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French Letter Writing Guide: Difference between revisions

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=== BEFORE YOU WRITE ===
== Before You Write ==


Before you write a letter in French to obtain family history information, you should do these things:  
Before you write a letter in French to obtain family history information, you should do these things:  


*Determine exactly where your ancestor was born, married, or died. Because most genealogical records were kept locally, you will need to know the specific town where your ancestor's records were kept. See the [[Portal:Tracing Immigrant Origins|Tracing Immigrant Origins]] Research Outline from the Family History Library for help in finding hometowns.  
*Determine exactly where your ancestor was born, married, or died. Because most genealogical records were kept locally, you will need to know the specific town where your ancestor's records were kept. See the [[France Finding Town of Origin|'''France Finding Town of Origin''']] and [[Tracing Immigrant Origins|'''Tracing Immigrant Origins''']] FamilySearch Wiki article for help in finding hometowns.  
*Determine if the Family History Library has records from the area where your relative lived. The best sources of information in French-speaking areas are records of births, marriages, and deaths kept by civil registration offices (or parishes in Quebec). The library has microfilmed these records for many localities, but not all. Use the Family History Library Catalog to determine what records are available through the Family History Library and Family History Centers. If records are available from the library or Family History Centers, it is usually faster and more productive to search these records first. The library's [http://www.familysearchwiki.org/resolveuid/5c88dff7c1e3927d2e0e8bd4e46782d6 France Research Topics], [http://www.familysearchwiki.org/resolveuid/0da240e3af32c68a676e4347891cabc4 Canada Research Topics], and [http://www.familysearchwiki.org/resolveuid/1232e565b7e24453f14ed12a6648abe7 Quebec Research Topics]explain how to research records at the library or at Family History Centers. If the records you want are not available at these locations, you can use the research outlines to help you decide what records to search. Write to the Family History Library (35 North West Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah 84150-3400) for the addresses of nearby Family History Centers, or go to www.familysearch.org.<br>
*Use a gazetteer to determine which community serves your ancestor's locality. Your town might be a village too small to have its own civil registration office or parish church.  Gazetteers can tell you the larger town which holds jurisdiction over that village.
*Determine where records from your ancestor's hometown are stored today. Records for smaller localities may be kept with records of a nearby larger community. You can use a gazetteer to determine which community serves your ancestor's locality in France, Belgium, or Luxembourg. For help locating records, see the library's research outline for France. For help locating parish records in Quebec, see the library's research outlines for Canada and Quebec.
*Many records for French-speaking countries are now online. For Wiki articles with direct links to online records, click on the [[France Genealogy#Jurisdictions|'''France department''',]] [[Belgium Genealogy#Jurisdictions|'''Belgium province''',]] [[Luxembourg Genealogy#Jurisdictions|'''Luxembourg province''',]]  or [[Quebec, Canada Genealogy#Historic Counties|'''Quebec county'''.]]
*If you have access to the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City, Utah, determine if it has records from the area where your relative lived. The best sources of information in French-speaking areas are records of births, marriages, and deaths kept by civil registration offices or parishes. The library has microfilmed these records for many localities, but not all. They are currently being digitized with hopes of having everything digitized by 2020. Use the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/search '''FamilySearch Catalog'''] to determine what records are available through the FamilySearch Library.


=== RESEARCH BY MAIL ===
== Research by Mail  ==


Write only when you cannot find the information any other way. The following list shows the kind of information you may be able to obtain through correspondence from several kinds of organizations in French-speaking nations:
Write only when you cannot find the information any other way. The following list shows the kind of information you may be able to obtain through correspondence from several kinds of organizations in French-speaking nations:  
===Genealogical Societies===
Request that the letter be forwarded to a member interested in the same family, locality, or group of people.


In all French-speaking nations you can write to:
Request a list of people who might consider making a short search of records in a nearby repository for pay.


'''Genealogical societies'''.
===Professional Researchers===


Request that the letter be forwarded to a member interested in the same family, locality, or group of people.
Offer to pay a researcher for a search of records in a nearby repository.


Request a list of people who might consider making a short search of records in a nearby repository for pay.
===Civil Registration Offices===


'''Professional researchers'''. Offer to pay a researcher for a search of records in a nearby repository.
Request a birth, marriage, or death certificate for a direct ancestor.  


In France and Belgium you can also write to:
===Departmental or Provincial Archives===


'''Civil registration offices'''. Request a birth, marriage, or death certificate to verify the place of origin of a direct ancestor.
Ask where the records of a specific town are kept and what dates the records cover.  


'''Departmental or provincial archives'''.
Ask when their archives are open to the public.  


Ask where the records of a specific town are kept and what dates the records cover.
===Local Parishes===


Ask when their archives are open to the public.
Request transcripts of baptism, marriage, or burial records.


In Luxembourg you can write to:
== Addressing the Envelope  ==
===Genealogical Societies===
*The book Genealogical Research Directory: National and International by Keith A. Johnson and Malcolm R. Sainty lists the addresses of most genealogical societies in French-speaking nations (Sydney: Johnson and Sainty, 1993; FS Library book {{FSC|929.1025 G286grd |disp=929.1025 G286grd }}1993).


'''Civil registration offices'''. Request a certificate to verify the birth place of a direct ancestor born within the last hundred years. The Family History Library has filmed most earlier records from Luxembourg.
Address the envelope to:


In Quebec you can write to:
Monsieur le Président <br>(Name of the society) <br>(Address) <br>(Postal code) (Town) <br>(NATION)


=== Roman Catholic parishes. ===
Names and addresses of researchers for hire can be found in genealogical periodicals.  


Request transcripts of baptism, marriage, or burial records from 1877 to the present. The Family History Library has filmed most earlier Catholic records from Quebec.
===Civil registration offices===
(France and Luxembourg ) Address the envelope to: <br>


=== Addressing the Envelope ===
Monsieur l'officier de l'état-civil <br>Mairie de (Town) <br>(Postal code) (Town)<br>France


The book Genealogical Research Directory: National and International by Keith A. Johnson and Malcolm R. Sainty lists the addresses of most genealogical societies in French-speaking nations (Sydney: Johnson and Sainty, 1993; FHL book 929.1025 G286grd 1993).
===France Archives===


Address the envelope to:
Find archive addresses with the help of the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/142413 '''International Council on Archives' International Directory of Archives'''] (Archivum Series, vol. 38 [Munich: Saur, 1992].<br>
 
Monsieur le Président <br>(Name of the society) <br>(Address) <br>(Postal code) (Town) <br>(NATION)
 
Names and addresses of researchers for hire can be found in genealogical periodicals.
 
Civil registration offices. (France, Belgium, and Luxembourg only.) Address the envelope to:
 
Monsieur l'officier de l'état-civil <br>Mairie de (Town) <br>(Postal code) (Town)
 
'''FRANCE, BELGIUM, or LUXEMBOURG'''
 
Find archive addresses with the help of the [http://www.familysearchwiki.org/resolveuid/5c88dff7c1e3927d2e0e8bd4e46782d6 France Research Topics], the International Council on Archives' International Directory of Archives (Archivum Series, vol. 38 [Munich: Saur, 1992]; FHL book 020.5 Ar25 v. 38), or call the Family History Library at 801-240-3433.


Address the envelope to:
Address the envelope to:


=== France ===
==== France ====


Monsieur le Directeur <br>Archives départementales <br>(Postal code) (Town) <br>FRANCE
Monsieur le Directeur <br>Archives départementales <br>(Postal code) (Town) <br>FRANCE


=== Belgium ===
===Local Parishes===
 
====Canada====
Monsieur le Directeur<br>Archives de la Province<br>(Postal code) (Town)
 
'''BELGIUM'''
 
Catholic parishes. (Quebec only.)
 
