Genealogy Chat

Link to French site which brings up all the possible St Laurents in France http://www.quid.fr/communes.html?mode=query&req=saint++laurent

Keith Have mailed you the document. I checked out geneanet and there are lots of other researchers looking for this particular name. Also geneanet gives the geographic distribution of French surnames over the past 100 years (the 'carte des noms'). You can see the geographic distribution in terms of department for free but have to pay for more detailed information. As Annie says, there is a very high concentration in 'Les Landes' and also in 'Les Alpes Maritimes. I would think St Laurent is the place name (St standing for 'Saint' and 'de' for 'of/from). There must be lots of them in France - one just down the road from here and amounts to about 3 houses. If you need any help drafting any letters then I can help you with that . Again mail me directly. Carole

I was thinking the St Laurent was after his grandad Laurent Laussucq.

Hiya It does mean something. Some French people used an alias. I don't know why - someone might be able to shed some light on the subject. There is someone in my tree who was born Marcel Pic and his alias was Marcel Pic de Rosset. What we need to think about was - is the St Laurent a place or a family name. There is a St Laurent in Quebec but I don't know if there is one in France

Hippolytes father was Laurent Laussucq. I also found a Pierre Laussucq who got married in England and from his marriage certificate I found that his father was also Laurent Laussucq. Too much of a coincidence I think. Also my grandad changed his name from Arnold Laussucq to Arnold Laussucq De St Laurent but I'm not sure if that means anything.

I never tried the Archives nationales. I suspect they are still filed in regions but Carole's document might be of help. Does the marriage certificate give a father's name? The only place I have seen this name in France is in Landes which is Department no 40 and is in South West France. If you were to look at Geneanet there might be some people researching the name who you could contact. If we can establish an area then you could post a note on relevant the French research board in French but explaining that you have had someone translate it. I would think someone other than me would be more able to draft something fluent... looks at Carole hopefully!

Archives Nationales (60 rue des Francs-Bourgeois, 75151 Paris-Cedex 03) The Archives Nationales holds civil registration documents which concern all French départements I also have a document from the Anglo French society with more details about French research; Too voluminous to post here; Mail me off-site if you would like a copy. Carole

I believe (though I haven't 'tested it') that all bmd's over 100 years old are either at the archives départamentales of where the event took place (not much help in your case) but they are also centralised in Paris, which could make it easier to locate him . Maybe Annie has some info on this. Carole

Hi Carole Because I don't speak french I don't know where I am meant to be looking. My ggrandad was called Hippolyte Vincent Laussucq. He married my ggrandma in 1904 in Darlington but he is not in the 1901 census. My mother said he was from France but I don't know where I am looking. Can you help. Keith.

How about you tell us what you know already - I've done some French research but you really need to know what area they were from. You can order census details of an area from the Mormon Research centres for a small sum, also church records.

Hi Keith What sort of help do you need? I know a little about French research (with emphais on the 'little' as I haven't got round to sorting out my husband's family yet) so let me know if I can be of any assistance - I can speak French if that's of any help. If so, please mail me direct. Carole

Hi, can anybody help me find my french ancestors. I cannot speak french and haven't got a clue where to look because all the websites are in french. Has anyone got any tips for me. Keith.