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Have you ever wanted to go beyond civil records to discover more about your ancestors? Notarial archives are an excellent source of information for genealogists.
Before you start, know that notarial acts have always been and still are drafted in two copies. The original copy, the “minute” is kept by the notary (and their successors) for at least 75 years before being deposited at the departmental archives. As for the second copy, “the expedition”, it is given to the client. Only acts passed in brevet consist of a single copy left with the client.
As mentioned earlier, notaries are required to deposit the originals (minutes) at the Departmental Archives 75 years after their drafting. Acts less than 75 years old are not accessible, except by permission from a judge of the territorial court. Note that the acts are deposited at the AD of the department where the notary practiced.
Some directories of old notarial acts have been digitized and are available for consultation on the websites of the departmental archives. If you need to visit the AD in person, know that these acts are stored in series 3 E and classified by study.
To find the notary of the time in the commune of your ancestors, first search in Registration, in sub-series 3Q to find an act after 1790 - or search in Control of acts in sub-series 2C for an act before 1790.
Once you know the notary's name, you can systematically review the acts related to your ancestors or refer to the Registration to save time.
The cities of Paris and Saint-Omer are exceptions. For a search of notarial acts in Paris, you will need to consult the National Archives. And for a search in Saint-Omer, you will need to go directly to the municipality, not the AD of Pas-de-Calais.
As with many other documents of genealogical interest, you may be able to find copies, the “expeditions,” of notarial acts concerning your ancestors. Ask your most meticulous relatives about the preservation of family documents and don't hesitate to examine marriage records, which often mention the marriage contract and the notary since the 1800s.
The marriage contract to confirm the spouses' lineage and discover their wealth.
The will to find the list of the deceased person's descendants and their fortune.
The post-mortem inventory to assess the totality of the deceased person's assets and other useful references (in their papers) as well as their debts and claims.
Leases and sale acts to discover a transfer of property. To be searched in the Insination register or at the mortgage office.
The act of notoriety to confirm the origin or the “good morality” of the person according to local witnesses.
The partitions to find the list of each heir's share after a death.
Receipts to delve into a person's various commercial transactions.
Pregnancy declaration (series B), by unmarried or widowed pregnant women - to know the identity of future mothers, presumed fathers, and their life information.
The respectful act or notification to parents, by future spouses, of their intention to marry - in addition to collecting their consent if they were minors.
Because all your ancestors are concerned by notarial archives. Regardless of their profession and wealth, most have had to sign a marriage contract or a will.
Although notary work dates back to the 13th century, it was not until the Edict of Villers-Coterêts of 1539 that acts were required to be written in French and kept in registers. In 1791, the Le Chapelier law dissolved notary companies and abolished royal, apostolic, and lordly notaries. Public notaries were established at the same time. It was then the law of 25 Ventôse of the year X that instituted the “notary code,” still in place today.
For more information, consult the various tutorials of the departmental archives of Tarn-et-Garonne, of Indre-et-Loire, or of Deux-Sèvres and Vienne.
Happy researching!