Kosterekeningen

Kosterekeningen, often translated as sexton's bills or churchwarden's accounts, are historical financial records maintained by churches and religious institutions. These documents typically detail the income and expenditures related to the upkeep and operation of a church building and its associated activities. Income sources often included tithes, donations, rents from church property, and fees for services like weddings and funerals.

Expenditures documented in kosterekeningen could encompass a wide range of items. These might include the cost of repairs and maintenance for the church structure, payment for church staff such as the sexton, organist, or choir, the purchase of supplies like candles, incense, and communion wine, and expenses related to religious services and events. In some historical contexts, these accounts might also reflect costs associated with charitable activities undertaken by the church.

The study of kosterekeningen provides valuable insights into the economic history of religious institutions, the social and economic conditions of the communities they served, and the daily life and administration of churches throughout different periods. They are primary source documents for historians and genealogists researching local history, church administration, and the material culture of religious practice. The level of detail and the specific items recorded could vary significantly depending on the era, the size of the congregation, and the administrative practices of the particular church.