Belgium

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

WWI casualties (1914-1918)

• 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
• Digital Resources the Netherlands And Belgium

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

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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