{"id":5926,"date":"2025-08-12T14:59:23","date_gmt":"2025-08-12T18:59:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.genealogiequebec.com\/blog\/?p=5926\/"},"modified":"2026-09-25T16:04:00","modified_gmt":"2026-09-25T20:04:00","slug":"quick-start-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.genealogiequebec.com\/blog\/en\/2025\/08\/12\/quick-start-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Quick Start Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Welcome to Genealogy Quebec!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether you\u2019re taking your first steps in genealogy or you\u2019re an experienced researcher discovering our platform, this guide is for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re new to genealogy<\/strong>, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have genealogy experience<\/strong> but are new to Genealogy Quebec<\/strong>, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Basics of Genealogy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Genealogy is the science dedicated to researching family lineages. But more specifically, what does this research involve?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It all depends on your goal. In fact, there are several types of genealogy, and the scope of your research will depend on the type of ancestry you wish to build.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Linear ancestry<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

All the direct-line ancestors of the individual of your choice (generally your father) \u2014 their parents, then paternal grandparents, and so on.
This is the simplest and quickest type of ancestry to complete, and it connects you directly to the most distant direct ancestor bearing your family name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Complete Ancestry<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\"\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

All the ancestors from whom you descend. This type of ancestry includes every known ancestor in your lineage, with the number doubling each generation: two parents, four grandparents, eight great-grandparents, and so on.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Your Genealogical Research in 3 Steps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Whether you\u2019re working on linear or complete ancestry, the key to your research is the marriage record.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Indeed, officiants were generally required to record the names of the spouses\u2019 parents. By finding the marriage records for these individuals, you can trace back to the previous generation, and then repeat the process to go back through the generations.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>
The marriage record on the left includes the names of the groom\u2019s parents. Using this information, we can locate their marriage record. By repeating this process across generations, it becomes possible to trace the family line back to the very first ancestor who arrived in Quebec.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Step One \u2013 Gather Information<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

To trace your ancestors, the first step is to establish the information you already know \u2014 such as names, dates, and places \u2014 by speaking with relatives if necessary. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

It is strongly recommended to record as much information as possible so you can refer to it during your research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step Two \u2013 Use This Information to Find a Marriage in the Lineage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s now time to use the information gathered in the first step to locate a marriage record in the lineage, which will serve as your starting point.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>
A search for Fran\u00e7ois Eug\u00e8ne Desjardins’s marriage.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Step Three \u2013 Trace Back Generation by Generation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

With a marriage record in hand, you are now in a position to trace the ancestors in your lineage. You can go back one generation by finding the marriage of the groom\u2019s or bride\u2019s parents, whose names are listed in your starting marriage record.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To do this, simply search for the names of the groom\u2019s or bride\u2019s parents, as applicable.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>
Search for Charles Eug\u00e8ne Desjardins’s marriage, father of Fran\u00e7ois Eug\u00e8ne Desjardins.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

This process is repeated until you reach the first generation of your lineage to set foot in Quebec, often in the 18th or even 17th century. Depending on the family, you may have to go back more than ten generations before reaching the first immigrant.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>
Marriage of Antoine Roy Desjardins, the first Desjardins in New France.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Additional Documents \u2013 The Little History of Your Ancestors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Tracing the individuals in your lineage is the foundation of genealogy. But once these people are identified, is your research over? Once again, it all depends on your goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some researchers set out to find the children of the couples they\u2019ve traced or to supplement the lineage(s) with birth and death dates and locations for each individual. These additional searches are generally done using birth and death records.
However, Genealogy Quebec also offers a wide variety of documents that can add color and depth to your family tree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the search engine, you will find the following types of documents:<\/p>\n\n\n\n