Dutch term – Voorkind

A voorkind, literally a before-child, is a child born before the marriage.

In the 1900s, this term was commonly used for a child born out of wedlock, before the mother was married.

In the 1600s and 1700s, it could be used to describe the children of a previous marriage. For example, in a will, you may find a parent describing what to leave to the voorkinderen (children from a prior marriage) and what to leave to the nakinderen (after-children), of the current marriage.

Photograph

Toos and Annie Flooren (circa 1922). Annie was a voorkind while Toos was born after their mother’s marriage.

About Yvette Hoitink

Yvette Hoitink, MLitt, CG®, QG™ is a professional genealogist, writer, and lecturer in the Netherlands. She has a Master of Letters in Family and Local History from the University of Dundee, and holds the Certification of Genealogist and Qualified Genealogist credentials. Yvette served on the Board of Directors of the Association of Professional Genealogists and won excellence awards for her articles in the National Genealogical Society Quarterly and the Association of Professional Genealogists Quarterly. Yvette has been doing genealogy for over 30 years. She helps people from across the world find their ancestors from the Netherlands and its former colonies, including New Netherland. Read about Yvette's professional genealogy services.

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