by Arthur Fickel, president of the IGV
About
The Indische Genealogical Society (IGV) was established in 1988 by individuals seeking information about their ancestors who once lived in the Dutch East Indies. They found the existing resources to be grossly inadequate and faced challenges in accessing genealogical sources from both the former Dutch East Indies and the Dutch National Archives. Motivated by these challenges, they founded a society dedicated to the genealogy of the Dutch East Indies.
In its formative years, the IGV primarily focused on European ancestry, with an emphasis on male lineage, heraldry, and nobility, concentrating on the publication of formal genealogies.
Today, the IGV has broadened its research scope to include all ancestries: European, Javanese, Chinese, Moluccan, etc. There is a growing interest in Asian ancestry, resources and contacts in Indonesia, DNA genealogy, the digitization of sources, heritage preservation, the documentation of Chinese graves, the history of the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army (KNIL), and oral histories. The IGV builds bridges of knowledge by collaborating with other organizations, emphasizing outreach to the third-generation Indos, and fostering closer ties with Indonesia.
At the IGV, all members are unpaid volunteers. The society relies heavily on volunteer efforts; the board members serve without compensation.
The interest in Indo heritage continues to grow. The IGV assists individuals in tracing their roots, exploring their family histories, and constructing family trees. Currently, the IGV has over 1,500 members, including those from outside the Netherlands, such as the United States. Undoubtedly, there are many in the US with roots in the Dutch East Indies who are eager to delve into their family history, and the IGV extends support to these international members as well.
Each year, IGV members receive a yearbook titled “De Indische Navorscher,” filled with genealogies and related narratives. “De Indische Navorscher” can also be purchased through the IGV webshop, and editions older than five years are available on a USB stick, also from the webshop. Please note, these publications are in Dutch.
Making Sources Accessible
One of the core activities of the IGV is to make genealogical sources accessible to its members. Recently, the IGV played a pivotal role in indexing sources from the three major KNIL (Royal Netherlands East Indies Army) studbook archives housed at the Dutch National Archives: the Indisch Book, the Pupil Corps, and the Suppletion Folios. IGV members contributed to the indexing of hundreds of thousands of KNIL studbooks.
The IGV website serves as the primary gateway for newcomers eager to trace their roots. Although primarily in Dutch, the site can be easily translated into English by selecting the option or using tools like Google Translate.
Please note: Automatic translation incorrectly translates the words Indisch and Indies as ‘Indian’.
For several years now, the IGV has maintained its own “Indisch Archive.” Due to European privacy laws, this resource is exclusive to IGV members. The archive encompasses over two million records from sources from the Dutch East Indies, proving invaluable for genealogical research.
IGV members are also actively engaged in Indonesia, visiting national and local archives to scan important documents, including baptism, marriage, and burial records from churches.
Another significant resource is the documentation of Chinese graves, which are crucial for tracing Chinese-Indisch ancestry due to the wealth of information they contain. IGV volunteers have photographed numerous Chinese graves.
The IGV maintains strong connections with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS or Mormons), which has microfilmed many archives, including civil records from the Dutch East Indies. These films, however, are only viewable at LDS Family History Centers. With new access recently available in The Hague, IGV members review these films, transcribe the information, and publish it in both physical and digital booklets known as “Bronnenpublicaties,” available in their webshop.
The webshop offers a variety of books and additional sources for purchase, with IGV members enjoying a 50% discount on all items. A key resource is the IGV USB stick, which contains 40 GB of resources and publications, making it an essential tool for anyone researching Indisch genealogy.
The 10,000 Foremothers Project
The Indische foremothers, often affectionately referred to as “Oma Cang” in Dutch, remain largely in the shadows of history. These women, predominantly of Indisch or Chinese descent, lived with European civilians or military men. Historically labeled as “housekeepers,” it is now acknowledged that they were concubines, known as “Nyai.” They bore children with these men, a subject explored in literature, notably in Reggie Baay’s book “De Njai.” During the Dutch East Indies era, the local population was rarely registered. However, when a European man married his Nyai, it often benefited their children, granting them European status, which allowed for education and employment opportunities. Many of these marriage records have been preserved, and the IGV is committed to making these accessible to members.