Address the envelope to<br>Monsieur le Curé <br>(Town), Québec
Address the envelope to<br>Monsieur le Curé <br>(Town), Québec


'''CANADA''' (Postal code)
====Catholic Parishes====
 
Monsieur l'Abbé <br>
=== Postal Codes ===
(Parish) see, [http://www.thecatholicdirectory.com/index.cfm?worldmap=true&MapVersion=World '''see Catholic Directory''']<br>
 
(Postal Code) (Town)<br>
When addressing your letter, you will need to write the postal (zip) code before the name of the town when writing to France, Belgium, and Luxembourg. Write the postal code after the word "Canada" when writing to Quebec. For help finding postal codes, use the postal gazetteer for the country, or call the Family History Library at 801-240-3433.
France (or Luxembourg)
 
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.
 
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.


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:
=== Postal Codes  ===


Ruesch International Financial Services <br>International Division, 10th floor <br>1350 Eye Street N.W. <br>Washington, DC 20005
When addressing your letter, you will need to write the postal (zip) code before the name of the town when writing to France and Luxembourg. Write the postal code after the word "Canada" when writing to Quebec. <br>
*[https://worldpostalcode.com/france/ '''Postal Codes France''']
*[https://worldpostalcode.com/luxembourg/ '''Postal Codes Luxembourg''']
*[https://worldpostalcode.com/canada/ '''Postal Codes Quebec''']


When they receive your payment, Ruesch will promptly send you a foreign currency draft (check) you can mail to Europe or Quebec.
===How to Send Money===
*You can arrange an international bank order  or electronic transfer through [https://www.westernunion.com/us/en/send-money/app/start '''Western Union''']  or [https://secure.moneygram.com/mgo/us/en/?gclid=CjwKCAiA8rnfBRB3EiwAhrhBGoKue987mIxquMVZxw1pI7O_27Gznad2GJaB4C48LjkNkQFp5vlgEhoCZNEQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds '''MoneyGram'''.]
*Another recommended method:  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  Luxembourg, Swiss, or French francs. There is a $2 service charge. Have the check made payable to the organization you are contacting. Ruesch will give you a transaction number to write on your own payment check to them. Send the payment to:


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.
::Ruesch International Financial Services
::International Division, 10th floor
::1350 Eye Street N.W.  
::Washington, DC 20005


=== Checklist for Mailing Your Letter ===
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 it is also a good idea to send a donation of $15 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 an electronic transfer 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.


* Keep a photocopy of your letter.
== What to Expect ==
* Enclose three international reply coupons.
* Convert funds to foreign currency.
* Mark "Air Mail" on envelopes addressed overseas.


=== WHAT TO EXPECT ===
It may take six months or longer for you to receive a reply to your request for information (airmail improves the response time). The results of writing to civil registration offices (or parishes in Quebec) can vary greatly. You may get more information than requested, or you may get no answer at all. Some will not answer until money is sent. Some may be unable to provide information.


It may take six months or longer for you to receive a reply to your request for information (airmail improves the response time). The results of writing to civil registration offices (or parishes in Quebec) can vary greatly. You may get more information than requested, or you may get no answer at all. Some will not answer until money is sent. Some may be unable to provide information.
Because some information is not easily obtained by writing directly to a registrar (or priest in Quebec), you may need to hire a local private researcher. We suggest that you inquire about a competent local researcher when you write.  


Because some information is not easily obtained by writing directly to a registrar (or priest in Quebec), you may need to hire a local private researcher. We suggest that you inquire about a competent local researcher when you write.
When you receive a reply, send a note of thanks or acknowledgement. You may wish to do this in a follow-up letter requesting further information. Refer to your earlier letter and their return letter by date. If they have assigned you a reference number, include that number as well.  


When you receive a reply, send a note of thanks or acknowledgement. You may wish to do this in a follow-up letter requesting further information. Refer to your earlier letter and their return letter by date. If they have assigned you a reference number, include that number as well.
Use French-English dictionaries to help you understand the reply. Sometimes you can hire accredited genealogists to translate for you.  
 
Use French-English dictionaries to help you understand the reply. Sometimes you can hire accredited genealogists to translate for you.


If you do not receive an answer, write again sending a copy of your first letter. Do not send more money unless you verify that your first letter did not arrive.
If you do not receive an answer, write again sending a copy of your first letter. Do not send more money unless you verify that your first letter did not arrive.


=== HOW TO WRITE A LETTER IN FRENCH ===
== How to Write a Letter in French ==


Your letter should include the following:
*Your letter should include the following:  
**the date (at the top)
**the name and address of the addressee
**a greeting
**a short, specific, genealogical request
**identification details about the ancestor
**a comment about return postage (and sometimes reimbursement)
**closing remarks
**your signature
**your return address (including your country)
*Be brief and simple. Do not ask for more than one or two pieces of information in a single letter.
*The following English-to-French translations will help you compose your letter. '''Do not use this guide as the letter itself! That might insult the recipient and lessen the chance of a reply.''
*Read the sentences in English and choose those that best express what you want to say. Alternative phrases are shown in parentheses (    ).
*Be sure that your sentences are arranged logically. You may want to write your letter first in English using the following sentences, then replace the sentences with their French translations. *However you proceed, make sure you type or neatly print your letter and, when necessary, add any diacritical marks and special characters (such as à, â, ç, é, è, ê, ë, î, ï, ô, ö, û, ù) with a pen.


* the date (at the top)
===Gender===
* the name and address of the addressee
'''Three of the words in the French translations need to match your gender. The words are intéressé(e), obligé(e), and reconnaissant(e). The feminine ending is listed in parentheses. If you are a man, use intéressé, obligé, and reconnaissant. If you are a woman, use intéressée, obligée, and reconnaissante. '''
* a greeting
* a short, specific, genealogical request
* a comment about return postage (and sometimes reimbursement)
* closing remarks
* your signature
* your return address (including your country)


Be brief and simple. Do not ask for more than one or two pieces of information in a single letter.
=== Writing Dates  ===


The following English-to-French translations will help you compose your letter. Read the sentences in English and choose those that best express what you want to say. Alternative phrases are shown in double brackets («&nbsp;»). Be sure that your sentences are arranged logically. You may want to write your letter first in English using the following sentences, then replace the sentences with their French translations. However you proceed, make sure you type or neatly print your letter and, when necessary, add any diacritical marks and special characters (such as à, â, ç, é, è, ê, ë, î, ï, ô, ö, û, ù) with a pen.
Write dates in the European style: day-month-year. Write the name of the month out and write the year in full. For example, write 10 décembre 1889, not 12-10-89 or even 10-12-1889.  


'''Gender'''. Three of the words in the French translations need to match your gender. The words are intéressé(e), obligé(e), and reconnaissant(e). The feminine ending is listed in parentheses. If you are a man, use intéressé, obligé, and reconnaissant. If you are a woman, use intéressée, obligée, and reconnaissante.
{| class="plain FCK__ShowTableBorders"
 
|-
Do not use this guide as the letter itself! That might insult the recipient and lessen the chance of a reply.
| style="padding-right:50px"|
 
January <br>
=== Writing Dates ===
| janvier<br>
 
|-
Write dates in the European style: day-month-year. Write the name of the month out and write the year in full. For example, write 10 décembre 1889, not 12-10-89 or even 10-12-1889.
| February
 
| février
{| class="plain"
|-
| March
| mars
|-
| April
| avril
|-
| May
| mai
|-
| June
| juin
|-
|-
| January&nbsp; <br>
| July<br>  
| janvier&nbsp; <br>
| juillet<br>
| July&nbsp; <br>
| juillet&nbsp; <br>
|-
|-
| February
| August  
| février
| August
| août
| août
|-
|-
| March
| September  
| mars
| September
| septembre
| septembre
|-
|-
| April
| October  
| avril
| October
| octobre
| octobre
|-
|-
| May
| November  
| mai
| November
| novembre
| novembre
|-
|-
| June
| December  
| juin
| December
| décembre
| décembre
|}
|}


'''Letter to a Genealogical Society'''
=== Letter to a Genealogical Society ===
'''Many genealogical societies can be contacted by e-mail. This will save postage costs for both you and them.'''<br>
{|
|-
!style="width:50%; padding-right:50px; border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|
English
!style="width:50%; border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|
French
|-
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|
1. Dear President:
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|
1. Monsieur le Président,
|-
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|
2. My ancestor (fill in ancestor's name) emigrated from your region in (fill in year).
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|2. Mon ancêtre (fill in ancestor's name) a quitté votre région vers (fill in year).


