Doing online research
From the homepage you can use Mijn stamboom to search in the database with genealogical resources, including civil registration certificates (birth, marriage and death), population registers (inhabitants) and church books (baptisms, marriages and burials). You can use Foto's van Brabant to browse or search our photo collection. Archieven en boeken can be used for all other archives and collections, including our library catalogue, newspapers, maps, notary and court records.
As an alternative, on the website WieWasWie you can search for most of our records for family history too. This search engine is also available with an English interface. On Open Archieven you can search with an interface in English, French and German.
Scanning on request
You may request scans of records which have a scanning-on-request-button next to their description. This is a free service.
We try to make the scans available on our website within four weeks of your request. You'll receive an e-mail with the scans, and may then also view and download them from the inventory online.
In general, the scanning-on-request-service is available only for documents older than 100 years. In all other cases, you may order documents by e-mail.
Finding help online
- Specifically for questions about family history and historical research, you may also use our forum. There's a large, active community of researchers on the forum who are ready to help. New posts on the forum regularly receive several replies within a day.
- For problems with reading old Dutch documents, you may use the forum of Wat staat daer? our website for online practice in reading old handwritings. On this forum as well, there's a community of helpers.
- Use our live chat service in the top right corner of your screen if you need help from an archivist. We are online Monday to Friday, 10am-4pm and 7pm-10pm, and will reply immediately.
- Send your question by e-mail to info@bhic.nl. We will reply as soon as possible, but always within a few working days.
Visiting our reading room
You can visit our reading room by appointment only. You can make an appointment via this email address: aanvragen@bhic.nl. Also, please let us know the access numbers of the documents you wish to look in to during your visit, together with your name and the date of your upcoming visit. The documents will be ready for you upon arrival.
Our reading room has excellent facilities, including free Wi-Fi. Our team of experts will gladly help you with your research. Opening hours are Tuesday-Friday 9am-4pm.
The BHIC is located in the Citadel, close to the city centre of 's-Hertogenbosch (Den Bosch). Our address is Zuid-Willemsvaart 2, 5211 NW 's-Hertogenbosch. We have plenty of parking space available. You can also use public transport, we are a 15 minute walk away from the central train/bus station of 's-Hertogenbosch (follow the signs "BHIC, De Citadel").
When visiting us, please check in at our reception desk, and we'll guide you from there.
Both the historical city of 's-Hertogenbosch and our 17th century Citadel are well worth a visit. Enjoy your stay, and your research!
Need help?
Any questions? Please don't hesitate to ask, telephone +31(0)73-6818500, e-mail vragen@bhic.nl and live chat.
