RESEARCHING YOUR FRENCH-CANADIAN ANCESTORS
As with any genealogical research the basic fundamentals of researching must be followed in pursuing your French-Canadian
ancestors. If you are a beginner read Val Greenwood’s Researcher’s Guide to American Genealogy to learn the fundamentals,
terminology and basic references common to all researchers. Once you have gotten your ancestry traced back to Canada or Quebec.
read French-Canadian Genealogical Research by John DuLong, The Canadian Genealogical Handbook by Eric Jonasson, Tracing Your
Canadian Room by Angus Baxter, Searching in French-Canadian Records by Anita & John Coderre, Finding Your French-Canadian
Ancestors by Louise St-Dents and French & French-Canadian Research by J. Konrad. These will point you in the direction(s) you
need to do French-Canadian research.
A major reference source is the ‘Lolselle Marriage Index by Antonin Loiselle. This is a master index of approximately 70% of the
marriages in the Catholic parishes of Quebec and some surrounding areas. It is cross Indexed by both bride and groom. This Is
available in Michigan at the Burton Collection, Detroit Public Library, Detroit; and at the Family History Center (L.D.S. Stake) in
East Lansing & Traverse City; the set Is also available at the Allen Co. Public Library, Ft. Wayne, IN as well as a supplement.
Those with early Michigan French-Canadian ancestry will want to consult Genealogy of the French Families of the Detroit River
Region 1701-1933 by Fr. C. Denissen, as well as Michigan History Magazine and the Michigan Pioneer & Historical Collection..
Historical data on the immigrant French-Canadian ancestor to Quebec can be obtained from reading the series edited by Tom LaForest
tilled Our French-Canadian Ancestors Another excellent book containing a history of early Quebec and its social life as well as
mentioning many of our immigrant ancestors is The White and the Gold by Thomas Costain.
The Society’s library collection at present is housed in the Mt. Clemens Public Library in Mt. Clemens.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
FRENCH-CANADIAN HERITAGE SOCIETY OF MICHIGAN
Frenchtown Chapter
C/O Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library
5201 Woodward Ave., Detroit, M[ 48202
Application for Membership
Membership fee: $20 per year. For Canadian resident membership, $25 U.S.
Type of membership: Individual ____ Couple_____
Family____ Institution ____
NAME:______________________________________________________________________________________
Last
First
Maiden, if married
SPOUSE: _________________________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS:___________________________________________________________________________________
Number & Street
Apt No.
__________________________________________________________(_______)________________________
City
State/Prov.
Zip + 4
Telephone
email:
webpage:__________________________________________
Skills and experience:
Would you please list on the back any skill which you would be willing to share with our organization, such as typing, cataloging,
filing, writing, speaking, editing, artistic ability, language (French or patois), researching, legal advice, etc. (List on back.)
Genealogical research:
Members with genealogical interests may submit a list of French-Canadian surnames (please limit to 5)
that you are currently researching. Anyone wishing to send additional information, such as family group sheets or
pedigree/lineage charts, is encouraged to do so. (List surnames on back.)