The Hague The Netherlands The Dutch colonial past in Brazil, spanning from 1630 to 1654, is a subject of extensive documentation, yet its significance is perceived differently in Dutch and Brazilian historiographies. The Dutch National Archives, located in The Hague, and where we find ourselves now, hold a wealth of documents related to the West India Company and Dutch colonial enterprises, including those concerning Brazil. This archive serves as a crucial research hub for historians delving into Dutch overseas history. However, the Dutch presence in Brazil remains a secondary topic in Dutch history, often overshadowed by the more prolonged colonial experiences in Indonesia and Suriname.