The Royal Belgian Genealogical and Heraldic Office (French: Association Royale Office Généalogique et Héraldique de Belgique or OGHB) is a private genealogical and heraldic society in Belgium. It was founded in 1942 as an ASBL and has over a thousand members interested in genealogy and heraldry. While it publishes exclusively in the French language, it covers all regions of Belgium.

Its main purpose is the historical study of families without distinction of social class or profession as well as the auxiliary sciences of history, such as genealogy and heraldry.

The OGHB benefits from royal patronage and government subsidies and is thus considered as having a somewhat greater status than a purely private society.

It used to record the arms of persons and families before this task was taken over by the Council of Heraldry and Vexillology for the French Community and the Flemish Heraldic Council for the Flemish Community.

Publications The association publishes a number of publications:

Le Parchemin: a bimonthly review with table and index. Le Héraut: quarterly link sheet with practical information and announcements. Les Recueils: works, each issue of which includes a major study (most often genealogical). Example: the living heraldic armorial.

Board of directors Source: Mr François de PIERPONTpresidentMr Bertrand MAUS de ROLLEYvice-president, general treasurerMr François-Xavier GEUBELvice-presidentMr Philippe PETITgeneral secretaryMr Marc BELVAUXsecretary of redaction of the ParcheminMr Damien BREULS de TIECKENresponsible for logisticsMr Christophe DEFOSSAdirector of the RecueilMr Bernard de HAANadministratorMr Renaud HACHEZadministratorMr Baudouin D'HOOREarchivistMr Frédéric de MONTPELLIER d'ANNEVOIEdirector of the ParcheminMr Jean-Jacques van ORMELINGENadministratorMr Cédric PAUWELSadministratorCount Baudouin d'URSELadministratorMr Bernard VANDERMEERSCHadministrator

See also

Family history society Belgian heraldry Council of Heraldry and Vexillology Flemish Heraldic Council Heraldry societies Association Royale des Descendants des Lignages de Bruxelles

References