'''English'''
|-
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|3. (He) (She) was from (fill in the town).


'''French'''
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|3. (ll) (Elle) venait de (fill in the town).
|-
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|4. (He was born) (She was born) about (fill in date).


1. Dear President:
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|4. (Il est né) (Elle est née) environ (fill in date).  
|-
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|5. I have not been able to identify this place which appears to be in your area. Perhaps I do not have the correct spelling. Do you have any suggestions?


1. Monsieur le Président,
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|5. Il ne m'a pas été possible d'identifier ce lieu exact d'origine dans votre région. Peut-être que l'orthographe a été déformée. Auriez-vous quelque recommandation à ce sujet?
|-
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|6. The spelling of the surname, (fill in surname), is not certain. What is the likely spelling in your area?


2. My ancestor (fill in ancestor's name) emigrated from your region. «in (fill in year).»
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|6. L'orthographe de ce patronyme, (fill in surname), n'est pas certaine. Pourriez-vous suggérer les orthographes possibles pour votre région?
|-
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|7. Could you tell me if the surname (fill in the surname) is common in your area? Is there a member of your group who is studying that surname or the families in (fill in the town)? Would you kindly forward my letter to that person?


2. Mon ancêtre (fill in ancestor's name) a quitté votre région. «vers (fill in year).»
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|7. Pourriez-vous me dire si le nom de famille (fill in the surname) existe dans votre région? Y a-t-il un membre de votre groupe qui étudie ce nom ou les familles de (fill in the town)? Voudriez-vous être assez aimable pour lui acheminer ma lettre?
|-
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|8. Do you have a list of people who are willing to do research for a fee?


3. He «She» was from (fill in the town).
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|8. Avez-vous une liste de personnes qui se chargent de faire des recherches rémunérées?
|-
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|9. Is there a periodical published by your association? Please tell me the conditions and benefits of subscription and how to run a genealogical query.  


3. l «Elle» venait de (fill in the town).
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|9. Est-ce que votre association publie une revue ? Quelles sont les conditions et les avantages de souscription et comment pourrais-je insérer une question dans la revue?
|-
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|10. With my greatest thanks, please accept my sincere greetings.  


4. He was born «She was born» «about» (fill in date).
(Your signature)  


4. Il est né «Elle est née» «environ» (fill in date).
(Fill in your name and address)  
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|10. Avec mes plus grands remerciements, je vous prie d'agréer, l'expression de mes sentiments distingués.  


5. I have not been able to identify this place which appears to be in your area. Perhaps I do not have the correct spelling. Do you have any suggestions?
(Your signature)


5. Il ne m'a pas été possible d'identifier ce lieu exact d'origine dans votre région. Peut-être que l'orthographe a été déformée. Auriez-vous quelque recommandation à ce sujet?
(Fill in your name and address)
|}


6. The spelling of the surname, (fill in surname), is not certain. What is the likely spelling in your area?
=== Letter to Professional Researcher  ===
{|
|-
!style="width:50%; padding-right:50px; border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|
English
!style="width:50%; border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|
French
|-
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|1. Dear (Sir:) (Madam:)  


6. L'orthographe de ce patronyme, (fill in surname), n'est pas certaine. Pourriez-vous suggérer les orthographes possible pour votre région?
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|1. (Monsieur,) (Madame,)  
|-
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|2. I need the help of a genealogist for some research. I would be very grateful if you would send me your rate and conditions, including traveling expenses if necessary.  


7. Could you tell me if the surname (fill in the surname) is common in your area? Is there a member of your group who is studying that surname or the families in (fill in the town)? Would you kindly forward my letter to that person?
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|2. J'ai besoin de l'aide d'un généalogiste pour quelques recherches. Je vous serais très obligé(e) de bien vouloir m'envoyer votre tarif et conditions, y compris bien entendu, frais de déplacements éventuels.
|-
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|3. Can I write to you in English?  


7. Pourriez-vous me dire si le nom de famille (fill in the surname) existe dans votre région? Y a-t-il un membre de votre groupe qui étudie ce nom ou les familles de (fill in the town)? Voudriez-vous être assez aimable pour lui acheminer ma lettre?
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|3. Puis-je vous écrire en anglais?  
|-
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|4. Please find enclosed a family group sheet with all the information I have.


8. Do you have a list of people who are willing to do research for a fee?
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|4. Veuillez trouver ci-joint une feuille de groupement de famille avec toutes les informations que je possède.
|-
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|5. Would you be able to research the ancestors (of the husband)? (of the wife?) (of both spouses?)


8. Avez-vous une liste de personnes qui se chargent de faire des recherches rémunérées?
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|5. Pensez-vous que vous pourriez rechercher les ancêtres (de l'époux?) (de l'épouse?) (des époux?)
|-
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|6. I would like to find all the children of each family as well as the children's death dates when they died under the age of eight years.


9. Is there a periodical published by your association? Please tell me the conditions and benefits of subscription and how to run a genealogical query.
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|6. Je désire avoir tous les enfants de chaque famille trouvée, ainsi que les décès des enfants morts en dessous de huit ans.
|-
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|7. The marriages of the children interest me also.  


9. Est-ce que votre association publie une revue? Quelles sont les conditions et les avantages de souscription et comment pourrais-je insérer une question dans la revue?
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|7. Les mariages des enfants m'intéressent aussi.  
|-
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|8. I am not interested in the marriages of the children except for the direct line.


10. Please find enclosed three international reply coupons for return postage.
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|8. Les mariages des enfants ne m'intéressent pas excepté la lignée directe.
|-
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|9. I do not need a complete transcription of each document but a short transcription of the genealogical information found in the documents and the source of information.  


10. Veuillez trouver ci-joint trois coupons réponse internationaux pour couvrir les frais postaux.
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|9. Je n'ai pas besoin de transcription complète des documents mais simplement une transcription des informations généalogiques trouvées dans chaque document avec la source d'information.
|-
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|10. Please complete the family group sheets and do not worry about transcribing the documents.  


11. With my greatest thanks, please accept my sincere greetings.
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|10. Veuillez compléter des fiches familiales sans vous inquiéter de transcrire les documents.
|-
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|11. If I use your services, it is my intention to pay you with a draft in converted currency. Please tell me the name to write on the draft.  


(Your signature)
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|11. Si je décide d'employer vos services, je compte vous payer par mandat international en monnaie de votre pays. Veuillez bien me dire le nom de la personne à qui le mandat doit être libellé.
|-
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|12. Awaiting your answer, (Sir.) (Madam.) <br>
<br>
Sincerely,


(fill in your name and address)
(Your signature)  


11. Avec mes plus grands remerciements, je vous prie d'agréer, Monsieur, l'expression de mes sentiments distingués.
(Fill in your name and address)


(Your signature)
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|12. Dans l'attente de votre réponse, je vous prie de croire, (Monsieur.) (Madame.), à l'expression de mes sincères salutations.


(fill in your name and address)
(Your signature)  


=== Letter to&nbsp;Professional Researcher ===
(Fill in your name and address)
 
|}
'''English'''
 
'''French'''
 
1. Dear Sir: «Madam:»
 
1. Monsieur, «Madame,»
 
2. I need the help of a genealogist for some research. I would be very grateful if you would send me your rate and conditions, including traveling expenses if necessary.
 
2. J'ai besoin de l'aide d'un généalogiste pour quelques recherches. Je vous serais très obligé(e) de bien vouloir m'envoyer votre tarif et conditions, y compris bien entendu, frais de déplacements éventuels.
 
