French Letter Writing Guide: Difference between revisions

French Letter Writing Guide (view source)

Revision as of 09:13, 19 June 2018

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Update information about the no-longer-available international reply coupons.

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 How to Send Return Postage and Money
-The first time you write someone in Europe or Quebec, send three international reply coupons (available at most large post offices) to pay for return postage.
+The first time you write someone in Europe or Quebec, formerly you would have sent three international reply coupons (formerly available at most large post offices) to pay for return postage. However, as of January 27, 2013, the U.S. Postal Service no longer sells international reply coupons." (See section 381.1 on page 163 of "Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (May 7, 2018)," available at <nowiki>https://pe.usps.com/cpim/ftp/manuals/imm/full/imm.pdf</nowiki>.)
-When writing to a parish in Quebec, it is also a good idea to send a donation of $10 as a courtesy. Do not send a personal check, which is difficult and expensive to exchange. Cash is most easily converted to foreign currency, but there are always risks in sending cash.
+Consider using, instead, an international bank draft, which is an easy and inexpensive way to send money to Europe or Quebec from the United States. Simply telephone Ruesch International Financial Services at 800-424-2923. Ask for an international bank draft for the equivalent of $10 (or another amount) in either Canadian dollars or Belgian, Luxembourg, Swiss, or French francs. There is a $2 service charge. Have the check made payable to the organization you are contacting (the paroisse [parish] in Quebec). Ruesch will give you a transaction number to write on your payment check. Send the payment to:
-An easy and inexpensive way to send money to Europe or Quebec from the United States is to telephone Ruesch International Financial Services at 800-424-2923. Ask for an international bank draft for the equivalent of $10 (or another amount) in either Canadian dollars or Belgian, Luxembourg, Swiss, or French francs. There is a $2 service charge. Have the check made payable to the organization you are contacting (the paroisse [parish] in Quebec). Ruesch will give you a transaction number to write on your payment check. Send the payment to:
 Ruesch International Financial Services <br>International Division, 10th floor <br>1350 Eye Street N.W. <br>Washington, DC 20005
 When they receive your payment, Ruesch will promptly send you a foreign currency draft (check) you can mail to Europe or Quebec.
+When writing to a parish in Quebec, it is also a good idea to send a donation of $10 as a courtesy. Do not send a personal check, which is difficult and expensive to exchange. Cash is most easily converted to foreign currency, but there are always risks in sending cash. Consider using the international bank draft also for that purpose.
 Some researchers do not send money when writing to a civil registration office, archive, researcher, or genealogical society for the first time. These organizations may prefer to bill you for their services. Some may ask you to make the check payable to their account number. If you want, you may write an institution to determine their fees before making a request. However, this will significantly increase the time it takes to get information.