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 :
- The surname Vandenbempt throughout the centuries.
- The outline of the life of Lambertus Josephus Vanden Bempt
(1712-1783).
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 "
- Originally it was founded for all descendants, who beared the surname
Vandenbempt, of Matthias van den Bempde (Bemde), who married Ursula Van de Putte
in 1673 at Tienen .
Later the association was extended to include all namesakes
Vandenbempt.
- The goal has been formulated as follows :
- To improve the mutual contacts between the families Vandenbempt.
- To aim the creation of a real family spirit .
To that effect the newly founded Board took several
initiatives.
The ten founders and as such the original Board consisted of :
- Karel Vanden Bempt, honorary chairman.
- Armand Vanden Bempt, chairman.
- Libert Vandenbempt, secretary.
- Gilbert Vandenbemt, secretary.
- Yvo Vandenbempt, cashier.
- Alfons Vanden Bempt
- Cécile Vanden Bempt
- Willy Vandenbempt
- René Vanden Bempt
- Emiel Vandenbempt
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:
- Ordinary members : they are the descendants of Matthias van den Bempde.
- Supporting members : they pay an annual contribution on a voluntary basis.
- Members of the Board.
- Honorary members : appointed on the basis of their effort
and devotion in favour of the association.
Return to the survey.
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 :
- Articles regarding " the genealogy Vandenbempt ".
- Printing of documents and family shots.
- Necrology.
- Articles about monuments and buildings linked in one way
or another with our surname.
- Interviews with existing namesakes.
- Announcements and reports of all our activities.
- The traditional family news.
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..
Return to the survey.
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 :
- The annual General Assembly.
- Jubilees.
- Marriages.
- Death.
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!
Return to the survey.
Some of the activities of the family
association.
Some examples of the numerous activities we organise :
- The annual General Assembly Vandenbempt.
Always according to a fixed procedure :
- A celebration of the Eucharist with lustre added by the Vandenbempt chorus.
- A statutory meeting.
- A happy together of namesakes, their family and supporters.
- The annual walks .
Always under the supervision of Frans Vanden Bempt from Linden.
- The annual half day trip .
- The management meetings . (bi-monthly)
- The issue of our quarterly
family association Magazine .
- The family chorus Vandenbempt.
- The editing of the family book with the genealogy of the different
families.
Activities are announced and discussed in our quarterly family Magazine.
Return to the survey.
The Board of the association Vandenbempt.
The acting Board on the 17 March 1996 :
- Chairman :
- Armand Vanden Bempt-Ulens, Bierbeek.
- Deputy chairmen :
- Fons Vanden Bempt-Meurrens, Kessel-Lo.
- Willy Vandenbempt-Michiels, Meerhout.
- Honorary chairman :
- Karel Vanden Bempt-Boncher, Tienen.
- Secretaries :
- Dr. Libert Vandenbempt-Machiels, Tienen.
- Dr. Gilbert Vandenbempt-De Lombaerde, Haasrode.
- Cashier :
- Archivist :
- Emiel Vandenbempt-Steeno, Bierbeek.
- Members of the Board :
- Rene Vanden Bempt-Vanhentenrijck, Neervelp.
- Jules Vandenbempt, Namur.
- Hans en Nora Claessens-Vanden Bempt, Wilrijk
- Marc Van Bael-Vanden Bempt, Heverlee.
Return to the survey.
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.