New Developments in New Developments in French-Canadian French-Canadian

Genealogical ResearchGenealogical Research

John P. DuLong, Ph.D.John P. DuLong, Ph.D.Local History ConferenceLocal History Conference

DetroitDetroit21 April 200721 April 2007

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

Thanks to the Local History Thanks to the Local History Conference and the Detroit Society Conference and the Detroit Society for Genealogical Research for inviting for Genealogical Research for inviting me to speakme to speak

Also, thanks to the members of the Also, thanks to the members of the French-Canadian Heritage Society of French-Canadian Heritage Society of Michigan for all their support over Michigan for all their support over the yearsthe years

Embarrassment of RichesEmbarrassment of Riches

Numerous improvements to review, Numerous improvements to review, difficult to limit coveragedifficult to limit coverage

Most improvements available online Most improvements available online via the Internetvia the Internet

Also some great references on CDAlso some great references on CD Libraries and archives in Canada have Libraries and archives in Canada have

undergone some important changesundergone some important changes Royal gateways establishedRoyal gateways established

Québec Genealogical Québec Genealogical RecordsRecords

Best preserved and indexed genealogical Best preserved and indexed genealogical records in North America, if not in the world records in North America, if not in the world (with the exception of Iceland)(with the exception of Iceland)

Québec always led the way in the quantity Québec always led the way in the quantity and quality of genealogical recordsand quality of genealogical records

Now she is leading the way in making these Now she is leading the way in making these records available onlinerecords available online

Genealogical record envy syndrome: What Genealogical record envy syndrome: What non-French-Canadians suffer from when non-French-Canadians suffer from when they realize what wonderful records Québec they realize what wonderful records Québec has and that they lack similar records for has and that they lack similar records for their ethnic grouptheir ethnic group

TopicsTopics

Major online databasesMajor online databases Beauregard’s initiativesBeauregard’s initiatives Reorganization of libraries and Reorganization of libraries and

archivesarchives Minor, but valuable, online referencesMinor, but valuable, online references Books and Databases on CDBooks and Databases on CD Royal gateway breakthroughsRoyal gateway breakthroughs Future developmentsFuture developments

Online HandoutOnline Handout

Point your browser to Point your browser to http://habitant.orghttp://habitant.org Select the link to “New Developments in Select the link to “New Developments in

French Canadian Genealogy”French Canadian Genealogy” There you will find mention of all the There you will find mention of all the

resources discussed in this presentationresources discussed in this presentation Plus links to these online resourcesPlus links to these online resources Lastly, I have also included this Lastly, I have also included this

PowerPoint presentationPowerPoint presentation

Website AddressWebsite Address

http://habitant.orghttp://habitant.org

Major Online DatabasesMajor Online Databases

PRDHPRDH Drouin CollectionDrouin Collection BMS2000BMS2000 ParcheminParchemin Fichier OrigineFichier Origine Early Canadiana OnlineEarly Canadiana Online

Parish RegistersParish Registers

Church CopyChurch Copy Kept at the parishKept at the parish Microfilmed by the Microfilmed by the

Church of Jesus Christ Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saintsof Latter-day Saints

Used by the PRDHUsed by the PRDH Original record, fewer Original record, fewer

mistakesmistakes Few parish registers Few parish registers

lost lost

Civil CopyCivil Copy Kept at the regional Kept at the regional

branches of the branches of the Québec archivesQuébec archives

Microfilmed and used Microfilmed and used by the Drouin by the Drouin CollectionCollection

A nearly contemporary A nearly contemporary duplicate record, but duplicate record, but still considered an still considered an original referenceoriginal reference

Replacement of lost Replacement of lost parish registersparish registers

PRDHPRDH

Le Programme de recherche en démographie Le Programme de recherche en démographie historique (historique (The Research Program in Historical The Research Program in Historical DemographyDemography), ), University of MontréalUniversity of Montréal

Started in 1966 by demographers, but has only Started in 1966 by demographers, but has only been online for a few yearsbeen online for a few years

Computerized population registry Computerized population registry All baptism, marriage, and burial records of All baptism, marriage, and burial records of

Québec from 1621 to 1799 and a little beyond in Québec from 1621 to 1799 and a little beyond in some parishessome parishes

Based mostly on the church copies of the parish Based mostly on the church copies of the parish registersregisters

Census, confirmation, lists of passengers, etc., Census, confirmation, lists of passengers, etc., records also includedrecords also included

