My 2018 French ChallengeAZ in 100 Words: E for Exact

When looking for French Canadians in US censuses, the last thing you should expect is to find them under the exact original surname spelling. If a couple had several children in Québec before leaving for Vermont, you might proceed by using the wildcard feature or one of the children’s first name. Picking more uncommon names, such as Calixte or Olivier, instead of Joseph or Marie—and, of course, their alternative spelling—might indeed help you track down the family and discover where they had settled in the States. Checking out the parish repertoires might also prove timely during your quest.


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