Celebrate Bastille Day with Free Access to French Records on MyHeritage!
Bonjour to all our fellow history enthusiasts and genealogy explorers! In honor of Bastille Day, we’re offering free access to all French records on MyHeritage from July 12–16, 2023. This massive treasure trove of French records includes 1,304,623,272 records spanning 117 unique collections. Imagine the fascinating connections and discoveries you might make about your family’s French history by exploring these records for free!
Start exploring French records now
As we all know, French influence reaches far and wide. From Canada to the Caribbean, Vietnam to parts of Africa, the tendrils of France’s historical legacy are intertwined with the stories of nations across the globe. You don’t have to hail from France to find something unexpected or intriguing in these records. This is an opportunity for MyHeritage users worldwide to uncover potential French heritage and delve into the rich and varied tapestry of French history.
51,252,583 of these French records were added to MyHeritage just over the past year! So, if you’ve searched our French records before, it might be time to revisit these historical record collections and uncover new leads in your genealogy research.
Don’t yet have a MyHeritage account? No problem! We’ll ask you to register for free, so you can take full advantage of this offer and begin your journey into the past.
Here are a few interesting examples found within our French records:
In the 1906 France Census, we see the entry for the esteemed poet and art critic Guillaume Apollinaire. In this census, he appears under the name Guillaume Kostrowitzky. Born Wilhelm Albert Włodzimierz Apolinary de Kostrowitzky, Apollinaire adopted his more well-known moniker later in life.
Born in Rome to a Polish mother and an unknown father, Apollinaire eventually made his way to Paris in his early twenties. There, he became a central figure in the avant-garde art scene, rubbing shoulders with legendary artists like Pablo Picasso, Henri Rousseau, and Marcel Duchamp. His influence was broad and lasting, with his contributions to literature spanning various genres. This 1906 census record gives us a glimpse into Apollinaire’s early life in Paris, when he lived at 202 Boulevard Saint-Germain — in the heart of the city’s bustling artistic and intellectual hub.
Another fascinating find within these French records is the military conscription entry for none other than General Charles de Gaulle, found in the France, Military Conscripts of Seine collection.
Charles de Gaulle, as we know, was a towering figure in French history. A military leader who led Free France during the Second World War, de Gaulle later served as President of France from 1959 to 1969. He is recognized for his staunch and passionate advocacy for French sovereignty, independence, and global influence.
In this particular record, we see Charles de Gaulle as a young man entering the military, a pivotal period that shaped the path of his life and, indeed, the course of France’s history. The record provides not only de Gaulle’s personal details but also gives a peek into his early life, which otherwise remains unseen in history books.
Last but not least, we located Frédéric Chopin’s final resting place in the France, Daily Burial Registers of Parisian Cemeteries collection on MyHeritage. The renowned Polish composer and pianist, spent a large part of his life in Paris. He passed away in the city in 1849, and his grave can be found in the famous Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, France.
The record provides details about Chopin’s burial, offering a tangible connection to this legendary figure whose music continues to inspire and touch hearts across the globe.
These examples illustrate how rich and diverse our French records are, offering a glimpse into the lives of individuals, their triumphs, tribulations, and everyday realities.
Whether you’re looking to unravel the mysteries of your roots or hunting for that elusive French ancestor who’s been hiding in your family tree, our French records can be the key that unlocks your past. Remember, this offer is available from July 12–16, 2023. Make sure to seize this opportunity today and delve into your French heritage.
