Links to website Homepage Get data Introduction The HSN offers a representative sample of about 78.000 people born in the Netherlands during the period 1812-1922. The HSN-database containing individual life courses is a unique tool for research in Dutch history and demography. Shortname HSN IDS compatible Yes Period 1812 - 1922 Territory The Netherlands Category Longitudinal Contact information Organisation International Institute of Social History (IISH) Web Address http://www.iisg.nl/hsn Location Amsterdam, the Netherlands Postal Address P.O. Box 2169, 1000 CD Amsterdam Contact Persons Kees Mandemakers kma@iisg.nl Scope / Status Original goal To construct a database of 78,000 life courses of individuals born in the Netherlands in the period 1812-1922, available for historical and demographic research. The database contains data over the period 1812-present. In addition, the HSN is involved in several collaborative research projects (see: www.iisg.nl/~hsn/projects), for which data have been collected. Sample definition A sample drawn from Dutch civil birth certificates in the period 1812-1922: a total number of 78,000 individuals. Geographic area under observation The sample is at random spread over the whole of the Netherlands, almost all municipalities are included. Realized parts All birth certificates have been entered of which 40.000 life courses has been realized have been completed, mainly from the birth period 1863-1922. Sources Sources From yearEnd yearSourceExplanationPDF 1812 1950 Civil marriage certificates Based on sample 1812 1939 Civil death certificates Based on sample 1850 1939 Civil population registers 1940 2012 Individual Cards Observations Units of observation Unit of observation ExplanationNumber Individuals Sample of individuals 78,000 Married couples Consisting of research person and spouse (data from population registers and/or marriage certificates). 40,000 Families Only observed when research person and family cohabit (parents and families of unit of observation itself). Data are from population registers. A family is broad defined (including more generations). 40,000 Households All households in which the research person is observed (including institutionalized households and households where the research person was serving, etc.). Data are from population registers. 150,000 Are there any related observations that are not included in the database? Information is available of all individuals who were involved in a vital event concerning the research person (birth, marriage, death) and those observed in the household of the research person. How do the units of observation enter observation? Research person: Birth and after that, via population register. Other individuals: via population register because of co-residing with research person and/or via civil certificates including as parents in law, witnesses etc. How do the units of observation leave observation? Research person: death/emigration abroad/if historical source is not available. Other individuals: as soon as they do not co-register with the research person. Dates estimated Estimates can be made. Are some entry or exit dates unknown? Sometimes, but then a period of exit is known. Can observations be linked to geographic locations? Yes Are the dates and locations of movements within the observation area recorded? Yes Are all individuals who lived in the households of sample members recorded? Yes Variables Events TypeDatedExplanation Birth Yes Marriage Yes And divorce. Death Yes Migration Partly Internal migration (within municipality) is not dated before ca. 1920, external migration is usually dated. Occupation Partly Usually only the period in which a change took place is explicit. Religion Partly Usually only the period in which a change took place is explicit. Relationships Partly Sometimes exact, sometimes period. Coding / Reference systems Occupational titles: HISCO, only partly implemented. Locations (including geo-referenced systems): Only on level of municipality. Religion, civil status etc.: Standardized. Kinship relations Recording The kinship or relationship to the head of the household or the subject of the certificate is mentioned in the source. From this, the relationship to the member of the sample can be derived. Depth of information As far as previous or later generations are residing in the household of members of the sample. Comparability They are quite comparable, the generation born before 1850 is less fortunate because the lack op a population register. Publications Publications - N/A
