Category: Quebec Genealogy Guide

Parish registers are essential documents for Quebec genealogy. They contain baptism, marriage, and burial records, which are the primary sources for tracing your ancestors’ history and establishing family lineage. Marriage records, in particular, help establish direct links between generations, as they usually mention the names of the bride and groom’s parents.

How to directly access baptism, marriage, and burial registers

Historically, these registers were kept in the parishes themselves or in judicial archives. Today, thanks to digitization efforts, a large portion of these documents is available online. Some resources stand out:

• The Programme de recherche en démographie historique (PRDH) is another valuable resource, offering a comprehensive database on families from early Quebec. It includes all Catholic baptism, marriage, and burial records from Quebec between 1621 and 1861, along with individual and family records that group and connect these events with the people involved, forming an extensive genealogical tree of Quebec’s population over 240 years.
  
• BMS 2000 is another great reference for genealogical research. It compiles millions of baptism, marriage, and burial records extracted from Quebec parish registers, allowing researchers to trace family history with precision.

The Genealogy Quebec search engine: a research facilitator

The new Genealogy Quebec search engine is designed to provide an intuitive and efficient experience. With advanced technology, it allows users to explore more than 65 million historical documents with great precision. It offers direct access to images of parish registers, making genealogical research easier.

How to Use the Search Engine

1. Access the search engine and enter the key information: last name, first name, date, and/or place.
2. Refine your search using the advanced search option, which allows you to add events such as birth, marriage and death to the search.
3. Consult the results and access the digitized original documents to get precise details about family events.

Example: Patrick dives into the parish registers

After carefully organizing his initial discoveries using family testimonies and personal documents, Patrick, following the advice from Lesson 3, is ready to tackle the parish registers. His initial goal is to find the marriage record of his grandmother Berthe’s parents, Antonio Saint-Pierre and Aurélie Otis.

Patrick remembers that his grandmother Berthe was born in New Brunswick and that her parents were married in 1919. Lesson 3 mentions that GenealogieQuebec.com covers not only Quebec, but also Acadia and the Northeastern United States. That’s his first lead.

Initial search: Patrick goes to the Genealogy Quebec search engine and launches a search for the marriage of Antonio Saint-Pierre and Aurélie Otis in 1919. In the advanced search, he selects “Marriage” as the event type and enters the names of the spouses. He then adds “1919” as the date.

Results analysis: Among the results, he finds a marriage between an Antonio Saint-Pierre and an Aurélie Otis on June 24, 1919, in Saint-Damase, Matapédia. It’s a perfect match with his grandmother Berthe’s memories!

There, he finds not only the exact date and place of the marriage, but also the names of their respective parents: Émile Saint-Pierre and Anne Chouinard for Antonio, and Léon Otis and Rose-Anna Gendron for Aurélie. Jackpot! This information is invaluable for the next steps of his research.

Lineage Tools: A Faster Method for Your Research

The computer age has turned our habits upside down, and genealogy is no exception. In the past, searching for ancestors required trips to libraries or presbyteries, with genealogical dictionaries, marriage repertoires, and parish registers as the only guides.

Among the flagship tools used at that time, certain lineage dictionaries stood out for their precision and usefulness:

• Dictionnaire Généalogique des Canadiens Français – Cyprien Tanguay
• Dictionnaire National des Canadiens Français (Drouin rouge)
• Répertoire Alphabétique des Mariages des Canadiens Français (Drouin bleu – La Masculine – La Féminine)

These works were essential for any lineage research.

But today, thanks to the internet and computers, genealogy has become more accessible, directly from home. Lineage dictionaries have been replaced by digital databases, allowing quick access to the same information, without needing to travel.

Online Databases: Easier Access

Lineage databases available on the web are a revolution for genealogists. In just a few clicks, they allow you to trace family lines without having to manually sift through old registers.

These databases are valuable, but their reliability remains paramount. It is essential to verify this information using primary sources, such as parish registers, to avoid lineage errors.

In addition to the GenealogieQuebec.com search engine, here is a list of online genealogical databases, classified by their reliability and relevance:

It includes all marriages from 1621 to 1918, along with nearly 975,000 baptisms and burials recorded between 1825 and 1861, all linked to images of the original registers.

This database is accessible via the Genealogie Quebec search engine, as well as through its own dedicated search engine, which offers advanced search parameters for more in-depth exploration.

Its computerized register compiles detailed records of births, marriages, deaths, family ties, and socio-demographic data, providing an essential reference for Quebec genealogy.

• The BMS2000 Group is a cooperative project that compiles genealogical data from 24 genealogical societies across Quebec and surrounding regions. It centralizes a common database containing 16.1 million baptism, marriage, and burial records, offering researchers easy access to this essential information for lineage research.

