This page was first created onJan 2, 2009; latest update made on Tue Jan 03 00:14:51 2012..

On these web pages, the result is represented of the ongoing genealogical population reconstruction for Klerken Houthulst and some neighbouring areas. This work stems from the original Debruyne genealogy research, that was first extended with full family name research for other highly visible family names of Klerken such as Beauprez and Verslype.

The consolidated database is primarily based on own research of Parish Registers of Klerken and Houthulst as available at the VCGH and more recenly also at VVF Roeselare. It was further supported by available Census and Parish Register Index publications by VVF on Klerken, Zarren, Woumen and other neighbouring villages. Great help was offered by the spreasheet transcription of Parish Register data by Roger Clauw. Another major source is the work published by Michael Kelly living in Ottawa, Canada, focusing on a similar reconstruction project, but primarily based on Civil Records of the 1800s and more Parish Register data, as available at the Canadian Government Archives.

More recently, another great source with lots of background histroy data came available: Geert Tavernier (Bruges) published research about the "boskanters" (forest side dwellers) from around Houthulst (18th and 19th centuries). All data were compiled in a voluminous manuscripts of over 300 pages (Dutch language only). The author makes this available to those interested in the form of a PDF file, downloadable from the Westhoek local history group website "Het duistere verleden van het Houthulstbos - Geschiedenis van de boskanters uit de omgeving van Houthulst (18e – 19e eeuw)" (title in English: "The dark past of Houthulst forest - History of the forest side dwellers in Houthulst area (18th - 19th centuries)"

As of today; there are 17468 individuals and 5352 families representing 2324 surnames in this database, as it is published here. People represented here had birth, marriage or death registered in Klerken, or where directly related in the 1st or 2nd degree to people having such link. This 17468 individiuals represent an estimated 20% of the total population living in Klerken Houthulst during the period 1653-1900. Obviously, this number will increase with every future update of these pages. Please come again or ask for data if not immediately found.