Sources and Databases
The information on the maps and graphs of this atlas has mainly been derived from digitised historical and contemporary databases containing causes of death. Information on both aggregated and individual-level data was used. Additionally, information has been derived from the civil registers of birth and death of the studied cities.
On the infographic below, you can find a timeline that shows which periodes are covered by which datasets. More information about each source can be found below the infographic.
Mouvement de la population
The “Mouvement de la Population et de l’État civil” is an annual statistical series for Belgium, giving detailed information by municipality on births, deaths, migrations, stillbirths, etc. The series begins in 1841 and runs until 1976. It contains tables for causes of death from 1851 onwards until 1976.
The data cover the entire Belgian territory, at the municipal level (making it very useful for local historical/demographic research). The series is accessible via the Belgian national archives.
The digitised registers and their inventory can be consulted via the online catalogue of the Belgian State Archives. Registration is free, but is needed to view images.
National Demographic Database
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S.O.S. Antwerp Database
The S.O.S. Antwerp database is the result of the S.O.S. Antwerp project (Social Inequality in Mortality, 1820-1846), a collaboration between the universities of Ghent and Antwerp, the Felix Archive, Histories vzw, and 761 citizen scientists. The database was created between 2020 and 2025. The creation of the database was overseen by the Ghent University Quetelet Center.
The S.O.S. Antwerpen database is a database of the cause of death registers of the city of Antwerp, Belgium. The database contains data from the Antwerp register of causes of death (1820-1946) and the Antwerp death certificates (1820-1920). It contains information on 480.611 people who died in the historical city of Antwerp between 1820 and 1946 an on approximately 1.800 Antwerp residents who died elsewhere or whose place of death is unknown and who also appear in the original causes of death registers.
The database contains a variety of personal data, with up to 20 variables per person. It includes the cause of death, name, age, and date of death of the deceased, marital status, occupation, place of residence, institution of death, the physician who performed the death, and the funeral director.
The database is hosted on the website of the Antwerp Felix Archives. This link will take you directly to the database: https://felixarchief.antwerpen.be/detailtoegang/1224
The database has inventory number 1224#149 and is titled “Databank doodsoorzaken 1820-1946.”
Zele Database
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Chatelet Database
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Other resources
ICD10h, and other resources used for the creation?
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