Canada Languages

Canada Online Genealogy Records Ask the Community

Most records used in Canadian research are written in English or French. You need not be fluent in French, but you will need some knowledge of French to understand French-Canadian records.

Because of Canada’s history you are likely to find Roman Catholic Church records (written in Latin and French) in Quebec, in parts of Nova Scotia, and in New Brunswick, Ontario, and Manitoba where there was heavy French settlement. You will find English-language records throughout the rest of Canada. You will find records in other languages in Canadian communities where European groups have settled.

For word lists and help researching in Canadian records, see:
 * French Genealogical Word List
 * Latin Genealogical Word List

Language Aids
The Family History Library has genealogical word lists for French, German, and some other languages. French-English dictionaries can also be helpful.

Additional language aids are in the Locality Search of the FamilySearch Catalog under:


 * CANADA - LANGUAGE AND LANGUAGES

See the catalog’s Subject section under:


 * FRENCH LANGUAGE - DICTIONARIES