3. Can I write to you in English?
 
3. Puis-je vous écrire en anglais?
 
4. Please find enclosed a family group sheet with all the information I have.
 
4. Veuillez trouver ci-joint une feuille de groupement de famille avec toutes les informations que je possède.
 
5. Would you be able to research the ancestors of the husband? «the wife?» «both spouses?»
 
5. Pensez-vous que vous pourriez rechercher les ancêtres de l'époux? «l'épouse&nbsp;?» «des époux?»
 
6. I would like to find all the children of each family as well as the children's death dates when they died under the age of eight years.
 
6. Je désire avoir tous les enfants de chaque famille trouvée, ainsi que les décès des enfants morts en dessous de huit ans.
 
7. The marriages of the children interest me also.
 
7. Les mariages des enfants m'intéressent aussi.
 
8. I am not interested in the marriages of the children except for the direct line.
 
8. Les mariages des enfants ne m'intéressent pas excepté pour la lignée directe.
 
9. I do not need a complete transcription of each document but a short transcription of the genealogical information found in the documents and the source of information.
 
9. Je n'ai pas besoin de transcription complète des documents mais simplement une transcription des informations généalogiques trouvées dans chaque document avec la source d'information.
 
10. Please complete the family group sheets and do not worry about transcribing the documents.
 
10. Veuillez compléter des fiches familiales sans vous inquiéter de transcrire les documents.
 
11. If I use your services, it is my intention to pay you with a draft in converted currency. Please tell me the name to write on the draft.
 
11. Si je décide d'employer vos services, je compte vous payer par mandat international en monnaie de votre pays. Veuillez bien me dire le nom de la personne à qui le mandat doit être libellé&nbsp;!
 
12. Please find enclosed three international reply coupons for return postage.
 
12. Veuillez trouver ci-joint trois coupons réponse internationaux pour couvrir les frais postaux.


13. Awaiting your answer, Sir. «Madam.», Sincerely,
=== Letter to Civil Registration Office ===
 
*Many records for French-speaking countries are now online. For Wiki articles with direct links to online records, click on the [[France Genealogy#Jurisdictions|'''France department''',]] [[Belgium Genealogy#Jurisdictions|'''Belgium province''',]] [[Luxembourg Genealogy#Jurisdictions|'''Luxembourg province''',]]  or [[Quebec, Canada Genealogy#Historic Counties|'''Quebec county'''.]]
(Your signature)
{|
 
(fill in your name and address)
 
13. Dans l'attente de votre réponse, je vous prie de croire, Monsieur «Madame», à l'expression de mes sincères salutations.
 
(Your signature)
 
(fill in your name and address)
 
=== Letter to Civil Registration Office ===
 
'''English'''
 
'''French'''
 
1. Dear Civil Registrar:
 
1. Monsieur l'officier de l'état-civil,
 
2. I would be very grateful if you would send me a complete copy of the «birth» «marriage» «death» certificate of (fill in relationship).
 
2. Je vous serais très obligé(e) de bien vouloir m'envoyer, si possible, la copie intégrale de l'acte de «naissance» «mariage» «décès» de (fill in relationship).
 
{| class="plain"
|-
|-
| my father
!style="width:50%; padding-right:50px; border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|
| mon père
English
!style="width:50%; border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|
French
|-
|-
| my mother
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|1. Dear Civil Registrar:
| ma mère
 
|-
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|1. Monsieur l'officier de l'état-civil,
| my grandfather
| mon grand-père
|-
| my grandmother
| ma grand-mère
|-
| my great-grandfather
| mon arrière grand-père
|-
| my great-grandmother
| mon arrière grand-mère
|-
| my parents
| mes parents
|-
| my grandparents
| mes grands-parents
|-
|-
| my great-grandparents
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|2. I would be very grateful if you would send me a complete copy of the (birth) (marriage) (death) certificate of (fill in relationship).
| mes arrière grand-parents
Relationship choices:
:my father
:my mother
:my grandfather
:my grandmother
:my great-grandfather
:my great-grandmother
:my parents
:my grandparents  
:my great-grandparents
:one of my male ancestors
:one of my female ancestors
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|2. Je vous serais très obligé(e) de bien vouloir m'envoyer, si possible, la copie intégrale de l'acte de (naissance) (mariage) (décès) de (fill in relationship).
Relationship choices in French:
:mon père
:ma mère
:mon grand-père
:ma grand-mère
:mon arrière grand-père
:mon arrière grand-mère
:mes parents
:mes grands-parents
:mes arrière grands-parents
:d'un de mes ancêtres
:d'une de mes ancêtres
|-
|-
| one of my male ancestors
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|3. (Supply pertinent information)
| d'un de mes ancêtres
:a. Given name and surname:
:b. Date of birth:
:c. Place of birth:
:d. Father's given name and surname:
:e. Mother's given name and maiden surname:
:f. Husband's given name and surname:
:g. Wife's given name and maiden surname:
:h. Date of marriage:
:i. Place of marriage:
:j. Date of death:
:k. Place of death:
|style="border:1px solid black; vertical-align:top; padding-left:10px"|3. (French labels for information items)
:a. Prénom et nom:
:b. Date de naissance:
:c. Lieu de naissance:
:d. Prénom et nom de son père:
:e. Prénom et nom de jeune fille de sa mère:
:f. Prénom et nom de son mari:
:g. Prénom et nom de jeune fille de sa femme:
:h. Date de mariage:
:i. Lieu de mariage:
:j. Date de décès:
:k. Lieu de décès:
|-
|-
| one of my female ancestors
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|4. With my greatest thanks, please accept my sincere greetings.
| d'une de mes ancêtres
|}


<br>3. (Supply pertinent information)
(Your signature)  


3. (Supply pertinent information)
(fill in your name and address)  


a. Given name and surname:
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|4. Avec mes plus grands remerciements, je vous prie d'agréer, l'expression de mes sentiments distingués.  


a. Prénom et nom:
(Your signature)


b. Date of birth:
(Fill in your name and address)
|}


b. Date de naissance:
=== Letter to a Departmental or Provincial Archive  ===
*Many records for French-speaking countries are now online. For Wiki articles with direct links to online records, click on the [[France Genealogy#Jurisdictions|'''France department''',]] [[Belgium Genealogy#Jurisdictions|'''Belgium province''',]] [[Luxembourg Genealogy#Jurisdictions|'''Luxembourg province''',]]  or [[Quebec, Canada Genealogy#Historic Counties|'''Quebec county'''.]]
{|
|-
!style="width:50%; padding-right:50px; border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|
English
!style="width:50%; border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|
French
|-
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|1. Dear Director:  


c. Place of birth:
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|1. Monsieur le Directeur,
|-
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|2. Do you have the civil and parish registers for the town of (fill in town name)? For which years?


c. Lieu de naissance:
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|2. Possédez-vous les registres d'état-civil et paroissiaux de (fill in town name) ? Pour quelles années ?
|-
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|3. Are there other years available somewhere else?


d. Father's given name and surname:
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|3. Existe-t-il d'autres années consultables en mairie?
|-
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|4. Please tell me the days and hours that you will be open during the month of (fill in the month). (See page 3 for names of the months. Use d' in front of avril, août, and octobre.)


d. Prénom et nom de son père:
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|4. Voudriez-vous bien m'indiquer les heures et jours ouvrables pendant le mois (de) (d') (fill in the month). (Use d' in front of avril, août, and octobre; use de in front of the other months.)
|-
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|5. Could you send me the name and address of a person who could do research for me?


e. Mother's given name and maiden surname:
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|5. Pourriez-vous m'envoyer les nom et adresse d'une personne qui pourrait faire une recherche pour moi?
|-
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|6. Could you send me the name and address of the genealogical association for your region?


e. Prénom et nom de jeune fille de sa mère:
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|6. Pourriez-vous m'envoyer le nom et l'adresse de l'Association généalogique de votre région?
|-
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|7. With my greatest thanks, please accept my sincere greetings.


