Genealogy in Luxembourg How to find your Luxembourgish ancestors
Would you like to explore your descendance and understand your family history? In Luxembourg, genealogical research is facilitated by a large number of archives and even electronic sources compiling recent and historical documents on the population in the Grand Duchy. So do not hesitate to immerse yourself into the search of your Luxembourgish roots!
A wealth of information sources
A wide range of research options and archives can be consulted for the purpose of genealogical research: National and municipal archives, church archives, as well as the archives of border regions of neighbouring countries. Genealogy associations can also help you in your endeavours.
National archives and municipal archives
The National Archives (ANLux) bring together the largest number of Luxembourg's registers in their repositories, so they are an excellent place to start your genealogical research. Certificates of the Civil Registrar of the District Courts of Luxembourg and Diekirch from 1795 to 1912 can be accessed from their website. They can be consulted via the search engine known as Query. The National Archives offer genealogy courses for newbies and enthusiasts, to teach them palaeography and archive research basics.
Municipalities also have archives that can be accessed. You can contact the municipal administration where you would like to look for your ancestors to gain access to the archives.
Diocesan archives
Diocesan archives are another accessible source for genealogical research. They include birth, marriage and death registers. Registers can also be accessed online on the Matricula portal. They consolidate over 170.000 digital files from the catholicity register of the 17th and 20th century.
Other archives
If you are looking for individuals or families who lived in the confines of the former Grand Duchy of Luxembourg on territories that are now in France or Germany, or in the Western part of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (now the province of Luxembourg in Belgium), visiting the State Archives of Arlon, the Departmental Archives of the Moselle or the Central State Archive of Coblenz can prove fertile.
Associations of genealogy
Genealogy lovers can also find information or get help by contacting or joining a genealogy club. In Luxembourg, there are several not-for-profit associations of genealogy and local history, such as luxroots.club and luxracines. In Wallonia, the not-for-profit association GéniWal ('Généalogie Informatique Wallonie' or Computing Genealogy Wallonia) can provide assistance to those seeking their ancestors on former Luxembourgish territory.
Major population flows
The history of Luxembourg and its population is characterised by migration flows and moving borders. In 1659, certain territories were surrendered to France, and in 1815, Prussia took over Luxembourg's territory. As part of the 1839 Treaty of London, a Western part of the territory was given to Belgium. In addition to these territorial changes, the population went through a significant wave of emigration to the American continent and France in the 19th century, when families left the country in the hope of a better life elsewhere.
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