1. New Developments in French- Canadian Genealogical Research John P. DuLong, Ph.D. Local History Conference Detroit 21 April 2007

2. Acknowledgements Thanks to the Local History Conference and the Detroit Society for Genealogical Research for inviting me to speak Thanks to the Local History Conference and the Detroit Society for Genealogical Research for inviting me to speak Also, thanks to the members of the French-Canadian Heritage Society of Michigan for all their support over the years Also, thanks to the members of the French-Canadian Heritage Society of Michigan for all their support over the years

3. Embarrassment of Riches Numerous improvements to review, difficult to limit coverage Numerous improvements to review, difficult to limit coverage Most improvements available online via the Internet Most improvements available online via the Internet Also some great references on CD Also some great references on CD Libraries and archives in Canada have undergone some important changes Libraries and archives in Canada have undergone some important changes Royal gateways established Royal gateways established

4. Québec Genealogical Records Best preserved and indexed genealogical records in North America, if not in the world (with the exception of Iceland) Best preserved and indexed genealogical records in North America, if not in the world (with the exception of Iceland) Québec always led the way in the quantity and quality of genealogical records Québec always led the way in the quantity and quality of genealogical records Now she is leading the way in making these records available online Now she is leading the way in making these records available online Genealogical record envy syndrome: What non- French-Canadians suffer from when they realize what wonderful records Québec has and that they lack similar records for their ethnic group Genealogical record envy syndrome: What non- French-Canadians suffer from when they realize what wonderful records Québec has and that they lack similar records for their ethnic group

5. Topics Major online databases Major online databases Beauregard’s initiatives Beauregard’s initiatives Reorganization of libraries and archives Reorganization of libraries and archives Minor, but valuable, online references Minor, but valuable, online references Books and Databases on CD Books and Databases on CD Royal gateway breakthroughs Royal gateway breakthroughs Future developments Future developments

6. Online Handout Point your browser to http://habitant.org Point your browser to http://habitant.orghttp://habitant.org Select the link to “New Developments in French Canadian Genealogy” Select the link to “New Developments in French Canadian Genealogy” There you will find mention of all the resources discussed in this presentation There you will find mention of all the resources discussed in this presentation Plus links to these online resources Plus links to these online resources Lastly, I have also included this PowerPoint presentation Lastly, I have also included this PowerPoint presentation

7. Website Address http://habitant.org

8. Major Online Databases PRDH PRDH Drouin Collection Drouin Collection BMS2000 BMS2000 Parchemin Parchemin Fichier Origine Fichier Origine Early Canadiana Online Early Canadiana Online

9. Parish Registers Church Copy Church Copy Kept at the parish Kept at the parish Microfilmed by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Microfilmed by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Used by the PRDH Used by the PRDH Original record, fewer mistakes Original record, fewer mistakes Few parish registers lost Few parish registers lost Civil Copy Civil Copy Kept at the regional branches of the Québec archives Kept at the regional branches of the Québec archives Microfilmed and used by the Drouin Collection Microfilmed and used by the Drouin Collection A nearly contemporary duplicate record, but still considered an original reference A nearly contemporary duplicate record, but still considered an original reference Replacement of lost parish registers Replacement of lost parish registers

10. PRDH Le Programme de recherche en démographie historique (The Research Program in Historical Demography), University of Montréal Le Programme de recherche en démographie historique (The Research Program in Historical Demography), University of Montréal Started in 1966 by demographers, but has only been online for a few years Started in 1966 by demographers, but has only been online for a few years Computerized population registry Computerized population registry All baptism, marriage, and burial records of Québec from 1621 to 1799 and a little beyond in some parishes All baptism, marriage, and burial records of Québec from 1621 to 1799 and a little beyond in some parishes Based mostly on the church copies of the parish registers Based mostly on the church copies of the parish registers Census, confirmation, lists of passengers, etc., records also included Census, confirmation, lists of passengers, etc., records also included

