Genealogy Chat

On my g uncles natrualization papers, he states his place of birth as Villenavia, France. I've googled it without much luck and wondered if anyone might have heard of it. The spelling could be wrong! But thats how it's written on the papers. He was born 1907, natrualized in 1952. Thanks Pat

Jane, Thanks for your reply. The only spelling I have is as written on the papers. That doesn't necessarily mean much though as my g grandad's birthplace is given as Monevideo (Uruguay) but his nationality is Brazillian! Makes it very confusing! Pat

Hi I don't know if this is any help but there is a place called Villneuve in France could you have the wrong spelling. regards jane

Sounds like you have quite a search on your hands -good luck Jane

There's a place called Villenave d'Ornon on the southern outskirts of Bordeaux and a Villenauxe near Nogent-sur-Seine. Otherwise, it would have to be Villeneuve of which there are several. Jack

Jack, Thanks for that. The one near Bordeax seems possible as the family would have recently travelled over from the US, and I know they sailed to the US from Bordeaux in 1885. I will look into that. All i need to do now is work out what church he was baptised in an obtain the records. Easy peasy! Pat

As France is a secular state, birth registrations are done at the mairie (town hall). This might help : Civil registers are the most important genealogical resource in France. Civil authorities began registering births, deaths, and marriages in France in 1792. Some communities were slow at putting this into motion, but soon after 1792 all individuals who lived in France are recorded. Because these records cover the entire population, are easily accessible and indexed, and cover people of all denominations, they are crucial to French genealogy research. Records of civil registration are held in registries in local town halls (mairie). Copies of these registries are deposited each year with the local magistrate's court and then, when they are 100 years old, are placed in the archives for the town's Department. Due to privacy regulations, only records over 100 years old may be consulted by the public. It is possible to obtain access to the more recent records, however, if you are able to prove, through the use of birth certificates, your direct descent from the person in question. Births were usually registered within two or three days of a child's birth, usually by the father. These records will typically provide the place, date and time of registration; the date and place of birth; the child's surname and forenames, the parents' names (with mother's maiden name), and the names, ages, and professions of two witnesses. If the mother was single, her parents were often listed as well. Depending upon the time period and locality, the records may also provide additional details such as the age of the parents, the father's occupation, the birthplace of the parents, and the relationship of the witnesses to the child (if any). The child may have been baptized if the family were practising Catholics. The churches in Villenave are the Eglise St-Delphin, the Eglise St-Martin and the Eglise Ste-Jeanne de Lestonnac. Jack

I have the address for a website which explains how to get copies of French records if you'd like it. Jack

I bet it doesn't describe how to find exactly where a relative was registered if all you have is born in france British subject??? No I thought not! One of my 100 foot high brick walls Ann Glos

So, Ann, you now want me to go into a cabine telephonique, come back out as Sainte Jacqueline and do you a miracle? Well, sorry but I'm a bit pressed for time tonight but maybe another day? LOL Jack

OK, well then, when you have a spare minute Lol!! No, I have been stuck with this one for several years now. My Gt grandfather, can't even trace his RM records, so he is a real B.....! Ann glos