f. Husband's given name and surname: f. Prénom et nom de son mari:
(Your signature)


g. Wife's given name and maiden surname:
(Fill in your name and address)


g. Prénom et nom de jeune fille de sa femme:
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|7. Avec mes plus grands remerciements, je vous prie d'agréer, l'expression de mes sentiments distingués.


h. Date of marriage:
(Your signature)


h. Date de mariage:
(Fill in your name and address)
|}


i. Place of marriage:
=== Letter to a Local Priest===


i. Lieu de mariage:
{|
|-
!style="width:50%; padding-right:50px; border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|
English
!style="width:50%; border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|
French
|-
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|1. Dear Parish Priest:  


j. Date of death:
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|1. Monsieur le Curé,
|-
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|2. I am researching ancestors, and I would be very grateful for any information which you could find in your registers on my family.


j. Date de décès:
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|2. Je suis en train d'effectuer des recherches sur mes ancêtres et je vous serais très obligé(e) pour toute information que vous pourriez trouver dans vos registres sur ma famille.
|-
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|3. (Supply pertinent information)
:a. Given name and surname:
:b. Date of birth:
:c. Place of birth:
:d. Father's given name and surname:
:e. Mother's given name and maiden surname:
:f. Husband's given name and surname: <br>
:g. Wife's given name and maiden surname:
:h. Date of marriage:
:i. Place of marriage:
:j. Date of death:
:k. Place of death:
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|3. (French labels for pertinent information)
:a. Prénom et nom:
:b. Date de naissance:
:c. Lieu de naissance:
:d. Prénom et nom de son père:
:e. Prénom et nom de jeune fille de sa mère:
:f. Prénom et nom de son mari:
:g. Prénom et nom de jeune fille de sa femme:
:h. Date de mariage:
:i. Lieu de mariage:
:j. Date de décès:  
:k. Lieu de décès:
|-
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|4. Could you trace my ancestors back to the previous generation?


k. Place of death:
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|4. Pourriez-vous remonter mes ancêtres à la génération précédente ?
|-
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|5. I would like more information on the family of (fill in the person's name). I would be very grateful if you could obtain the names and birth dates of his/her brothers and sisters as well as the marriage of their parents.


k. Lieu de décès:
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|5. Je voudrais davantage d'information sur la famille de (fill in the person's name). Je vous serais très reconnaissant(e) si vous pouviez obtenir les noms et dates de naissance de ses frères et soeurs ainsi que le mariage des parents.
|-
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|6. Please find enclosed $15 for reply postage and donation to your parish. Let me know the balance owed you.


4. Please find enclosed three international reply coupons for return postage.
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|6. Veuillez trouver ci-joint 15 dollars pour les frais de réponse et une donation à votre paroisse. S'il vous plaît, veuillez bien me dire la balance qui vous est due.
|-
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|7. With my greatest thanks, please accept my sincere greetings.  


4. Veuillez trouver ci-joint trois coupons réponse internationaux pour couvrir les frais postaux.
(Your signature)


5. With my greatest thanks, please accept my sincere greetings.
(Fill in your name and address)


(Your signature)
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|7. Avec mes plus grands remerciements, je vous prie d'agréer, monsieur le curé, l'expression de mes sentiments distingués.


(fill in your name and address)
(Your signature)  


5. Avec mes plus grands remerciements, je vous prie d'agréer, Monsieur, l'expression de mes sentiments distingués.
(Fill in your name and address)
|}


(Your signature)
=== Follow-up  ===
{|
|-
!style="width:50%; padding-right:50px; border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|
English
!style="width:50%; border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|
French
|-
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|1. Thank you for the information you sent on (fill in date).


(fill in your name and address)
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|1. Je vous remercie pour les informations que vous m'avez fait parvenir (fill in date).
|-
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|2. I need further information about one of the individuals you mentioned in your letter: (fill in name).


Letter to a Departmental or Provincial Archive
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|2. J'ai besoin d'informations supplémentaires sur (fill in name) que vous mentionnez dans votre lettre.
|-
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|3. I am very grateful for the information that you had the kindness to send me. I take the liberty to impose again on your kindness and ask you to please send me the complete copy of the (birth) (marriage) (death) certificate of (fill in name).


English French
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|3. Je vous suis très reconnaissant(e) pour les informations que vous avez eu la gentillesse de m'envoyer. Je me permets d'abuser de nouveau de votre amabilité pour vous demander de bien vouloir m'envoyer la copie intégrale de l'acte de (naissance) (mariage) (décès) de (fill in name).
|-
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|4. I requested a certificate from you on (fill in date). See the enclosed photocopy. Perhaps you did not receive the request. I am still interested in obtaining this certificate. Please inform me how much I should send you.


1. Dear Director:
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|4. Je vous ai écrit le (fill in date) vous demandant de bien vouloir m'envoyer un acte d'état-civil. Veuillez trouver ci-joint la photocopie de ma lettre que vous semblez ne pas avoir reçue. Je suis toujours intéressé(e) à recevoir ce document. S'il vous plaît veuillez bien m'aviser de la somme à vous envoyer.  
|-
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|5. I am enclosing a copy of a letter I sent you on (fill in date). Please write and tell me if you can do this research.


1. Monsieur le Directeur,
|style="border:1px solid black; padding-left:10px"|5. Je vous joins une copie de la lettre que je vous ai envoyée le (fill in date). Je vous serais reconnaissant(e) si vous pouviez me contacter et me faire savoir si vous pouvez faire cette recherche.


2. Do you have the civil and parish registers for the town of (fill in town name)? For which years?
|}
 
2. Possédez-vous les registres d'état-civil et paroissiaux de (fill in town name)? Pour quelles années?
 
3. Are there other years available somewhere else?
 
3. Existe-t-il d'autres années consultables en mairie?
 
4. Please tell me the days and hours that you will be open during the month of (fill in the month). (See page 3 for names of the months. Use d' in front of avril, août, and octobre.)
 
4. Voudriez-vous bien m'indiquer les heures et jours ouvrables pendant le mois de «d'» (fill in the month). (Use d' in front of avril, août, and octobre.)
 
5. Could you send me the name and address of a person who could do research for me?
 
5. Pourriez-vous m'envoyer les nom et adresse d'une personne qui pourrait faire une recherche pour moi?
 
6. Could you send me the name and address of the genealogical association for your region?
 
6. Pourriez-vous m'envoyer les nom et adresse de l'Association généalogique de votre région?
 
7. Please find enclosed three international reply coupons for return postage.
 
7. Veuillez trouver ci-joint trois coupons réponse internationaux pour couvrir les frais postaux.
 
8. With my greatest thanks, please accept my sincere greetings.
 
(Your signature)
 
(fill in your name and address)
 
8. Avec mes plus grands remerciements, je vous prie d'agréer, Monsieur le directeur, l'expression de mes sentiments distingués.
 
(Your signature)
 
(fill in your name and address)
 
Letter to a Catholic Priest in Quebec
 
English French
 
1. Dear Parish Priest:
 
1. Monsieur le Curé,
 
2. I am researching ancestors, and I would be very grateful for any information which you could find in your registers on my family.
 
2. Je suis en train d'effectuer des recherches sur mes ancêtres et je vous serais très obligé(e) pour toute information que vous pourriez trouver dans vos registres sur ma famille.
 
3. (Supply pertinent information)
 
3. (Supply pertinent information)
 
a. Given name and surname:
 
a. Prénom et nom:
 
b. Date of birth:
 
b. Date de naissance:
 
c. Place of birth:
 
c. Lieu de naissance:
 
d. Father's given name and surname:
 
d. Prénom et nom de son père:
 
e. Mother's given name and maiden surname:
 
e. Prénom et nom de jeune fille de sa mère:
 
f. Husband's given name and surname: f. Prénom et nom de son mari:
 
g. Wife's given name and maiden surname:
 
g. Prénom et nom de jeune fille de sa femme:
 
h. Date of marriage:
 
h. Date de mariage:
 
i. Place of marriage:
 
i. Lieu de mariage:
 
j. Date of death:
 
j. Date de décès:
 
k. Place of death:
 
k. Lieu de décès:
 
4. Could you trace my ancestors back to the previous generation?
 
4. Pourriez-vous remonter mes ancêtres à la génération précédente?
 
5. I would like more information on the family of (fill in the person's name). I would be very grateful if you could obtain the names and birth dates of his «her» brothers and sisters as well as the marriage of their parents.
 
