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''[[France|France]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] Archives and Libraries''  
{{CountrySidebar
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|Local Resources=Archives and Libraries
|Rating=Standardized
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| link1=[[France Genealogy|France]]
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*'''Archives''' collect and preserve '''original documents''' of organizations such as churches or governments. '''Libraries''' generally collect '''published sources''' such as books, maps, and microfilm.
*'''If you plan to visit a repository, contact them''' and ask for information about their collection, hours, services, and fees. Ask if they require you to have a reader’s ticket (a paper indicating you are a responsible researcher) to view the records, and ask how to obtain one.
*Although the records you need may be in an archive or library, the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog '''FamilySearch Library'''] may have microfilmed and/or digitized copies of them.
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'''France has three major types of genealogical repositories:'''  


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.
*'''Departmental archives'''
*'''Town registrars'''
*'''Other libraries, networks, and archives'''<br>
|[[Image:749px-Fronton de la Bibliotheque Mazarine Paris.jpg|right|320x290px|749px-Fronton de la Bibliotheque Mazarine Paris.jpg]]<br>
|}
==Digital Libraries==
*[https://gallica.bnf.fr/accueil/en/content/accueil-en?mode=desktop Gallica] - digital library of the Bibliothèque nationale de France and its partners


If you plan to visit one of these repositories, contact the organization and ask for information about their collection, hours, services, and fees.
== Departmental Archives  ==
 
*[https://francearchives.fr/annuaire/departements Interactive Map to Online France Archives]
Although the records you need may be in an archive or library in France, the Family History Library has filmed over half of the vital records of France. A microfilm copy may be available in Salt Lake City or in its family history centers.
 
France has three major types of genealogical repositories:
*Departmental archives <br><br>[[Image:749px-Fronton de la Bibliotheque Mazarine Paris.jpg|frame|right|320x290px|749px-Fronton de la Bibliotheque Mazarine Paris.jpg]]<br>
*Town registrars
*Other libraries, networks, and 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. Their collections include:
*Civil registration birth, marriage, and death records.  
*Civil registration birth, marriage, and death records.  
*Church records (before 1792).
::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.
*Census records.
*Church records (before 1792)
*Some notarial records.
*Census records
*Military conscription records.
*Some notarial records
 
*Military conscription records
The departmental archives of France are open to the public. They are usually located in the largest town of the department. The archivists or staff members will answer general correspondence inquiries, such as those about the availability of records, but they do not have time to do research for you. They do not make photocopies of records. All departmental archives have a reading room in which researchers can do their own research. You may want to hire a researcher through a nearby genealogical society to search records at the departmental archives. See the "[[France Societies|Societies]]" section.
<br>
 
===Online Records: Departmental Links and FamilySearch Records===
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.  
*Civil registration (l'état civil) and church records (registres paroissiaux) for most departments are digitized and available online. Only civil status registers over 100 years old are published online.  
 
*Link to each department's online records:
=== 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:  
|
 
<ul class="column-spacing-fullscreen" style="width:100%;padding-right:5px;">
France. Direction des Archives. ''État des inventaires des archives départementales, communales et hospitalières au 1er janvier 1983 (Report on archive inventories of departments, communities, and hospitals)''. Two Volumes. Paris, France: Archives nationales, 1984. (FHL book 944 A3fan 1984; not on microfilm.)  
    <li>[[Ain, France Genealogy|Ain]] (01)</li>
 
    <li>[[Aisne, France Genealogy|Aisne]] (02)</li>
Some of these inventories and guides are available at the Family History Library, at public or university libraries, or through interlibrary loan. These types of records are listed in the Place search of the Family History Library Catalog under—
    <li>[[Allier, France Genealogy|Allier]] (03)</li>
 
    <li>[[Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France Genealogy|Alpes-de-Haute-Provence]] (04)</li>
FRANCE - ARCHIVES AND LIBRARIES
    <li>[[Hautes-Alpes, France Genealogy|Hautes-Alpes]] (05)</li>
 
