User:AmFrGenSocWiki/Sandbox

=American-French Genealogical Society= {{breadcrumb Canadian immigration into the United States began as early as the seventeenth century, but between 1871 and 1901 the greatest influx of immigrants entered this country. Taxation, debts, unemployment, and a failing economic environment contributed to over 2 million French Canadians, with shattered dreams, migrating to the U.S. seeking economic refuge. This was a major loss to Canada, whose population at the time ranged from 3.7 million to 4.8 million. Since then, more than 10 million of their descendants have assimilated into American society. The language and culture preserved by the over-whelming number of Franco-Americans is disappearing, however, due to sociological changes. ==Mission Statement== The mission of the American-French Genealogical Society is to: Microfilm and Compact Disc Records: We are a primary source for French Canadian research and have a large selection of other data depending on the source. For example, state vital records, church records, and funeral home records would include all records and not just French Canadian. Is there help for me to research other nationalities? Yes. American-French Genealogical Society is an affiliate of the Family History Library. There are a number of volunteers who can help you to research different nationalities. Do I need to read French? Most vital records are in English. Quebec microfilm records are mostly in French or Latin. Normally, someone is at the library that can translate for you. Is there someone in the library to aid me if I do visit the library? Volunteers are normally available to help with your visit. Is there someone to show me how to use the microfilm? There are volunteers who will show you the steps to access the microfilms and how to search within them. Can I bring my electronic devices to the library? American-French Genealogical Society has free Wi-Fi available. Notebooks, laptops, tablets, hand held scanners, cameras are allowed in the library (no flash). Cell phones may be brought into the library, however, please be considerate of other researchers and either turn off the phone or place it in silent mode. Cell phone conversations are not allowed in the library. Can I use a flash drive or CD/DVD in your computers? Sorry but no item can be plugged into our computers. Can we bring a group to the library? Yes, however if it is a large group (over 5) we would appreciate notification ahead of time to make sure that we have researchers to help. What is the cost to use the library? American-French Genealogical Society members have full use of the library. For non-members the fee is $5.00 per visit. Are food or refreshments available? Food or beverages including bottled water are not allowed in the library area. The lunchroom is located off the main lobby adjacent to the lockers. There is a refrigerator and microwave available for your use. While we do not offer food or beverages on site, there are restaurants nearby. I am coming from a distance and will only be in the area a few days. Can I use the library if it is not scheduled to be open? We will make every effort to accommodate members who live outside of the Rhode Island area. Please contact American-French Genealogical Society at least one week before your arrival. Tell us the dates and times you plan to be here and a phone number where you can be reached while you travel. Are there other sites of interest in the area? American-French Genealogical Society is located in the Blackstone Heritage Corridor and a number of interesting places are available including the Museum of Work & Culture. For a list of other sites of interests throughout Woonsocket and Rhode Island's Blackstone Valley, visit Tour Blackstone Valley. Facebook: AFGS Facebook Page Twitter: @AmFrGenSoc
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 * link5=American-French Genealogical Society American-French Genealogical Society, a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization located in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. Genealogy and history are tools we use to connect generations. ==Overview==  The American-French Genealogical Society, formed in February of 1978, is a 501c3 non-profit organization devoted to people of French Canadian descent. Our mission is to study and preserve our rich heritage by assisting members in discovering their ancestors and the daily events that shaped their lives.
 * Collect, preserve and publish cultural, genealogical, historical and biographical matter relating to Americans of French and French Canadian descent;
 * Play an active part in the preservation of French and French Canadian culture and heritage; and highlight the role that they have played in the history of North America;
 * Maintain an educational, research and cultural center;
 * Conduct periodic educational programs and conferences to explore cultural, genealogical, and historical topics;
 * Disseminate cultural, genealogical, historical, and biographical information to members and the general public. ==Plan a Visit to American-French Genealogical Society== Visit AFGS  ==History of the Society== American-French Genealogical Society Concept Took Shape with a Visit to Montreal, Quebec, Canada. History of AFGS  ==Contact Information==  American-French Genealogical Society 78 Earle Street Woonsocket, Rhode Island Mailing Address P.O. Box 830 Woonsocket, Rhode Island Phone: 401.765.6141 Email:[mailto:info@afgs.org AFGS]  ==Education - Workshops and Speakers== Presentations by guest speakers are made possible through funding from the LeFoyer Endowment Fund. Current schedule: Workshops and Speakers <!--insert Schedule here ==Benefits of American-French Genealogical Society Membership==
 * Access to the research library and collections.
 * Access to our quarterly Je Me Souviens, a digital magazine filled with resources for genealogists, research stories, new member listings, tips and facts.
