Getting help finding your Dutch ancestors

If you need some help tracing your Dutch roots there are several places on the web where you can ask your questions.

The best place to go is soc.genealogy.benelux, available on the web at Google groups, as an e-mail list (subscribe at RootsWeb), or on usenet. Most of the discussions are in Dutch, but questions in English, French or German are welcomed.

Another option is the Netherlands Message Board at Ancestry. Most discussions there are in English.

If you know from which Dutch province your ancestors came, you might want to check out one of the many provincial message boards or mailing lists. Visit Trace your Dutch roots to check some of the options that are available to you (click on the province of your choice in the navigation menu on the right hand side).

The Central Bureau for Genealogy (the Dutch information and documentation center for genealogy, family history and related sciences) has a message board where you may post your questions in English or Dutch (other languages are not allowed). Visit their site, click English (top left), click CBG forum.

You may also ask your questions in the Trace your Dutch roots guestbook or feedback page, and I'll see what I can do (no promises).

Wherever you ask your question, always be as specific as possible, provide the necessary information (who are you looking for, when and where did he live?), be polite, and be patient.