MyHeritage Releases Two French Historical Record Collections: Nord Civil Births and Deaths

We are pleased to announce the publication of two important collections from the French department of Nord: Nord Civil Births, 1820–1915 and Nord Civil Deaths, 1820–1935. The collections together comprise 13.7 million historical records and feature a detailed searchable index that is only available on MyHeritage.

The French Republic began collecting civil vital records in 1792, the very same year the new republic was declared. In August 2019, we released the France, Nord Civil Marriages, 1792–1937, a collection of 5.4 million marriage records. Our two latest collections, Nord Civil Births, 1820–1915 and Nord Civil Deaths, 1820–1935 complete our set of vital record collections from Nord during this period in French history, and together comprise 19.1 million records. If you have family from the department of Nord, the most populous department in France, these collections are sure to provide you with a wealth of information on your French ancestors.

Here are more details about each of the new Nord collections.

France, Nord Civil Births, 1820–1915

This collection of 6.7 million records consists of civil births in Nord from 1820 to 1915. While other sites may have similar data listing the name of the child and the event date, the MyHeritage collection uniquely includes the birthplace, as well as the names of both parents, including the mother’s maiden surname.

Births were usually recorded by the child’s father a few days after the child’s birth. If the father was absent, a relative or friend typically registered the birth in place of the father. Marginal notes may be found if a correction was made for an illegitimate child. If a child died at birth, you might only find them in the death registers instead of in the birth registers.

Search France, Nord Civil Births, 1820–1915

France, Nord Civil Deaths, 1820–1935

This collection of 6.9 million records consists of civil deaths from the French department of Nord from 1820 to 1935. Like Nord Civil Births, 1820–1915, the MyHeritage index for Nord Civil Deaths, 1820–1935 features additional details not found in other indexes. In addition to the name of the deceased and the date of death, the collection includes the birth date, birthplace, and the names of the parents and the spouse when applicable. 

Deaths were usually recorded within a day or two of the passing in the same town or city where the person died. Typically, these records will have two secondary individuals mentioned, with at least one of them being a close relative of the descendant.

The collection also includes records of untimely deaths such as stillborns and the deaths of soldiers, though these records should be read with some caution. Because the records were subject to the details the informant provided, which was sometimes a few years after the death event, these records can contain some misinformation.

Search France, Nord Civil Deaths, 1820–1935

Summary

The new Nord Civil Births, 1820–1915 and France, Nord Civil Deaths, 1820–1935 alongside the previously published Nord Civil Marriages, 1792–1937 provide new avenues of information for those seeking to learn about their French heritage. The Nord collections on MyHeritage are the best you will find on any website.

Searching the Nord collections on MyHeritage is completely free. If you have a family tree on MyHeritage, our Record Matching technology will notify you automatically if records from these collections match your relatives. To view these records or to save records to your family tree, you’ll need a Data or Complete plan.