The IGV has initiated the “10.000 voormoeders” project to document as many of these foremothers as possible, ensuring they are not forgotten. Members are encouraged to contribute by uploading photos of their foremothers along with their stories. Check out the page and contribute: http://igv.nl/voormoeders
In the 25 years following Indonesia’s independence in 1949, over 300,000 Indo-Europeans, Indo-Chinese or Indonesians were compelled to leave for the Netherlands, with some relocating to Australia or the United States. The IGV maintains an essential archive of passenger lists from this migration, and has published two books detailing the ships on which these refugees traveled.
Oral History
Another focal point for the IGV is oral history. The society records stories from the first generation of Indische individuals, born and raised there, to preserve their experiences for posterity. These narratives have been beautifully compiled into the book “Kind in Indië,” which is currently out of print. Additionally, the IGV transcribes and preserves other oral history sources, such as cassette tapes of interviews they receive.
DNA and the Intertwined Bond
The IGV recognizes the significance of DNA research as a complement to traditional genealogical studies. The deep and complex bond between the Netherlands and Indonesia, forged over 600 years of shared history, love, and hardship, is reflected in DNA. This genetic connection will persist for centuries in both nations. The IGV website features several articles on Indisch DNA, and members can consult with the IGV’s DNA specialists for guidance. It is hoped that this shared genetic heritage fosters greater understanding and closer ties between the Dutch and Indonesians.
The IGV website: https://igv.nl
Contact: voorzitter@igv.nl
To become a member: https://igv.nl/lidmaatschap
The Indo Project Can Help!
Do you need help navigating the various (Dutch) resources, please read about our latest effort and let us know how we can help you with your genealogical research.
The author and publisher disclaim any liability in connection with the use of the information and content of this article.
Hi there
I am looking for information on my grandmother Hannie Bastiaantje Van der Oord – born 21 February 1925. Her married name was Hannie Reydon. I am unsure of her location at birth or any other information. Is someone able to please help me?
Hello, I am writing from Indonesia. Is there any possibility I could find information about my great-grandfather? I do not know his original name, as he changed it to a local name. All I know is that he was born in Southeast Sulawesi, Dutch East Indies, on September 9, 1919, to a Dutch soldier father and an indigenous mother.
Thank you
Not so easy without a name… In our data base I find only 5 children born on 09-09-1919, and none of them was born in Sulawesi it seems. Do you have any other detail?
First Name Last Name Role Place Date
Ferdinand Willem Queljoe, de Kind Batavia (Stad en Voorsteden) 09-09-1919
Joseph Gottlieb Anthonijs Kind Djokjakarta 09-09-1919
Abram Empelen, van Kind Magelang 09-09-1919
Johan Ernsten Kind Malang 09-09-1919
Jimmy Saffrie Kind Soerabaja 09-09-1919
My mother was born in a village near Dawar Manggis village, Mojosongo sub-district, Boyolali. She was born to a mother (the daughter of a local Demang) who had a husband named Van vit Ovel (van Vithoven, van Velthoven, atau van Vlijmen).This is all I know, maybe someone can help track down my grandfather..?
Do you know anything else of the husband, probably Van Veldhoven? Was he military? Or businessman? When was your mother born?
Hello, my name is Joko Purnomo Hadi, my address is Kendal, Central Java, Indonesia, originally from Sulursari, Gabus District, Grobogan Regency, Central Java.
I have a mother named Lismina, whose nickname is Elizabeth.
Hello everyone,
I am currently looking for information about my great-grandfather , Koempoel (Kumpul) Sembiring (Sembiring Kembaren) and his Dutch mother.
