Unfamiliar words in French records can throw even the most savvy genealogist off track, so study this list of terms you’ll frequently encounter in your research.
Quick Tip
When researching French ancestors you might come the word dit (pronounced “dee”) as part of a name. For example, Jacques Demet dit Beaulieu. Dit just means “called” or “known as.” It indicates an alternate surname that helps differentiate people. These additional names could be based on a physical trait, location or occupation.
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Relationship Terms
| French | English |
| arrière grandpère | great-grandfather |
| arrière grandmère | great-grandmother |
| cadet | youngest son |
| épouse | wife |
| épousee | bride |
| époux | husband |
| famille | family |
| fille | daughter |
| fils | son |
| frère | brother |
| grandmère | grandmother |
| grandpère | grandfather |
| héritiers | heirs |
| l’aine | eldest son |
| mère | mother |
| oncle | uncle |
| orphelin | orphan |
| père | father |
| soeur | sister |
| tante | aunt |
| veuf | widower |
| veuve | widow |
Dates
| French | English |
| année | year |
| mois | month |
| jour | day |
| janvier | January |
| fevrier | February |
| mars | March |
| avril | April |
| mai | May |
| juin | June |
| juillet | July |
| août | August |
| septembre | September |
| octobre | October |
| novembre | November |
| décembre | December |
These in-depth strategies for finding your French or French-Canadian ancestors are sure to enhance your investigating.
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