I'd like to join the "Belgian Roots" project

Question

Hi, 

I just discovered there is a "Belgian Roots" project, and would like to join!

I'm posting this question here in the g2g treehouse so that other interested people might also see it. As it is now, the (free space) project is not very visible. Maybe if enough people show an interest we can make it a bit more official? (preferably without a typical Belgian discussion about whether to be a subproject of either France or the Netherlands :) I'd prefer Europe then... ) 

Comments

Hi, another Belgian descendant here. All my ancestors on that branch seem to have been born, lived and died in Mechelen (Malines) except for the ones who emigrated to my country. :) Hoping to make some progress there and maybe connect to others and the main tree.

Surnames in my tree: Van Dam, Verbeemen, De Ridder, Lievens, Haerts, Van Rompuy, Smeyers, Cornelis.

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I'm interested. I'm Dutch, but it looks like all branches of the Hoste family (in Belgium, The Netherlands and UK) have their origin in Flanders, and my grandmother was Flemish as well. Good to share sources and information!

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Space:Hoste_Name_Study

Jorris Hoste

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Thanks Jorris, I've added you to the list and will keep you updated!

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Any news about the project?

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Hi Jorris! Yes, big news! See my answer below...

Answer 1

Thanks Filip, for asking this question so that everyone can see.

I was part of the initial "team" who worked on hatching a Belgian project, but, I have since been too busy with France and Disproven Existence to be able to do much for Belgium. I 100% agree that a Belgium project should go under the Europe project, and perhaps we would have a real Belgian sub-project now if Europe had existed when the Belgian Roots page was started.

How about contacting Eowyn about moving things forward? There were several really motivated people; perhaps enough to start a good team, once things get rolling.

Comments

Hi I,

Thanks, I'll do that! I'll also contact the other members of the original free space project, just to make sure there are no objections from them.

I'll keep you updated if this idea goes somewhere!

Answer 2

I was just looking for a Belgian roots project the other day. One of my wife's gr. grandmothers is from Hainault and that line needs some work. I'm not sure that I would be able to commit a great deal of time to it though.

Answer 3

Im currently working in my Belgian ancestors. I would be interested.

Comments

Thanks anonymous! If you let me know your profile, I can add you as a member of the current free-space page and keep you updated about the progress towards a Belgium project.

Answer 4

Hi Filip, I was one of the creators of the French Roots project and we were trying to begin the Belgian Roots at the same time to connect it to French Roots, but couldn't get it off the ground due to time constraints.  I am glad to see someone who has the desire to get this going! Thanks so much!

Answer 5

Hi Filip,

Thanks for the invitation to support a Belgian sub-project in WikiTree. My grandmother was Flemish. She was born in Arendonk and I am especially interested in learning more about my forbears as well as helping others in their search. Count me in!

David

Answer 6

Hi all,

Thanks for showing an interest (here and/or on my profile) in setting up a Belgium sub-project of Europe. Seems there would be sufficient members to make a good start, and the initiators of the original free-space project are enthusiastic too!

I've contacted Eowyn about setting up the project, and am currently waiting for her reply. I'll keep you updated!

In the mean time, it would be helpful if one of the managers of the free-space project could add me as co-manager, so I can update it a bit.

Comments

Can you send a trusted list request? I will set you up, but I need your email (used for WikiTree) for this.

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I've sent the request, thanks, IR!

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Thanks, and done!

Answer 7

Hi Filip,

That is a wonderful idea. A part of the Belgium profiles are taken care of by the DRP, as far as I know.

I will notify Bea (our leader at the DRP). I am sure she will love to help you.

Comments

Thanks Astrid,

Yes, many profiles will require coordination/collaboration between a Belgium Project and the DRP (same goes for the French project and maybe others). Knowing the friendly and helpful atmosphere in the DRP, I'm very much looking forward to that! :)

Any advice or help in setting up the project from experienced people such as Bea and you would of course be great!

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You can count on us!

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Hi Filip, 

The initial team that was working on trying to get this project started already has done a lot of work, it looks like there are enough members that would like to join, and Isabelle worked very hard on setting things up, so if I'm correct besides the pages (project free space page, naming convention) there's a Belgian sticker as well already ?

So the only things that still are needed probably are a project member badge, a project box and project account for profiles that need PPP, and a join the Belgian Project G2G, so all enthusiastic and active members officiallly can join the project. 

And I'm very happy to help and assist with things you need a leader for Filip (awarding badges and stuff) and hope Isabelle is as well, sure love your enthusiasm and it's great you want to coordinate things and get it started ! 

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Thanks Bea!

Indeed, a lot of good work has already been done, and it will certainly help to get this project off the ground! Once we have some "official" project environment set up, I can start adding the missing things that you mention.

Answer 8

Hallo Filip, I am very intrested to collaborate . When I started on wikitree I was searching for a Belgian group, but there was only a dutch group. I had no time to start one on my owm. Thank you

Mia Fournier

Comments

Great, Mia!

I'll let you know when the project is set up. For now I've added your name to the free space project at https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Space:Belgian_Roots!

Answer 9

Hi All,

Thanks again for showing an interest in project Belgium!

I've started a new thread, because the title of this one (a request by me to join) does not match the content (a call to anyone to join) anymore.

Answer 10

I like to join please!

Answer 11

Good news!

Project Belgium has recently been promoted to a more official project (actually a sub-project of Europe)! You can find the (revamped) project page here.

That means among other things:

*You can now receive a project badge (of the Europe Project) indicating your involvement.

*We can more easily create stickers.

*We will be able to discuss and "officially" establish guidelines and standards relating to Belgian profiles.

*We will have a project account for important Belgian profiles.

Many people have indicated their interest in the (former) free-space Belgium project, and I'd like to invite you to (re)confirm your interest to become a member of Project Belgium by answering this question.

Thank you all for having expressed your interest here! Because of you, Project Belgium is now official!

Filip

Comments

great news, Filip- im working on project France too. I have added and improved profiles of ancestors and "not ancestors" (people somewhat related to my family but with no blood relationship) and have been in conversation with some people who has helped me a lot. Cant wait to work on some Belgian Profiles as well!