Frequently Asked Questions
Why do people want to know more about their family history?
The reason why people want to know more about their family history can be very different.
- Who were my ancestors, where did they come from and what did they do for a living?
- Where does my family name come from?
- Does my family have a family crest?
- Is it true that I am descended from a famous person in history?
The above questions could be a reason. Many people also like to gift their family history to their offspring or their parents.
How reliable is family history research?
A family history, in any form, should always be based on primary sources. These sources have been recorded by the Government (Civil Registry), Church (Baptism, Marriage and Burial Registers and Membership Registers) and Notary (Notarial Archives).
These sources are considered to be the most reliable and should also always be mentioned, so that the researcher/owner of the family history can complete or verify the events.
How far back in time can you go when sorting out family history?
The French occupier introduced the civil registry in 1796. He did this in some parts of the Netherlands. It was then introduced throughout the Netherlands in 1811. This allows us to quickly go back to the early 19th century in our research. Before that time, events such as births, marriages and deaths were recorded by the church, and we have to rely on church records. This sometimes takes us as far back as the 17th century in our research. Note: in the past, source material may have been destroyed by war, fire, flooding or vandalism.
What is a patronymic?
Many contemporary surnames derive from patronymics, also called “father's names”. If father's first name is Jan, then Janszoon is his son's patronymic and Jansdochter is his daughter's patronymic. The suffix -son or -daughter was shortened or corrupted to Jansz, Janszn and Jansdr. From these, the surname Jans(s)en arose later. The same was the case with paternal names such as: Hendrik (Hendriksen), Pieter (Pietersen), Willem (Willemsen). Particularly with Scandinavian surnames, you also see this regularly: Lars (Larsson), Nils (Nilssen), Anders (Anderssen) etc....
How can I find out if I have a family crest?
To find out whether your family has a coat of arms, genealogical (family tree) and heraldic (family crest) research needs to be done. Based on the surname, we will first have to see if a family coat of arms actually exists of the name in question. After that, a brief genealogical investigation should take place to determine whether you actually belong to that (branch of the) family and may bear the family coat of arms.
If I don't have a family crest, can I still have one made?
Everyone in the Netherlands is allowed to carry their own family crest. If you do not yet have your own family crest, you can have one made. However, you should bear in mind that your new coat of arms may not resemble existing coats of arms as this may cause confusion between families. Making an authentic family coat of arms is therefore best left to the professional: the heraldic expert.
I gladly recommend Familiewapen.net to have your own family crest made.