France Census

I am new to genealogy and just about to start searching my French ancestry.
In England I have used the census to trace my family roots. Can I do the
same for France. If so can it be done online.

Denis Beauregard...

You should read my pages about French records for foreigners. While
it is somewhat biased for Quebec/North American searchers, it should
be a good guideline for an British with French roots. The major
difference is that you probably have ancestors in France after 1792
and I put little material about that time period (most of our
ancestors moved before 1792).

Concerning census, the vital records in France are complete enough
so that use of census is usually not necessary. Modern French
records begun in 1792 with a table each 10 years, this for all
towns. The marriage records include the full name of all parents.
Before 1792, censuses are not common and church records were
usually complete since the 1650s or 1700s (this depends on the
area, i.e. area acquired later by France are less complete, ditto
for places destroyed by war, fires, etc.).

If you know some French, you will find more hints from my home
(mine is different...) so you will probably have to use some online
translator to help you (and keep in mind those tools will translate
all the page, including the names...).

Iain Friend

Jean-Marc DURO...

If you are able to provide some complete names, locations and periods
(more than 100 years ago) to start searching, I may give a quick search
and tell you where to find some information (for free of course, just
for fun).

The best would be a man's complete name (fistname and surname), the same
for his spouse and if possible a time period and some location in France.

Xoff...

First of all : have you tried this one ?