Unfamiliar words in French records can throw even the most savvy genealogist off track, so study this list of terms you’ll frequently encounter in your research.
Numbers
French |
English |
un |
one |
deux |
two |
trois |
three |
quatre |
four |
cinq |
five |
six |
six |
sept |
seven |
huit |
eight |
neuf |
nine |
dix |
ten |
onze |
eleven |
douze |
twelve |
treize |
thirteen |
quatorze |
fourteen |
quinze |
fifteen |
seize |
sixteen |
dix-sept |
seventeen |
dix-huit |
eighteen |
dix-neuf |
nineteen |
vingt |
twenty |
trente |
thirty |
quarante |
forty |
quinze |
fifty |
soixante |
sixty |
soixante-dix |
seventy |
quatre-vingts |
eighty |
quatre-vingt-dix |
ninety |
cent |
one hundred |
Dates
French |
English |
année |
year |
mois |
month |
jour |
day |
janvier |
January |
fevrier |
February |
mars |
March |
avril |
April |
mai |
May |
juin |
June |
juillet |
July |
août |
August |
septembre |
September |
octobre |
October |
novembre |
November |
décembre |
December |
Relationships
French |
English |
arrière grandpère |
great-grandfather |
arrière grandmère |
great-grandmother |
cadet |
youngest son |
épouse |
wife |
épousee |
bride |
époux |
husband |
famille |
family |
fille |
daughter |
fils |
son |
frère |
brother |
grandmère |
grandmother |
grandpère |
grandfather |
héritiers |
heirs |
l’aine |
eldest son |
mère |
mother |
oncle |
uncle |
orphelin |
orphan |
père |
father |
soeur |
sister |
tante |
aunt |
veuf |
widower |
veuve |
widow |