogist to assist you with your ongoing research, please click here.
It is important when carrying out your research that you are thorough in documenting your family tree. Don't overlook the importance of finding your ancestor's siblings, cousins, and other close relatives. Brick walls are often encountered in genealogical research. To get beyond an apparent impasse it is often worthwhile to approach your research holistically. Many researchers who are new to genealogy often just want to get back as far as possible along a direct paternal or maternal family line. However, it is often the death certificates, obituaries, or other records relating to your ancestor's siblings and other relatives that will provide you with the breakthroughs you are looking for.
It is important when carrying out your research that you are thorough in documenting your family tree. Don't overlook the importance of finding your ancestor's siblings, cousins, and other close relatives. Brick walls are often encountered in genealogical research. To get beyond an apparent impasse it is often worthwhile to approach your research holistically. Many researchers who are new to genealogy often just want to get back as far as possible along a direct paternal or maternal family line. However, it is often the death certificates, obituaries, or other records relating to your ancestor's siblings and other relatives that will provide you with the breakthroughs you are looking for.
Administrative Areas of Belgium
Many Belgian family records can be found online and at various archives and libraries located throughout the country. Many millions of records aren't yet available online, though, and many of these are awaiting your discovery at the local level at civil registry offices, church parishes, cemeteries, and elsewhere in Belgium. To find these and other records, click on the links below to discover more information about the specific places where your ancestors lived. You'll find information on these pages that will lead you to the specific documentation you're searching for.
It is important to keep in mind when doing research that the names and boundaries of certain areas in Belgium have changed over the past few hundred years. For example, your ancestors may have lived on a certain farm in one area and when borders were redrawn records relating to your family might have been located in another area entirely. When looking for records it is therefore a good idea to search in adjacent areas. Following is a complete list of Belgium's present administrative areas, along with links leading to where to find records in all of these places.
It is important to keep in mind when doing research that the names and boundaries of certain areas in Belgium have changed over the past few hundred years. For example, your ancestors may have lived on a certain farm in one area and when borders were redrawn records relating to your family might have been located in another area entirely. When looking for records it is therefore a good idea to search in adjacent areas. Following is a complete list of Belgium's present administrative areas, along with links leading to where to find records in all of these places.
ProvincesNone
|
Regions |
Arrondissements3
6
2
7
4
3
5
3
1
1
8
|
Municipalities69
60
65
69
84
42
44
38
19
27
64
|