The Basics: A Guide
Chapter 15
Taxation records offer supplemental information
In the previous chapter, I visited the issue of taxes on marriages and burials. This time I want to explore tax records on such things as hearthstones, chimneys, salt, soap, cattle, etc.
The town of Lekkerkerk in Zuid-Holland is a good example of this type of taxation. But what help is this type of taxation to the family historian or genealogist?
In my case I found the names of two of my forebears that I had been unable to find in the church register of marriages and baptisms or christenings. The taxes also gave me an insight into the possessions and wealth of my forebears. It also confirmed that my forebears lived in that town earlier than I had expected.
There were other registers called Quohier or Kohier, that were used for tax assessment or tax exemption. The aforementioned tax register of Lekkerland (quohier van de huishoudende familien van Lekkerkerk) is one good example, the Quotisatie Kohier of 1749 in Friesland is another good register. In both registers you find the names of forebears, a statement of their wealth (or lack thereof), number of children above 10 years of age, number of children below 10 years of age and sometimes the occupation of these people.