• The Patrimoine Québec Project’s Fureteur is a recent lineage database composed exclusively of reliable primary and secondary sources, with every reference clearly indicated. This tool forms the core of the project, integrating all information developed on Patrimoine Québec with the individual records of the people concerned.

Thanks to its methodical approach, it simplifies research and helps genealogists better understand family ties and the evolution of lineages, all while ensuring essential historical rigor.

• La Généalogie des Français d’Amérique du Nord by Denis Beauregard is a database accessible as web pages, allowing consultation on almost all recent computer environments. These pages are generated from a database made up of Excel files, which facilitates the organization and reading of genealogical data.

In addition to traditional sources, this database integrates a DNA approach, allowing researchers to validate family lineages and establish genetic matches between individuals sharing common ancestors. This method offers an additional perspective to confirm or refine genealogical research.

• The Généalogie.quebec database by François Marchi builds upon the fundamental work of Father Cyprien Tanguay and has been corrected and enhanced using reliable sources, such as parish registers and the PRDH. It thus constitutes a solid reference for Quebec genealogy, offering researchers precise and verified data to trace family lineages.

• FamilySearch Family Tree is the world’s largest online family tree, bringing together over 1.2 billion ancestors thanks to contributions from millions of descendants. This free platform allows users to collaboratively share, explore, and enrich their genealogy.

• Google: A Powerful Tool for Genealogy. Often underestimated, Google is a valuable ally for genealogical research. A simple search by name in quotation marks (e.g., “Marie Tremblay”) can provide access to a multitude of historical sources, archives, family trees, and official documents.

By refining searches with specific keywords (places, dates, events), it’s possible to find notarial acts, parish registers, and mentions in specialized databases.

• Public member trees on Ancestry are a valuable resource for genealogical research, offering access to family trees shared by other users. These trees bring together millions of profiles, often enhanced with historical documents, photos, and family stories.

However, since this information is submitted voluntarily, its reliability can vary. Therefore, it’s recommended to verify sources and, if necessary, contact the owners for clarifications or additional references.

The information found can serve as a starting point, but it’s essential to validate it with primary sources to ensure the accuracy of lineages.

• Geneanet allows users to explore family trees shared by its members and access historical archives and digitized documents. Users can create, import, and share their trees, while benefiting from automatic searching and collaborative indexing, thus facilitating the discovery and enrichment of family lineages.

• MyHeritage provides access to family trees created by its members, as well as to family sites where these trees are organized and managed. Thanks to its advanced tools, it facilitates lineage research, the exploration of historical documents, and connecting with other researchers who share common ancestors.

Verifying Your Sources: The Importance of Parish Registers

No matter what database or tool you use for your genealogical research, it’s essential to confirm information with primary sources. Digital data, though valuable, can contain errors, approximations, or incorrect transcriptions.

Parish registers are the most reliable sources for validating baptisms, marriages, and burials. These official documents, preserved since the beginnings of New France, offer precise dates, exact names, and sometimes additional details about families.

By cross-referencing information found online with these official sources, you ensure the accuracy of your family tree and prevent errors that could mislead your research. Directly consulting the images of parish registers helps to spot potential transcription errors and better understand the historical context of the records.

Example: Patrick’s research in the parish registers

With the names of his great-great-grandparents in hand, Patrick can continue his ancestral research. He goes back to GenealogieQuebec.com and uses the search engine to find the marriages of these earlier ancestors, which are essential for establishing family lineages.

He first searches for the marriage of Émile Saint-Pierre and Marie Anne Chouinard. He finds it in 1897 in Saint-Moïse, which provides him with the names of Émile and Marie Anne’s parents.

Continuing along this path, Patrick turns his attention to Émile Saint-Pierre’s parents, Louis Saint-Pierre and Hermine Lavoie. A search for them allows him to find their marriage:

By repeating this process generation after generation, Patrick traces his lineage all the way back to the first settlers: Pierre de Saint-Pierre, known as Dessaint, and his wife Marie Gerbert.

These targeted searches in the parish registers, made easier by online tools, allowed Patrick to go from just a few names and dates to several complete generations of his family tree — all while maintaining rigorous source validation. He is now ready to explore other complementary sources to bring the lives of these ancestors to life.

Confirming and Deepening Your Research

Parish registers are an essential source, but they aren’t the only documents that can enrich your genealogy. Other archives, such as censuses, notarial acts, and old newspapers, offer valuable details about your ancestors’ lives, helping you better understand their daily routines, occupations, and social environment.

In the next lesson, we’ll explore these complementary sources and see how to use them effectively to refine your genealogical research and enrich your family tree.

