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France Church Records: Difference between revisions
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For birth, death, and marriage records after 1792, see [[France Civil Registration- Vital Records]]. | For birth, death, and marriage records after 1792, see [[France Civil Registration- Vital Records]]. | ||
== General Historical Background == | |||
The keeping of Catholic parish registers was first required by the church at the beginning of the fifteenth century. The oldest parish register in France, for the city of Givry, dates back to 1334. However parish registers are rare until 1539, when the French king, François I, required priests to keep parish registers. Unfortunately, many of the earlier records have been destroyed or lost. | The keeping of Catholic parish registers was first required by the church at the beginning of the fifteenth century. The oldest parish register in France, for the city of Givry, dates back to 1334. However parish registers are rare until 1539, when the French king, François I, required priests to keep parish registers. Unfortunately, many of the earlier records have been destroyed or lost. | ||
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*Bukke, Inger M., et. al. ''The Comprehensive Genealogical Feast Day Calendar''. Bountiful, Utah, USA: Thomson's Genealogical Center, 1983. (FHL book 529.44 C738; fiche 6054630.) | *Bukke, Inger M., et. al. ''The Comprehensive Genealogical Feast Day Calendar''. Bountiful, Utah, USA: Thomson's Genealogical Center, 1983. (FHL book 529.44 C738; fiche 6054630.) | ||
== Duplicate Church Records == | |||
The practice of making duplicates of church books was introduced as law in 1667. The original was kept at the vicarage, and the duplicate was delivered to the clerk of the court [greffe du bailliage]. Although this law was not completely obeyed, most parishes did comply and made at least some copies. Another law reinforcing the requirement for parish register duplicates was passed in 1736. Sometime after the French Revolution, these duplicates and most of the original parish registers prior to 1792 were handed over to the departmental archives for safekeeping. | The practice of making duplicates of church books was introduced as law in 1667. The original was kept at the vicarage, and the duplicate was delivered to the clerk of the court [greffe du bailliage]. Although this law was not completely obeyed, most parishes did comply and made at least some copies. Another law reinforcing the requirement for parish register duplicates was passed in 1736. Sometime after the French Revolution, these duplicates and most of the original parish registers prior to 1792 were handed over to the departmental archives for safekeeping. | ||
== Differences in Record Keeping by Various Churches == | |||
The manner of keeping church records differed somewhat depending on the religion. For more information on the churches of France, see [[France Church History]]. | The manner of keeping church records differed somewhat depending on the religion. For more information on the churches of France, see [[France Church History]]. | ||
=== Catholic Church === | |||
The Catholic churches in France were among the first to keep vital records. The Council of Trent in 1563 issued the first mandate that Roman Catholic parishes keep records of christenings. A later directive in 1579 required the keeping of marriage and death records. The churches in France did not always comply with this regulation. Many Catholic registers date from the mid-1600s, but a few date back to the 1500s. However, there are some earlier records, such as the parish registers of Givry (Saône-et-Loire) which go from 1334 to 1357 and the records of Roz Landrieux (Ille-et-Villaine) from 1451 to 1528. Records were kept in French or Latin. | |||
Although many of the very early records may have been preserved, many parishes have gaps in their records, especially before 1736. | Although many of the very early records may have been preserved, many parishes have gaps in their records, especially before 1736. | ||
=== Protestants (Huguenots and others) === | |||
''See also: ''[[France Huguenots]] <br> | ''See also: ''[[France Huguenots]] <br> | ||
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[[France, Protestant Church Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)|France, Protestant Church Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)]] | [[France, Protestant Church Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)|France, Protestant Church Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)]] | ||
=== Baptisms [baptêmes] === | ==== Baptisms [baptêmes] ==== | ||
Catholic children were usually baptized within two days of birth. Some were given an emergency baptism [ondoyé] by the midwife when the child was in danger of death. Protestant children were usually baptized within a few weeks of birth. Baptism registers usually give the infant's and parents' names, status of legitimacy, names of godparents, and the baptism date. You may also find the child's birth date, the father's occupation, and the family's place of residence. Death information has sometimes been added as a note. Children who died at birth may be recorded only in the death records. | Catholic children were usually baptized within two days of birth. Some were given an emergency baptism [ondoyé] by the midwife when the child was in danger of death. Protestant children were usually baptized within a few weeks of birth. Baptism registers usually give the infant's and parents' names, status of legitimacy, names of godparents, and the baptism date. You may also find the child's birth date, the father's occupation, and the family's place of residence. Death information has sometimes been added as a note. Children who died at birth may be recorded only in the death records. | ||
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[[France Births and Baptisms (FamilySearch Historical Records)]] | [[France Births and Baptisms (FamilySearch Historical Records)]] | ||
=== Marriages [Mariages] === | ==== Marriages [Mariages] ==== | ||
Marriage registers give the date of the marriage and the names of the bride and groom and their parents or deceased spouse. They also indicate whether they were single or widowed and give the names and relationships of witnesses. They often include other information about the bride and groom, such as their ages, residences, occupations, and sometimes birthplaces. In cases of second and later marriages, they include the names of previous partners and their death dates. Often a note is made whether a parent or other party gave permission for the marriage. | Marriage registers give the date of the marriage and the names of the bride and groom and their parents or deceased spouse. They also indicate whether they were single or widowed and give the names and relationships of witnesses. They often include other information about the bride and groom, such as their ages, residences, occupations, and sometimes birthplaces. In cases of second and later marriages, they include the names of previous partners and their death dates. Often a note is made whether a parent or other party gave permission for the marriage. | ||
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[[France Marriages (FamilySearch Historical Records)]] | [[France Marriages (FamilySearch Historical Records)]] | ||
=== Rehabilitation [réhabilitation] === | ===== Rehabilitation [réhabilitation] ===== | ||
Closely related people [consanguinité or affinité spirituelle] required special permission to marry [dispensation]. If a close relationship was discovered after marriage, a rehabilitation was required which granted the couple permission to stay married. Rehabilitations are often found in the marriage registers but more often at the diocesan archives. These were recorded like a marriage but sometimes twenty or thirty years after a marriage. Sometimes a chart showing the relationship can be found either in the parish registers or in the departmental archives record, series G. | Closely related people [consanguinité or affinité spirituelle] required special permission to marry [dispensation]. If a close relationship was discovered after marriage, a rehabilitation was required which granted the couple permission to stay married. Rehabilitations are often found in the marriage registers but more often at the diocesan archives. These were recorded like a marriage but sometimes twenty or thirty years after a marriage. Sometimes a chart showing the relationship can be found either in the parish registers or in the departmental archives record, series G. | ||
=== Burials [Sépultures] === | ==== Burials [Sépultures] ==== | ||
Burials were recorded in the church record of the parish where the person was buried. The burial usually took place within a few days of the death, in the parish where the person died. Burial registers give the name of the deceased and the date and place of the burial. Often the age, place of residence, name of the surviving spouse or parents, and sometimes birthplace are given. But early death registers failed to record the age of the deceased and information about parents or spouse. | Burials were recorded in the church record of the parish where the person was buried. The burial usually took place within a few days of the death, in the parish where the person died. Burial registers give the name of the deceased and the date and place of the burial. Often the age, place of residence, name of the surviving spouse or parents, and sometimes birthplace are given. But early death registers failed to record the age of the deceased and information about parents or spouse. | ||