Did your ancestors live through a historical event? Discover it thanks to genealogy

Did your ancestors live through the Revolution or WWI? Discover our methods to trace their history.

Many French people wonder if their ancestors witnessed major historical events: revolutions, wars, epidemics, migrations…

Thanks to genealogy, it is now possible to uncover these periods that changed the lives of our ancestors. But where to start? What are the reliable tools to discover the journey of your ancestors through major historical dates?

How to find out if your ancestors lived through a historical event?

Defining the period and event

Before any research, it's essential to locate your ancestor in time and space:

• Identify your ancestor's birth, marriage, and death dates using parish records and civil records.

• Place these dates in the context of major periods and events in French history: the 1789 Revolution, wars of the 19th and 20th centuries, epidemics, and major population movements.

Collect and analyze family memories

• First, collect family memories: anecdotes, legends, old photos or documents can provide valuable clues.

• Draw a « chronological timeline »: place the major events experienced by your ancestors on a timeline to better understand their story.

• Cross-reference sources and verify each piece of information: the methodology recommends not limiting yourself to one source and questioning their reliability

Where to look for traces of the past?

Civil registers and archives

Parish and civil registers are the first source to consult: they not only establish lineage but also precisely locate your ancestors during a key event.

Censuses can indicate where your family lived during certain events (wars, natural disasters).

Departmental archives are full of additional documents: notary acts, judgments, military records, refugee lists, etc.

Old newspapers and local news

The old press allows you to find testimonies, news stories, or even mention of your ancestor in connection with a local or national event.

Online databases

Specialized sites like Geneafinder make it easier to search multiple databases: enter a name and access dozens of reliable historical and genealogical databases (Geneanet, FamilySearch, Filae, etc.). The function “Name search” on Geneafinder allows you to cross-reference genealogy and historical events much faster.

Discovering that an ancestor survived World War I, participated in the French Revolution, or was a victim of an exodus is always moving. Thanks to genealogical expertise and modern tools, everyone can now rewrite the family story.

Want to uncover the mysteries of your history? Join Geneafinder now, create your free family tree, and start meeting your ancestors!