Gathering Family Information – A Key Step

Before diving into archives or exploring online databases, the best starting point for any genealogical research is often within your own family. Testimonies, memories, personal documents—these resources form the foundation of your family tree. It is from these elements that you will build your first branches.

Close Family: Your First Source: Start with the people closest to you: your parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts, great-uncles and great-aunts. These elders are invaluable sources of information, often providing details not found in official records.

Ask Open-ended Questions: During conversations, favor open-ended questions that encourage storytelling and memory sharing. In addition to asking questions like “Do you know Grandpa’s birth date?”, try “Can you share some memories about your father (or grandfather)? Where did he grow up? Who were his siblings?” These narratives can reveal names, places, professions, anecdotes, and important family connections.

Explore Family Documents Alongside oral testimonies, carefully examine documents preserved within your family. Look for:

• Birth, marriage, and death certificates
• Family record books
• Old photographs (Don’t forget to label them with names and dates if possible)
• Letters and postcards
• Old identity papers, passports
• Wills, notarized deeds kept by the family
• Objects with family significance (medals, diplomas, etc.)

Every fragment of information, every name, every date, and every location collected from your close family will serve as a cornerstone for your future archive research. These initial discoveries will help establish solid starting points for further investigations.

Always document the source of each piece of information (who provided it, which document you used, and when it was collected). This initial rigor will be extremely helpful later when verifying and contextualizing your discoveries.

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Example: Patrick’s interviews his relatives

Patrick starts by calling his maternal grandmother, Berthe, who is 97 years old and has an astonishing memory. Instead of asking closed questions, Patrick remembers the advice from the lesson and uses open-ended questions.

“Grandma, can you tell me some memories about your parents, my great-grandparents? Where did they grow up? What did they do?”
“And your brothers and sisters, Grandma? Do you remember their full names and birthdates?”

Berthe begins telling stories.
She explains that her father, Antonio Saint-Pierre, worked on the railroads, which is why she was born in New Brunswick, and that he had a sister named Thérèse. She also mentions that her mother, Aurélie Otis, came from a small village near Matane and had several siblings, including someone named Paul.

Berthe even remembers some approximate dates and anecdotes about their wedding in 1919.
Patrick carefully writes everything down, making sure to note that the information comes from his grandmother Berthe. He then turns to his father, Jean Guy. He doesn’t know as many details as his mother, but he remembers that his paternal grandparents, Louis Lefrançois and Clarisse Harrison, lived in Saint-Léon-le-Grand near Matane, and that Louis was a farmer and also served as mayor of that village. He also finds an old wedding photo with a date written on the back: 1907.

Inspired, Patrick asks his parents to dig through their old documents. They find:

• The family booklet of his maternal grandparents, Roger Thibault and Berthe Saint-Pierre, which includes their birth, marriage, and death dates and locations, as well as those of their children, including his grandmother Berthe.
• An old baptism certificate for his paternal grandfather, Roger Thibault, indicating his birthdate and the names of his parents: Luc Thibault and Ozilda Lévesque.
• Some old photographs on which his aunt had taken the time to write names and dates on the back.

Patrick scans or photographs these documents and organizes them carefully.

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Organizing Data and Using Genealogy Software

As your research progresses, the volume of collected information (names, dates, locations, events, sources) will increase significantly. It is essential to establish an effective organization method from the beginning.

Organization – The Key to Staying on Track: You may choose a traditional paper-based approach, using individual record sheets for each person and charts to visualize family connections. This method is sufficient for small genealogies or for those who prefer a manual approach.

However, for managing large amounts of data and navigating your family tree more efficiently, using genealogy software is highly recommended.

Genealogy Software: Powerful Tools – There are many genealogy software programs available on the market. Some are free, offering basic features to record your ancestors, their information, and their relationships. Others are paid, providing more advanced functionalities such as online synchronization, analytical tools, detailed report generation, and sharing options.

Among the popular choices, Gramps is a free and open-source option that is highly comprehensive. For those who prefer a more intuitive interface with advanced features, Heredis and Legacy Family Tree are well-known paid references. Finally, for a collaborative and connected approach, Family Tree Maker stands out for its ability to sync with online platforms like Ancestry.

What These Programs Allow You to Do

• Create and visualize your family tree in different formats (ancestry, descent, etc.)
• Record detailed information for each individual (dates, places, professions, notes, sources)
• Link individuals together (parents, children, spouses)
• Add media (photos, documents)
• Generate reports (individual lists, printable trees, etc.)
• Export/import genealogy data in GEDCOM format, a universal genealogy data exchange standard.

When selecting genealogy software, evaluate your needs and compare available options. Some are easier for beginners, while others offer greater flexibility for advanced researchers. Many programs offer free trials, so don’t hesitate to test them and find the best fit for you!