 * Access to a members-only section of our website containing genealogical research resources, archives of the Je Me Souviens, and other useful material.
 * The right to attend the annual business meeting where members are informed of Society activities.
 * New members who visit our library receive individual assistance and training from experienced and highly competent staff members.
 * Members unable to conduct their own research may use the library resources through the Research Committee. A staff of experienced researchers is available to conduct research at low member rates. ==The American-French Genealogical Society’s library has vast resources which include:== More than 20,000 volumes of vital statistics, family genealogies, biographies, reference books, histories, and genealogical journals and publications of regional, national, and international scope.  The four series of the Drouin Genealogical Dictionaries of Canadian Marriages, which span the years from the beginning of Canada through 1935.  Drouin Marriage Books are alphabetized by the groom’s surname and by the bride’s surname. The Drouin marriage books contain over 2 million marriages from the 1700s to about 1935. They are from French speaking areas of Canada. Each marriage record contains the marriage date, the marriage place, the name of the groom, the parents of the groom, the name of the bride and the parents of the bride. Once you have the marriage information you could look in the Drouin microfilm and see the actual record.  The Loiselle Index contains the marriage records in Quebec, Madawaska County in New Brunswick, and Manchester and Hillsboro, New Hampshire, 1642-1963.  The Rivest File consists of marriage records for the Notarial Districts of Joliette, St-Jerome, Mont Laurier and Sorel – all in Quebec. It covers the 17th century to 1972. The index is arranged first by the surname of the bride. Under the surname of the bride, the index is arranged alphabetically by the surname of the groom. A section for anonymous names is located in the “A” section and is arranged alphabetically by the surname of the groom. This section includes all those marriage entries for which there is either no surname or no name for the bride. If either the bride or groom is widowed, the record of the marriage will indicate the name of the previous spouse. To find the name of the parents of a widow(er) it is necessary to find the indexed entry for the first marriage. If either parent of the bride or groom is deceased, this is indicated on the index.  The Fabien File is an index of births, marriages, and deaths in Ontario, Quebec, and parts of Prince Edward Island. It is a two-part microfilm collection of 250,000 records covering the 17th century to the mid 1800’s. Part one covers Hull, Gatineau, Pontiac, Buckingham, La Petit Nation, Eastern Ontario and Northern Ontario. Part two covers families from Quebec and Prince Edward Island.  The Forget Files, the life’s work of Dr. Ulysses Forget, a noted French-Canadian genealogist from Rhode Island. These records include thousands of Franco-American marriages in Rhode Island. Most of Dr. Forget’s research has never been published and thus is not available to the general public.  The “Hard to Find Drouin Marriages” films contain marriages that are not found in the Drouin” books. They are arranged alphabetically by the groom’s surname and given name and then by the surname and given name of the bride. These films, although not as commonly used as other reference materials in the library, provide alternative sources for those difficult to find ancestors. Formerly only available on film this collection is now on the American-French Genealogical Society library computers in a digital format.  Computers which allow members to organize their family records, research records, and access reference material and programs such as the Rhode Island Cemetery Transcription Project, FamilySearch, American Ancestors by New England Historic Genealogical Society, Ancestry (world edition) and Le Programme de recherche en demographie historique. American-French Genealogical Society’s own publications, such as our popular cookbook La Cuisine de le Grand-mère, local church records, books, maps, and charts. American-French Genealogical Society is a Family History Center affiliate library.
 * Births, marriages, and deaths in Massachusetts to 1910, death index to 1971
 * Birth, marriage, and death records of Vermont up to 1941
 * Births and marriages of Rhode Island to 1900, deaths to 1950
 * Births, marriages, and deaths of New Hampshire to 1900, and divorces to 1938
 * Maine Marriage Index from 1892-1966 on compact disc
 * Drouin microfilms of vital records which was used for the Drouin books. Over 2400 Drouin microfilms available
 * Microfilm rolls of Diocese de Lafayette Louisiane, Canada newspapers 1764-1862, and miscellaneous films including maps, Family genealogies, etc. ==American-French Genealogical Society French Canadian Hall of Fame== The American-French Genealogical Society’s French Canadian Hall of Fame was established in 2003 as part of our organization’s 25th Anniversary celebration. The Hall was created to recognize individuals and organizations with French Canadian roots or connections who have made significant contributions to their community, state or nation through their occupation and/or public service. AFGS Hall of Fame ==Publications== Books, Charts, Compact discs, and more. AFGS Publications  ==Frequently Asked Questions== Do you have only French Canadian Resources?