PRDHPRDH

Included three sectionsIncluded three sections Repertory of Vital Events (1621-1799)Repertory of Vital Events (1621-1799) Genealogical Dictionary of Families (1621-1765)Genealogical Dictionary of Families (1621-1765) Repertory of Couples and Filial Relations (1621-Repertory of Couples and Filial Relations (1621-

1799)1799) Very limited coverage of frontier locations in Very limited coverage of frontier locations in

the Great Lakes, Acadia, and Louisianathe Great Lakes, Acadia, and Louisiana Index is free, but you must pay to view Index is free, but you must pay to view

recordsrecords Fees are reasonable, for instance, 500 hits for Fees are reasonable, for instance, 500 hits for

$41.95 Canadian$41.95 Canadian

Drouin Collection Drouin Collection

Institut Généalogique DrouinInstitut Généalogique Drouin Leading Québec genealogical firm Leading Québec genealogical firm

from 1899 to 1990from 1899 to 1990 Impressive collection of microfilmed Impressive collection of microfilmed

recordsrecords Collection sold off in 1990Collection sold off in 1990 Ancestry.com has purchased digital Ancestry.com has purchased digital

rights and makes the collection rights and makes the collection available onlineavailable online

Drouin CollectionDrouin Collection

The PRDH people will be indexing the recordsThe PRDH people will be indexing the records Until indexed, you must know a location and Until indexed, you must know a location and

period to searchperiod to search The digital images vary in qualityThe digital images vary in quality Usually it is the civil copy of the parish Usually it is the civil copy of the parish

registerregister Some transcriptions of records are includedSome transcriptions of records are included Coverage diminishes for the twentieth centuryCoverage diminishes for the twentieth century Frontier locations are includedFrontier locations are included

Drouin CollectionDrouin Collection

Quebec Vital Records (Drouin Collection), Quebec Vital Records (Drouin Collection), 1621-19671621-1967

Ontario French Catholic Church Records Ontario French Catholic Church Records (Drouin Collection), 1747-1967(Drouin Collection), 1747-1967

Early U.S. French Catholic Church Records Early U.S. French Catholic Church Records (Drouin Collection), 1695-1954(Drouin Collection), 1695-1954

Acadia French Catholic Church Records Acadia French Catholic Church Records (Drouin Collection), 1670-1946(Drouin Collection), 1670-1946

Quebec Notarial Records (Drouin Quebec Notarial Records (Drouin Collection), 1647-1942Collection), 1647-1942

Miscellaneous French Records (Drouin Miscellaneous French Records (Drouin Collection), 1651-1941Collection), 1651-1941

Drouin CollectionDrouin Collection

Must be a World Deluxe subscriberMust be a World Deluxe subscriber This subscription costs $299.40 a year or This subscription costs $299.40 a year or

$34.95 a month$34.95 a month Well worth it if you have an abundance of Well worth it if you have an abundance of

French-Canadian ancestorsFrench-Canadian ancestors Offers you the leisure to search the parish Offers you the leisure to search the parish

registers from the comfort of your homeregisters from the comfort of your home The digital images are easier on the eyes The digital images are easier on the eyes

than the microfilm imagesthan the microfilm images

BMS2000BMS2000

A collaborative project involving 24 genealogical A collaborative project involving 24 genealogical societies in Québec and Ontariosocieties in Québec and Ontario

Continues the tradition of doing marriage Continues the tradition of doing marriage repertoires, but online, with baptisms and burials repertoires, but online, with baptisms and burials (sépulture) included(sépulture) included

Great resource for the nineteenth century if the Great resource for the nineteenth century if the parish you are interested in searching is includedparish you are interested in searching is included

The index is free, but you must subscribe to The index is free, but you must subscribe to accessaccess

To view the full abstract, you must pay for a To view the full abstract, you must pay for a voucher, for example, $40 Canadian for 500 hitsvoucher, for example, $40 Canadian for 500 hits

ParcheminParchemin

Database of notarial records of Québec from 1635 to Database of notarial records of Québec from 1635 to 17841784

The notaries handle all legal paperwork in New France The notaries handle all legal paperwork in New France including marriage contractsincluding marriage contracts

Parchemin indexes and abstracts of these recordsParchemin indexes and abstracts of these records Original records at the regional branches of the Original records at the regional branches of the

Québec archivesQuébec archives Parchemin is available on CD at select libraries, Parchemin is available on CD at select libraries,

archives, and genealogical societies mostly in Québecarchives, and genealogical societies mostly in Québec Too expensive for individuals and most groupsToo expensive for individuals and most groups Produced by the Société de recherche historique Produced by the Société de recherche historique

Archiv-Histo, headquartered at the Montréal regional Archiv-Histo, headquartered at the Montréal regional archivesarchives

