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Publication of French records is authorized by the French Commission for Informatics and Liberties (CNIL). FamilySearch is negotiating with CNIL for approval to film and publish French records. Original images can be ordered or viewed through the following mediums: | Publication of French records is authorized by the French Commission for Informatics and Liberties (CNIL). FamilySearch is negotiating with CNIL for approval to film and publish French records. Original images can be ordered or viewed through the following mediums: | ||
Microfilms and microfiche are available for viewing at your nearest [https://www.familysearch.org/locations FamilySearch Center]. For information see: [https://www.familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Ordering_Microfilm_or_Microfiche Ordering Microfilm or Microfiche].<br> You may request a digital copy of items found in the [https://familysearch.org/catalog-search Family History Library Catalog]. For information see: [https://www.familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Photoduplication_Services | Microfilms and microfiche are available for viewing at your nearest [https://www.familysearch.org/locations FamilySearch Center]. For information see: [https://www.familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Ordering_Microfilm_or_Microfiche Ordering Microfilm or Microfiche].<br> You may request a digital copy of items found in the [https://familysearch.org/catalog-search Family History Library Catalog]. For information see: [https://www.familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Photoduplication_Services Photoduplication Services]<br> <br> | ||
*The archives of France are available at: | *The archives of France are available at: | ||
:[http://fr.geneawiki.com/index.php/Archives_en_ligne http:/fr.geneawiki.com/index.php/Archives_en_ligne] | |||
*The following websites may also be helpful: | |||
:France Resources | |||
::[https://www.familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/France_Resources https://www.familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/France_Resources] | |||
:History of France – sites and blogs (in French) | |||
::[http://www.facebook.com/pages/Histoire-de-France-sites-et-blogs/348011018559505 http://www.facebook.com/pages/Histoire-de-France-sites-et-blogs/348011018559505] | |||
:Beginning Research in France: Part 1 of 2 (video and slides) | |||
::[https://www.familysearch.org/learningcenter/lesson/beginning-research-in-france-part-1-of-2/560 https://www.familysearch.org/learningcenter/lesson/beginning-research-in-france-part-1-of-2/560] | |||
:FamilySearch Blog | |||
::[https://familysearch.org/blog/en/searching-french-family-history-records/ https://familysearch.org/blog/en/searching-french-family-history-records/] | |||
<br> Church records [registres paroissiaux] are excellent sources for information on names, dates, and places of baptisms, marriages, and deaths. Most persons who lived in France were recorded in a church record. | |||
Records of births (baptisms), marriages, and deaths are commonly called "vital records" because critical events in a person's life are recorded in them. Church records are vital records made by priests. They are often referred to as parish registers or church books. They include records of births, christenings, marriages, and burials. Church records may also contain other information, lists, or documents. | Records of births (baptisms), marriages, and deaths are commonly called "vital records" because critical events in a person's life are recorded in them. Church records are vital records made by priests. They are often referred to as parish registers or church books. They include records of births, christenings, marriages, and burials. Church records may also contain other information, lists, or documents. | ||
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Church records are crucial for pre-1792 research in France. Since civil authorities did not begin registering vital statistics until 1792, church records are often the only sources of family information before this date. After 1792 Church records continued to be kept, but such records were usually not filmed because they are incomplete and less accurate than the civil registers. | Church records are crucial for pre-1792 research in France. Since civil authorities did not begin registering vital statistics until 1792, church records are often the only sources of family information before this date. After 1792 Church records continued to be kept, but such records were usually not filmed because they are incomplete and less accurate than the civil registers. | ||
For birth, death, and marriage records after 1792, see [[France Civil Registration- Vital Records]]. | For birth, death, and marriage records after 1792, see [[France Civil Registration- Vital Records|France Civil Registration - Vital Records]]. | ||
== General Historical Background == | == General Historical Background == | ||
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The efficient recording of baptisms, marriages, and deaths developed slowly. The record-keeping requirement was limited, at first, to baptisms. The requirements developed as follows: | The efficient recording of baptisms, marriages, and deaths developed slowly. The record-keeping requirement was limited, at first, to baptisms. The requirements developed as follows: | ||
'''1539: | '''1539: '''The first laws required baptismal registers showing the date and the hour of the birth. | ||
'''1563: | '''1563: '''The Council of Trent required that the godparents' names be recorded in the baptismal certificates. | ||
'''1579: | '''1579: '''Death and marriage records were required in addition to baptismal records. | ||
