Albrandswaard (EN)
History
Albrandswaard was originally a high seigniory, located on a silted up and reclaimed piece of land in the Riederwaard on the south-western tip of the island of IJsselmonde. The first mention dates from 1201. Count Dirk VII of Holland then confirmed the gift of Walterus van Eggemunde and Antonius de Gelmen, consisting of the property Albrandswaard in the land of Putten, to the abbey ter Does near Bruges in Flanders.
As a jurisdiction and former municipality, Albrandswaard existed until 1841. Albrandswaard was then merged into Poortugaal. In 1985, a new municipality of Albrandswaard was created through a merger of Rhoon and Poortugaal. Due to a boundary correction, part of Poortugaal did not come under the municipality of Albrandswaard but under Hoogvliet.
Formerly independent municipalities
The current municipality of Albrandswaard comprises two residential areas that were independent before 1985:
- Poortugaal
- Rhoon
The archives of these former municipalities, like those of Albrandswaard, are in the Rotterdam City Archives.
Researching the archives
Stadsarchief Rotterdam has a small collection of Albrandswaard archives. On the other hand, the archives of the Hoge Heerlijkheid Albrandswaard do contain the oldest records the city archives have: they date from 1201. Larger collections are available from Rhoon and Poortugaal. You can consult the archives in the reading room.
- Hoge Heerlijkheid Albrandswaard (1201-1908)
- Ambacht en gemeente Albrandswaard (1649-1841)
- Griffie gemeente Albrandswaard (2011)
Family history research
Search and view civil status records for Albrandswaard using the Genealogy search page. Pre-1811 data on Albrandswaard residents can be found in the church registers of Poortugaal.
Other archives, visual material and literature
Stadsarchief Rotterdam also holds material from private persons, companies and institutions that are or have been active in Albrandswaard. Go to the Archives search page.
Visual material is accessible via the Image bank.
Books and magazine articles can be found in the Library catalogue (publications from 1994 onwards) or in the card catalogue in the reading room (publications up to 1994).