France, Hautes-Alpes, Census, 1856 - FamilySearch Historical Records

What Is in This Collection?
This collection is a complete indexing of the population census (recensement de la population) for the province of Hautes-Alpes in 1856.

Reading These Records
These records are written in French. For help reading them see:
 * France Language and Languages
 * French Genealogical Word List
 * French Handwriting
 * Script Tutorial for French

What Can these Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records: Census • 2

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of your ancestor
 * Approximate age or birthdate

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Add any new information to your records
 * Use the age to find an approximate birth year to begin your search in church or civil records
 * Continue to search the records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives who may have moved, been recruited or lived nearby. This can help you identify other generations of your family. Repeat this process for each new generation you identify. Compile the entries for every person who has the same surname; this is especially helpful in rural areas or if the surname is unusual. This compiled list can help you identify possible relations that can be further verified by researching civil registration records in the country
 * When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. Save a copy of the image or transcribe the information. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details such as a title, an occupation, or land ownership. Add this new information to your records of each family. You should also look for leads to other records about your ancestors
 * Consult the France Record Finder to find other records

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

 * Consult the France Record Finder to find other records
 * When looking for a person with a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which individual is correct. Use other information, such as place of birth, age, occupation, or names of parents, to determine which candidate is the correct person. If listed, a personal title may be a clue to property ownership or occupation, either of which might be noted in other records
 * Check for variants of given names, surnames, and place names. Transcription errors could occur in any handwritten record; also, it was not uncommon for an individual be listed under a nickname or an abbreviation of their name, especially in church records
 * Vary the search terms. For example, search by either the given name or surname to return broader list of possible candidates which can then be examined for matches
 * Search the records of nearby localities. While it was uncommon for an individual in this period to move more than about 20 miles from their place of birth, smaller relocations were not uncommon
 * Look at the actual image of the record to verify the information found in the online description, if possible

Research Helps
The following articles will help you research your family in France.
 * France Record Finder
 * France Research Tips and Strategies

Other FamilySearch Collections
These collections may have additional materials to help you with your research.

FamilySearch Catalog

 * France, Hautes-Alpes, Passeports (registres et états), 1805-1940
 * France, Hautes-Alpes. Registre de déclaration, 1853-1925

FamilySearch Historical Records

 * France, Hautes-Alpes, Parish and Civil Registration - FamilySearch Historical Records

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.

França, Hautes-Alpes, Censo, 1856 (registros Históricos do FamilySearch)