    <li>[[Alpes-Maritimes, France Genealogy|Alpes-Maritimes]] (06)</li>
FRANCE - ARCHIVES AND LIBRARIES - INVENTORIES, REGISTERS, CATALOGS
    <li>[[Ardèche, France Genealogy|Ardèche]] (07)</li>
 
    <li>[[Ardennes, France Genealogy|Ardennes]] (08)</li>
FRANCE, [DEPARTMENT] - ARCHIVES AND LIBRARIES - INVENTORIES, REGISTERS, CATALOGS
    <li>[[Ariège, France Genealogy|Ariège]] (09)</li>
 
    <li>[[Aube, France Genealogy|Aube]] (10)</li>
More recent inventories may be available only at the departmental archives where the collection is continually updated. The archive inventories, however, are not always up to date. The person in charge of the reading room usually knows of records that may have been found recently. Inquire about other available civil or parish register collections not listed in the inventories.
    <li>[[Aude, France Genealogy|Aude]] (11)</li>
 
    <li>[[Aveyron, France Genealogy|Aveyron]] (12)</li>
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.)  
    <li>[[Bas-Rhin, France Genealogy|Bas-Rhin]] (67)</li>
 
    <li>[[Bouches-du-Rhône, France Genealogy|Bouches-du-Rhône]] (13)</li>
=== Town Registrars  ===
    <li>[[Calvados, France Genealogy|Calvados]] (14)</li>
 
    <li>[[Cantal, France Genealogy|Cantal]] (15)</li>
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.
    <li>[[Charente, France Genealogy|Charente]] (16)</li>
 
    <li>[[Charente-Maritime, France Genealogy|Charente-Maritime]] (17)</li>
First check the Family History Library Catalog for records that may already be microfilmed. If they are not at the library, your options are to visit the town, hire a researcher, or write.
    <li>[[Cher, France Genealogy|Cher]] (18)</li>
 
    <li>[[Corrèze, France Genealogy|Corrèze]] (19)</li>
Clerks at local civil registration offices are busy and are increasingly reluctant to help family history researchers. Clerks usually deposit duplicates of records before the last hundred years at the departmental archive. They expect researchers to use the departmental archive whenever possible. If you cannot visit, you may want to hire a researcher through a nearby genealogical society to search the records for you. See the "[[France Societies|Societies]]" section.
    <li>[[Corse-du-Sud, France Genealogy|Corse-du-Sud]](2A)</li>
 
    <li>[[Haute-Corse, France Genealogy|Haute-Corse]] (2B)</li>
See the library's French Letter-Writing Guide for details about writing to the civil registration office for certificates. Limit requests to registrars to one or two certificates.
    <li>[[Côte d'Or, France Genealogy|Côte d'Or]] (21)</li>
 
    <li>[[Côtes d'Armor, France Genealogy|Côtes d'Armor]] (22)</li>
=== Other Libraries, Networks, and Archives  ===
    <li>[[Creuse, France Genealogy|Creuse]] (23)</li>
 
    <li>[[Dordogne, France Genealogy|Dordogne]] (24)</li>
=== Genealogical Library  ===
    <li>[[Doubs, France Genealogy|Doubs]] (25)</li>
 
    <li>[[Drôme, France Genealogy|Drôme]] (26)</li>
The Genealogical Library [Bibliothèque généalogique] in Paris has a name index, genealogical books, and genealogical periodicals from all parts of France. There is a correspondence service that has a limit of three requests per letter (20 francs per request) plus costs for photocopies and postage. Instructional classes for the beginner are also offered. The first visit at this library is free; thereafter a yearly membership fee of 220 French francs is required.
    <li>[[Eure, France Genealogy|Eure]] (27)</li>
 
    <li>[[Eure-et-Loir, France Genealogy|Eure-et-Loir]] (28)</li>
Bibliothèque généalogique<br>3 rue de Turbigo<br>75001 Paris<br>France  
    <li>[[Finistère, France Genealogy|Finistère]] (29)</li>
 
    <li>[[Gard, France Genealogy|Gard]] (30)</li>
*http://www.bibgen.org/
    <li>[[Haute-Garonne, France Genealogy|Haute-Garonne]] (31)</li>
 
