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What is PRDH-IGD?

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PRDH-IGD is a database of all Catholic baptisms, marriages and burials recorded in Quebec between 1621 and 1861 (nearly 3.2 million records) as well as a genealogical dictionary of families commonly known as “Family reconstructions”.

All individuals mentioned in these records receive their own “individual file” which centralizes the information available on the individual, along with links to the records in which they are mentioned.

In addition, every married couple receives their own “family file”, which fulfills a similar role as the individual file, but for a family unit.

It contains a list of the couple’s children with links to their respective individual files and vital events, as well as additional information about the married couple.

As a result, PRDH-IGD can be described as a detailed family tree of the entire French-Canadian population from the colony’s beginnings to 1861.

PRDH-IGD is the result of a rigorous academic effort spanning decades and is recognized worldwide as one of the most detailed and reliable demographic databases.


To better understand the value of family reconstructions, we will explore the database by using the case of François Plouf, who lived in St-François-Xavier-de-Verchères in the 18th century.

Search for the baptism of François Plouf on PRDH-IGD

To begin, the information is entered in the search engine. In this case, we are searching for any mention of a Francois Plouf in the database, without limiting the search to a specific period or parish.

Search results for Francois Plouf in PRDH-IGD

We obtain a list of results for our search.

  • The first column gives us the record number, which is used to identify the record in the database
  • The second column gives us the date of the event
  • The third column gives us the type of record (baptism, burial or marriage)
  • The fourth column gives us the parish in which the event was celebrated
  • The role column tells us what role the individual has in the record

We will select the baptism of François Plouf, recorded on the 27th of November 1718 in Contrecoeur.

François Plouf’s baptism record sourced from the PRDH

This baptism certificate was created from the original church record. It highlights all the relevant information from it and presents it in a convenient manner.

In a PRDH-IGD baptism, marriage or burial record, every name is a link to that person’s individual file. By clicking on François Plouf’s name, we are taken to the their individual file as seen below.

François Plouf’s individual file from PRDH-IGD

The individual file centralizes every mention of an individual found within the database, namely their baptism, burial and marriage. The individual file also mentions the individual’s parents and spouse(s).

Again, every name is also a link to that person’s individual file. Additionally, written dates can be clicked to be taken to the event related to the date.

Finally, the “First marriage” and “Family” mentions link to the relevant Family File. Let’s use François Plouf and Marie Ursule emery Codere’s Family File as an example:

François Plouf’s and Marie Ursule Emery Codere’s family file from PRDH-IGD

A Family File is created for every married couple mentioned in a record within the database. This Family File centralizes all the information available on the couple as well as all of their children, and provides links to the individual files and records that pertain to the family.

Ultimately, the PRDH-IGD database can be described as a massive family tree of all Catholic individuals who lived in Quebec between 1621 and 1861.

GenealogyQuebec.com integration

Members who are subscribed to both GenealogyQuebec.com and the PRDH have access to the following exclusive features:

  1. View the original document (parish register) on GenealogyQuebec.com from any PRDH-IGD.com certificate
  2. View the PRDH-IGD.com individual file of any individual named in a GenealogyQuebec.com‘s LAFRANCE certificate
  3. 10% bonus PRDH-IGD.com hits free of charge on purchase for GenealogyQuebec.com subscribers (up to 100 hits)

What are the differences between the PRDH-IGD.com and GenealogyQuebec.com?

 GenealogyQuebec.comPRDH-IGD.com
Period1621 to Today1621 to 1861
Original documentsYesNo
Family reconstructionsNoYes
Type of documentsBMD records, obituaries, death cards, tombstones, notarized documents, censuses, marriage repertories, parish records, postcardsBMD records, Individual files, Couple files, Family files
Subscription typeTime based (24h, 1 month, 1 year)Purchasable “hits”

How to subscribe to the PRDH-IGD?

PRDH subscriptions use “hits”. A “hit” is debited from your account every time a record certificate, an individual file, a family file or a couple file is displayed. However, the initial search that leads to a list of results is free.

You will find the various subscription options at this address.