France, Finistère, Quimper et Léon Diocese, Catholic Parish Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

Collection Time Period
Catholic parish records from 1772-1949 in the Quimper and Léon Diocese.

Record Description
In earlier years, separate registers were maintained for baptisms, marriages, and burials. However, towards the end of the 17 century the entries were generally intermingled. Entries were made in chronological order, with the records being written in Latin. Confirmations were not consistently recorded. Toward the latter half of the 19th century, pre-printed forms began to be used with the date and names written in by the officiating priest.

Record Content
The key genealogical facts found in most baptismal entries may include the following information:


 * Name and sex of the child
 * Legitimacy of the child
 * Names of parents
 * Sometimes the birth date
 * Baptismal date
 * Place of birth and baptism is the parish unless otherwise noted in the entry
 * Names of godparents

The key genealogical facts found in most marriage entries may include the following information:


 * Names of the bride and groom
 * Previous marital status (this could be “previously unmarried” or be “widow” or “widower,” with the name of deceased spouse listed)
 * Marriage date
 * Their residences and ages
 * Names of their parents
 * Names of the witnesses and their relationship to the bride and groom
 * Publication dates of the banns (this usually occurred three separate times before the marriage, allowing people to state any objections to the marriage)
 * Women are always identified by their maiden names.

The key genealogical facts found in most burial entries may include the following information:


 * Name of the deceased
 * Age
 * Names of their parents (if unmarried) or name of the spouse
 * Burial date
 * Death date (sometimes)
 * Names of witnesses, with their relationship to the deceased sometimes given

Online Records

In August 2010 the first online records were published for the collection comprising parishes beginning with letters A and B.

The following parishes are included:


 * Argol
 * Arzano
 * Audierne
 * Bannalec
 * Brest-paroisse-Notre-Dame-des-Carmes
 * Brest Hospice Civile
 * Brest-paroisse-Lambézellec
 * Brest-paroisse-Saint-Louis
 * Brest-paroisse-Saint-Martin
 * Brest-paroisse-Saint-Pierre

Further revisions to the collection will follow as other parishes are published in future.

How to Use the Records
Parish registers are the best source for identifying individuals, parents, and spouses in France before 1792. Civil registration began in September 1792, and after this date, civil registration of births, marriages, and deaths is equally important. The information recorded in the parish registers confirms the information found in the civil registers.

Record History
In 1539, François I issued the edict of Villers-Cotterêts, which required the Catholic Church to record baptisms. The Pope mandated that records be kept in 1563. In 1579 the edict of Blois required the church in France to register marriages and burials. In 1667, the Code Louis required that two copies of the registers be kept, with one deposited at the bailliage. Most parishes covered a single town or village. Large cities normally had multiple parishes.

Why the Record Was Created
French Catholic parish registers were created to record the church’s sacraments of baptism, marriage, and burial.

Record Reliability
French Catholic parish registers are extremely reliable sources for French family history.

Related Websites
France, Quimper et Leon Catholic Diocese, 1772-1909

Related Wiki Articles

 * France
 * France Church Records

Citation for This Collection
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Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections
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Citation Example for Records Found in This Collection
"France, Quimper et Leon Catholic Diocese, 1772-1909." index and images, FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org: accessed 4 February 2011), Fancois Marie Drouet, 24 May 1905; citing Church Records, Saint-Louis, Brest, Finistere, France; digital folder number 004,287,523, image number 00,22; Church Parish Registers, Quimpet et Leon, France.