5. Je voudrais davantage d'information sur la famille de (fill in the person's name). Je vous serais très reconnaissant(e) si vous pouviez obtenir les noms et dates de naissance de ses frères et soeurs ainsi que le mariage des parents.
 
6. Please find enclosed $10 (Canadian) for reply postage and donation to your parish. Let me know the balance owed you.
 
6. Veuillez trouver ci-joint 10 dollars (Canadien) pour les frais de réponse et une donation à votre paroisse. S'il vous plaît, veuillez bien me dire la balance qui vous est due.
 
7. With my greatest thanks, please accept my sincere greetings.
 
(Your signature)
 
(fill in your name and address)
 
7. Avec mes plus grands remerciements, je vous prie d'agréer, monsieur le curé, l'expression de mes sentiments distingués.
 
(Your signature)
 
(fill in your name and address)
 
Follow-up
 
[Use these sentences in follow-up letters as needed.]
 
'''English'''
 
'''French'''
 
1. Thank you for the information you sent on (fill in date).
 
1. Je vous remercie pour les informations que vous m'avez fait parvenir (fill in date).
 
2. I need further information about one of the individuals you mentioned in your letter: (fill in name).
 
2. J'ai besoin d'informations supplémentaires sur (fill in name) que vous mentionnez dans votre lettre.
 
3. I am very grateful for the information that you had the kindness to send me. I take the liberty to impose again on your kindness and ask you to please send me the complete copy of the «birth» «marriage» «death» certificate of (fill in name).
 
3. Je vous suis très reconnaissant(e) pour les informations que vous avez eu la gentillesse de m'envoyer. Je me permets d'abuser de nouveau de votre amabilité pour vous demander de bien vouloir m'envoyer la copie intégrale de l'acte de «naissance» «mariage» «décès» de (fill in name).
 
4. I requested a certificate from you on (fill in date). See the enclosed photocopy. Perhaps you did not receive the request. I am still interested in obtaining this certificate. Please inform me how much I should send you.
 
4. Je vous ai écrit le (fill in date) vous demandant de bien vouloir m'envoyer un acte d'État-civil. Veuillez trouver ci-joint la photocopie de ma lettre que vous semblez ne pas avoir reçue. Je suis toujours intéressé(e) à recevoir ce document. S'il vous plaît veuillez bien m'aviser de la somme à vous envoyer.
 
5. I am enclosing a copy of a letter I sent you on (fill in date). Please write and tell me if you can do this research.
 
5. Je vous joins une copie de la lettre que je vous avez envoyée le (fill in date). Je vous serais reconnaissant(e) si vous pouviez me contacter et me faire savoir si vous pouvez faire cette recherche.
 
See below for an example of a letter using the sentences in this guide.
 
=== EXAMPLE LETTER ===
 
Date 20 juillet 1994
 
Addressee Monsieur l'officier de l'état-civil<br>Mairie de Nulle Part<br>67999 Quelque Part<br>FRANCE


Greeting Monsieur l'officier de l'état-civil,
=== Example Letter  ===


Genealogical Request Je vous serais très obligée de bien vouloir m'envoyer la copie intégrale de l'acte de naissance de mon arrière grand-père.
[Date] 20 juillet 1994


Prénom et nom: Jacob BELLER
[Addressee] Monsieur l'officier de l'état-civil<br>Mairie de Nulle Part<br>67999 Quelque Part<br>FRANCE


Date de naissance: 19 novembre 1857
[Greeting] Monsieur l'officier de l'état-civil,


Lieu de naissance: Nulle Part, Bas-Rhin, France
[Genealogical Request] Je vous serais très obligée de bien vouloir m'envoyer la copie intégrale de l'acte de naissance de mon arrière grand-père.


Prénom et nom de jeune fille de sa femme: Anna ZIMMERMAN
Prénom et nom: Jacob BELLER


Date de mariage: 19 janvier 1882
Date de naissance: 19 novembre 1857


Lieu de mariage: Fairbury, Livingston, Illinois, USA
Lieu de naissance: Nulle Part, Bas-Rhin, France


Comment on Postage Veuillez trouver ci-joint trois coupon-réponse internationaux pour couvrir les frais postaux.
Prénom et nom de jeune fille de sa femme: Anna ZIMMERMAN


Closing Avec mes plus grands remerciements, je vous prie d'agréer, Monsieur, l'expression de mes sentiments distingués.
Date de mariage: 19 janvier 1882


Signature
Lieu de mariage: Fairbury, Livingston, Illinois, USA


Return Address Jane Doe<br>674 "Q" Street<br>Salt Lake City, UT 84103<br>USA
[Closing] Avec mes plus grands remerciements, je vous prie d'agréer, Monsieur, l'expression de mes sentiments distingués.


[Signature]


[Return Address] Jane Doe<br>674 "Q" Street<br>Salt Lake City, UT 84103<br>USA


[[Category:France]]
[[Category:France_Language_and_Handwriting]] [[Category:Letter_Writing_Guides|French]] [[Category:France_Church_Records]] [[Category:France_Civil_Registration]]

Latest revision as of 20:33, 15 December 2023

Before You Write

Before you write a letter in French to obtain family history information, you should do these things:

  • Determine exactly where your ancestor was born, married, or died. Because most genealogical records were kept locally, you will need to know the specific town where your ancestor's records were kept. See the France Finding Town of Origin and Tracing Immigrant Origins FamilySearch Wiki article for help in finding hometowns.
  • Use a gazetteer to determine which community serves your ancestor's locality. Your town might be a village too small to have its own civil registration office or parish church. Gazetteers can tell you the larger town which holds jurisdiction over that village.
  • Many records for French-speaking countries are now online. For Wiki articles with direct links to online records, click on the France department, Belgium province, Luxembourg province, or Quebec county.
  • If you have access to the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City, Utah, determine if it has records from the area where your relative lived. The best sources of information in French-speaking areas are records of births, marriages, and deaths kept by civil registration offices or parishes. The library has microfilmed these records for many localities, but not all. They are currently being digitized with hopes of having everything digitized by 2020. Use the FamilySearch Catalog to determine what records are available through the FamilySearch Library.

Research by Mail

Write only when you cannot find the information any other way. The following list shows the kind of information you may be able to obtain through correspondence from several kinds of organizations in French-speaking nations:

Genealogical Societies

Request that the letter be forwarded to a member interested in the same family, locality, or group of people.

Request a list of people who might consider making a short search of records in a nearby repository for pay.

Professional Researchers

Offer to pay a researcher for a search of records in a nearby repository.

Civil Registration Offices

Request a birth, marriage, or death certificate for a direct ancestor.

Departmental or Provincial Archives

Ask where the records of a specific town are kept and what dates the records cover.

Ask when their archives are open to the public.

Local Parishes

Request transcripts of baptism, marriage, or burial records.

Addressing the Envelope

Genealogical Societies

  • The book Genealogical Research Directory: National and International by Keith A. Johnson and Malcolm R. Sainty lists the addresses of most genealogical societies in French-speaking nations (Sydney: Johnson and Sainty, 1993; FS Library book 929.1025 G286grd1993).

Address the envelope to:

Monsieur le Président
(Name of the society)
(Address)
(Postal code) (Town)
(NATION)

Names and addresses of researchers for hire can be found in genealogical periodicals.

Civil registration offices

(France and Luxembourg ) Address the envelope to:

Monsieur l'officier de l'état-civil
Mairie de (Town)
(Postal code) (Town)
France

France Archives

Find archive addresses with the help of the International Council on Archives' International Directory of Archives (Archivum Series, vol. 38 [Munich: Saur, 1992].

