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Posted on by Nico Lefrancois

Lesson 1 – Introduction to Quebec Genealogy

This post is also available in: Français

Why Search for Your Quebec Ancestors?

Tracing your ancestors in Quebec is like embarking on a journey to the heart of your identity. It’s diving into the history of those who shaped this land, discovering their challenges, their courage, and the traditions they passed down to us. Their stories still resonate today in our collective memory, forming an invaluable part of our cultural DNA.

Every name you uncover, every record you find, is a piece of the great puzzle of your past. By exploring your origins, you not only honor your ancestors’ memory but also gain deeper insight into your own story.

This quest is both collective and deeply personal. It allows you to reconnect with forgotten links, understand certain family customs, or simply satisfy your curiosity about your roots.

Why Start This Research?

To better understand who you are, connect with your Quebec heritage, and celebrate those who helped build the Quebec of today.

An exciting journey awaits—one that leads you in the footsteps of your ancestors.

Example: Patrick’s Genealogical Research


At 56, as he begins to look ahead to retirement, Patrick feels the need to reconnect with his roots. With more time on his hands and a growing curiosity about his family history, he embarks on genealogical research to better understand where he comes from. His goal: to trace the journey of his ancestors, preserve his family’s memory, and perhaps even pass this heritage on to future generations.

Throughout this genealogy guide, we will follow Patrick’s research as a common thread. His journey will serve as a concrete example to illustrate the key steps, guide you through your own process, and inspire you to explore your family history.

The Fundamentals of Genealogical Research

Genealogy is both an art and a science—it’s about tracing the history of your ancestors and reconstructing your family tree. To begin this fascinating adventure, certain basic principles are essential—we will explore them in detail in upcoming lessons.

  1. Be Methodical and Organized: Genealogy requires patience and precision. We will discuss how to start small, carefully record every detail (names, dates, locations, sources), and use tools to stay organized.
  2. Start with Yourself and Work Backward: The easiest way to begin is by relying on what you already know. We will go over how to interview relatives and gather family documents to launch your search.
  3. Identify Information Sources: Quebec genealogy offers many valuable resources. While GenealogieQuebec.com will be our main tool, we will also explore other archives and platforms to provide a comprehensive and nuanced approach to genealogical research.
  4. Understand the Different Document Types: During your research, you will come across various types of records. We will take a closer look at parish registers, notarial acts, censuses, and other key documents that will help you trace your lineage.
  5. Stay Curious and Persistent: Genealogical research can sometimes present challenges. We will offer advice on how to stay motivated and explore different paths that may lead to valuable discoveries.

By keeping these fundamentals in mind and familiarizing yourself with the many genealogical tools available, you will be well-prepared to embark on your journey into your Quebec family history.


Our upcoming lessons will delve deeper into each of these aspects to guide you step by step.

The Importance of Reliable Research Tools and Sources

The accuracy of your genealogical journey depends largely on the reliability of your sources.

The Importance of Reliable Research Tools: Powerful research tools greatly facilitate the exploration of vast amounts of structured data. The collections available on Généalogie Québec, such as LaFrance, have been specifically designed to meet the needs of Quebec genealogists.

The Programme de recherche en démographie historique (PRDH) is also a highly valuable resource for older Quebec genealogy. This academic database is recognized for the rigor of its information and its expert-validated lineage connections, making it extremely reliable for more distant historical periods.

The Need for Reliable Sources: The quality of your discoveries directly depends on the credibility of your sources. Always prioritize original records or high-quality reproductions from reputable institutions (national archives, historical societies) and specialized sites like Généalogie Québec, which strive to properly reference their information.

Be cautious with unsourced information found on collaborative platforms where verification is often limited. While such sites may provide helpful leads, it’s essential to validate any findings with primary sources or authoritative compilations like those available in the PRDH.

By using recognized research tools and relying on rigorous sources, you can make credible and well-founded progress in uncovering your Quebec roots.

Overview of the Most Reliable Genealogical Resources

To explore Quebec’s past, you have access to rich and trustworthy online resources. Here are the key tools that will guide your research:

  • GenealogieQuebec.com: A major gateway to Quebec genealogy, offering a vast collection of digitized records: parish registers (baptisms, marriages, burials), notarial acts, Quebec and Canadian censuses, and a cutting-edge search engine.

Here’s a list of additional Quebec and Canadian genealogy resources:

  • BMS2000 (Paid) – Index of baptisms, marriages, and burials in Quebec.
  • Fichier Origine (Free) – Directory of French immigrants who arrived before 1865.
  • BAnQ (Free) – Registers, newspapers, notarial records, and various Quebec archives.
  • Parchemin (Paid) – Database of notarial acts from the 17th to 20th centuries.
  • FamilySearch (Free) – Civil and religious records, collaborative family trees.
  • Ancestry (Paid) – Censuses, civil records, family trees, DNA tests.
  • MyHeritage (Paid) – International records, user trees, DNA tests.
  • Findmypast (Paid) – British records with some Canadian collections.

All of these tools will provide a strong foundation for your Quebec genealogical research.

Now that you understand the importance of research and reliable sources, the next lesson will guide you through the concrete steps of starting your own genealogy journey—how to collect family information, organize your data, and establish an effective research plan. Stay tuned for the next installment of this tutorial !