French Handwriting


 * The website housing these PDF files is currently down for maintenance.

Many resources exist that will help you read French records. One of these is the Reading Handwritten Records Series of free online classes available at FamilySearch. It includes tutorials on.

Another resource is the French Records Extraction Manual, Full Manual. Much more is covered, but these first four lessons are especially useful. Section One Section Two Section Three Section Four Section Five Section Six: Answers
 * Chapter 1: Old French Records
 * Chapter 2: Parish Christening and Civil Birth Entries
 * Chapter 3: Marriage Entries
 * Chapter 4: Other Entries
 * Chapter 5: French Handwriting and Spelling

Appendix A: French Occupations List

Appendix B: Common Abbreviations

Appendix C: Answers to Self-Evaluation Exercises

Glossary