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| Most materials used in French research are written in French. However, you do not need to speak or read French to do research in French records. You merely need to know some key numbers, words, and phrases to understand the records.
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| Infrequently you may find other languages in French records. These include [[Latin Genealogical Word List|Latin]], [[German Word List|German]], [[Italian Genealogical Word List|Italian]], and Breton. Latin is sometimes found in Roman Catholic parish registers, but it is unusual to find it in baptism, marriage, and burial records, except in Alsace-Lorraine. German is also frequently found in records from Alsace-Lorraine. Records from Corse, especially before 1768, may be in Italian. Some records from Savoie and Nice are in Italian, especially before 1792 and from 1815-1859. Breton is spoken in Bretagne but is only rarely found in records useful to family historians.
| | Most materials used in French research, including former French colonies in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and North America, are written in French. However, you do not need to speak or read French to do research in French records. You merely need to know some key numbers, words, and phrases to understand the records. |
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| French grammar and customs may affect the way names appear in genealogical records. For example, the names of your ancestor may vary from record to record in French. For help in understanding name variations, see the "[[France Names, Personal|Names, Personal]]" section.
| | Infrequently you may find other languages in French records. These include Latin, German, Italian, Flemish, Basque, and Breton. Latin is sometimes found in Roman Catholic parish registers, but it is unusual to find it in baptism, marriage, and burial records, except in Alsace-Lorraine. German is also frequently found in records from Alsace-Lorraine. Records from Corsica, especially before 1768, may be in Italian. Some records from Savoy and Nice are in Italian, especially before 1792 and from 1815-1859. Breton is spoken in Brittany but is only rarely found in records useful to family historians. |
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| === Language Aids ===
| | French grammar and customs may affect the way names appear in genealogical records. For example, the names of your ancestor may vary from record to record in French. For help in understanding name variations, see the "[[France Naming Customs|Naming Customs]]" section. |
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| The Family History Library has genealogical word lists for French, German, and Latin. The '''French Word list''' is found below at the end of this section and contains French words of value in genealogical research translated into English.
| | For word lists and help researching in French records, see: |
| | *[[Latin Genealogical Word List]] |
| | *[[German Genealogical Word List]] |
| | *[[Italian Genealogical Word List]] |
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| The Family History Library's separate [http://www.familysearchwiki.org/resolveuid/3e34ac6f8b5140f7797c7bfc894dde44 Germany Research Topics] includes an example of the German (Gothic) alphabet in print and handwriting. | | == Language Aids == |
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| | The FamilySearch Library has genealogical word lists for French, German, and Latin. The '''French Word List''' is found below at the end of this section and contains French words of value in genealogical research translated into English. |
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| | The FamilySearch Library's separate [[Germany_Languages#Handwriting|Germany Languages wiki page]] includes additional helps reading German language. |
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| The following books and English-French dictionaries can also help you in your research. You can find these and similar material at many research libraries. | | The following books and English-French dictionaries can also help you in your research. You can find these and similar material at many research libraries. |
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| ''French records extraction''. Salt Lake City, Utah, USA: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, [198-?]. (FHL book 944 D27f; fiche 6068523.) Text in English. Shows examples of French civil and parish records, translations of common words found in them, personal name lists, and handwriting examples. | | ''French records extraction''. Salt Lake City, Utah, USA: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, [198-?]. (FS Library book {{FSC|944 D27f|disp=944 D27f}}; fiche {{FSC|6068523|film|disp=6068523}}.) Text in English. Shows examples of French civil and parish records, translations of common words found in them, personal name lists, and handwriting examples. |
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| ''New Cassell's French dictionary: French-English, English-French''. New York, NY, USA: Funk & Wagnalls, 1970. (FHL book 443.21 C272; not on microfilm.) | | ''New Cassell's French dictionary: French-English, English-French''. New York, NY, USA: Funk & Wagnalls, 1970. (FS Library book {{FSC|443.21 C272|disp=443.21 C272}}; not on microfilm.) |
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| Additional language aids (including dictionaries of various dialects and time periods) are listed in the Family History Library Catalog in the Place search under FRANCE - LANGUAGE AND LANGUAGES or in the Subject search under FRENCH LANGUAGE - DICTIONARIES. | | Additional language aids (including dictionaries of various dialects and time periods) are listed in the FamilySearch Catalog in the Place search under FRANCE - LANGUAGE AND LANGUAGES or in the Subject search under FRENCH LANGUAGE - DICTIONARIES. |
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| === French Word List <br> ===
| | == French Word List == |
