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Archiver > HUGUENOTS-WALLOONS-EUROPE > 2005-11 > 1131159858


From: "Mary S. Scott" <>
Subject: [HWE] Extracted Huguenot & Walloon Records
Date: Fri, 4 Nov 2005 19:04:18 -0800 (PST)


Besides the IGI, the LDS Church has used extracted records for the different volumes of the Vital Records Indices. The christening records for the Walloon Church in Groningen are found on the "Vital Records Index for Western Europe".



Here is another example of how the extraction program can be used as a tool to further own genealogical research.



Last fall I had an interesting experience as I was trying to find out about my Walloon "grandmother", Louisa Susanna MEIJNET. I knew she was born in 1733 in Groningen but had not found too much information on her. I was intimated by the Walloon records as well as the script.



One day I stumbled on another female with the MEIJNET surname while using the western European records in the collection. This was the spelling of the name as I expected to see it. When I finally was smart enough to click on the number for the microfilm, it proved to be a good choice because I discovered it was a microfilm from the Walloon Church in Groningen (also referred to as Waals Hervormde).



I knew that my own Louisa Susanna MEIJNET had to be there but she wasn't showing up. Finally I realized that the old Dutch writing had the two letters "IJ" sometimes written as a "Y". I put an asterisk where the "IJ" had been and looked up only the surname of ME*NET. Suddenly a new door opened in my research -- all because of the extraction program of the LDS Church!



A few spelling variations had kept me from finding my 6th great-grandmother until I put in the asterisk to act as a "wildcard" symbol.



Her name was recorded as "Louise Susanne MEYNET" and she was indeed born in 1733. Her parents were Louis Samuel MEYNET and his wife, Jeanne CREMER. She also had several other sisters and a brother.



For some reason the two spellings of MEYNET and MEIJNET were not compatible in the "soundex" system for the vital records index for Western Europe.That's why I had had so much trouble finding her.



My next step was to use the microfilm numbers provided in the Vital Records Index and order the church records for the "Waals Hervormde". I used the library catalog on www.FamilySearch.org to find additional records too. Within a few weeks the microfilms arrived at our local Family History Center and I was thrilled to see the original christening records for all of the MEIJNET (MEYNET) children.



It was another time I had to "think outside the family history box" in order to have success.



If you haven't had the chance to look at a copy of the "Vital Records Index for Western Europe", you may be able to see one at your local Family History Center. It may also be ordered for personal use at www.familysearch.org. This compilation does not contact Great Britain nor the Scandinavian countries because there are separate indices for them which are also available through FHCs and for purchase by individuals.



Perhaps some of you have used one of these indices. If so, what has been your experience in finding Huguenot or Walloon ancestors on them? I expect that all of the indices have entries for Huguenot and Walloon families.



Best wishes,



Mary Scott

Novi, Michigan




















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