France, Seine-Maritime, Rouen, Indexes to Church Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

France Seine-Maritime

What is in this Collection?
This collection consists of indexes to church records from the city of Rouen, France for the years 1680-1789.

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. Use of images of this index is strictly limited to personal research only and is not intended to be used for profit. For permission contact:

As soon as permission has been granted by the CNIL, publication of French records will become available on FamilySearch.
 * Mr. Jean-Pierre Bardet, Professeur Emérite Université de Paris-Sorbonne (Paris IV), 1, rue Victor-Cousin, 75005, Paris.

Collection Content
The collection consists of a card index to all "B" surnames extracted from the 38 parishes of Rouen, France. Families are linked together on genealogical forms. In most cases, names are not necessarily filed alphabetically, but rather by their "sound".

Sample Images
Click on images for a larger view.

What Can This Collection Tell Me?
The following list indicates potential information provided in these records. It must be remembered that every record may not provide all the listed information, as record-keeping practices varied greatly over time. Church Records may contain:
 * Full names of husband and wife
 * Marriage date
 * Birth date
 * Death date
 * Occupation
 * Names of children
 * Birth dates of children

How Do I Search the Collection?
Before beginning a search in these records, it is best to know the full name of the individual in question, as well as an approximate time range for the desired record. When entered into the search engine on the Collection Page, this information provides the quickest, most reliable path to finding the correct person. Of course, other information can be substituted as necessary.

Search by name by visiting the Collection Page: Fill in the requested information in the initial search page to return a list of possible matches. Compare the individuals on the list with what is already known to find the correct family or person. This step may require examining multiple individuals before a match is located.

View images in this collection by visiting the Browse Page Digitized images of records in this collection may be accessed by following this series of links: ⇒ Select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page ⇒ Select "Drawer Number and Name Range" to go to the images

Compare the information found on the images with what is already known determine if a particular record relates to the correct person. This process may require examining multiple records before the correct person is located.

Some of the records in this collection may be written in an old script that can be challenging to read. Refer to BYU’s Script Tutorial for assistance with reading the records.

I Found Who I was Looking for, What Now?

 * Use the age to estimate 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 vital 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.

I Can't Find Who I'm Looking for, What Now?

 * Switch to a different record collection. Depending on the time period, one or the other collection may be more helpful.
 * While searching, it is helpful to know such information as the ancestor’s given name and surname, some identifying information such as residence and age, and family relationships. Remember that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name as an ancestor and that the ancestor may have used nicknames or different names at different times.
 * Keep in mind that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name.
 * Standard spelling of names typically did not exist during the periods our ancestors lived in. Try variations of your ancestor’s name while searching the index or browsing through images. Pay special attention to how the name should have been pronounced and try variations on the pronunciation.
 * Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle names. Try searching for these names as well.
 * Search the indexes and records of local genealogical societies.

Citing this Collection
Citing your sources makes it easy for others to find and evaluate the records you used. When you copy information from a record, list where you found that information. Here you can find citations already created for the entire collection and for each individual record or image.

Collection Citation: Image Citation