Here are the informations that I know:
Spouse: Sari Br Barus, the daughter of his mother’s sister.
Koempoel Sembiring was born at Kaban Djahe, Tanah Karo, North Sumatera
They had a daughter named Rohani Br Sembiring (Sembiring Kembaren) , born on June 26 1951, and more children according to my memory; Ramli Sembiring, Jordan Sembiring, Herlina Br Sembiring.
Koempoel Sembiring won the fifth prize lottery from Ebata & Co in 1935. He was born around 1917-1926, and died around 1996-1999. He likely had siblings one of them named Jeneng Sembiring according to a MyHeritage family tree profile.
That’s it and I appreciate any kind of hints, thank you.
Looks it was a prize for a photography challenge: https://resolver.kb.nl/resolve?urn=MMKB15:000126025:mpeg21:a00114. In theory you could visit a Kantor Sipil and find a death certificate, where his parents should be stated. If you know where he died. I don’t find him anywhere in our records, but that can change because more and more Indonesian sources will be made available in the next year.
Thank you, He and his parents was buried at Tanjung Morawa, Deli Serdang. But I will try to ask it soon:)
Hello,
I am looking for information on Gijsbertus van Bemmel, born 11 May 1897 in Semarang. He died June 5, 1969. Where did he die, was he married, is there any offspring?
Thanks for your help!
Sorry born 11 May 1876!
Hello Peter,
I’m seeing a news paper record that he finished school in The Hague.
https://www.oldnews.com/nl/record?record_id=record-12043-307735274-&ocr_panel=1
He also has a page in familysearch.org
https://www.familysearch.org/en/tree/person/details/K24N-CDB
And there is a marriage in Rotterdam of his daughter
Chances are that he deceased in the netherlands, so you could chase a registration card, see TIP webinar #2. Hope this helps!
https://hdl.handle.net/21.12133/0DB42C004CF74D3F87931D713158BC14
Hello everyone,
I am currently looking for information regarding my great-grandfather, Darius Wolfe, and his paternal lineage. I am stuck on a brick wall and would highly appreciate any help or leads.
Here is the verified information I have from official family documents:
Name: Darius Wolfe
Spouse: Josephine Christine de Thouars
Location: Meester Cornelis / Jatinegara, Djakarta (Batavia)
Child: They had a daughter named Jeane Bernadette Wolfe, born on August 24, 1951, in Djakarta (according to her official birth certificate).
Since Darius Wolfe does not appear in the Dutch National Archives (Persoonskaarten / OpenArch), it is highly likely that he and his wife chose to stay in Indonesia after independence and passed away there.
Does anyone have access to the Meester Cornelis (Jatinegara) church records, civil registry books, or genealogical databases (like the Indische Navorscher) from the 1920s-1950s that could help me find the name of Darius Wolfe’s father or his connection to the broader Wolfe family in Batavia?
Thank you so much in advance for your kindness and support!
Recently, a machine-read index of LDS civil registry documents has come online, with one reference to your great-grandfather, a marriahe resgistration:
Darie Wolfe
Principal
Indonesia, Civil Registration, 1806-1997
Marriage Registration 8 June 1948
Jakarta Pusat, Jakarta, Indonesië
Birth 1925
Parents Lodewÿk Marinus Wolfe, Sadma
Spouses Josephine Christine de Thouars
https://www.familysearch.org/en/search/collection/5000168 I will discuss this in my next webinar!
I suspect the father of Lodewÿk Marinus Wolfe is Lazar Wolfe. There are quite some leads to follow.
Hello everyone,
I am writing from Indonesia, hoping to find some clues about my Dutch great-great-grandmother. My research through official public archives (like Roosje Roos) has hit a dead-end, likely due to the social and legal circumstances of her marriage at the time.
Here is the information passed down in my family:
The Ancestor: A Dutch woman known to us by the name/nickname “Sonya” (possibly Sonja, Sophia, etc.). She was likely born between 1885–1905.
