Quick tip – Most people did not own real estate

Historically, most people in the Netherlands did not own real estate. Most farmers were tenant farmers, often living on the same farm for generations. Others were seasonal laborers who moved from farm to farm every year. It is rare to find tenancy contracts or rental agreements as these things were usually arranged between the owner and the tenant without registration by a notary or court.

Meerdink farm in Winterswijk, Gelderland

In cities, many workers were too poor to own their own house and would have rented a room or house. You can sometimes find them mentioned if the owner is selling the house.

Depending on the type of record, the owner or the resident may be recorded. Population and census registers record the people who lived in a house, while property tax records list the owners.