Nominative census lists are, after vital records, the most valuable resource for genealogical research in France: they reveal the household composition, age, occupation, and place of birth of each household member.
Regular censuses go back to 1836 in France, with a five-year frequency — although some interruptions due to conflicts and local particularities (especially in Paris).
Many departmental archives and specialized websites like FamilySearch or Geneanet now provide access to images or partial indexes, with free online consultation for documents over 75 years old.
Why Are Census Records Essential for Genealogy?
Census records list people "household by household." They provide information that vital records do not always (occupation, household composition, place of birth when the birth record is missing, internal migration). For this reason, they help to:
confirm the presence of a family at a specific address on a given date
siblings, spouses, and children assumed
guide research to the correct commune or department to find a missing record
What Information Is on the Nominative Lists?
Common Information in Census Records
First and last name(s), age or date of birth (varies by era).
parental relationship or position in the household (e.g., head of household, spouse, son).
Occupation/activity.
Place of birth (from certain censuses, varies by year).
Address/commune and sometimes the house or street number.
The Franco-Prussian War of 1870 delayed the 1871 census, which took place in 1872.
Due to the World Wars, the censuses of 1916 and 1941 were canceled.
For Paris, no regular nominative lists before 1926, except rare exceptions (1926, 1931, 1936, 1946).
Restricted access: only lists over 75 years old can be freely consulted online, pursuant to data protection legislation (except in reading rooms).
Censuses are not always indexed, which complicates name searches in cities, and the lists are classified by streets, then by houses/families, not in alphabetical order.
Where to Find Census Records Online and at Departmental Archives?
The vast majority of departmental archives preserve and digitize these lists (series 6M, sometimes 10M). The years covered vary by department, but the period 1836–1946 is most frequently available online.
The Guide to Finding Your Ancestors in Census Records
Determine the department and then the commune of search. Consult the available censuses from 1836 to 1946 by five-year intervals according to local archives.
Browse the pages looking for the names of your ancestors. If you know their address at the time, you will save time in your research.
Note and compare the household information: first names, ages, occupations, places of birth.
Compare one census to another to track family developments: marriages, births, deaths, changes of residence or occupation.
Supplement your information with data from vital records (birth, marriage, and death certificates).
Tips and Pitfalls to Avoid for Your Research in Nominative Lists
Be mindful of multiple spellings of names/first names, as they could vary from one enumerator to another.
Women could be listed under their maiden name or their married name.
Consider rounded or approximate ages: ±2 years is not rare.
Use occupation or place of birth as reliable secondary clues, especially to distinguish between individuals with the same name.
Missing censuses: if a year is missing, compensate with the previous and following lists, or consult other sources (population registers, electoral lists…).
If a working-age child is no longer in the family household, they may have moved to live with an employer, in the same commune or a neighboring one.
In Summary:
Where to Find French Census Records Online?
On the websites of Departmental Archives (departmental site) and on online genealogy sites FamilySearch, Geneanet, Filae. Check the period covered by each source.
When Did Nominative Lists Begin?
Systematic lists by commune began in 1836; the frequency is (in principle) five-yearly, but disruptions exist (wars, local choices).
What Information About My Ancestors Can I Find in Census Records?
Household composition – in detail and by year: first and last name, age or date of birth; parental relationship or position in the household, occupation/activity, place of birth, address.
Why Can’t I Find My Ancestors in Paris Before 1926?
Paris has special rules: nominative lists are rare before 1926; individual sheet censuses exist but do not always provide a public nominative list. Consult the Archives of Paris directly.
Census records are a cornerstone of genealogical research: they supplement vital records, place your ancestors in their household, and provide powerful clues (occupation, place of birth, migrations). First, search in the departmental archives of the relevant commune, check the indexes (FamilySearch), and compare censuses to build a solid timeline.
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