    <li>[[Gers, France Genealogy|Gers]] (32)</li>
=== Computer Networks  ===
    <li>[[Gironde, France Genealogy|Gironde]](33)</li>
 
    <li>[[Hérault, France Genealogy|Hérault]] (34)</li>
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.
    <li>[[Haut-Rhin, France Genealogy|Haut-Rhin]] (68)</li>
 
    <li>[[Ille-et-Vilaine, France Genealogy|Ille-et-Vilaine]] (35)</li>
Minitel includes French telephone directories (searched department by department or by city), a computer mailbox, lists of genealogical societies, marriage indexes, advice and addresses useful for genealogists, and other services. Their computer query file is a compiled source and relies on the opinions of the people who answer. Wherever possible, the answers found in a computer query file should be verified using original records.
    <li>[[Indre, France Genealogy|Indre]] (36)</li>
 
    <li>[[Indre-et-Loire, France Genealogy|Indre-et-Loire]] (37)</li>
French genealogical periodicals give additional information about Minitel's databases and about other services useful to genealogists.
    <li>[[Isère, France Genealogy|Isère]] (38)</li>
 
    <li>[[Jura, France Genealogy|Jura]] (39)</li>
The Minitel address in the United States is:
    <li>[[Landes, France Genealogy|Landes]] (40)</li>
 
    <li>[[Loir-et-Cher, France Genealogy|Loir-et-Cher]] (41)</li>
:Minitel Services Company<br>888 7th Avenue, 28th Floor<br>New York, NY 10106-1301<br>USA<br>Telephone 212-399-0080<br>Fax 212-399-0129
    <li>[[Loire, France Genealogy|Loire]] (42)</li>
 
    <li>[[Haute-Loire, France Genealogy|Haute-Loire]] (43)</li>
*http://ftp.rootsweb.ancestry.com/pub/roots-l/genealog/genealog.minitel
    <li>[[Loire-Atlantique, France Genealogy|Loire-Atlantique]] (44)</li>
 
    <li>[[Loiret, France Genealogy|Loiret]] (45)</li>
Minitel will mail you free information and a diskette for installing the software on your computer. The software and the installation are free. The charges will be made to your American Express, MasterCard, or Visa™ bank card number, which you provide when you sign up for the program.
    <li>[[Lot, France Genealogy|Lot]] (46)</li>
 
    <li>[[Lot-et-Garonne, France Genealogy|Lot-et-Garonne]] (47)</li>
Several American computer networks also have genealogical bulletin boards. These allow researchers to make genealogical queries that may be answered by other network users. Elsewhere in the same network, specialists can give brief answers to genealogical reference questions. The networks that offer this service include:
    <li>[[Lozère, France Genealogy|Lozère]] (48)</li>
 
    <li>[[Maine-et-Loire, France Genealogy|Maine-et-Loire]] (49)</li>
*America Online.
    <li>[[Manche, France Genealogy|Manche]] (50)</li>
*CompuServe.
    <li>[[Marne, France Genealogy|Marne]] (51)</li>
*GEnie.
    <li>[[Haute-Marne, France Genealogy|Haute-Marne]] (52)</li>
*Prodigy.
    <li>[[Mayenne, France Genealogy|Mayenne]] (53)</li>
 
    <li>[[Meurthe-et-Moselle, France Genealogy|Meurthe-et-Moselle]] (54)</li>
=== Public Library of Information  ===
    <li>[[Meuse, France Genealogy|Meuse]] (55)</li>
 
    <li>[[Morbihan, France Genealogy|Morbihan]] (56)</li>
In Paris, the Public Library of Information [Bibliothèque publique d'information] has a collection of 300,000 volumes and 2,400 periodicals. Genealogy is well represented. This is a self-service library, and there is no entry fee. The library is closed on Tuesdays.
    <li>[[Moselle, France Genealogy|Moselle]] (57)</li>
 
    <li>[[Nièvre, France Genealogy|Nièvre]] (58)</li>
''Géopatronyme''is a computerized surname file available in the Public Library of Information. It maps the departments of France where a particular surname is found and the frequency of that surname. The search is free. Following a search on Géopatronyme, you can make a Minitel search in the telephone directories to obtain specific names and addresses in a given department. The Public Library of Information will not answer research requests by mail. The address for visitors is:
    <li>[[Nord, France Genealogy|Nord]] (59)</li>
 