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| This list contains French words with their English translations. The words included here are those you are likely to find in genealogical sources. If the word you are looking for is not on this list, please consult a French-English dictionary. (See the "Additional Resources" section below.) | | This list contains French words with their English translations. The words included here are those you are likely to find in genealogical sources. If the word you are looking for is not on this list, please consult a French-English dictionary. (See the "Additional Resources" section below.) |
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| French is spoken in France; Quebec and other areas of Canada; Luxembourg; southern Belgium; southwestern Switzerland; northern and central Africa; some islands in the Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean, and Caribbean Sea; southeast Asia; and other areas formerly colonized or influenced by the French. | | French is spoken in France; Quebec and other areas of Canada; Luxembourg; southern Belgium; southwestern Switzerland; northern and central Africa; some islands in the Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean, and Caribbean Sea; southeast Asia; and other areas formerly colonized or influenced by the French. |
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| Between about 1800 and 1812, French was also used in records of the Rhineland area of Germany, northern Belgium, and the Netherlands. In addition, French is found in some early records of Louisiana and a few other places in the United States. Since about 1680, the grammar, if not the spelling, of official written French has been fairly well standardized throughout the world, even though there are many different forms of spoken French. | | Between about 1800 and 1812, French was also used in records of the Rhineland area of Germany, northern Belgium, and the Netherlands. In addition, French is found in some early records of Louisiana and a few other places in the United States. Since about 1680, the grammar, if not the spelling, of official written French has been fairly well standardized throughout the world, even though there are many different forms of spoken French. |
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| | == Reading French Handwriting == |
| | *[[French Handwriting|French Handwriting Wiki page]] - Includes tutorials and aids for reading French handwriting |
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| === LANGUAGE CHARACTERISTICS === | | == Language Characteristics == |
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| French words for persons, places, and things (nouns) are classified as masculine or feminine. Generally, adjectives used to describe feminine words end with e. | | French words for persons, places, and things (nouns) are classified as masculine or feminine. Generally, adjectives used to describe feminine words end with e. |
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| Le (masculine form of the) is used with masculine words. La (feminine form of the) is used with feminine words. But l’ is used with either if the word begins with a vowel. For example, the word enfant means child or infant, either masculine or feminine. But l’enfant est né (the child is born) is used with a male child, and l’enfant est née with a female child. | | ''Le'' (masculine form of the) is used with masculine words. ''La'' (feminine form of the) is used with feminine words. But ''l’'' is used with either if the word begins with a vowel. For example, the word ''enfant'' means child or infant, either masculine or feminine. But ''l’enfant est né'' (the child is born) is used with a male child, and ''l’enfant est née'' with a female child. |
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| === Variant Forms of Words ===
| | == Variant Forms of Words == |
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| In French, as in English, the forms of some words will vary according to how they are used in a sentence. Who—whose—whom or marry—marries— married are examples of words in English with variant forms. This word list gives the standard form of each French word. As you read French records, you will need to be aware that some words vary with usage. | | In French, as in English, the forms of some words will vary according to how they are used in a sentence. Who—whose—whom or marry—marries— married are examples of words in English with variant forms. This word list gives the standard form of each French word. As you read French records, you will need to be aware that some words vary with usage. |
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| Plural forms of French words are usually created by adding s or x to the singular word. Thus frère becomes frères, and beau becomes beaux. The plural of beau-frère (brother-in-law) is beaux-frères (brothers-in-law). | | Plural forms of French words are usually created by adding s or x to the singular word. Thus ''frère'' becomes ''frères,'' and ''beau'' becomes ''beaux.'' The plural of ''beau-frère'' (brother-in-law) is ''beaux-frères'' (brothers-in-law). |
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| In French there are five diacritical (accent) marks. These are placed over vowels or under the letter c to indicate a change in pronunciation. The following diacritical marks are used in French: à, â, é, è, ê, ë, î, ï, ô, ö, û, ù and ç. The ç is pronounced as an s. These diacritical marks do not affect alphabetical order. | | In French there are five diacritical (accent) marks. These are placed over vowels or under the letter c to indicate a change in pronunciation. The following diacritical marks are used in French: à, â, é, è, ê, ë, î, ï, ô, ö, û, ù and ç. The ç is pronounced as an s. These diacritical marks do not affect alphabetical order. |
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| === Spelling ===
| | == Spelling == |