Her Father: He came from the Netherlands to the Dutch East Indies with his family to work at Suikerfabriek (SF) Rendeng in Koedoes (Kudus), Central Java, roughly between 1890 and 1910. He worked in a high-ranking or supervisory position (our family story says “Mandor” or “Owner”, which translates to positions like Opziener, Fabricatiechef, or Administrateur).
The Mystery: “Sonya” married a local native Javanese man and converted to Islam. Because of this gemengd huwelijk (mixed marriage), she likely lost her European legal status, which explains why I cannot find her in the civil registry.
Descendants: She had a daughter named Soedarsih (who was later baptized Catholic as Maria Soedarsih). Maria Soedarsih married Petrus Njana, and they had a daughter named Lucia Maria Soetinah (born in 1942).
Possible Leads:
Through the Delpher newspaper archives, I found a few European men holding high positions at SF Rendeng during that timeframe. I am particularly interested in knowing if anyone has private family trees for these surnames that mention a daughter moving to the Indies and “disappearing” or marrying a local:
H. C. van Essen (Administrateur, ~1898)
C. F. Van Anrooy (Fabricatiechef, ~1906)
Dr. G. F. H. Bijvanck (Administrateur, ~1909)
P. W. H. de Kater (Administrateur, ~1918)
If anyone has any information, advice, or access to private genealogies regarding the staff of SF Rendeng or these families, I would be incredibly grateful. Thank you in advance!
Hi! Is there a possibility that you are able to trace of lost daughters under the family name tobias & Ranzows during the Japanese occupation ( 1942-1945)
Both Tobias and Von Ranzow are well known names in DEI. So we’d need some more details to give it a try.
Hi
I am Rozita from Malaysia. My great great great grandmother , from my mother’s lineage was an indonesian (Pulau Jawa) princess who married a high rank dutch soldier back in the colonial era. Is it possible to trace my great great great grandfather’s family in the netherlands.
We can give it a try! If you know the name of the Dutch soldier we take it from there!
Hello,
My family are from Breda in Netherlands.
My 2nd grandfather had a son named Johann Meurer 1879
He is supposed to have gone to Indonesia to start trade in Tiles
He is supposed to have married Soen Njong Oen in Batavia.
He is supposed to have a son named William Meurer 1907
In Breda they have recorded that he died so I do not know the truth
Are anyone able to help me
Thanks
Charles Meurer
Could it be Johannes Meurer, born in Breda, May 10, 1872? https://www.nationaalarchief.nl/onderzoeken/archief/2.10.50/invnr/259/file/NL-HaNA_2.10.50_259_0168, https://www.nationaalarchief.nl/onderzoeken/archief/2.10.50.02/invnr/404/file/NL-HaNA_2.10.50.02_404_0106 and https://www.nationaalarchief.nl/onderzoeken/archief/2.10.50.02/invnr/404/file/NL-HaNA_2.10.50.02_404_0107. There also is a Johannes Meurer deceased Batavia, 30-10-1916, possibly a with a record with further details, but could be another person (via roosjeroos.nl).
And there is a passport card of Willem Meurer (NL-HaCBG_1796_M09105.jpg) available at CBG.nl, with his picture. Born 13-5-1907, Djakarta. Father: Johannes Meurer, born 6-NOV-1865, Breda, died 31-10-1916, Batavia. Mother: Oen Soen Njong, born 1974, Batavia.
1874
Hi Maarten,
Thanks for finding the right William who is my cousin who was born in Breda and went to Indonesia.
Are you able to get a photo and any thing else
On the passport application there is a picture, see above!
It would be worthwhile creating a GedMatch ancestor project on GedMatch.com. People add their results from all other DNA testing sites onto GedMatch and a “kit number” is assigned to them.
They can then join in some of the many Ancestor Projects. It would be helpful to have one set up for this purpose.
Thank you for your efforts to preserve our culture!