In the article I’d like to post a very quick and short cheat sheet on how to get the alien files from the Archives of Antwerp.

Check the end of this article in order to understand more about the districts which together make Antwerp.

Getting the alien files from the Archives of Antwerp:

For the district “Antwerpen”:

• Use FamilySeach.org to search index of Alien Files in the Antwerp Police Immigration Index, 1840-1930 → https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1477769
• Use the file number from FamilySearch to download the files → http://zoeken.felixarchief.be
• Alternatively browse scanned copies of the alien files from 1840 to 1930 which are not indexed yet → https://familysearch.org/search/image/index#uri=https://familysearch.org/recapi/sord/collection/2023926/waypoints or an easier way, use the following handy website which makes browsing the FamilySearch website much simpler → http://zoekakten.nl/plaatsen.php?id=AW|B0000|

For the other districts:

• Search the index → http://zoeken.felixarchief.be/zHome/Home.aspx?id_isad=327220
• Get the file on site (not yet available online, status June 2015)

Check www.gershon-lehrer.be/blog/2012/11/getting-copies-of-alien-files for more information etc.

The Districts of Antwerp:
You need to understand that the city of Antwerp is composed of 9 districts. Most of these districts were in the past independent municipalities. These districts, which are now part of the City of Antwerp, do have some limited independent administrative functions.

Here is a map of Antwerp with its 9 districts:

District Antwerpen (district) Berchem Berendrecht-Zandvliet-Lillo Borgerhout Deurne Ekeren Hoboken Merksem Wilrijk