Address the envelope to:

France

Monsieur le Directeur
Archives départementales
(Postal code) (Town)
FRANCE

Local Parishes

Canada

Address the envelope to
Monsieur le Curé
(Town), Québec

Catholic Parishes

Monsieur l'Abbé
(Parish) see, see Catholic Directory
(Postal Code) (Town)
France (or Luxembourg)

Postal Codes

When addressing your letter, you will need to write the postal (zip) code before the name of the town when writing to France and Luxembourg. Write the postal code after the word "Canada" when writing to Quebec.

How to Send Money

  • You can arrange an international bank order or electronic transfer through Western Union or MoneyGram.
  • Another recommended method: 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 Luxembourg, Swiss, or French francs. There is a $2 service charge. Have the check made payable to the organization you are contacting. Ruesch will give you a transaction number to write on your own payment check to them. Send the payment to:
Ruesch International Financial Services
International Division, 10th floor
1350 Eye Street N.W.
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 it is also a good idea to send a donation of $15 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 an electronic transfer 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.

What to Expect

It may take six months or longer for you to receive a reply to your request for information (airmail improves the response time). The results of writing to civil registration offices (or parishes in Quebec) can vary greatly. You may get more information than requested, or you may get no answer at all. Some will not answer until money is sent. Some may be unable to provide information.

Because some information is not easily obtained by writing directly to a registrar (or priest in Quebec), you may need to hire a local private researcher. We suggest that you inquire about a competent local researcher when you write.

When you receive a reply, send a note of thanks or acknowledgement. You may wish to do this in a follow-up letter requesting further information. Refer to your earlier letter and their return letter by date. If they have assigned you a reference number, include that number as well.

Use French-English dictionaries to help you understand the reply. Sometimes you can hire accredited genealogists to translate for you.

If you do not receive an answer, write again sending a copy of your first letter. Do not send more money unless you verify that your first letter did not arrive.

How to Write a Letter in French

  • Your letter should include the following:
    • the date (at the top)
    • the name and address of the addressee
    • a greeting
    • a short, specific, genealogical request
    • identification details about the ancestor
    • a comment about return postage (and sometimes reimbursement)
    • closing remarks
    • your signature
    • your return address (including your country)
  • Be brief and simple. Do not ask for more than one or two pieces of information in a single letter.
  • The following English-to-French translations will help you compose your letter. 'Do not use this guide as the letter itself! That might insult the recipient and lessen the chance of a reply.
  • Read the sentences in English and choose those that best express what you want to say. Alternative phrases are shown in parentheses ( ).
  • Be sure that your sentences are arranged logically. You may want to write your letter first in English using the following sentences, then replace the sentences with their French translations. *However you proceed, make sure you type or neatly print your letter and, when necessary, add any diacritical marks and special characters (such as à, â, ç, é, è, ê, ë, î, ï, ô, ö, û, ù) with a pen.

Gender

Three of the words in the French translations need to match your gender. The words are intéressé(e), obligé(e), and reconnaissant(e). The feminine ending is listed in parentheses. If you are a man, use intéressé, obligé, and reconnaissant. If you are a woman, use intéressée, obligée, and reconnaissante.

Writing Dates

Write dates in the European style: day-month-year. Write the name of the month out and write the year in full. For example, write 10 décembre 1889, not 12-10-89 or even 10-12-1889.

January

janvier
February février
March mars
April avril
May mai
June juin
July
 juillet
August août
September septembre
October octobre
November novembre
December décembre

Letter to a Genealogical Society

Many genealogical societies can be contacted by e-mail. This will save postage costs for both you and them.

English

French

1. Dear President:

1. Monsieur le Président,

2. My ancestor (fill in ancestor's name) emigrated from your region in (fill in year).

2. Mon ancêtre (fill in ancestor's name) a quitté votre région vers (fill in year).
3. (He) (She) was from (fill in the town). 3. (ll) (Elle) venait de (fill in the town).
4. (He was born) (She was born) about (fill in date). 4. (Il est né) (Elle est née) environ (fill in date).
5. I have not been able to identify this place which appears to be in your area. Perhaps I do not have the correct spelling. Do you have any suggestions? 5. Il ne m'a pas été possible d'identifier ce lieu exact d'origine dans votre région. Peut-être que l'orthographe a été déformée. Auriez-vous quelque recommandation à ce sujet?
6. The spelling of the surname, (fill in surname), is not certain. What is the likely spelling in your area? 6. L'orthographe de ce patronyme, (fill in surname), n'est pas certaine. Pourriez-vous suggérer les orthographes possibles pour votre région?
7. Could you tell me if the surname (fill in the surname) is common in your area? Is there a member of your group who is studying that surname or the families in (fill in the town)? Would you kindly forward my letter to that person? 7. Pourriez-vous me dire si le nom de famille (fill in the surname) existe dans votre région? Y a-t-il un membre de votre groupe qui étudie ce nom ou les familles de (fill in the town)? Voudriez-vous être assez aimable pour lui acheminer ma lettre?
8. Do you have a list of people who are willing to do research for a fee? 8. Avez-vous une liste de personnes qui se chargent de faire des recherches rémunérées?
9. Is there a periodical published by your association? Please tell me the conditions and benefits of subscription and how to run a genealogical query. 9. Est-ce que votre association publie une revue ? Quelles sont les conditions et les avantages de souscription et comment pourrais-je insérer une question dans la revue?
10. With my greatest thanks, please accept my sincere greetings.

(Your signature)

(Fill in your name and address)

10. Avec mes plus grands remerciements, je vous prie d'agréer, l'expression de mes sentiments distingués.

(Your signature)

(Fill in your name and address)

Letter to Professional Researcher

English

French

1. Dear (Sir:) (Madam:) 1. (Monsieur,) (Madame,)
2. I need the help of a genealogist for some research. I would be very grateful if you would send me your rate and conditions, including traveling expenses if necessary. 2. J'ai besoin de l'aide d'un généalogiste pour quelques recherches. Je vous serais très obligé(e) de bien vouloir m'envoyer votre tarif et conditions, y compris bien entendu, frais de déplacements éventuels.
3. Can I write to you in English? 3. Puis-je vous écrire en anglais?
4. Please find enclosed a family group sheet with all the information I have. 4. Veuillez trouver ci-joint une feuille de groupement de famille avec toutes les informations que je possède.
5. Would you be able to research the ancestors (of the husband)? (of the wife?) (of both spouses?) 5. Pensez-vous que vous pourriez rechercher les ancêtres (de l'époux?) (de l'épouse?) (des époux?)
6. I would like to find all the children of each family as well as the children's death dates when they died under the age of eight years. 6. Je désire avoir tous les enfants de chaque famille trouvée, ainsi que les décès des enfants morts en dessous de huit ans.
7. The marriages of the children interest me also. 7. Les mariages des enfants m'intéressent aussi.
8. I am not interested in the marriages of the children except for the direct line. 8. Les mariages des enfants ne m'intéressent pas excepté la lignée directe.
9. I do not need a complete transcription of each document but a short transcription of the genealogical information found in the documents and the source of information. 9. Je n'ai pas besoin de transcription complète des documents mais simplement une transcription des informations généalogiques trouvées dans chaque document avec la source d'information.
10. Please complete the family group sheets and do not worry about transcribing the documents. 10. Veuillez compléter des fiches familiales sans vous inquiéter de transcrire les documents.
11. If I use your services, it is my intention to pay you with a draft in converted currency. Please tell me the name to write on the draft. 11. Si je décide d'employer vos services, je compte vous payer par mandat international en monnaie de votre pays. Veuillez bien me dire le nom de la personne à qui le mandat doit être libellé.
12. Awaiting your answer, (Sir.) (Madam.)


Sincerely,

(Your signature)

(Fill in your name and address)

12. Dans l'attente de votre réponse, je vous prie de croire, (Monsieur.) (Madame.), à l'expression de mes sincères salutations.

