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

Title in the Language of the Records
France, Diocèse de Coutances et Avranche, Archives de paroisses catholiques

Image Visibility
Publication of French records at FamilySearch.org is authorized by the French Commission for Informatics and Liberties (CNIL). CNIL does not allow publication of sensitive data below 150 years. If any of the entries on a film exceed the cut off dates, the entire film will be restricted from online publication. For example, a record from 1840 may not show up if there are entries for 1880 on the same film. Images for additional years may be viewed on microfilm and through other mediums.

Microfilms and microfiche are available for viewing at your nearest FamilySearch Center. For information see: Ordering Microfilm or Microfiche.

The Archives of France (in French)

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.

These records are written in French and in Latin

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

These records are in Latin and French. For help reading the records, see the following wiki articles:


 * Latin Genealogical Word List
 * France Language and Languages
 * French Word List

Search the Collection
To search this collection by name: Fill in the requested information in the boxes on the initial search page. This search will return a list of possible matches. Compare the information about the individuals 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 look at the information on several individuals comparing the information about them to your ancestors to make this determination.

To search by image: Select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page Select the appropriate “Township” Select the appropriate “Parish” Select the appropriate “Year Range” which takes you to the images

Search the collection by image 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.

Related Websites

 * French Genealogy &amp; Family History
 * History of France - sites and blogs (in French)

Learning Center Videos:


 * Basic French Research
 * Beginning Research in France: Part 1 of 2
 * Using French Websites
 * Reading French Records

Related Wiki Articles

 * France
 * France Church Records
 * France Resources

Citations for 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:

Record Citation (or citation for the index entry):

Image Citation