Netherlands Census and Population Registers - FamilySearch Historical Records

Netherlands

What is in This Collection?
The collection consists of images of census records and population registers. Not every municipality is included. Most records cover about 1574-1940. Records are arranged either chronologically, alphabetically, or by neighborhood or village. Some volumes are indexed, and some places contain separate index volumes.

For a list of records by localities, document type and dates currently published in this collection, select the Browse link from the collection landing page.

Reading These Records
These records are written in Dutch. For help reading these records see: FamilySearch Learning Center videos:
 * Dutch Genealogical Word List
 * Netherlands Handwriting
 * Reading Dutch Handwritten Records Lesson 1 - The Dutch Alphabet
 * Reading Dutch Handwritten Records Lesson 2 - Dutch Words and Dates
 * Reading Dutch Handwritten Records Lesson 3 - Reading Dutch Records

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:

Census
 * Name and surname of the chief resident
 * Street address
 * Age
 * Information for family members

View the Images
View images in this collection by visiting the : Search the collection by image, comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine if the image relates to them. You may need to look at several images and compare the information about the individuals listed in those images to your ancestors to make this determination.
 * 1) Select Province
 * 2) Select Municipality
 * 3) Select Record Type, Years and Volume to view the images.

As you are searching, it is helpful to know such information as your ancestor’s given name and surname, some identifying information such as residence and age, and family relationships. Remember that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name as your ancestor and that your ancestor may have used nicknames or different names at different times.

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Use the age in the citizen to find an approximate birth year to begin your search in church or civil records
 * Continue to search the records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives who may have moved, been recruited or lived nearby. This can help you identify other generations of your family. Repeat this process for each new generation you identify. Compile the entries for every person who has the same surname; this is especially helpful in rural areas or if the surname is unusual. This compiled list can help you identify possible relations that can be further verified by researching vital records indexes in the country
 * When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. Save a copy of the image or transcribe the information. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details such as a title, an occupation, or land ownership. Add this new information to your records of each family. You should also look for leads to other records about your ancestors
 * Church Records often were kept years before government records were required and are a good source for finding ancestors before 1900

I Can't Find the Person I'm Looking For, What Now?

 * Switch to a different record collection. Depending on the time period, either Civil Registration records or Church Records may be more useful
 * While searching, it is helpful to know such information as the ancestor’s given name and surname, some identifying information such as residence and age, and family relationships. Remember that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name as an ancestor and that the ancestor may have used nicknames or different names at different times
 * Keep in mind that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name
 * Standard spelling of names typically did not exist during the periods our ancestors lived in. Try variations of your ancestor’s name while searching the index or browsing through images. Pay special attention to how the name should have been pronounced and try variations on the pronunciatio
 * Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle names
 * Search the indexes and records of local genealogical societies
 * Earlier records may not contain as much information as the records created after the late 1800
 * There is also some variation in the information given from one record to another

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in Netherlands.
 * Netherlands Guided Research
 * Netherlands Record Finder
 * Research Tips and Strategies

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.