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France Archives and Libraries: Difference between revisions
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''France [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] Archives and Libraries'' | ''[[France|France]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] Archives and Libraries'' | ||
Archives collect and preserve original documents of organizations. These documents include government and church records. Libraries normally collect published sources such as books, maps, and microfilms. This section describes the major repositories of genealogical and historical records and sources for France. When one of these institutions is referred to elsewhere in this outline, return to this section to obtain the address. | Archives collect and preserve original documents of organizations. These documents include government and church records. Libraries normally collect published sources such as books, maps, and microfilms. This section describes the major repositories of genealogical and historical records and sources for France. When one of these institutions is referred to elsewhere in this outline, return to this section to obtain the address. | ||
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*Other libraries, networks, and archives | *Other libraries, networks, and archives | ||
=== Departmental Archives === | === Departmental Archives === | ||
In France each department has its own archive [Archives départementales] that is separate from those of the national government. Most French records of genealogical value are kept at these archives. The departmental archives serve as repositories for local records. Their collections include: | In France each department has its own archive [Archives départementales] that is separate from those of the national government. Most French records of genealogical value are kept at these archives. The departmental archives serve as repositories for local records. Their collections include: | ||
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Copies of civil registers that are more than 100 years old are deposited at the departmental archives, except in extremely large towns, which have their own municipal archives. | Copies of civil registers that are more than 100 years old are deposited at the departmental archives, except in extremely large towns, which have their own municipal archives. | ||
=== Inventories, Registers, Catalogs === | === Inventories, Registers, Catalogs === | ||
Most departmental archives have inventories and guides that describe their collections. If possible, study these inventories or guides before you visit an archive so that you can use your time more effectively. A bibliography of inventories and guides from each department is included in: | Most departmental archives have inventories and guides that describe their collections. If possible, study these inventories or guides before you visit an archive so that you can use your time more effectively. A bibliography of inventories and guides from each department is included in: | ||
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A directory of French departmental archive addresses is found on pages 157-60 of the International Directory of Archives. (See a description of the directory at the end of this section.) | A directory of French departmental archive addresses is found on pages 157-60 of the International Directory of Archives. (See a description of the directory at the end of this section.) | ||
=== Town Registrars === | === Town Registrars === | ||
Original local records of births, marriages, and deaths created by a town registrar from 1792 to the present are usually found at the civil registration office [bureau de l'état civil] in the town hall [mairie]. However, the most recent hundred years are confidential. Birth and marriage certificates will be issued only to direct-line descendants who submit a written request. Obtaining death certificates for people who have died within the last hundred years is usually not a problem. | Original local records of births, marriages, and deaths created by a town registrar from 1792 to the present are usually found at the civil registration office [bureau de l'état civil] in the town hall [mairie]. However, the most recent hundred years are confidential. Birth and marriage certificates will be issued only to direct-line descendants who submit a written request. Obtaining death certificates for people who have died within the last hundred years is usually not a problem. | ||
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*http://www.bibgen.org/ | *http://www.bibgen.org/ | ||
=== Computer Networks === | === Computer Networks === | ||
Minitel is a French on-line computer network service connected by telephone lines. Minitel includes several databases and services of interest to family history researchers. Researchers around the world who have personal computers, Minitel software (which is free), and a modem can gain access. Users are charged a fee based on their connect time. The service is available twenty-four hours a day. | Minitel is a French on-line computer network service connected by telephone lines. Minitel includes several databases and services of interest to family history researchers. Researchers around the world who have personal computers, Minitel software (which is free), and a modem can gain access. Users are charged a fee based on their connect time. The service is available twenty-four hours a day. | ||