France, Coutances et d'Avranches Diocese, Catholic Parish Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

In order to provide you with the very best and latest information of our French records, we are performing an update that will take a few weeks to be completed. As soon as the information is available, we will provide an update on the page as well as on our blog at FamilySearch.org. We look forward to providing you with online French records in the future. FamilySearch’s microfilmed French records can be ordered to your nearest FamilySearch Center or affiliate library for viewing. For instructions, please search for Online Microfilm Ordering in FamilySearch wiki.

Title in French
Registres paroissiaux, Eglise catholique

Record Description
This Collection will include records from 1533 to 1906.

Name index and images of Catholic parish registers recording events of baptism, marriage and burial in the Diocese of Coutances et d'Avranche. Parishes within this diocese are within the boundaries of the department of Manche.

Entries were made in chronological order, with the records being written in Latin. Confirmations were not consistently recorded.

Publication of French records is authorized by the French commission for Informatics and Liberties (CNIL). FamilySearch has requested approval from this entity to publish French records.

As soon as permission has been granted by the CNIL, publication of French records will become available on FamilySearch.

Citation for This Collection
The following citation refers to the original source of the information published in FamilySearch.org Historical Record collections. Sources include the author, custodian, publisher and archive for the original records.

Suggested citation format for a record in this collection.

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




 * Date and place of baptism
 * Birth date of child
 * Name and gender of child
 * Legitimacy of child
 * Names of parents
 * Names of grandparents of child
 * Names of godparents of child

The key genealogical facts found in Marriage entries include the following information:




 * Date and place of marriage
 * Names of the bride and groom
 * Marital status of the bride and groom
 * Names of groom's parents
 * Names of bride's parents
 * Names of the witnesses and their relationship to the bride and groom
 * Publication dates of the marriage proclamations ("banns")

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


 * Name and age of deceased
 * Date and place of death
 * Names of parents of deceased or
 * Name of spouse
 * Names of witnesses (sometimes)

How to Use the Records
Fill in the requested information in the initial search page. This search will return a list of possible matches. Compare the information about the ancestors in the list to what you already know about your ancestors to determine if this is the correct family or person. You may need to compare the information about more than one person to find your ancestor.

Parish registers are the best source for identifying individuals, parents, and spouses in France before 1792. Civil registration began in September 1792; 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.

To search the collection you will need to follow this series of links: ⇒Select the "Browse" link in the initial search page⇒Select the "Commune or Town" category⇒Select the "Parish Name" category⇒Select the "Year Range" category which takes you to the images.

Look at the images one by one comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine which one is your ancestor. You may need to compare the information about more than one person to make this determination.

Known Issues with This Collecton
For a full list of all known issues associated with this collection see the attached Wiki article. If you encounter additional problems, please email them to [mailto:support@familysearch.org support@familysearch.org]. Please include the full path to the link and a description of the problem in your e-mail. Your assistance will help ensure that future reworks will be considered.

Related Websites
French Genealogy &amp; Family History

Related Wiki Articles

 * France
 * France Church Records

Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections
When you copy information from a record, you should list where you found the information. This will help you or others to find the record again. It is also good to keep track of records where you did not find information, including the names of the people you looked for in the records.

A suggested format for keeping track of records that you have searched is found in the wiki article Help:How to Cite FamilySearch Collections.

Citation Example for a Record Found in This Collection
"France, Coutances Catholic Diocese, 1802-1907," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FRP9-G6B : accessed 23 April 2012), Marie Louise Henry, baptism 11 April 1856; citing Catholic parishes in France. Parish registers, Catholic Diocesan Archives, Coutances, France.