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| Spelling rules were not fixed in earlier centuries. In French the following spelling variations are common: | | Spelling rules were not fixed in earlier centuries. In French the following spelling variations are common: |
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| *z used for s baptisé spelled baptizé | | *z used for s baptisé spelled baptizé |
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| === ADDITIONAL RESOURCES === | | == Additional Resources == |
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| This word list includes only words most commonly found in genealogical sources. For further help, consult a French-English dictionary. You can obtain a French-English dictionary at most public libraries and through many bookstores. | | This word list includes only words most commonly found in genealogical sources. For further help, consult a French-English dictionary. You can obtain a French-English dictionary at most public libraries and through many bookstores. |
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| Several French-English dictionaries are available at the Family History Library. These are in the European collection. Their call numbers begin with 443.21. | | Several French-English dictionaries are available at the FamilySearch Library. These are in the European collection. Their call numbers begin with 443.21. |
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| The following dictionary is available on microfilm for use in Family History Centers: | | The following dictionary is available on microfilm for use in FamilySearch Centers: |
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| A. Spiers. ''The Standard Pronouncing Dictionary of the French and English Languages''. New York, NY, USA: Appleton, 1900. (FHL book 443.21 Sp44s, film 1181694 item 4.) | | A. Spiers. ''The Standard Pronouncing Dictionary of the French and English Languages''. New York, NY, USA: Appleton, 1900. (FS Library book {{FSC|443.21 Sp44s|disp=443.21 Sp44s}}, film {{FSC|1181694|film|disp=1181694}} item 4.) |
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| Additional dictionaries are listed in the Subject search of the Family History Library Catalog under FRENCH LANGUAGE—DICTIONARIES. | | Additional dictionaries are listed in the Subject search of the FamilySearch Catalog under FRENCH LANGUAGE—DICTIONARIES. |
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| A helpful guide for reading genealogical records written in French is: | | A helpful guide for reading genealogical records written in French is: |
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| ''French Records Extraction.'' Salt Lake City, Utah, USA: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, n.d. (FHLfiche 6068523.) In addition to being a glossary of names and genealogical words, this guide includes examples of French documents and instructions in reading the handwriting. | | ''French Records Extraction.'' Salt Lake City, Utah, USA: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, n.d. (FS Library fiche {{FSC|6068523|film|disp=6068523}}.) In addition to being a glossary of names and genealogical words, this guide includes examples of French documents and instructions in reading the handwriting. |
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| === KEY WORDS === | | == Key Words == |
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| To find and use specific types of French records, you will need to know some key words in French. This section gives key genealogical terms in English and the French words with the same or similar meanings. | | To find and use specific types of French records, you will need to know some key words in French. This section gives key genealogical terms in English and the French words with the same or similar meanings. |
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| | naissance, né, née | | | naissance, né, née |
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| | ''''''burial''''' | | | burial |
| | '''sépulture, enterrement, enterré, inhumé, enseveli, funèbre'' | | | sépulture, enterrement, enterré, inhumé, enseveli, funèbre |
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| | Catholic | | | Catholic |
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| | civil registry | | | civil registry |
| | registres de l’état civil, mairie, maison communale, hôtel deville | | | registres de l’état civil, mairie, maison communale, hôtel de ville |
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| | death | | | death |
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| | father | | | father |
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| père | | père |
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| | year | | | year |
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| an, année, annuel | | an, année, annuel |
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| |} | | |} |
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| [[Category:France|France]] [[Category:Word_List|French Genealogical Word List]] [[Category:Language_and_Languages|France]] GENERAL WORD LIST | | [[Category:France_Language_and_Handwriting]] [[Category:Language_and_Handwriting]] |
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| <br>This general word list includes words commonly seen in genealogical sources. Numbers, months, and days of the week are listed both here and in separate sections that follow this list. Words with the same spelling and meaning in English and French, such as confirmation or date, are not included in this list.
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| In this list, optional versions of French words or variable endings are given in parentheses. A few phrases are listed under the key word, not necessarily the first word. Words in parentheses in the English column clarify the definition. Feminine or masculine meanings of French words are indicated by (f.) or (m.).
