THE FAMILY ASSOCIATION.


About the family association VANDENBEMPT from Brabant : Bill NAUGHTON once claimed : " it takes almost a lifetime to bring a family together, but it takes only one week-end to tear them apart again ...". Probably this man is partly correct in his assumption because it took quite some effort and time to contact the +/-350 families of our family association and to organise for them an annual family meeting and other social activities.
However there is no question about splitting up over one week-end, on the contrary !



The foundation of the association on the 7 July 1984.

What happened before...

Anno 1979 ...
Libert en Gilbert Vandenbempt from Bierbeek started the search of the history and genealogy of the family Vandenbempt.
For that purpose they visited, amongst others, the Public Record Office in Brussels and many city halls.
To obtain more information about the families Vandenbempt, they wrote letters to different namesakes, who responded positively.
In 1983 they published their first two books : More than 200 books were distributed.
All these were the basis for all the other events.

The foundation of the association.

A spontaneous group of enthusiastic collaborators emerged.
As a result about ten people came together at Bierbeek on the 7 July 1984 and they founded " the family association Vandenbempt from Brabant " To that effect the newly founded Board took several initiatives.

The ten founders and as such the original Board consisted of :

The Board underwent some changes over the years: see present Board .

The byelaws of the association.

The byelaws of the association have only been signed officialy on the 24 November 1990.
Nowadays the association consists of:
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The quarterly magazine.

In January 1985 the first issue of the quarterly Magazine of the family association from Brabant was publiced. " Tijdschrift van de Familievereniging Vandenbempt uit Brabant " .
This magazine is published thanks to numerous volunteers.

The major items include :

350 copies of the Magazine are printed and they are distributed amongst namesakes and supporting members. Every year we ask for a voluntary contribution of BF. 350,-.

A copy of each Magazine can be found in the reading room of the "Flemish association for Genealogy" (VVF) at Antwerp..


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The family chorus and the genealogical song.

On the 30 April 1987, the family chorus Vandenbempt , founded some months before, add lustre to the celebration of the Eucharist, which precedes each general assembly. The mixed chorus Vandenbempt operates mainly the celebration of the Eucharist on the following occasions : Orgon player is Pierre STEENO-Vandenbempt from Bierbeek.
The first conductor was Ludo STEENO, superseded by Staf NOE.

Fons Vanden Bempt from Kessel-Lo created the genealogical song .
With verses tailored to the tune of Heidewitzka he has some experience!


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Some of the activities of the family association.

Some examples of the numerous activities we organise : Activities are announced and discussed in our quarterly family Magazine.


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The Board of the association Vandenbempt.

The acting Board on the 17 March 1996 :


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Return to the Homepage Vandenbempt.


Most recent update : 03/04/96.
Translation from Dutch into English by Yvo Vandenbempt, Opvelp.

For more information :
contact Vandenbempt G. or Vandenbempt L.