Menu
Expat.com

Finding ancestors/Indonesian roots

Post new topic

Babbelut

Hi, can anyone please tell me how to track down our Indonesian roots?
Great grandparents were from Indonesia, Bali we were told. Both were orphans and moved to the Netherlands and then to Belgium (Europe) where they took on another name and started running an orphanage in Belgium and started a family as well. How do we go about finding out where exactly in Indonesia they were from? Is there a national registration office or something like that where we could find out more?

Fred

You're going to have a hard time with this one.
With no names, only a guess as to where they were from, and at a time were few records were taken, much less kept over time, it's likely to be extremely difficult to impossible to find out anything about them.

Babbelut

You're absolutely correct. I'm just taking every chance I get to ask the question. You never know when I come across somebody who knows where or how to dig... :-)    Greetings from Belgium

Fred

If you knew the village where they lived in you might drop extremely lucky and find someone who remembers their name, maybe even a few details, but your chances are very slim.

Ubudian

Digging for ancestral records is never an easy task, but, it's not necessarily a "Mission Impossible."

The Dutch were remarkable in keeping records, and so long as copies of those records made it to the Hague...and not destroyed during the almost four years of Japanese occupation...there is always hope.

As Fred pointed out, an initial start with the kampung where they lived would be an excellent start, but keep in mind that those records are almost certainly to be via memory, and not any written, or documented records.

GuestPoster0210

Depending on when your grandparents went to Holland / Netherlands could well dictate any records at all, if between 1939-45 it’s quite likely these records had been destroyed by the Dutch themselves, this was purely to protect the Jewish community along with other groups
Similar actions also happened in many parts of south east Asia occupied by none friendly forces (Japanese in this case ) during WW2 if after these dates you have a chance

Articles to help you in your expat project in Bali

  • Working in Bali
    Working in Bali

    The multi-faceted island of Bali offers many opportunities for those who wish to move from tourist to ...

  • Accommodation in Bali
    Accommodation in Bali

    If you are planning to relocate to Bali, housing is a critical part of your project. So how to find your ...

  • Studying in Bali
    Studying in Bali

    Even if Bali is renowned as a major tourist destination, the island is by no means limited to its idyllic ...

  • Buying property in Bali
    Buying property in Bali

    Should your experience as an expatriate in Bali make you want to settle down permanently, you might want ...

  • Making friends in Bali
    Making friends in Bali

    Being an expat in Indonesia can be a daunting experience. Everything from the language barrier and the culture ...

  • Bali's labour market
    Bali's labour market

    With its idyllic beaches, lush mountain ranges and charming smiles, it's impossible not to fall ...

  • The work culture in Bali
    The work culture in Bali

    The work environment in Bali varies from company to company, but in general, it is closely linked to the overall ...

  • Adjusting to the culture in Bali
    Adjusting to the culture in Bali

    Bali is idyllic, and its people are welcoming and charming. This is what comes out of various reviews and ...

All of Bali's guide articles