'''1691: '''Some preprinted forms were given to priests for uniformity of record keeping. | '''1691: '''Some preprinted forms were given to priests for uniformity of record keeping. | ||
'''1792: | '''1792: '''Civil registration began. Church records became less important as a genealogical source. Most church records before 1792 were turned over to the departmental archives. | ||
'''Feast Dates'''. Each day of the year had several patron saints and was a feast day to honor those saints. Some vital events are recorded in church records only by the holy day (feast day) on the church calendar. For example, the feast day called "All Saints Day" [Toussaint] is "1 November." To convert feast dates to days of the month for either the Julian (old style) or Gregorian (new style) calendar, use the following book: | '''Feast Dates'''. Each day of the year had several patron saints and was a feast day to honor those saints. Some vital events are recorded in church records only by the holy day (feast day) on the church calendar. For example, the feast day called "All Saints Day" [Toussaint] is "1 November." To convert feast dates to days of the month for either the Julian (old style) or Gregorian (new style) calendar, use the following book: | ||
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=== Protestants (Huguenots and others) === | === Protestants (Huguenots and others) === | ||
''See also: | ''See also: ''[[France Huguenots|France Hugenots]] | ||
<br> | |||
In France, Protestantism started in 1541. A synod of Calvinist reformers in Paris in 1559 decided that a record of baptisms and marriages of Protestants would be kept by the pastors of the ''Eglise réformée''. Because of wars, intolerance, and other calamities, some of these early Protestant records may have been destroyed. | In France, Protestantism started in 1541. A synod of Calvinist reformers in Paris in 1559 decided that a record of baptisms and marriages of Protestants would be kept by the pastors of the ''Eglise réformée''. Because of wars, intolerance, and other calamities, some of these early Protestant records may have been destroyed. | ||
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==== Historical Periodicals ==== | ==== Historical Periodicals ==== | ||
''Cahiers du Centre de Généalogie Protestante'' (See [[France Periodicals]] .) | ''Cahiers du Centre de Généalogie Protestante'' (See [[France Periodicals|France Periodicals]] .) | ||
''Bulletin de la Société de l'Histoire du Protestantisme Français ''(See [[France Periodicals]].) | ''Bulletin de la Société de l'Histoire du Protestantisme Français ''(See [[France Periodicals|France Periodicals]].) | ||
''Publications of the Huguenot Society of London''. 57 Volumes. London, England: HSL, 1969-1985. (Family History Libaryr book {{FHL|942.1%2FL1 B4h|disp=942.1/L1 B4h}}; most volumes have been microfilmed.) Includes many parish register transcripts from cities chiefly in Great Britain and Ireland. Text in French in some volumes. | ''Publications of the Huguenot Society of London''. 57 Volumes. London, England: HSL, 1969-1985. (Family History Libaryr book {{FHL|942.1%2FL1 B4h|disp=942.1/L1 B4h}}; most volumes have been microfilmed.) Includes many parish register transcripts from cities chiefly in Great Britain and Ireland. Text in French in some volumes. | ||
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==== Handbook ==== | ==== Handbook ==== | ||
''La généalogie: histoire et pratique'' (see [[France For Further Reading]]). Pages 181-87 describe Protestant records, their content, and history. | ''La généalogie: histoire et pratique'' (see [[France For Further Reading|France For Further Reading]]). Pages 181-87 describe Protestant records, their content, and history. | ||
Some French Protestant records may have been published or indexed by a local genealogical society library. | Some French Protestant records may have been published or indexed by a local genealogical society library. | ||
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Earlier registers typically give less information, sometimes including only the child's and father's names and the date of the baptism. The mother's maiden surname may be missing, and even her given name may be omitted. At first only the baptism date was recorded, but in later years the birth date was given as well. | Earlier registers typically give less information, sometimes including only the child's and father's names and the date of the baptism. The mother's maiden surname may be missing, and even her given name may be omitted. At first only the baptism date was recorded, but in later years the birth date was given as well. | ||
[[France Births and Baptisms (FamilySearch Historical Records)]] | [[France Births and Baptisms (FamilySearch Historical Records)|France Births and Baptisms (FamilySearch Historical Records)]] | ||
=== Marriages | === Marriages (Mariages) === | ||
Marriage registers give the date of the marriage and the names of the bride and groom and their parents or deceased spouse. They also indicate whether they were single or widowed and give the names and relationships of witnesses. They often include other information about the bride and groom, such as their ages, residences, occupations, and sometimes birthplaces. In cases of second and later marriages, they include the names of previous partners and their death dates. Often a note is made whether a parent or other party gave permission for the marriage. | Marriage registers give the date of the marriage and the names of the bride and groom and their parents or deceased spouse. They also indicate whether they were single or widowed and give the names and relationships of witnesses. They often include other information about the bride and groom, such as their ages, residences, occupations, and sometimes birthplaces. In cases of second and later marriages, they include the names of previous partners and their death dates. Often a note is made whether a parent or other party gave permission for the marriage. | ||