(Your signature)

(Fill in your name and address)

Letter to Civil Registration Office

English

French

1. Dear Civil Registrar: 1. Monsieur l'officier de l'état-civil,
2. I would be very grateful if you would send me a complete copy of the (birth) (marriage) (death) certificate of (fill in relationship).

Relationship choices:

my father
my mother
my grandfather
my grandmother
my great-grandfather
my great-grandmother
my parents
my grandparents
my great-grandparents
one of my male ancestors
one of my female ancestors
 2. Je vous serais très obligé(e) de bien vouloir m'envoyer, si possible, la copie intégrale de l'acte de (naissance) (mariage) (décès) de (fill in relationship).

Relationship choices in French:

mon père
ma mère
mon grand-père
ma grand-mère
mon arrière grand-père
mon arrière grand-mère
mes parents
mes grands-parents
mes arrière grands-parents
d'un de mes ancêtres
d'une de mes ancêtres
3. (Supply pertinent information)
a. Given name and surname:
b. Date of birth:
c. Place of birth:
d. Father's given name and surname:
e. Mother's given name and maiden surname:
f. Husband's given name and surname:
g. Wife's given name and maiden surname:
h. Date of marriage:
i. Place of marriage:
j. Date of death:
k. Place of death:
 3. (French labels for information items)
a. Prénom et nom:
b. Date de naissance:
c. Lieu de naissance:
d. Prénom et nom de son père:
e. Prénom et nom de jeune fille de sa mère:
f. Prénom et nom de son mari:
g. Prénom et nom de jeune fille de sa femme:
h. Date de mariage:
i. Lieu de mariage:
j. Date de décès:
k. Lieu de décès:
4. With my greatest thanks, please accept my sincere greetings.

(Your signature)

(fill in your name and address)

4. Avec mes plus grands remerciements, je vous prie d'agréer, l'expression de mes sentiments distingués.

(Your signature)

(Fill in your name and address)

Letter to a Departmental or Provincial Archive

English

French

1. Dear Director: 1. Monsieur le Directeur,
2. Do you have the civil and parish registers for the town of (fill in town name)? For which years? 2. Possédez-vous les registres d'état-civil et paroissiaux de (fill in town name) ? Pour quelles années ?
3. Are there other years available somewhere else? 3. Existe-t-il d'autres années consultables en mairie?
4. Please tell me the days and hours that you will be open during the month of (fill in the month). (See page 3 for names of the months. Use d' in front of avril, août, and octobre.) 4. Voudriez-vous bien m'indiquer les heures et jours ouvrables pendant le mois (de) (d') (fill in the month). (Use d' in front of avril, août, and octobre; use de in front of the other months.)
5. Could you send me the name and address of a person who could do research for me? 5. Pourriez-vous m'envoyer les nom et adresse d'une personne qui pourrait faire une recherche pour moi?
6. Could you send me the name and address of the genealogical association for your region? 6. Pourriez-vous m'envoyer le nom et l'adresse de l'Association généalogique de votre région?
7. With my greatest thanks, please accept my sincere greetings.

(Your signature)

(Fill in your name and address)

7. Avec mes plus grands remerciements, je vous prie d'agréer, l'expression de mes sentiments distingués.

(Your signature)

(Fill in your name and address)

Letter to a Local Priest

English

French

1. Dear Parish Priest: 1. Monsieur le Curé,
2. I am researching ancestors, and I would be very grateful for any information which you could find in your registers on my family. 2. Je suis en train d'effectuer des recherches sur mes ancêtres et je vous serais très obligé(e) pour toute information que vous pourriez trouver dans vos registres sur ma famille.
3. (Supply pertinent information)
a. Given name and surname:
b. Date of birth:
c. Place of birth:
d. Father's given name and surname:
e. Mother's given name and maiden surname:
f. Husband's given name and surname:
g. Wife's given name and maiden surname:
h. Date of marriage:
i. Place of marriage:
j. Date of death:
k. Place of death:
 3. (French labels for pertinent information)
a. Prénom et nom:
b. Date de naissance:
c. Lieu de naissance:
d. Prénom et nom de son père:
e. Prénom et nom de jeune fille de sa mère:
f. Prénom et nom de son mari:
g. Prénom et nom de jeune fille de sa femme:
h. Date de mariage:
i. Lieu de mariage:
j. Date de décès:
k. Lieu de décès:
4. Could you trace my ancestors back to the previous generation? 4. Pourriez-vous remonter mes ancêtres à la génération précédente ?
5. I would like more information on the family of (fill in the person's name). I would be very grateful if you could obtain the names and birth dates of his/her brothers and sisters as well as the marriage of their parents. 5. Je voudrais davantage d'information sur la famille de (fill in the person's name). Je vous serais très reconnaissant(e) si vous pouviez obtenir les noms et dates de naissance de ses frères et soeurs ainsi que le mariage des parents.
6. Please find enclosed $15 for reply postage and donation to your parish. Let me know the balance owed you. 6. Veuillez trouver ci-joint 15 dollars pour les frais de réponse et une donation à votre paroisse. S'il vous plaît, veuillez bien me dire la balance qui vous est due.
7. With my greatest thanks, please accept my sincere greetings.

(Your signature)

(Fill in your name and address)

7. Avec mes plus grands remerciements, je vous prie d'agréer, monsieur le curé, l'expression de mes sentiments distingués.

(Your signature)

(Fill in your name and address)

Follow-up

English

French

1. Thank you for the information you sent on (fill in date). 1. Je vous remercie pour les informations que vous m'avez fait parvenir (fill in date).
2. I need further information about one of the individuals you mentioned in your letter: (fill in name). 2. J'ai besoin d'informations supplémentaires sur (fill in name) que vous mentionnez dans votre lettre.
3. I am very grateful for the information that you had the kindness to send me. I take the liberty to impose again on your kindness and ask you to please send me the complete copy of the (birth) (marriage) (death) certificate of (fill in name). 3. Je vous suis très reconnaissant(e) pour les informations que vous avez eu la gentillesse de m'envoyer. Je me permets d'abuser de nouveau de votre amabilité pour vous demander de bien vouloir m'envoyer la copie intégrale de l'acte de (naissance) (mariage) (décès) de (fill in name).
4. I requested a certificate from you on (fill in date). See the enclosed photocopy. Perhaps you did not receive the request. I am still interested in obtaining this certificate. Please inform me how much I should send you. 4. Je vous ai écrit le (fill in date) vous demandant de bien vouloir m'envoyer un acte d'état-civil. Veuillez trouver ci-joint la photocopie de ma lettre que vous semblez ne pas avoir reçue. Je suis toujours intéressé(e) à recevoir ce document. S'il vous plaît veuillez bien m'aviser de la somme à vous envoyer.
5. I am enclosing a copy of a letter I sent you on (fill in date). Please write and tell me if you can do this research. 5. Je vous joins une copie de la lettre que je vous ai envoyée le (fill in date). Je vous serais reconnaissant(e) si vous pouviez me contacter et me faire savoir si vous pouvez faire cette recherche.

Example Letter

[Date] 20 juillet 1994

[Addressee] Monsieur l'officier de l'état-civil
Mairie de Nulle Part
67999 Quelque Part
FRANCE

[Greeting] Monsieur l'officier de l'état-civil,

[Genealogical Request] Je vous serais très obligée de bien vouloir m'envoyer la copie intégrale de l'acte de naissance de mon arrière grand-père.

Prénom et nom: Jacob BELLER

Date de naissance: 19 novembre 1857

Lieu de naissance: Nulle Part, Bas-Rhin, France

Prénom et nom de jeune fille de sa femme: Anna ZIMMERMAN

Date de mariage: 19 janvier 1882

Lieu de mariage: Fairbury, Livingston, Illinois, USA

[Closing] Avec mes plus grands remerciements, je vous prie d'agréer, Monsieur, l'expression de mes sentiments distingués.

[Signature]

[Return Address] Jane Doe
674 "Q" Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84103
USA

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