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Genealogy Cheat Sheet - Find numerous free resources to trace your genealogical tree and discover your ancestors in Charente-Maritime (17)
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Updated: October 3, 2024
The Charente-Maritime, a coastal department located in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, is a territory rich in millennia of maritime and terrestrial history.
Created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790, the Charente-Maritime department is located in the northwest part of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region and takes its name from the river and its coastline. Note that this department was more commonly known as Charente-Inférieure until 1941.
It is bordered by the departments of Vendée, Deux-Sèvres, of the Charente, of the Dordogne and of the Gironde.
From a genealogical perspective, Charente-Maritime has several specific features:
Visit the Departmental Archives of Charente-Maritime:
📍 85 boulevard de la république, 17076 La Rochelle
Contact the Departmental Archives of Charente-Maritime:
📞 05 46 31 70 00
Find your ancestors in the digitized records of the department:
Antiquity and Middle Ages: Celtic and then Roman populations settle in the territory. In the 5th century, Franks and Visigoths arrive in Charente-Maritime. It will not be until the 9th and 10th centuries that Viking raids cause coastal population displacements.
16th-17th centuries: The development of Protestantism attracts populations from neighboring regions. But with the revocation of the Edict of Nantes (1685), Huguenots emigrate to England and the Netherlands. At this time, the first migrants leave for New France (current Quebec).
18th century: Emigration to New France continues and becomes particularly important from La Rochelle. The arsenal of Rochefort develops.
19th century: Industrialization explains a significant rural exodus to the coastal cities of the department (La Rochelle, Rochefort, and Royan). Immigrants from various backgrounds arrive in La Rochelle due to its contacts with the colonies, America, the North Sea, and thanks to trade. They are Italian, Austrian, Spanish, and Polish, among others.
20th century: During World War I, refugees arrive from northern France. The department also sees the development of temporary immigration linked to seaside tourism. The affluent classes of France and Europe visit Royan, Châtelaillon, or La Rochelle.
During World War II, German presence is significant in La Rochelle and Royan.
For more information:
On Gallica: the books, the press and the manuscripts to learn everything about the department of Charente-Maritime
Top 10 surnames in Charente-Maritime:
The other 40 most popular surnames in the department (according to the INSEE File) :
Happy researching!
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