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[[France Marriages (FamilySearch Historical Records)]] | [[France Marriages (FamilySearch Historical Records)]] | ||
==== Rehabilitation | ==== Rehabilitation (réhabilitation) ==== | ||
Closely related people | Closely related people (consanguinité or affinité spirituelle) required special permission to marry [dispensation]. If a close relationship was discovered after marriage, a rehabilitation was required which granted the couple permission to stay married. Rehabilitations are often found in the marriage registers but more often at the diocesan archives. These were recorded like a marriage but sometimes twenty or thirty years after a marriage. Sometimes a chart showing the relationship can be found either in the parish registers or in the departmental archives record, series G. | ||
=== Burials | === Burials (Sépultures) === | ||
Burials were recorded in the church record of the parish where the person was buried. The burial usually took place within a few days of the death, in the parish where the person died. Burial registers give the name of the deceased and the date and place of the burial. Often the age, place of residence, name of the surviving spouse or parents, and sometimes birthplace are given. But early death registers failed to record the age of the deceased and information about parents or spouse. | Burials were recorded in the church record of the parish where the person was buried. The burial usually took place within a few days of the death, in the parish where the person died. Burial registers give the name of the deceased and the date and place of the burial. Often the age, place of residence, name of the surviving spouse or parents, and sometimes birthplace are given. But early death registers failed to record the age of the deceased and information about parents or spouse. | ||
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Some people, born and perhaps married before the keeping of vital records began in their area, may be recorded only in the burial records. These records may help fill in information when baptism or marriage records are lacking. Some children who died at birth are recorded only in the burial records (sometimes with a note that the child was baptized by the midwife). | Some people, born and perhaps married before the keeping of vital records began in their area, may be recorded only in the burial records. These records may help fill in information when baptism or marriage records are lacking. Some children who died at birth are recorded only in the burial records (sometimes with a note that the child was baptized by the midwife). | ||
[[France Deaths and Burials (FamilySearch Historical Records)]] | [[France Deaths and Burials (FamilySearch Historical Records)|France Deaths and Burials (FamilySearch Historical Records)]] | ||
== Other Lists == | == Other Lists == | ||
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Other church records include confirmation lists, lists of families, rental of a church bench, communion lists, and attendance at special meetings. Unusual calamities, such as torrential rains, flash floods, and fires, were also noted. | Other church records include confirmation lists, lists of families, rental of a church bench, communion lists, and attendance at special meetings. Unusual calamities, such as torrential rains, flash floods, and fires, were also noted. | ||
=== Abjurations from Protestantism | === Abjurations from Protestantism (Abjurations) === | ||
During times of persecution, especially in 1685, some French Protestants were forced to renounce their religion and convert to the Roman Catholic Church. The records of their abjurations show the name, age, occupation, and residence. You may also identify parents, spouses, or children in some of these records. | During times of persecution, especially in 1685, some French Protestants were forced to renounce their religion and convert to the Roman Catholic Church. The records of their abjurations show the name, age, occupation, and residence. You may also identify parents, spouses, or children in some of these records. | ||
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=== Church Record Inventories === | === Church Record Inventories === | ||
An inventory is a list of available church records, their location, and what years they cover. Church record inventories are included in the departmental archive inventories described in [[France Archives and Libraries]]. Some inventories may be out of date. | An inventory is a list of available church records, their location, and what years they cover. Church record inventories are included in the departmental archive inventories described in [[France Archives and Libraries|France Archives and Libraries]]. Some inventories may be out of date. | ||
=== Indexes === | === Indexes === | ||
'''Andriveau Collection'''. For a description of indexes to parish registers of 25 large French and Belgian cities, see [[France Genealogy]]. | '''Andriveau Collection'''. For a description of indexes to parish registers of 25 large French and Belgian cities, see [[France Genealogy|France Genealogy]]. | ||
Some Catholic church records have partial indexes in larger towns, but the church records in smaller towns usually have no indexes. | Some Catholic church records have partial indexes in larger towns, but the church records in smaller towns usually have no indexes. | ||