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| <br>à at, to, in <br>a has <br>abjurations renunciations of Protestant faith <br>absolution absolution, last rites <br>accoucher give birth <br>accoucheuse midwife <br>à cet endroit in this place <br>acheter to buy <br>acte de baptême baptismal record <br>acte de décès death record <br>acte de naissance birth certificate, record <br>acte de sépulture burial record <br>adjoint du maire mayor’s assistant <br>adopté(e) adopted <br>adultère adulterer <br>affiché posted (on door) <br>afficher les bans post banns <br>âgé(e) aged <br>ai (ay) I have <br>aïeul grandfather <br>aïeule grandmother <br>aîné (l’aîné) the older, senior <br>ainsi que as well as <br>à jour current <br>Algerie Algeria <br>alité bedridden <br>Allemand(e) German <br>alliance marriage <br>Alsacien(ne) Alsatian <br>ami(e) friend <br>an (année) year <br>anabaptiste Mennonite <br>anglais(e) English <br>anniversaire anniversary <br>annuaire directory <br>annuel annual, yearly <br>août August <br>apparu appeared <br>appelé(e) named <br>apprenti apprentice <br>approuvé approved <br>après after <br>après-midi afternoon <br>arbre généalogique family tree, pedigree <br>archives archive <br>Archives du Royaume state archives (Belgium) <br>Archives Nationales state archives (France) <br>a reçu has received <br>armoiries coat of arms <br>arpent acre <br>arpenteur surveyor <br>arpète errand boy, apprentice <br>arrière great (as in great-grandparents) <br>arrondissement district (administrative division of a French département) <br>attaque seizure <br>au at the, in the <br>aubergiste innkeeper <br>aucun(e) no, none <br>au dessus over <br>aujourd’hui today <br>au même endroit at the same place <br>auparavant former <br>aussi also, as, since <br>autant as much <br>autorisation permission <br>autour around <br>autre other <br>avant former, before <br>avant-hier the day before yesterday <br>avec with <br>avocat attorney <br>avoir to have <br>avons (we) have <br>avril April <br>ayant having <br>
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| <br>ban (le) the territory <br>bans marriage banns, announcement(s) <br>baptême baptism <br>baptême d’urgence emergency baptism <br>baptisé baptized <br>baptisé sous condition conditionally baptized <br>Baptiste Baptist <br>bas low, lower <br>batisseur builder <br>beau-fils son-in-law, stepson <br>beau-frère brother-in-law, stepbrother <br>beau-père father-in-law, stepfather <br>bêcheur field worker <br>Belge Belgian <br>belle-fille daughter-in-law, stepdaughter <br>belle-mère mother-in-law, stepmother <br>belle-soeur sister-in-law, stepsister <br>berger shepherd <br>bien well <br>biens goods, property <br>biographie biography <br>blanc (blanche) white <br>bon (bonne) good <br>bonne maid, female servant <br>boucher butcher <br>boulanger baker <br>bourgeois citizen, member of the middle class <br>bourguignon Burgundian <br>bouvier herdsman, cowherd <br>brasseur brewer <br>brassier farmworker, laborer (old word) <br>Bretagne Brittany <br>[oncle à la mode de Bretagne] [first cousin of one’s parent] <br>briquetier brick maker <br>bru daughter-in-law <br>brumaire See “Months” <br>bureau office
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| <br>cabaretier barkeeper <br>canton administrative division of an arrondissement (in France), province (in Switzerland), township (in French Canada) <br>carte map <br>catholique romaine Roman Catholic <br>ce, c’ it <br>ce, cet, cette this, that <br>céans here within <br>cejourd’hier yesterday <br>cejourd’hui today <br>célèbre famous <br>célibataire bachelor, unmarried, single <br>celle this one, she <br>celle-ci the latter (f.) <br>celle-là the former (f.) <br>celui this one, he <br>celui-ci the latter (m.) <br>celui-là the former (m.) <br>cent hundred <br>centième hundredth <br>certificat certificate <br>ceux those <br>charbonnier charcoal burner <br>charcutier pork merchant <br>charretier cart or carriage man <br>charron cartwright, wheelwright <br>chasseur hunter <br>château castle <br>châtelain owner of a castle <br>chaudronnier cooper, barrel maker <br>chez at the home of <br>chirurgien surgeon <br>ci-dessous below here <br>ci-dessus above here <br>cimetière cemetery <br>cinq five <br>cinquante fifty <br>cinquantième fiftieth <br>cinquième fifth <br>citoyen(ne) citizen <br>clergé clergymen <br>colline hill <br>communauté community (of goods), religious community <br>commune town, commune (smallest political division in France) <br>communion communion <br>compagnon journeyman, partner <br>comparu appeared <br>comprend includes <br>comte count <br>concubine concubine <br>congestion cérébrale stroke <br>conjoint spouse, assistant <br>connaissance acquaintance <br>conseil d’état civil civil registrar’s <br>conseiller councilor <br>consentement consent <br>contenu content <br>contractant the groom (in a marriage record) <br>contractante the bride (in a marriage record) <br>contrat de mariage marriage contract <br>contre against <br>coqueluche whooping cough <br>cordier rope maker <br>cordonnier shoemaker <br>côte hill <br>couches bed, marital bed <br>[morte en couches] [died in childbirth] <br>coup de sang paralytic stroke <br>cour court <br>courant current <br>cousin(e) cousin <br>cousin(e) germain(e) first cousin <br>couvreur roofer <br>culte religion <br>cultivateur farmer, cultivator <br>curateur guardian <br>curé parish minister, pastor, priest, clergyman
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| <br>d’ of <br>dame lady <br>dans in <br>de of, from, out <br>décapité decapitated <br>décédé the deceased <br>décembre December <br>décennal(e) decennial <br>décennie decade <br>décès death, deaths <br>déclarant informant <br>déclaré declared, stated <br>décrépitude old age <br>défunt(e) deceased <br>dehors outside <br>de la of the, some <br>demain tomorrow <br>demeurant living at <br>demi half <br>demi frère stepbrother, half brother <br>demi soeur stepsister, half sister <br>demoiselle Miss (of well-to-do parents, may be a married woman) <br>département department (French “county” since 1790) <br>depuis since <br>derniers sacrements last rites <br>des of the, some <br>desdits of the said (pl.) <br>dessous lower, below <br>dessus above <br>deux two <br>deuxième second <br>devant in front of <br>devenir to become <br>devoir should <br>d’hier yesterday’s <br>dictionnaire dictionary <br>dictionnaire des communes gazetteer <br>dimanche Sunday <br>dîme tithing <br>diocèse diocese <br>dispense exemption, dispensation <br>dit(e) (ditte) said, also known as, aforementioned <br>divers(e) various <br>divorcé(e) divorced <br>dix ten <br>dix-huit eighteen <br>dix-huitième eighteenth <br>dixième tenth <br>dix-neuf nineteen <br>dix-neuvième nineteenth <br>dix-sept seventeen <br>dix-septième seventeenth <br>domaine estate <br>domestique servant girl, maid <br>domicile home, residence, domicile <br>donné given <br>donner to give <br>dons donations <br>dont of whom, of which <br>double duplicate record <br>douze twelve <br>douzième twelfth <br>droguiste druggist <br>droit(e) right <br>du of the, some <br>duc duke <br>duché duchy <br>duchesse duchess <br>durant during
