Genealogy Chat

Does anyone know how one would trace someone born in Calais France in 1831/33 ish? I have French ancestor (BS) and need to discover parents names and origins. Any advice welcome. Lin XX

No idea. You could try googling France genealogy or looking on Cyndi's List. nell

Thanks Helen....will try Lin XX

Ohh Lin tough one this ;;; I know from experense, you carnt get a cert unless they have been dead 100 yrsm unless you can prove family;; You have to write to the Mayor in the town that you want;; I will try to tell you tomorrow;;; if no one answers before;;; Babs

Thanks Babs, All I know so far is that my ancestor (great grandfather) was a British subject from Calais France. No idea of town concerned??? Lin XX

If he were a British subject, was his father in the military? Would he turn up in any census in England later? Or is that how you found him? No marriage in England for him?

Hello Lin, I'm afraid Babs is right, to get a copy of his birth certificate you need to write to the Mairie in Calais with his details as French BMD are not available on the internet. Helenxx

Many French records are on the IGI, depending on the departement. Many more parish/civil registers are available on microfilm from the LDS. For the 1830s they're freely available to anyone. If you check out the LDS site www.familysearch.org, click Family History Library catalogue - place search - insert Calais - you'll see what is available. If you check the civil registration box you'll see that the civil registers are available for the period you're seeking, and there's some sort of register of British subjects which might be useful. Order the films from your local LDS and go through them there. You don't need French to follow them. French registers are a joy as they give vast amounts of information compared to English parish registers Bon chance David

Linda Don't know whether your people were from the Nottingham area? A lot of Nottingham people went over to Calais to work in the lace industry, including my Great Grandmother, who was born in Nottingham, but died in Calais. Only found this out by seeing her in the Will Index for 1866. If you think any of your family may have died there, might be worth you looking in the English will index to see if any of them left a Will, which could well have been proved in England. This would then give you a death date, and the ability to apply to the people in Calais for a death cert. I got my Great Grandmothers death cert from them, which was very detailed about her family, and although it gave place of death, didn't give the cause. There's also Gillian Kellys website about the Australian lacemakers of Calais (Google it) Gillian holds a lot of births marriage and deaths and census info for Calais, and is very helpful. Hope this helps.

Hi everyone, sorry for the late replies today....had a late start. Have a marriage in England for ggrandfather he married in 1861, had his family and died in England. All I know of his past was his fathers name from wedding cert. John Tyson, Occ: cooper. I know...very English sounding name....throws me every time... Ggrandfather Wm Hy Tyson crops up on census' which is where I found out he was recorded as coming from Calais. Aparantly..although he has English sounding name, Older family members (now deceased) always insisted his name was Napoleon Tyson Pronounced Tisson or Teeson. As I cannot discover his parents anywhere.....this is difficult to verify. Wm's occ was Blacksmith and one census' he has beeen recorded as working in Iron Foundry, as a fustian cutter/manf. And on his wedding cert, believe it or not.....his occupation would appear to be a shoe maker!!!!!! There are so many inconsistences, that it's virtually impossible to know where to start at all....when I'm so new at this. However, I do appreciate everyones help and good advice, which I shall endeavour to look into. I cannot trace him or family back any further than 1861, he does not appear to crop up in 1851. I believe a lot of Tysons originate from Wesmorland.....and have looked there, still nothing. Nevertheless, I will keep plugging away with your help Merci beaucoup Lin XX

To David in France......... Had a quick look on Familysearch David, I see what you mean about whats available.......there is a lot to look into, should give me plenty to do for the next week or so, appreciated very much. Lin XX

Also thanks to Ann about the advice on the death cert, as he did die here in England, I will get that.......don't know what it will tell me, but no harm in trying. Lin XX