Quebec Search Strategies

To begin research in records from the province of Québec, use these records in the following order:

Church Records Vital Records Genealogy Census Notarial Records Land and Property

If you are unable to locate families in indexes to church records and vital records, try indexes described in the “Land and Property” section of this outline. The “Records Selection Table” in the Canada Research Outline (34545) can also help you decide which records to search, especially for research in records created after the year 1800.

When requesting information by mail from societies, professional researchers, or Catholic parishes in Québec, you are more likely to be successful if your letter is brief and very specific. See the French Letter-Writing Guide (34059) for suggestions on writing to French-speaking people in Québec. Many people in Québec read and write English. Enclose a self -ddressed, stamped envelope when writing to someone within your own nation. When you write to people in other nations, enclose at least three international reply coupons (available from large post offices).