    <li>[[Oise, France Genealogy|Oise]] (60)</li>
:'''Bibliothèque publique d'information'''<br>Centre Georges Pompidou<br>rue Saint-Martin<br>Paris, France
    <li>[[Orne, France Genealogy|Orne]] (61)</li>
 
    <li>[[Pas-de-Calais, France Genealogy|Pas-de-Calais]] (62)</li>
=== Miscellaneous Archives and Libraries  ===
    <li>[[Puy-de-Dôme, France Genealogy|Puy-de-Dôme]] (63)</li>
 
    <li>[[Pyrénées-Atlantiques, France Genealogy|Pyrénées-Atlantiques]] (64)</li>
The following archives and libraries have collections or services that are helpful to genealogical researchers. They do not have the staff to answer research requests by mail, only questions about hours and services.
    <li>[[Hautes-Pyrénées, France Genealogy|Hautes-Pyrénées]] (65)</li>
 
    <li>[[Pyrénées-Orientales, France Genealogy|Pyrénées-Orientales]](66)</li>
http://www.archives-lyon.fr/ The Archives of Lyon website.&nbsp; (in French)  
    <li>[[Rhône, France Genealogy|Rhône]] (69)</li>
 
    <li>[[Haute-Saône, France Genealogy|Haute-Saône]] (70)</li>
[http://www.archivesnationales.culture.gouv.fr/caom/fr/ Les Archives d'Outre-Mer] (Overseas Archives)<br>29 Chemin du Moulin de Testas<br>13090 Aix en Provence<br>FRANCE
    <li>[[Saône-et-Loire, France Genealogy|Saône-et-Loire]] (71)</li>
 
    <li>[[Sarthe, France Genealogy|Sarthe]] (72)</li>
[http://www.bnf.fr/ Bibliothèque Nationale] (National Library)<br>58 rue de Richelieu<br>75084 Paris Cedex 02<br>FRANCE
    <li>[[Savoie, France Genealogy|Savoie]] (73)</li>
 
    <li>[[Haute-Savoie, France Genealogy|Haute-Savoie]] (74)</li>
[http://www.guide-genealogie.com/guide/archives_militaires.html Archives Militaires](Military Archives)<br>Château de Vincennes<br>94304 Vincennes Cedex<br>FRANCE
    <li>[[Paris, France Genealogy|Paris]] (75)</li>
 
    <li>[[Seine-Maritime, France Genealogy|Seine-Maritime]] (76)</li>
[http://www.archivesnationales.culture.gouv.fr/ Archives Nationales] (National Archives)<br>11, rue des Quatre-Fils<br>75141 Paris 3e<br>FRANCE
    <li>[[Seine-et-Marne, France Genealogy|Seine-et-Marne]] (77)</li>
 
    <li>[[Yvelines, France Genealogy|Yvelines]] (78)</li>
[http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/ministere_817/archives-patrimoine_3512/index.html Archives des Affaires étrangères](Foreign Affairs Archives)<br>5 et 6 boulevard Louis-Barthou<br>B.P. 1056<br>44035 Nantes Cedex<br>FRANCE
    <li>[[Deux-Sèvres, France Genealogy|Deux-Sèvres]] (79)</li>
 
    <li>[[Somme, France Genealogy|Somme]] (80)</li>
'''Municipal Libraries'''. There are 163 towns with municipal libraries listed on pages 160-70 of the International Directory of Archives (listed next).
    <li>[[Tarn, France Genealogy|Tarn]] (81)</li>
 