Whether you choose a paper-based method or software, the key is adopting a systematic approach to organize your discoveries. This will save you time and allow for more efficient progress in the exciting adventure of Quebec genealogy.

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Example: Patrick organizes his data

Faced with the sheer amount of information, Patrick decides to download Gramps, the recommended free software. He begins entering all the details he has gathered: himself, his parents, his grandparents, and now his great-grandparents. He creates profiles for his paternal grandparents, Roger Thibault and Berthe Saint-Pierre, as well as his paternal great-grandparents, Louis Lefrançois and Clarisse Harrison, and his maternal great-grandparents, Luc Thibault, Ozilda Lévesque, Antonio Saint-Pierre, and Aurélie Otis. For each entry, he makes sure to note the source (Grandma Berthe, family booklet, baptism certificate).

He sees his family tree beginning to take shape, with names, dates, and places coming together.

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Building an Effective Research Plan for Genealogical Investigation

Once you have gathered the initial information from your relatives, it is time to structure your approach. Establishing a research plan will allow you to advance methodically in uncovering your Quebec ancestors.

There is no single universal method—the key is to adopt an approach that works best for you while maintaining a certain level of rigor. This organization will prevent you from getting lost in the growing complexity of your family tree.

Choosing Your Approach: A Matter of Personal Preference: There is no one-size-fits-all method in genealogy—your way of exploring your family tree depends entirely on your personal preferences. Two main approaches are available to you:

• Lineage-based Research

Focuses on tracing a single family branch at a time (e.g., paternal lineage: father → grandfather → great-grandfather). Ideal for deepening a specific family line before switching directions.

• Generation-based Research

With this method, you explore all individuals within the same generation before moving on to the next. For example, you begin by identifying your four grandparents, then you research your eight great-grandparents, and so on. This approach provides a more balanced overview of your family origins.

Each method has its advantages and disadvantages. Lineage-based research allows for a more linear progression and makes it easier to track a specific family line. Generation-based research, on the other hand, provides a broader perspective of your ancestry at a given point in time.

The Importance of Methodology: Avoiding Getting Lost. No matter which approach you take, it is essential to stay methodical. Genealogy can quickly become complex as your family tree expands and the number of individuals grows.

To stay on track and ensure that no branches are overlooked, here are some best practices to follow:

• Define Your Starting Point Clearly – Usually yourself or a recent ancestor with solid information.
• Set Clear Goals for Each Research Step – E.g., _”Find my great-grandparents’ marriage record.”
• Document Each Search Conducted – Record searched sources, dates, and keywords used to avoid redundancy.
• Keep Your Family Tree Updated – Add new findings as you discover them.
• Review Your Research Plan Regularly – Adjust based on new findings and obstacles encountered.

By choosing an approach that suits you while maintaining a rigorous work method, you will gain efficiency and clarity. This will allow you to make the most of your time and advance with greater confidence in your fascinating exploration of your Quebec roots.

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Example: Patrick’s research plan

After organizing his initial data, Patrick thinks about the next step. He has identified his four grandparents and six of his eight great-grandparents. So far, he has more details on his grandmother Berthe’s maternal line (the Thibaults and the Saint-Pierres).
He decides to take a lineage-based approach for now, focusing on the Saint-Pierre family on the side of his great-grandfather Antonio.
His immediate goal is clear: to find Berthe Saint-Pierre’s birth record and her parents’ marriage record. He notes this objective in the software and prepares for the next stage of his research.

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In the next lesson, we will dive into the heart of the subject with parish registers. You will learn how to access them, where to consult them, and how to extract the most valuable information from them.

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.

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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.

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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.

• Programme de recherche en démographie historique (PRDH): A leading academic resource for early Quebec genealogy, especially for New France and later centuries. Its expert-validated lineage connections make it an extremely reliable source for building solid family trees.

• PatrimoineQuébec.ca: Created by Nico Lefrançois, an associate genealogist at Institut généalogique Drouin, this free website is a crucial complementary tool for Quebec genealogy. It features Le Fureteur, a database filled with valuable information, as well as a genealogy book library and historical maps.

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.

• Library and Archives Canada (Free) – Censuses, military records, immigration, naturalization files.

• Canadian Censuses – StatCan (Free) – Historical census data from 1666 to 1921.

• BAnQ (Free) – Registers, newspapers, notarial records, and various Quebec archives.

• Quebec Federation of Genealogy Societies (Free) – Directory of regional genealogy societies.

• Quebec Family Associations Federation (Free) – Access to private family records.

• 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.

>> Go to Lesson 2 – Starting your genealogy journey