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In France each department has its own archive [Archives départementales] that is separate from those of the national government. Most French records of genealogical value are kept at these archives. Their collections include: | In France each department has its own archive [Archives départementales] that is separate from those of the national government. Most French records of genealogical value are kept at these archives. Their collections include: | ||
*Civil registration birth, marriage, and death records. | *Civil registration birth, marriage, and death records. | ||
::Copies of civil registers that are more than 100 years old are deposited at the departmental archives, except in extremely large towns, which have their own municipal archives. | |||
*Church records (before 1792) | *Church records (before 1792) | ||
*Census records | *Census records | ||
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The departmental archives of France are open to the public. They are usually located in the largest town of the department. The archivists or staff members will answer general correspondence inquiries, such as those about the availability of records, but they do not have time to do research for you. They do not make photocopies of records. All departmental archives have a reading room in which researchers can do their own research. You may want to hire a researcher through a nearby genealogical society to search records at the departmental archives. See the "[[France Societies|Societies]]" section. | The departmental archives of France are open to the public. They are usually located in the largest town of the department. The archivists or staff members will answer general correspondence inquiries, such as those about the availability of records, but they do not have time to do research for you. They do not make photocopies of records. All departmental archives have a reading room in which researchers can do their own research. You may want to hire a researcher through a nearby genealogical society to search records at the departmental archives. See the "[[France Societies|Societies]]" section. | ||
On the maps below, click on the departments of continental France and its overseas territories to be linked to the website for each department's Archive. Note: The gray department labeled (1) in the map of France includes Paris and other jurisdictions, which are viewable in greater detail to the lower left of the country. | On the maps below, click on the departments of continental France and its overseas territories to be linked to the website for each department's Archive. Note: The gray department labeled (1) in the map of France includes Paris and other jurisdictions, which are viewable in greater detail to the lower left of the country. | ||