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

What is in This Collection?
This collection will include records from 1533 to 1894. Name index and images of Catholic parish registers recording events of baptism, marriage and burial in the Diocese of Coutances et d'Avranches. 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.

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

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The information in these records usually include the following:

Baptism
 * 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

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

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of the person you are looking for
 * The approximate date of the event

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 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 ancestors' records

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

 * Consult the France Record Finder to find other records
 * 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
 * Search the indexes and records of local genealogical societies

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

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, Diocese Coutances et d'Avranche, Registros Paroquiais Católicos (Registros Históricos do FamilySearch)