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| <br>eaux-et-forêts waters and forests, forestry service <br>ébéniste cabinetmaker, furniture maker <br>échevin alderman, municipal magistrate <br>école school <br>écrire to write <br>écrit written, document <br>écrivain scribe, writer <br>église church <br>elle she, her <br>elles they (f.) <br>émigrant(e) emigrant <br>émigré(e) emigrant <br>empêchement prevention <br>employé(e) clerk <br>en in <br>enceinte pregnant <br>encore again <br>endroit place <br>enfant baby, child <br>enfant exposé foundling <br>enfant trouvé foundling <br>enflement swelling <br>ensemble together <br>entend intends, hears <br>enterré(e) buried <br>enterrement burial, interment <br>entre between, among <br>environ about, approximately <br>épicier grocer, spice merchant <br>épousailles wedding <br>épouse bride, wife <br>époux bridegroom, husband <br>Espagnol(e) Spanish <br>est is, east <br>et and <br>étaient were <br>était was <br>étant (estant) being <br>état state <br>état civil civil registration <br>été been, summer <br>étranger foreign, foreigner, strange <br>être to be <br>[un être] [a being] <br>évéché diocese <br>évêque bishop <br>exécuté performed <br>expédié(s) sent <br>extérieur outside <br>extrait extract
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| <br>fabricant de bas maker of stockings <br>fabricant de savon maker of soap <br>facteur postman, mailman <br>facture account, bill <br>faiblesse weakness <br>fait(e) made, done <br>famille family, relative(s) <br>féminin female <br>femme wife, woman <br>ferblantier tin man, tinsmith <br>fermier farmer <br>fête holiday, feast <br>feu(e) deceased, the late <br>feuille folio, leaf, page <br>février February <br>fiançailles engagement <br>fiançé betrothed, engaged, fiancé (m.) <br>fiançée betrothed, engaged, fiancée (f.) <br>fiancer to become engaged <br>fichier card index <br>fièvre fever <br>fileuse spinster <br>fille daughter, girl <br>fille de mauvaise vie prostitute <br>fils son <br>floréal See “Months” <br>fonction duty, occupation, function <br>[faisant les fonctions] [doing the functions (occupation), serving as] <br>fonts (baptismal) font <br>forestier forester <br>forêt forest <br>forgeron smith <br>forteresse fortress <br>frais fee <br>Français(e) French <br>franc-tenancier freeholder, yeoman <br>frère brother <br>frère consanguin brother by the same father but different mother <br>frère germain brother by the same mother and father <br>frère utérin brother by the same mother but different father <br>frimaire See “Months” <br>fromager cheese merchant or maker <br>frontière border <br>fructidor See “Months” <br>funèbre funeral <br>furent were <br>fut was <br>futur fiancé, the intended groom <br>future fiancée, the intended bride
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| <br>garçon boy, unmarried young man <br>garde champêtre field guard <br>garde forestier forest guard <br>gardien herdsman <br>gauche left <br>gendarme policeman <br>gendre son-in-law <br>généalogique genealogical <br>géomètre surveyor <br>germinal See “Months” <br>goutte gout <br>grand(e) large, great, tall <br>grandmère grandmother <br>grandparents grandparents <br>grandpère grandfather <br>greffier clerk of the court, registrar
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| <br>H
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| <br>habitant residing <br>habitation residence <br>habiter to inhabit <br>haut high, upper <br>hectare acre <br>héraldique heraldry <br>héritage inheritance <br>heure hour, time <br>hier yesterday <br>histoire story, history <br>Hollandais(e) Dutch <br>homme man <br>homme de main day worker <br>honnête honest <br>horloger clock merchant or maker <br>houilleur coal miner <br>Huguenot(te) Huguenot <br>huissier usher, doorman <br>huit eight <br>huitante eighty <br>huitantième eightieth <br>huitième eighth <br>hydropisie dropsy, edema
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| <br>I
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| <br>icelle this one (f.) <br>icelui this one (m.) <br>ici here <br>id. (Latin) the same <br>identique same, alike, similar <br>il he <br>illégitime illegitimate <br>immigrant(e) immigrant <br>imposé imposed, gave <br>impôts taxation <br>inconnu(e) unknown <br>inférieur(e) lower <br>instituteur schoolteacher (m.) <br>institutrice schoolteacher (f.) <br>intérieur inside <br>inventaire après décès inventory after death <br>Italien(ne) Italian
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| <br>J
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| <br>jamais never <br>janvier January <br>jardinier gardener <br>je I <br>jeudi Thursday <br>jeune young, the younger, junior <br>jeûne fasting, fast day <br>jour day <br>jour de baptême day of baptism <br>jour d’hier, le yesterday <br>journalier day laborer, farmworker <br>jour suivant the following day <br>juge judge <br>Juif Jewish, Jew <br>juillet July <br>juin June <br>Juive Jewish, Jewess <br>jumeaux twins (male, or male and female) <br>jumelles twins (female) <br>juré juryman
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| <br>K
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| <br>kilomètre kilometer <br>
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| L
