West Flanders

Genealogy Research in Antwerp, Belgium

Charles of Lorraine, founder of Brussels c. 979

The Belgian province of Antwerp is a great place to do research because of the wealth of historical material that can be found in the province's many archives, libraries, and other repositories. Some of Antwerp's best resources for historical research can be found at the provincial capital in Antwerp, as well as various archives, churches, and libraries throughout the area. Many records are also now available online at a number of great websites including Ancestry.com, MyHeritage, FamilySearch, and the State Archives of Belgium, all of which 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.

Genealogy Resources in Antwerp, 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 in one place 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.

Municipalities

Aartselaar

Antwerp

Arondonk

Baarle-Hertog

Balen

Berlaar

Beerse

Boechout

Bonheiden

Bornem

Boom

Borsbeek

Brasschaat

Brecht

Dessel

Duffel

Edegem

Essen

Geel

Grobbendonk

Heist-op-den-Berg

Hemiksem

Herentals

Herenthout

Herselt

Hoogstraten

Hove

Hulshout

Kalmthout

Kapellen

Kasterlee

Kontich

Laakdal

Lier

Lille

Lint

Malle

Mechelen

Meerhout

Merksplas

Mol

Mortsel

Niel

Nijlen

Olen

Oud-Turnhout

Putte

Puurs-Sint-Amands

Ranst

Ravels

Retie

Rijkevorsel

Rumst

Schelle

Schilde

Schoten

Sint-Katelijne-Waver

Stabroek

Turnhout

Vorselaar

Vosselaar

Westerlo

Wijnegem

Willebroek

Wommelgem

Wuustwezel

Zandhoven

Zoersel

Zwijndrecht

Arrondissement

Antwerp

Turnhout

Mechelen

Turnhout

Antwerp

Mechelen

Antwerp

Turnhout

Mechelen

Antwerp

Turnhout

Mechelen

Antwerp

Turnhout

Antwerp

Turnhout

Antwerp

Turnhout

Antwerp

Turnhout

Mechelen

Turnhout

Antwerp

Mechelen

Turnhout

Antwerp

Mechelen

Turnhout

Mechelen

Antwerp

Turnhout

Antwerp

Mechelen

Antwerp

Turnhout

Antwerp

Mechelen

Antwerp

Province

Antwerp

Region

Flanders