French Vocabulary for the American Genealogist

A Practical Guide to Reading French Canadian Genealogy Records

French-Canadian records can contain incredible information about your ancestors, but unfamiliar language and handwriting can make them intimidating.

This free research guide was created for English-speaking genealogists who want practical help recognizing the French words, phrases, and record patterns that appear again and again in French-Canadian genealogy records.

Inside you’ll find essential genealogy vocabulary, French month names, common record phrases, examples from actual baptism and marriage records, and strategies for working through unfamiliar handwriting and terminology.

You do not need to speak French to begin reading these records. The goal is to recognize the language and structure that can help you understand what the record is telling you and determine what to research next.

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This guide is provided for your personal use. Your copy may be saved to your computer or printed for your own genealogy research. Please do not reproduce, redistribute, upload, sell, or share the PDF with others. If you know someone who would find this guide helpful, please send them to Rooted with Collette so they can download their own copy.

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