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| <br>l’ the (m. and f.) <br>la the (f.) <br>là there <br>laboureur plowman, farmer (man with team and plow) <br>lac lake <br>laisser let, leave, allow <br>laquelle which (f.) <br>le the (m.) <br>lecture reading <br>légal(e) legal <br>légitime legitimate <br>lendemain following day <br>lequel which (m.) <br>les the (plural) <br>lesquels which (plural) <br>leur their, to them <br>lieu place <br>livre book <br>livret de famille family register <br>loi law <br>lui him, to him <br>lundi Monday <br>Luxembourgeois(e) Luxembourger <br>
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| M
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| <br>M. sir, Mr. <br>maçon mason, bricklayer <br>Madame Mrs. <br>Mademoiselle unmarried woman, Miss <br>magister village schoolmaster <br>mai May <br>maire mayor <br>mairie town hall <br>mais but <br>maison house <br>[maison communale] [town hall] <br>maître master <br>maître d’école schoolteacher <br>majeur of legal age, (older) <br>majorité legal age, majority <br>maladie disease, sickness <br>maraîcher market gardener <br>marchand merchant <br>marchant trader, merchant <br>marché market <br>mardi Tuesday <br>maréchal ferrant blacksmith <br>mari husband <br>mariage marriage, wedding <br>marié groom, husband, married (m.) <br>mariée bride, wife, married (f.) <br>marier (se marier) to get married <br>mariés the married ones <br>marin sailor <br>Marocain(e) Moroccan <br>marraine godmother <br>mars March <br>masculin male, masculine <br>matin early (a.m.), morning <br>mégisseur tanner <br>membre member <br>même the same, even <br>mendiant beggar <br>menuisier joiner, carpenter <br>mercredi Wednesday <br>mère mother <br>mériter to be worthy <br>messe Catholic mass <br>messidor See “Months” <br>métayer dairy keeper, cowherd, sharecropper <br>métier trade, occupation, profession <br>métis, métisse mixed blood <br>meunier miller <br>midi noon <br>mil thousand <br>militaire military <br>mille thousand <br>millième thousandth <br>mineur under legal age, younger, minor <br>minorité under legal age, minority <br>minuit midnight <br>mis(e) en terre buried <br>Mlle Mademoiselle, Miss <br>Mme Madame, Mrs. <br>moi me <br>mois month <br>Monsieur sir, Mr. <br>montagne hill, mountain <br>mort(e) dead, death <br>mort né stillborn <br>moulin mill <br>mourant dying <br>mourir to die <br>moyen(ne) middle, median, central mulâtre mulatto <br>muni des sacrements de l’Eglise furnished with the (last) rites of the church <br>
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| N
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| <br>naissance birth <br>naturel illegitimate (not always true) <br>né(e) born <br>née maiden name <br>négociant trader, businessman <br>neuf nine <br>neuvième ninth <br>neveu nephew <br>ni neither, nor <br>nièce niece <br>nivôse See “Months” <br>noble nobleman <br>noblesse nobility <br>noces wedding <br>noir(e) black <br>nom name, surname <br>nom de famille surname, last name <br>nommé(e) named, alias <br>non not <br>nonante ninety <br>nonantième ninetieth <br>nord north <br>Norman(de) Norman <br>notaire notary <br>notes remarks <br>nôtre (nostre) our <br>nous we, us <br>nouveau, nouvelle new <br>novembre November <br>noyé(e) drowned <br>nuit night <br>numéro number <br>nuptial(e) bridal, pertaining to a wedding
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| O
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| <br>obsèques funeral, burial <br>octante eighty <br>octantième eightieth <br>octobre October <br>oncle uncle <br>ondoyé(e) baptized provisionally <br>ont (they) have <br>onze eleven <br>onzième eleventh <br>orphelin(e) orphan <br>ou or <br>où where <br>ouest west
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| P
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| <br>page page <br>Palatinat Palatinate, Pfalz <br>par by <br>pareil(le) same, alike, similar <br>parent parent, relative <br>paroisse parish (office) <br>parrain godfather <br>part portion, part <br>[d’une part] [on the one hand] <br>[et d’autre part] [and on the other hand] <br>pas not <br>pas encore not yet <br>passé past <br>pasteur pastor <br>pâtissier pastry maker <br>pâtre herdsman <br>pauvre indigent, poor <br>pays land, country <br>paysan(ne) small farmer, peasant <br>pêcheur fisher <br>peintre painter <br>penultième day before the last <br>percer des dents teething <br>père father <br>petit small, little <br>petite-fille granddaughter <br>petite noblesse gentry <br>petit-fils grandson <br>petit propriétaire yeoman <br>peuple citizens <br>peut-être maybe, perhaps <br>pharmacien pharmacist <br>pièces documents <br>pied terrier land record <br>place place <br>plus, en besides, in addition to <br>plus âgé(e) older, elder, oldest, eldest <br>plus vieux older, elder, oldest, eldest <br>pluviôse See “Months” <br>policier policeman <br>pont bridge <br>population population <br>porte door <br>Portugais(e) Portuguese <br>poser place, put <br>pour for <br>pourquoi why <br>prairial See “Months” <br>précédent(e) previous, preceding <br>préfet prefect (the head of a département in France) <br>premier, première first <br>prénom given (first) name <br>près de next to <br>présenté presented <br>prêtre clergyman, priest <br>preuve proof <br>principalité principality <br>prochain(e) following, next, nearest <br>proche parent close relative <br>professeur professor, teacher <br>propos de, à about, concerning <br>propriétaire owner, proprietor <br>protestant Protestant <br>provincial(e) provincial <br>Prussien(ne) Prussian <br>publié published, announced <br>publier publish <br>
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| Q
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| <br>quand when <br>quarante forty <br>quarantième fortieth <br>quartier district or neighborhood in a city <br>quatorze fourteen <br>quatorzième fourteenth <br>quatre four <br>quatre-vingt-dix ninety <br>quatre-vingt-dixième ninetieth <br>quatre-vingt eighty <br>quatre-vingtième eightieth <br>quatrième fourth <br>que (qu’) what, which, that <br>qui who, whom <br>quinze fifteen <br>quinzième fifteenth <br>quoi what
