Genealogical Resources in New Netherland
Discover your ancestors’ origins and movements
For researchers wishing to extend New Netherland investigations into the Netherlands, NNI provides curated resources and reference pages to support archival searches, vital records, and migration pathways.
Why Genealogy?
Because names become stories.
Find your ancestors.
Discover origins.
Trace journeys.
Understand how your family is woven into the past.
Exploring your ancestry
Introduction
The administrative records of New Netherland are an unparalleled source for family historians, with vivid glimpses into the lives of the colony’s residents. These records document a wide range of activities, and the degree to which the colonial government was interwoven with the lives of the colony’s citizens is reflected in the minute and seemingly trivial details that emerge. While many of the events are documented elsewhere–in church records for example–there are numerous instances where no other documentation exists.
The following sections contain excerpts from selected documents to demonstrate the kinds of evidence a researcher can gather. It should be noted that these sections are based on artificial distinctions, as one record might provide details that could fit into several categories. Researchers are therefore encouraged to browse all the published translations for records relating to their ancestors. All of these translations are now available on our Online Publications page.
Each volume of translations includes an index for easier access to the records. Researchers should be careful, however, not be too rigid in searching for names, and should examine all entries for variations of a surname or patronymic. A helpful resource can be found at the back of Janny Venema’s translation of the Deacons’ Accounts: 1652-1674, First Dutch Church Reformed Church of Beverwyck/Albany, New York, which is reproduced here. Also be sure to read the introductions to the translated volumes for information about the records and to consult any supplemental information, like lists of occupations or common terms.
Exhibit credits
Developed by Mary Collins, Certified Genealogist
Online production by Steve McErleane
This exhibit is dedicated to New Netherland Institute past President and Trustee Charles W. Wendell (1930-2015)..
Research References
A selection of organizations offering valuable tools and databases for genealogical research.
A range of free genealogical resources is available through national and local archives. These sites offer access to historical records, surname databases, and digital collections, including photos, war documents, and church records. Some are in Dutch only, while others offer English options. Whether you're tracing one ancestor or building a full family tree, these resources are a valuable starting point for exploring your Dutch roots.
Several private organizations also provide valuable genealogical information. While many offer content in English, some are only in Dutch. These sites include searchable databases, surname and archive directories, and links to regional resources. Some require membership for full access, while others provide free tools and research tips. Though not all focus exclusively on genealogy, their collections—ranging from name studies to family trees and historical records—can be useful for anyone researching Dutch ancestry.
A range of free genealogical resources is available through national and local archives. These sites offer access to historical records, surname databases, and digital collections, including photos, war documents, and church records. Some are in Dutch only, while others offer English options. Whether you're tracing one ancestor or building a full family tree, these resources are a valuable starting point for exploring your Dutch roots.
One need not be fluent in Dutch to glean information from Dutch-language documents. This page lists resources to help in interpreting some relevant terms.
With so many possible spellings, a genealogical researcher must deal with many difficulties when seeking seventeenth-century Dutch surnames.
Researching Your Family
Tracing your family’s roots and how they lived
For family historians vital records offer the most basic and essential facts about an individual’s life. When researching recent generations we rely on birth certificates, marriage licenses, and death certificates held at local or state offices. Finding evidence to pinpoint these important life events in the seventeenth century, however, can be a considerable challenge.
Tracking the migrations of our ancestors from either patria to colony or within the colonies can be difficult, but there are records that contain such information. While researchers are unlikely to find a list of a ship’s passengers as they might while researching more recent generations, there are a few examples that come close.
Discover the everyday lives of New Netherland ancestors through translated records—revealing their homes, values, disputes, politics, and routines that bring depth and color to family history research.
Occupational details can distinguish individuals with similar names and offer deeper insight into their lives. Translated records occasionally reference trades, even when the person’s work isn’t the primary focus.
It should not be forgotten that New Netherland was at heart a commercial enterprise and, though a Dutch colony, had residents from many other places. The records reflect this focus on commerce, with frequent mentions of goods moving into and out of the colony.
Often overlooked by researchers, land and property records offer valuable insights into ancestors’ lives. Translated volumes reveal abundant leases, sales, home transfers, and goods transactions like livestock and equipment.
Scattered throughout the administrative records of New Netherland are documents relating to the wills and estates of New Netherland’s residents. These kinds of records often provide evidence of family groups; they might give clues about the marriages of daughters, include names of grandchildren, or provide details that help researchers understand the life an ancestor.
Creating a timeline of your ancestor’s records helps clarify life events, resolve conflicting evidence, and reveal patterns. Simple chronological summaries offer a clear, big-picture view when paired with proper sourcing.
