Yvelines Archive Case Study Two

Tip Before Starting

The purpose of this page is to give you an example of an archive in France that has already uploaded images of their military registration records. For this purpose, the site of reference will be the Yvelines Archive site as it should be easy to access the records and accomplish this exercise.

Something to be aware of most of the archival web pages are in French. However, if you do not speak or read French well you use google chrome with the google translate feature on your page. In the upper right of your google chrome browser at the edge of the web page address.

If it is your first time using it you may have to download it to your browser.

If you have used it in the past it may ask with a dialog box what you would like to do with the page. Selecting English will allow the page to show you a version you may read. Be aware though that some of the pages do not translate well and may not give the complete meaning of the page it is translating.

Case Study

For the first case study, we will use the Yvelines Archives, as of the writing of this case study May 2023 it is one of the more modern sites with navigation that works consistently. The person to find is Jean Bazire. He was born 1876.

Step 1. Go to the Yvelines Archive on Google Chrome, because the options are available to translate the page with Google Translate. Which will make navigation easier for those who are not fluent speakers.

Step 2. Once on the site find the tab that says ‘Research’ or ‘Rechercher.’ Don’t click on this tab just place the mouse over it and hover. If you do accidentally click you should still be able to find the steps below or you can go back and try again.

Step 3. A submenu should appear as you hover. Look under the ‘Digitized Archives’ or ‘Archives Numérisées’ section, find and select ‘Military Enlistment Records’ or ‘Registres d’incorporation militaire.’

Step 4. These sets of records may have various names for registration including commonly conscription or incorporation registers to name a few. This page also has in French a few videos to describe the collection in addition to the written information presented. It explains why the collection is titled ‘Seine-et-Oise military enlistment registers.’

We will be using the middle sets for this case study. Specifically ‘Classes 1871 to 1921’This is one of the overlapping sets that have the interactive online index and the alphabetical indexes are no longer present. On this set, the records are indexed by the name of the subject. There are some in these sets that are not available to be viewed by digital images but the information may be viewable by derogation which is an abstract or extract of sorts. As mentioned in the first practice, the page that would have more information on the details has not been available. This is the second case study.

Step 5. Based on the information known about the individual. That he was born in 1876, the search should begin in the ‘Classes 1871 to 1921’ Since his 20th birthday would have been in 1896. With this in mind please select the green button that reads ‘Search Military Enlistment Records’ or ‘Efectuer une recherche dan les Registres d’incorporation militaire.’

Step 6. A new page will open and you will see three tabs listing the three sets discussed previously in Step 4. The tab is currently pink and labeled ‘Classes 1871 to 1921’ select it.

Step 7. Keep in mind this set is digitally indexed. Find the entry for Jean Bazire‘ for the class of 1896 and open it. It should be found with the reference number ‘1R/RM 273.’ When you have found it select the view icon which is an eye.

Step 8. It will open up the digital images of his registration record. Notice it is a single image some have two or more depending on service. Here is the link to the image.

Step 9. Looking at the image and general overlay of information. His full name was Adolphe Jean Georges Bazire lived in the Commune of Corbeil. He was the son of Adolphe Alexandre Bazire and Pirel Marie Desiree, who also lived in Corbeil. He was born on 23 April 1876. He received his orders in 1897. This record then gives details of where he was assigned, his matriculation number 3896, when he was discharged, and more. As it still has most of the same information as the first case study. Feel free to practice pulling out the details of this record.