Genealogy Chat

Is anyone able to give me any tips on finding my Dutch ancestors? Have only just started and would love any tips. Thanks Jannie/Brisbane

Most of the sites are in Dutch, but this one may help you http://geneaknowhow(.)net/digi/resources(.)html This site also has an english section and may give you someone to contact. http://www.en(.)nationaalarchief(.)nl Everyone in Holland has to have an ID card so everyone is registered. Sorry my Dutch is also poor so can't help much. Hope this helps to get you on track

Hi You can often get the gist of Dutch if you can speak both German and English. They pronounce W & V the same way we do, CH is more as in the Scottish word, Loch. If you say what you're looking at aloud and then listen to yourself (i.e. not trying to read off the page) you can sometimes hear enough to realise what it means. For instance: "nationaalarchief" isn't that different from "national archive", but there are other words closer to German. If you're desperate to find out a particular word, you might try looking for one of the automated translation sites online. But be wary because they don't cope with figures of speech very well! Christine

Thanks for the web site info Tracie, will give them a go. My Dutch is pretty basic but I can understand it when spoken about 90% so that should be a help. Cheers Jannie

Hi Jannie if you go to http://www.*compter.org/links.htm there are absolutely loads of links for Dutch genealogy (just scroll down and remember to remove * from address. It's a really useful site to keep note of because of all it's excellent links. Hope you find something useful there. best wishes Christine

Thanks Christine Cocks appreciate you took the time to give me the tip but I have a basic knowledge of Dutch and can even speak it (hesitatingly - and with a broad Aussie accent) Cheers Jannie

Thanks Christine in Edinburgh - will give that site a try today Appreciate the help Cheers, Jannie

Hi Jannie I looked at your name and wondered whether you might speak Dutch. Perhaps, if the hints weren't any use to you, they might help someone else who looks in because the heading relates to their researches. Good hunting Christine

That's exactly right Christine, that's what I like about this board that you can learn so much from other peoples questions. And it's great that people take the time to reply. Have fun, Jannie (born in NL living in Australia for all but 2 years of my life)

Hi Jannie, the hints Christine gave you I am heading for a look now. my dutch ancestors may be hiding in one of the sites. If any one comes across the name Hoeksma I will be interested. Good luck with your search. Lorraine.