12. PRDH Included three sections Included 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 (1621-1799) Repertory of Couples and Filial Relations (1621-1799) Very limited coverage of frontier locations in the Great Lakes, Acadia, and Louisiana Very limited coverage of frontier locations in the Great Lakes, Acadia, and Louisiana Index is free, but you must pay to view records Index is free, but you must pay to view records Fees are reasonable, for instance, 500 hits for $41.95 Canadian Fees are reasonable, for instance, 500 hits for $41.95 Canadian

16. Drouin Collection Institut Généalogique Drouin Institut Généalogique Drouin Leading Québec genealogical firm from 1899 to 1990 Leading Québec genealogical firm from 1899 to 1990 Impressive collection of microfilmed records Impressive collection of microfilmed records Collection sold off in 1990 Collection sold off in 1990 Ancestry.com has purchased digital rights and makes the collection available online Ancestry.com has purchased digital rights and makes the collection available online

19. Drouin Collection The PRDH people will be indexing the records The PRDH people will be indexing the records Until indexed, you must know a location and period to search Until indexed, you must know a location and period to search The digital images vary in quality The digital images vary in quality Usually it is the civil copy of the parish register Usually it is the civil copy of the parish register Some transcriptions of records are included Some transcriptions of records are included Coverage diminishes for the twentieth century Coverage diminishes for the twentieth century Frontier locations are included Frontier locations are included

20. Drouin Collection Quebec Vital Records (Drouin Collection), 1621- 1967 Quebec Vital Records (Drouin Collection), 1621- 1967 Ontario French Catholic Church Records (Drouin Collection), 1747-1967 Ontario French Catholic Church Records (Drouin Collection), 1747-1967 Early U.S. French Catholic Church Records (Drouin Collection), 1695-1954 Early U.S. French Catholic Church Records (Drouin Collection), 1695-1954 Acadia French Catholic Church Records (Drouin Collection), 1670-1946 Acadia French Catholic Church Records (Drouin Collection), 1670-1946 Quebec Notarial Records (Drouin Collection), 1647-1942 Quebec Notarial Records (Drouin Collection), 1647-1942 Miscellaneous French Records (Drouin Collection), 1651-1941 Miscellaneous French Records (Drouin Collection), 1651-1941

21. Drouin Collection Must be a World Deluxe subscriber Must be a World Deluxe subscriber This subscription costs $299.40 a year or $34.95 a month This subscription costs $299.40 a year or $34.95 a month Well worth it if you have an abundance of French-Canadian ancestors Well worth it if you have an abundance of French-Canadian ancestors Offers you the leisure to search the parish registers from the comfort of your home Offers you the leisure to search the parish registers from the comfort of your home The digital images are easier on the eyes than the microfilm images The digital images are easier on the eyes than the microfilm images

23. BMS2000 A collaborative project involving 24 genealogical societies in Québec and Ontario A collaborative project involving 24 genealogical societies in Québec and Ontario Continues the tradition of doing marriage repertoires, but online, with baptisms and burials (sépulture) included Continues the tradition of doing marriage repertoires, but online, with baptisms and burials (sépulture) included Great resource for the nineteenth century if the parish you are interested in searching is included Great resource for the nineteenth century if the parish you are interested in searching is included The index is free, but you must subscribe to access The index is free, but you must subscribe to access To view the full abstract, you must pay for a voucher, for example, $40 Canadian for 500 hits To view the full abstract, you must pay for a voucher, for example, $40 Canadian for 500 hits

27. Parchemin Database of notarial records of Québec from 1635 to 1784 Database of notarial records of Québec from 1635 to 1784 The notaries handle all legal paperwork in New France including marriage contracts The notaries handle all legal paperwork in New France including marriage contracts Parchemin indexes and abstracts of these records Parchemin indexes and abstracts of these records Original records at the regional branches of the Québec archives Original records at the regional branches of the Québec archives Parchemin is available on CD at select libraries, archives, and genealogical societies mostly in Québec Parchemin is available on CD at select libraries, archives, and genealogical societies mostly in Québec Too expensive for individuals and most groups Too expensive for individuals and most groups Produced by the Société de recherche historique Archiv- Histo, headquartered at the Montréal regional archives Produced by the Société de recherche historique Archiv- Histo, headquartered at the Montréal regional archives