    <li>[[Tarn-et-Garonne, France Genealogy|Tarn-et-Garonne]] (82)</li>
=== Directory of Archives  ===
    <li>[[Var, France Genealogy|Var]] (83)</li>
    <li>[[Vaucluse, France Genealogy|Vaucluse]] (84)</li>
    <li>[[Vendée, France Genealogy|Vendée]] (85)</li>
    <li>[[Vienne, France Genealogy|Vienne]] (86)</li>
    <li>[[Haute-Vienne, France Genealogy|Haute-Vienne]] (87)</li>
    <li>[[Vosges, France Genealogy|Vosges]] (88)</li>
    <li>[[Yonne, France Genealogy|Yonne]] (89)</li>
    <li>[[Territoire-de-Belfort, France Genealogy|Territoire-de-Belfort]] (90)</li>
    <li>[[Essonne, France Genealogy|Essonne]] (91)</li>
    <li>[[Hauts-de-Seine, France Genealogy|Hauts-de-Seine]] (92)</li>
    <li>[[Seine-Saint-Denis, France Genealogy|Seine-St.Denis]] (93)</li>
    <li>[[Val-de-Marne, France Genealogy|Val-de-Marne]] (94)</li>
    <li>[[Val-d’Oise, France Genealogy|Val-d’Oise]] (95)</li>
    <li><p style="color:red">'''On 1 January 2021, the departments of Bas-Rhin and Haut-Rhin have been merged into the [[European Collectivity of Alsace.]]'''</p>
</ul>
|-
|}
<br>
'''Territories'''<br>
*[[French Guiana, France Genealogy|French Guiana]]
*[[Guadeloupe, France Genealogy|Guadeloupe]]
*[[Martinique, France Genealogy|Martinique]]
*[[Mayotte, France Genealogy|Mayotte]]
*[[Reunion Island, France Genealogy|La Réunion]]
*[[Saint Martin Genealogy|Saint Martin]]


The following directory contains addresses of many important French archives:
===Visiting the Archives===
*The departmental archives of France are open to the public. They are usually located in the largest town of the department.
*The archivists or staff members will answer general correspondence inquiries, such as those about the availability of records, but they do not have time to do research for you. They do not make photocopies of records.
*All departmental archives have a reading room in which researchers can do their own research.
*You may want to hire a researcher through a nearby genealogical society to search records at the departmental archives. See the "[[France Societies|Societies]]" section.


International Council on Archives. ''International Directory of Archives = Annuaire international des archives''. München, Germany; London, England; New York, NY, USA; Paris, France: Saur, 1992. Archivum; Volume 38. (FHL book 020.5 Ar25 v. 38; not on microfilm.) Text in French.
== References ==
<references />


[[Category:France|Archives and Libraries]]
[[Category:France]]

Latest revision as of 12:16, 20 March 2024


France Wiki Topics
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Local Research Resources
  • Archives collect and preserve original documents of organizations such as churches or governments. Libraries generally collect published sources such as books, maps, and microfilm.
  • If you plan to visit a repository, contact them and ask for information about their collection, hours, services, and fees. Ask if they require you to have a reader’s ticket (a paper indicating you are a responsible researcher) to view the records, and ask how to obtain one.
  • Although the records you need may be in an archive or library, the FamilySearch Library may have microfilmed and/or digitized copies of them.

France has three major types of genealogical repositories:

  • Departmental archives
  • Town registrars
  • Other libraries, networks, and archives
749px-Fronton de la Bibliotheque Mazarine Paris.jpg

Digital Libraries

  • Gallica - digital library of the Bibliothèque nationale de France and its partners

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. Their collections include:

  • Civil registration birth, marriage, and death records.
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.
  • Church records (before 1792)
  • Census records
  • Some notarial records
  • Military conscription records


Online Records: Departmental Links and FamilySearch Records

  • Civil registration (l'état civil) and church records (registres paroissiaux) for most departments are digitized and available online. Only civil status registers over 100 years old are published online.
  • Link to each department's online records:


Territories

Visiting the Archives

  • The departmental archives of France are open to the public. They are usually located in the largest town of the department.
  • The archivists or staff members will answer general correspondence inquiries, such as those about the availability of records, but they do not have time to do research for you. They do not make photocopies of records.
  • All departmental archives have a reading room in which researchers can do their own research.
  • You may want to hire a researcher through a nearby genealogical society to search records at the departmental archives. See the "Societies" section.

References

Retrieved from "https://integration-ru.familysearch.org/en/wiki/index.php?title=France_Archives_and_Libraries&oldid=5671737"