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.
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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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