Berkel and Rodenrijs (EN)

Gebouwen Berkelse Groenteveilingen in 1965. Foto Ary Groeneveld. Collectie 4121 nr. 7684-01
Buildings of the vegetable auction of Berkel in 1965. Photo by Ary Groeneveld. Collection 4121 nr. 7684-01

History

The district originated as early as the Middle Ages. The oldest mention dates from 1303. Count Jan van Henegouwen granted the count of Berkel and Rodenrijs the privilege of administering justice in certain cases.

The administration of the district consisted of the bailiff, guards, sworn representatives and secretary. They were responsible for numerous tasks that are still part of the municipality's duties today, such as public order and safety, construction of public buildings, care of the poor and education.

As in Bergschenhoek and Bleiswijk, peat was cut in Berkel en Rodenrijs and extensive ponds formed. In the eighteenth century, it was decided to reclaim the fertile land under the water for arable farming. Large reclaimed areas such as the North, West and South polders were created in 1776. The city of Rotterdam, which held the seigniory of Bleiswijk and Bergschenhoek, forced Berkel and Rodenrijs to help pay for the reclamation of the other villages.

During the 1795 revolution, the municipal government was sidelined and taken over by patriots. In 1855, Berkel en Rodenrijs expanded and De Tempel was added to the municipality. Since World War II, the population has more than tripled. In 2006, the village had 19,000 inhabitants. The following year, Berkel en Rodenrijs merged with Bergschenhoek and Bleiswijk to form the municipality of Lansingerland.

 

Doing research in government archives

The Stadsarchief Rotterdam has a collection of government archives from Berkel en Rodenrijs. You can view them in the reading room:

Other archives, visual material and literature

  • Stadsarchief Rotterdam also preserves material from private individuals, companies and institutions that are (or have been) active in Berkel en Rodenrijs. 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).

Family tree research

To search the civil registry and population registers, use the website WieWasWie or the Family tree search page.

Original civil status records that are in the public domain can be requested from our reading room.