Dutch term – Vrij

22 January 2018 by Leave a Comment

Vrij means “free,” as in freedom.

You may encounter the word vrij in different contexts in genealogical records:

  • A vrije persoon [free person] was someone who was not enslaved and who was not a serf.
  • A vrij goed [free property] was a property (typically a farm) that did not have feudal obligations.
  • Vrij van belasting [free of taxes] means that no taxes were levied on the goods.

Freed woman of color, Suriname, 1850s. Credits: Jacob Marius Adriaan Martini van Geffen, collection Rijksmuseum (public domain)

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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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