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| R
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| <br>recensement census <br>recherche research <br>reconnu recognized, acknowledged <br>reçu(e) received <br>réformé(e) Reformed/Calvinist <br>régisseur farm manager, steward <br>registre register <br>registres d’état civil registers of births, civil marriages, and deaths <br>registres paroissiaux parish registers <br>reine queen <br>religion religion <br>religion prétendue réformé (R.P.R.) Reformed Church, Huguenot <br>rentier(e) retired person living from rents, landlord <br>répertoire register, index <br>répertoire toponymique gazetteer <br>République Française French Republic <br>retraité formerly employed, retired <br>revue periodical <br>rien nothing <br>rivière stream, river <br>roi (roy) king <br>rouge red <br>rougeole measles <br>royaume kingdom <br>rue street <br>Russe Russian <br>
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| S
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| <br>sa his, her, its <br>sabotier wooden-shoe maker <br>sacristain sacristan, sexton <br>sage-femme midwife <br>saignement bleeding <br>sain sane, healthy <br>saints sacrements last rites<br>d’absolution <br>samedi Saturday <br>sans without <br>sans vie without life, lifeless <br>savoir to know, namely <br>savonnier soap merchant, soapmaker <br>saxon Saxon <br>scarlatine scarlet fever <br>sceau seal <br>scieur sawyer <br>Seigneur the Lord <br>seize sixteen <br>seizième sixteenth <br>selon according to <br>semaine week <br>sénilité old age <br>sept seven <br>septante seventy <br>septantième seventieth <br>septembre September <br>septième seventh <br>sépulture burial <br>seront (they) will be <br>serrurier locksmith <br>servante maid, servant girl <br>ses his, her, its <br>seul(e) single, alone <br>seulement only <br>sexe sex <br>siècle century <br>signature signature <br>signé signed <br>six six <br>sixième sixth <br>société society <br>soeur sister <br>soeur consanguine sister by the same father but different mother <br>soeur germaine sister by the same mother and father <br>soeur utérine sister by the same mother but different father <br>soir (soirée) evening <br>soixante sixty <br>soixante-dix seventy <br>soixante-dixième seventieth <br>soixantième sixtieth <br>soldat soldier <br>son his, her, its <br>sont are <br>sous under, low <br>soussigné the undersigned <br>souvent often <br>statut légal status, condition <br>statut personnel status, condition <br>sud south <br>Suisse Swiss <br>suivant(e) next, following, according to <br>supérieur(e) upper <br>sur on, above, upon, at <br>surlendemain two days later <br>survivant surviving <br>sus-dit aforementioned <br>susnommé aforementioned <br>
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| <br>table index <br>tables décennales ten-year indexes <br>tailleur cloth maker, draper <br>tailleur de pierre stonecutter <br>tailleur d’habits tailor <br>tanneur tanner <br>tant as, so much <br>tante aunt <br>tantôt afternoon <br>tavernier tavern owner <br>teinturier dyer <br>témoin witness <br>temps time <br>tenir un enfant sur les fonts to act as godfather or godmother to a child <br>terre earth, land <br>terres estate <br>testament last will <br>thermidor See “Months” <br>tisserand weaver <br>tisserand de lin linen weaver <br>tisseur weaver <br>tome volume <br>tonnelier cooper <br>tôt early (a.m.) <br>toujours always <br>tournier turner, woodworker <br>tous all <br>tous les deux both <br>toux cough <br>travailleur worker, laborer <br>travers, à through, across <br>treize thirteen <br>treizième thirteenth <br>trente thirty <br>trente-et-un thirty-one <br>trente-et-unième thirty-first <br>trentième thirtieth <br>tribunal court <br>trois three <br>troisième third <br>tuilier tile maker <br>tumeurv tumor <br>tuteur guardian <br>
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| U
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| <br>un, une a, an, one <br>unième first <br>unis en mariage united in marriage
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| <br>V
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| <br>valet servant <br>vallée valley <br>varie various <br>variole smallpox <br>veille previous evening or day <br>vendémiaire See “Months” <br>vendeur seller, salesman <br>vendeuse seller, saleslady <br>vendredi Friday <br>ventôse See “Months” <br>vérole venereal disease, syphilis <br>vérole, petite smallpox <br>verrier glassmaker <br>vers toward <br>vert green <br>veuf widowed, widower <br>veuve widowed, widow <br>vie life <br>vieillesse old age <br>vierge virgin, unmarried woman <br>vieux (vielle) old <br>vieux garçon bachelor <br>vigneron grape grower <br>village hamlet, village <br>ville village or town, city <br>vingt twenty <br>vingt-cinq twenty-five <br>vingt-cinquième twenty-fifth <br>vingt-deux twenty-two <br>vingt-deuxième twenty-second <br>vingt-et-un twenty-one <br>vingt-et-unième twenty-first <br>vingt-huit twenty-eight <br>vingt-huitième twenty-eighth <br>vingtième twentieth <br>vingt-neuf twenty-nine <br>vingt-neuvième twenty-ninth <br>vingt-quatre twenty-four <br>vingt-quatrième twenty-fourth <br>vingt-sept twenty-seven <br>vingt-septième twenty-seventh <br>vingt-six twenty-six <br>vingt-sixième twenty-sixth <br>vingt-trois twenty-three <br>vingt-troisième twenty-third <br>vivant living, lifetime <br>vivant, de son during his (her) life <br>vivre to live <br>voir see <br>voisin(e) neighbor <br>vouloir to wish, to want
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| NUMBERS
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| <br>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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| <br>In some genealogical sources, numbers are written out. This is especially true with dates. The following list gives the cardinal (1, 2, 3) and the ordinal (1st, 2nd, 3rd) versions of each number. Dates are usually written in ordinal form. Ordinal numbers are made by adding ième to the cardinal form of a number. If the number ends in an e, drop the e before adding ième.
