R E S E A R C H   G U I D A N C E

French
Genealogical Word List
   

Table of Contents
Language Characteristics
Additional Resources
Key Words
General Word List
     
Numbers
Dates And Time

GENERAL WORD LIST


This general word list includes words commonly seen in genealogical sources. Numbers, months, and days of the week are listed both here and in separate sections that follow this list. Words with the same spelling and meaning in English and French, such as confirmation or date, are not included in this list.

In this list, optional versions of French words or variable endings are given in parentheses. A few phrases are listed under the key word, not necessarily the first word. Words in parentheses in the English column clarify the definition. Feminine or masculine meanings of French words are indicated by (f.) or (m.).


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A


à at, to, in
a has
abjurations renunciations of Protestant faith
absolution absolution, last rites
accoucher give birth
accoucheuse midwife
à cet endroit in this place
acheter to buy
acte de baptême baptismal record
acte de décès death record
acte de naissance birth certificate, record
acte de sépulture burial record
adjoint du maire mayor’s assistant
adopté(e) adopted
adultère adulterer
affiché posted (on door)
afficher les bans post banns
âgé(e) aged
ai (ay) I have
aïeul grandfather
aïeule grandmother
aîné (l’aîné) the older, senior
ainsi que as well as
à jour current
Algerie Algeria
alité bedridden
Allemand(e) German
alliance marriage
Alsacien(ne) Alsatian
ami(e) friend
an (année) year
anabaptiste Mennonite
anglais(e) English
anniversaire anniversary
annuaire directory
annuel annual, yearly
août August
apparu appeared
appelé(e) named
apprenti apprentice
approuvé approved
après after
après-midi afternoon
arbre généalogique family tree, pedigree
archives archive
Archives du Royaume state archives (Belgium)
Archives Nationales state archives (France)
a reçu has received
armoiries coat of arms
arpent acre
arpenteur surveyor
arpète errand boy, apprentice
arrière great (as in great-grandparents)
arrondissement district (administrative division of a French département)
attaque seizure
au at the, in the
aubergiste innkeeper
aucun(e) no, none
au dessus over
aujourd’hui today
au même endroit at the same place
auparavant former
aussi also, as, since
autant as much
autorisation permission
autour around
autre other
avant former, before
avant-hier the day before yesterday
avec with
avocat attorney
avoir to have
avons (we) have
avril April
ayant having

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