State Archives of Namur

After we arrived at the airport in Brussels and collected our suitcases, we were pleasantly surprised to be met at the elevator by our cousin Raymond Baugniet. With much chatter and hugs and introductions, we made the acquaintance of our newly discovered Belgian relative. He then took us to the rental office so we could claim our reserved rental car. Unfortunately, the office was closed and no vehicle was available. Thanks to Raymond, the company agreed to have a vehicle delivered to Villa Gracia and Raymond gave us a ride to the hotel. Once we were settled in, he escorted us to the state archives to do some genealogy research.

Researching the archives for information on ancestors is in ways comparable to CSI (Crime Scene Investigation.) It takes lots of digging and speculation and patience. With an assist from Namur staff, Raymond was able to help me find ledger entries on the marriage certificate for Clement Baugniet and Augustine Paquet, and the birth dates of great grandfather Frederic's brothers Florent and Francois. When it come to genealogy research, there is nothing more exciting than discovering a new relative or vital records on a known relative!

Inside the building that houses the State Archives of Namur in Belgium:
Wendy and Marian are surrounded by an enormous collection of precious handwritten documents and books that preserve the history of the Belgian people and the genealogy of our father's Baugniet ancestors.