Research in Belgium

[HarryW]

Looking for advice please.

Is it possible to research birth/marriage/deaths in Belgium, specifically Brussels ?

If so, how do I go about it?

Harry

[jorose]

Hi Harry,

What time period, and is the family you're searching Belgian or an English family temporarily residing in Brussels?

You might start at the State archives, but there are also some records available on familysearch:
http://arch.arch.be/index.php?l=en

[hanes teulu]

I was going to suggest State archives and this specific search screen-

https://search.arch.be/fr/rechercher-des-personnes

[HarryW]

Thank you both for the quick replies.   I'm looking for an English family that seems to have moved to Belgium sometime in the late 19th century.   I know that at least one daughter married a Belgian and had a number of children in 1910/20.   I'll take a look at the State Archive.

Thanks again

[IgorStrav]

Just to advise, I was trying to research my Belgian ancestors in 19th Century and found it hard to do.

In the end I employed some Belgian researchers, who were very helpful and found many details that I wouldn't have been able to find myself, or translate even if I had found.  They provided all the details and the sources which enabled me to fill in lots of previously completely unknown ancestors.

I am happy to give you their contact details if you wish, by PM.

I'm not connected to them, by the way! 

[Paul5]

Hi

I am looking at this now. It doesn't seem straightforward to request copies of birth/marriage/death certificates relating to Belgian ancestors. There is no central registry like the GRO and you need to write to the local town hall as far as I know. That's all very well if you have details. I wrote to Brussels but they seem to want a copy of a Belgian identity card to process a request...

[IgorStrav]

Hi Paul5

Have PMd you.

Igor

[decor]

If the OP gives us some more info, we can have a look into it

[Paul5]

Hi

In the first instance I'm looking to get a copy of the birth certificate of Marie Louise HOUYOUX apparently born in Brussels. Her 3 marriage record transcriptions found at https://search.arch.be/fr/rechercher-des-personnes give a date of birth of 03-Feb-1850. But I've got a birth certificate already in my possession of that same name, with the same parents and place of birth, with a date in October 1860. The 1850 date seems more likely given she would otherwise have been 11 years old at her first marriage in 1872!