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 |
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