THE LUXEMBOURG PROVINCE OF BELGIUM

Over the centuries, Luxembourg experienced three historic partitions. The final partition occurred in 1839 when a large portion of Luxembourg was ceded during the formation of the Kingdom of Belgium. This former area of Luxembourg is known today as the Province of Luxembourg in Belgium. The first residents of this province had been Luxembourgers for centuries.

In Luxembourgish, this region is referred to as the Arelerland because Arlon is called “Arel” in Luxembourgish.  There are 78 communities that make up the Arelerland.  Click here for a list of the 78 communities with their names shown both in French and in Lëtzebuergesch.  Those living in the Arelerland spoke Luxembourgish as their first language as opposed to those living a bit further West who were French speakers.

Due to political instability in the 1830s, Belgic-Luxembourgers started immigrating to America in the 1830s and 1840s.  Many were from the area around Arlon near today’s Belgian-Luxembourg border. 

These are some of the towns that saw significant immigration to America:  Arlon, Athus, Attert, Aubange, Autelbus, Barnich, Battincourt, Fouches, Freylange, Grendel, Guirsch, Habergy, Hachy, Halanzy, Hondelange, Messancy, Metzert, Nobressart, Nothomb, Perle, Post, Sampont, Schockville, Selange, Stockem, Tontelange, Turpange, Waltzig, Weyler, Willancourt and Wolkrange.