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| From 60 to 99, the French count by twenties rather than by tens. Thus, 70 in French is sixty-ten, and 71 is sixty-eleven. The number 80 is four-twentie;, 81 is four-twenties-one; 91 is four-twenties-eleven; and so on through 99, which is four-twenties-nineteen. In some areas, however, you will see the older style of 70 (septante), 80 (octante or huitante), and 90 (nonante).
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| Cardinal Ordinal <br>1 un 1st premier <br>2 deux 2nd deuxième <br>3 trois 3rd troisième <br>4 quatre 4th quatrième <br>5 cinq 5th cinquième <br>6 six 6th sixième <br>7 sept 7th septième <br>8 huit 8th huitième <br>9 neuf 9th neuvième <br>10 dix 10th dixième <br>11 onze 11th onzième <br>12 douze 12th douzième <br>13 treize 13th treizième <br>14 quatorze 14th quatorzième <br>15 quinze 15th quinzième <br>16 seize 16th seizième <br>17 dix-sept 17th dix-septième <br>18 dix-huit 18th dix-huitième <br>19 dix-neuf 19th dix-neuvième <br>20 vingt 20th vingtième <br>21 vingt-et-un 21st vingt-et-unième <br>22 vingt-deux 22nd vingt-deuxième <br>23 vingt-trois 23rd vingt-troisième <br>24 vingt-quatre 24th vingt-quatrième <br>25 vingt-cinq 25th vingt-cinquième <br>26 vingt-six 26th vingt-sixième <br>27 vingt-sept 27th vingt-septième <br>28 vingt-huit 28th vingt-huitième <br>29 vingt-neuf 29th vingt-neuvième <br>30 trente 30th trentième <br>31 trente-et-un 31st trente-et-unième <br>40 quarante 40th quarantième <br>50 cinquante 50th cinquantième <br>60 soixante 60th soixantième <br>70 soixante-dix, 70th soixante-dixième <br>septante septantième <br>71 soixante-onze, 71st soixante-onzième <br>septante-un septante-et-unième <br>80 quatre-vingt(s) 80th quatre-vingtième <br>octante octantième <br>huitante huitantième <br>90 quatre-vingt-dix 90th quatre-vingt-dixième <br>nonante nonantième <br>99 quatre-vingt-dix- 99th quatre-vingt-dix- <br>neuf, nonante- neuvième, nonante- <br>neuf neuvième <br>100 cent 100th centième <br>1000 mil, mille 1000th millième
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| <br>Return to top of page
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| <br>DATES AND TIME
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| <br>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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| <br>In French records, dates are often written out. For example:
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| Le vingt-trois mars mil sept cent soixante dix-neuf [on the twenty-third day of March, in the year one thousand seven hundred sixty and nineteen (1779)]
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| To understand French dates, use the following lists as well as the preceding “Numbers” section.
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| Months
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| <br>English French <br>January janvier <br>February février <br>March mars <br>April avril <br>May mai <br>June juin <br>July juillet <br>August août <br>September septembre, 7bre <br>October octobre, 8bre <br>November novembre, 9bre <br>December décembre, 10bre, Xbre
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| DATES AND TIME
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| <br>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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| <br>In French records, dates are often written out. For example:
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| Le vingt-trois mars mil sept cent soixante dix-neuf [on the twenty-third day of March, in the year one thousand seven hundred sixty and nineteen (1779)]
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| To understand French dates, use the following lists as well as the preceding “Numbers” section.
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| Months
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| <br>English French <br>January janvier <br>February février <br>March mars <br>April avril <br>May mai <br>June juin <br>July juillet <br>August août <br>September septembre, 7bre <br>October octobre, 8bre <br>November novembre, 9bre <br>December décembre, 10bre, Xbre
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| <br>During the years 1792 to 1806, the French used a unique calendar that related to the founding of the French Republic. It included the following months:
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| vendémiaire brumaire frimaire <br>nivôse pluviôse ventôse <br>germinal floréal prairial <br>messidor thermidor fructidor
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| <br>These month names cannot be translated because they do not correspond to the months we know as January to December. See the French Republican Calendar Research Outline (34046).
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| Days of the Week
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| <br>English French <br>Sunday dimanche <br>Monday lundi <br>Tuesday mardi <br>Wednesday mercredi <br>Thursday jeudi <br>Friday vendredi <br>Saturday samedi
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| <br>Times of the Day
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| <br>In French birth and death records, the registrar often indicated the exact time of day when the birth or death occurred. This is usually written out.
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| French English <br>à cinq heures at 5 o’clock <br>au matin in the morning <br>au soir in the evening <br>après-demain the day after tomorrow <br>après-midi afternoon <br>avant-veille two days before <br>avant-hier day before yesterday <br>demain tomorrow <br>du matin in the morning, a.m. <br>du soir in the evening, p.m. <br>heure hour <br>hier yesterday <br>hier soir yesterday evening <br>hier au soir yesterday evening <br>jour day <br>lendemain next day <br>matin morning <br>midi noon <br>minuit midnight <br>nuit night <br>soir evening <br>surlendemain two days later <br>veille previous evening
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| <br>Paper publication: Second edition 1997. English approval: 4/97. <br><br><br><br><br>
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