Following the success of the initial site dedicated to the history and heritage of the three villages, a new digital platform has been launched: www.heleracines.be. The ambition remains the same: to promote, preserve, and pass down local history, as well as the stories of the women and men who lived there.
Among the new features, the site offers a constantly evolving family tree, already gathering over 10,000 individuals from the 16th century to the present day. Visitors are encouraged to research their ancestors and can contact heleracines@gmail.com for any information.
A collection of notices on the historical families of Hélécine is also available, detailing the origin of names, their geographical distribution, and research findings.
The Wars & Battles section addresses the impact of conflicts on the villages, notably the two battles of Neerwinden and the Napoleonic era. Research has helped trace the destinies of 57 young men from the commune, some of whom are ancestors of current residents. Pages on the two World Wars are under development, and memories, documents, and testimonies are sought.
The Witnesses of Their Time section gives a face and a story back to inhabitants who experienced the upheavals of their era, whether they faced war, occupation, exile, or resistance. These individual journeys offer another perspective on Hélécine's history.
Other chapters are in preparation, including the exodus to the United States in the 19th century, the history of the tramway, and a comprehensive history of the villages from Antiquity to the present day. The initial site, with its interactive map, will also be updated.
The Héléracines project is dynamic and will grow through research and contributions from residents: old family photos, forgotten documents, stories from grandparents, or information about former buildings. Julien Sevenans can be contacted via Messenger/Facebook or at heleracines@gmail.com.
