France, Paris, 1946 Census - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This is an index of the 1946 Paris, France census. Censuses have been taken by the government of France, by individual towns, and by some old provinces. In France, censuses were generally taken for military purposes, taxation, or identification of the poor. The first national census listing names in France was taken in the year 1772.

Reading These Records
For help reading these French records see the following guides:
 * France Language and Languages
 * French Genealogical Word List
 * French Handwriting
 * Script Tutorial for French
 * FamilySearch Learning Center videos:
 * Reading French Handwritten Records

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.

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.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The census forms contain the following information:

How to Use the Record
For the 1946 census the lists were drawn up by boroughs of the city, then by district, finally by block (street name).

To begin your search it is helpful to know:
 * Your ancestor’s name
 * Other identifying information such as residence, birthdate or age, names of other family members and family relationships

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

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?

 * Carefully evaluate all the information in the index
 * Examine the original record to see if there is additional information to be found
 * Search for additional family members in the records

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

 * When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct.
 * Remember that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name as your ancestor and that your ancestor may have used nicknames or different names at different times.
 * Check for variant spellings of the names.
 * There may be more than one person in the records with the same name
 * Your ancestor may have used different names, or variations of their name, throughout their life
 * If your ancestor used an alias or a nickname, be sure to check for those alternate names
 * Be aware that, as with any index, transcription errors may occur.

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in 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.