28. Parchemin Well worth searching, but lack of online access is frustrating Well worth searching, but lack of online access is frustrating Frankly, no longer sure how to request a search Frankly, no longer sure how to request a search Find a Québec genealogical society with access and ask about searches for a fee Find a Québec genealogical society with access and ask about searches for a fee Alternatively, try contacting Archiv-Histo at the Montréal regional Québec Archives Alternatively, try contacting Archiv-Histo at the Montréal regional Québec Archives Available for sure at the Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec and Library and Archives Canada Available for sure at the Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec and Library and Archives Canada See Pierre Benoit’s website for a list of sites with Parchemin See Pierre Benoit’s website for a list of sites with Parchemin

30. Fichier Origine A database reporting on records found in France indicating the origin of emigrants to Québec from the start of the colony to 1865 A database reporting on records found in France indicating the origin of emigrants to Québec from the start of the colony to 1865 Pinpoints the place of origin for immigrants usually through baptism records Pinpoints the place of origin for immigrants usually through baptism records Marcel Fournier is the coordinator of the project in collaboration with the Fédération québécoise des sociétés de généalogie Marcel Fournier is the coordinator of the project in collaboration with the Fédération québécoise des sociétés de généalogie Hosted at Denis Beauregard’s website Hosted at Denis Beauregard’s website Access is free Access is free You can write to M. Fournier with your discoveries which he will have added to the database You can write to M. Fournier with your discoveries which he will have added to the database

33. Early Canadiana Online A digital library of images from works of Canadian historical and genealogical interest A digital library of images from works of Canadian historical and genealogical interest Canadiana.org just formed a partnership with Ancestry.com Canadiana.org just formed a partnership with Ancestry.com Will soon be available to World Deluxe subscribers Will soon be available to World Deluxe subscribers Too expensive now, but will be reasonable as part of Ancestry.com Too expensive now, but will be reasonable as part of Ancestry.com

35. Beauregard’s Initiatives Denis Beauregard is the lead person when it comes to online resources for French research in North America Denis Beauregard is the lead person when it comes to online resources for French research in North America His FrancoGene portal website is worth visiting frequently His FrancoGene portal website is worth visiting frequently His Genealogy of the French in North America is a huge genealogical dictionary that covers Québec and frontier outposts His Genealogy of the French in North America is a huge genealogical dictionary that covers Québec and frontier outposts It includes the most recent corrections and additions to other published and online resources It includes the most recent corrections and additions to other published and online resources He is involved in the Fichier origine and Drouin Collection related projects He is involved in the Fichier origine and Drouin Collection related projects

41. Reorganization of Libraries and Archives in Canada At the federal level the Library of Canada and the National Archives of Canada (formerly the Public Archives of Canada) have merged into Library and Archives Canada At the federal level the Library of Canada and the National Archives of Canada (formerly the Public Archives of Canada) have merged into Library and Archives Canada Likewise in Québec, the provincial library and archives are now united in the Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec Likewise in Québec, the provincial library and archives are now united in the Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec Both institutions offer expanded online websites with helpful catalogs Both institutions offer expanded online websites with helpful catalogs

42. Library and Archives Canada Amicus, national union catalog for libraries in Canada Amicus, national union catalog for libraries in Canada ArchiviaNet or Archives Search, research tools for archives, soon to be replaced by a better system ArchiviaNet or Archives Search, research tools for archives, soon to be replaced by a better system Private Archives and Colonial Records with links to many original documents Private Archives and Colonial Records with links to many original documents Many other indexes of genealogical interest including military records Many other indexes of genealogical interest including military records

43. Library and Archives Canada Canadian Genealogy Centre website is now provided as an excellent launching point for your research Canadian Genealogy Centre website is now provided as an excellent launching point for your research Avitus, is an online directory of Canadian genealogical resources Avitus, is an online directory of Canadian genealogical resources

44. Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec The regional branches of the Québec archives now part of this system The regional branches of the Québec archives now part of this system This is where the original records are kept This is where the original records are kept The famous Salle Gagnon, formerly located at the main Montréal library is now moved to the Centre des archives de Montréal, the regional branch of the Québec archives in Montréal The famous Salle Gagnon, formerly located at the main Montréal library is now moved to the Centre des archives de Montréal, the regional branch of the Québec archives in Montréal

45. Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec Iris, online catalog for libraries Iris, online catalog for libraries Pistard, online catalog for archived collections Pistard, online catalog for archived collections Also, offers a special genealogy webpage Also, offers a special genealogy webpage Several digitized books available including Tanguay’s genealogical dictionary Several digitized books available including Tanguay’s genealogical dictionary

46. Minor, But Valuable, Resources Adhémer database for Montréal land records Adhémer database for Montréal land records The Canadian Encyclopedia The Canadian Encyclopedia The Dictionary of Canadian Biography The Dictionary of Canadian Biography The Atlas of Canada The Atlas of Canada The Jesuit Relations The Jesuit Relations The Champlain Society Digital Collection The Champlain Society Digital Collection Google Book Search Google Book Search WorldCat, a world union catalog WorldCat, a world union catalog

47. Books and Databases on CD Numerous titles are becoming available on CD (especially for France, but that is another topic) Numerous titles are becoming available on CD (especially for France, but that is another topic) All the Mémoires de la Société généalogique canadienne- française from 1944 to 2002 are on CD, this is Québec’s leading genealogical journal All the Mémoires de la Société généalogique canadienne- française from 1944 to 2002 are on CD, 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 Conseil Souverain (1663-1716), the Conseil Supérieur (1717-1760), and other French colonial administrative offices Chronica: Collection of records relating to the Conseil Souverain (1663-1716), the Conseil Supérieur (1717-1760), and other French colonial administrative offices Thémis: Collection of judicial records of Québec for the French and British periods Thémis: Collection of judicial records of Québec for the French and British periods

48. Royal Gateway Breakthroughs There are now several well researched and documented royal lineages for French Canadians There are now several well researched and documented royal lineages for French Canadians Catherine Baillon Catherine Baillon The Le Neuf brothers The 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 projects Rolland-Yves Gagné key player in these projects See QRD30—Québec Royal Descends at Beauregard’s website for summary details See QRD30—Québec Royal Descends at Beauregard’s website for summary details Several other possibilities for extending the pedigrees of various bourgeois and noble families back in France, for example, Daoust, d’Anglure, Billy, etc. Several other possibilities for extending the pedigrees of various bourgeois and noble families back in France, for example, Daoust, d’Anglure, Billy, etc.

50. Important Lesson Before writing away for an original document, try to find it online Before writing away for an original document, try to find it online The Library and Archives Canada and the Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec are digitizing more and more documents and posting them on the Internet The Library and Archives Canada and the Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec are digitizing more and more documents and posting them on the Internet Also, hunt for books you might want that have already been digitized Also, hunt for books you might want that have already been digitized Lastly, I am confident I have missed some new developments because there are so many of them occurring on a regular basis now Lastly, I am confident I have missed some new developments because there are so many of them occurring on a regular basis now

51. Future Developments The Family History Library has launched a massive digitization project to convert all its microfilm collection The Family History Library has launched a massive digitization project to convert all its microfilm collection This will eventually include the Québec parish registers and notarial records This will eventually include the Québec parish registers and notarial records You will be able to search these records from your home for free You will be able to search these records from your home for free

52. Les Misérables Those who can not make a connection back to Québec’s records Those who can not make a connection back to Québec’s records Keep trying, do not abandon hope Keep trying, do not abandon hope Try the family approach, perhaps a brother or sister of your ancestor has left a record behind Try the family approach, perhaps a brother or sister of your ancestor has left a record behind Try a demographic approach to narrow your search Try a demographic approach to narrow your search You too can enter what the late René Jetté called the genealogical paradise of Québec You too can enter what the late René Jetté called the genealogical paradise of Québec