ParcheminParchemin

Well worth searching, but lack of online access is Well worth searching, but lack of online access is frustratingfrustrating

Frankly, no longer sure how to request a searchFrankly, no longer sure how to request a search Find a Québec genealogical society with access Find a Québec genealogical society with access

and ask about searches for a feeand ask about searches for a fee Alternatively, try contacting Archiv-Histo at the Alternatively, try contacting Archiv-Histo at the

Montréal regional Québec ArchivesMontréal regional Québec Archives Available for sure at the Available for sure at the Bibliothèque et Archives Bibliothèque et Archives

nationales du Québecnationales du Québec and Library and Archives and Library and Archives CanadaCanada

See Pierre Benoit’s website for a list of sites with See Pierre Benoit’s website for a list of sites with ParcheminParchemin

Fichier OrigineFichier Origine

A database reporting on records found in France A database reporting on records found in France indicating the origin of emigrants to Québec from indicating the origin of emigrants to Québec from the start of the colony to 1865the start of the colony to 1865

Pinpoints the place of origin for immigrants Pinpoints the place of origin for immigrants usually through baptism recordsusually through baptism records

Marcel Fournier is the coordinator of the project in Marcel Fournier is the coordinator of the project in collaboration with the collaboration with the Fédération québécoise des Fédération québécoise des sociétés de généalogiesociétés de généalogie

Hosted at Denis Beauregard’s websiteHosted at Denis Beauregard’s website Access is freeAccess is free You can write to M. Fournier with your discoveries You can write to M. Fournier with your discoveries

which he will have added to the databasewhich he will have added to the database

Early Canadiana OnlineEarly Canadiana Online

A digital library of images from works of A digital library of images from works of Canadian historical and genealogical Canadian historical and genealogical interestinterest

Canadiana.org just formed a partnership Canadiana.org just formed a partnership with Ancestry.comwith Ancestry.com

Will soon be available to World Deluxe Will soon be available to World Deluxe subscriberssubscribers

Too expensive now, but will be reasonable Too expensive now, but will be reasonable as part of Ancestry.comas part of Ancestry.com

Beauregard’s InitiativesBeauregard’s Initiatives

Denis Beauregard is the lead person when it comes Denis Beauregard is the lead person when it comes to online resources for French research in North to online resources for French research in North AmericaAmerica

His FrancoGene portal website is worth visiting His FrancoGene portal website is worth visiting frequentlyfrequently

His Genealogy of the French in North America is a His Genealogy of the French in North America is a huge genealogical dictionary that covers Québec huge genealogical dictionary that covers Québec and frontier outpostsand frontier outposts

It includes the most recent corrections and It includes the most recent corrections and additions to other published and online resourcesadditions to other published and online resources

He is involved in the He is involved in the Fichier origineFichier origine and Drouin and Drouin Collection related projectsCollection related projects

Reorganization of Libraries and Reorganization of Libraries and Archives in CanadaArchives in Canada

At the federal level the Library of Canada and At the federal level the Library of Canada and the National Archives of Canada (formerly the National Archives of Canada (formerly the Public Archives of Canada) have merged the Public Archives of Canada) have merged into Library and Archives Canadainto Library and Archives Canada

Likewise in Québec, the provincial library and Likewise in Québec, the provincial library and archives are now united in the archives are now united in the Bibliothèque Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québecet Archives nationales du Québec

Both institutions offer expanded online Both institutions offer expanded online websites with helpful catalogswebsites with helpful catalogs

Library and Archives Library and Archives CanadaCanada

Amicus, national union catalog for Amicus, national union catalog for libraries in Canadalibraries in Canada

ArchiviaNet or Archives Search, ArchiviaNet or Archives Search, research tools for archives, soon to research tools for archives, soon to be replaced by a better systembe replaced by a better system Private Archives and Colonial Records Private Archives and Colonial Records

with links to many original documentswith links to many original documents Many other indexes of genealogical Many other indexes of genealogical

interest including military recordsinterest including military records

Library and Archives Library and Archives CanadaCanada

Canadian Genealogy Centre website Canadian Genealogy Centre website is now provided as an excellent is now provided as an excellent launching point for your researchlaunching point for your research

Avitus, is an online directory of Avitus, is an online directory of Canadian genealogical resourcesCanadian genealogical resources

Bibliothèque et Archives Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québecnationales du Québec

The regional branches of the Québec The regional branches of the Québec archives now part of this systemarchives now part of this system

This is where the original records are This is where the original records are keptkept

The famous Salle Gagnon, formerly The famous Salle Gagnon, formerly located at the main Montréal library is located at the main Montréal library is now moved to the Centre des archives now moved to the Centre des archives de Montréal, the regional branch of de Montréal, the regional branch of the Québec archives in Montréalthe Québec archives in Montréal

Bibliothèque et Archives Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québecnationales du Québec

Iris, online catalog for librariesIris, online catalog for libraries Pistard, online catalog for archived Pistard, online catalog for archived

collectionscollections Also, offers a special genealogy Also, offers a special genealogy

webpagewebpage Several digitized books available Several digitized books available

including Tanguay’s genealogical including Tanguay’s genealogical dictionarydictionary

Minor, But Valuable, Minor, But Valuable, ResourcesResources

Adhémer database for Montréal land recordsAdhémer database for Montréal land records The Canadian EncyclopediaThe Canadian Encyclopedia The Dictionary of Canadian BiographyThe Dictionary of Canadian Biography The Atlas of CanadaThe Atlas of Canada The Jesuit RelationsThe Jesuit Relations The Champlain Society Digital CollectionThe Champlain Society Digital Collection Google Book SearchGoogle Book Search WorldCat, a world union catalogWorldCat, a world union catalog

Books and Databases on CDBooks and Databases on CD

Numerous titles are becoming available on CD Numerous titles are becoming available on CD (especially for France, but that is another topic)(especially for France, but that is another topic)

All the All the MémoiresMémoires de la Société généalogique de la Société généalogique canadienne-française from 1944 to 2002 are on canadienne-française from 1944 to 2002 are on CD, this is Québec’s leading genealogical journalCD, this is Québec’s leading genealogical journal

Two outstanding CD projects from Archiv-Histo:Two outstanding CD projects from Archiv-Histo: Chronica: Collection of records relating to the Chronica: Collection of records relating to the Conseil Conseil

SouverainSouverain (1663-1716), the (1663-1716), the Conseil SupérieurConseil Supérieur (1717- (1717-1760), and other French colonial administrative offices1760), and other French colonial administrative offices

Thémis: Collection of judicial records of Québec for the Thémis: Collection of judicial records of Québec for the French and British periodsFrench and British periods

Royal Gateway Royal Gateway BreakthroughsBreakthroughs

There are now several well researched and There are now several well researched and documented royal lineages for French Canadiansdocumented royal lineages for French Canadians Catherine BaillonCatherine Baillon The Le Neuf brothersThe Le Neuf brothers Jehan de Monteth Jehan de Monteth Antoinette de Longueval (just published)Antoinette de Longueval (just published)

Rolland-Yves Gagné key player in these projectsRolland-Yves Gagné key player in these projects See QRD30—Québec Royal Descends at See QRD30—Québec Royal Descends at

Beauregard’s website for summary detailsBeauregard’s website for summary details Several other possibilities for extending the Several other possibilities for extending the

pedigrees of various bourgeois and noble families pedigrees of various bourgeois and noble families back in France, for example, Daoust, d’Anglure, back in France, for example, Daoust, d’Anglure, Billy, etc.Billy, etc.

Important LessonImportant Lesson

Before writing away for an original document, Before writing away for an original document, try to find it onlinetry to find it online

The Library and Archives Canada and the The Library and Archives Canada and the Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du QuébecQuébec are digitizing more and more are digitizing more and more documents and posting them on the Internetdocuments and posting them on the Internet

Also, hunt for books you might want that Also, hunt for books you might want that have already been digitizedhave already been digitized

Lastly, I am confident I have missed some Lastly, I am confident I have missed some new developments because there are so new developments because there are so many of them occurring on a regular basis many of them occurring on a regular basis nownow

Future DevelopmentsFuture Developments

The Family History Library has launched The Family History Library has launched a massive digitization project to convert a massive digitization project to convert all its microfilm collectionall its microfilm collection

This will eventually include the Québec This will eventually include the Québec parish registers and notarial recordsparish registers and notarial records

You will be able to search these records You will be able to search these records from your home for freefrom your home for free

Les MisérablesLes Misérables

Those who can not make a connection Those who can not make a connection back to Québec’s recordsback to Québec’s records

Keep trying, do not abandon hopeKeep trying, do not abandon hope Try the family approach, perhaps a brother Try the family approach, perhaps a brother

or sister of your ancestor has left a record or sister of your ancestor has left a record behindbehind

Try a demographic approach to narrow Try a demographic approach to narrow your searchyour search

You too can enter what the late René Jetté You too can enter what the late René Jetté called the genealogical paradise of Québeccalled the genealogical paradise of Québec