Genealogy in Allier (03): Archives, ancestors and history
Genealogy cheat sheet - We guide you in your genealogical research with archives, records, postcards, books, and much more...
Updated: May 29, 2024
The Allier department is located in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. It is bordered by the departments of Cher, Nièvre, Saône-et-Loire, Loire, Puy-de-Dôme, and Creuse.
It was created in 1790, during the French Revolution. It consists of a large part of the former province of Bourbonnais and the northern part of Lower Auvergne. The department takes its name from the river that runs through it.
In the Middle Ages, Allier was an important part of the Duchy of Bourbonnais, which was created in the 10th century.
During the French Revolution, Allier was the site of several important events, including the Battle of Montluçon in 1793. The region was also affected by the Reign of Terror, with many executions.
The region is rich in historical and cultural sites, such as the Château de Bourbon-l’Archambault, the Cathedral of Moulins, and the Resistance Museum in Montluçon.
📄 Archives in Allier
The Departmental Archives of Allier: Resources for Your Genealogy Research
Visit the Departmental Archives of Allier:
📍 rue Aristide Briand, Parc de Bellevue, 03400 Yzeure
Contact the Departmental Archives of Allier:
📞 04 70 20 01 40
📧 Send an email
Online Archives of the AD of Allier
Browse the digitized archives available online to search for your ancestors:
Online Records
Unusual Records
🗺️ Migrations in Allier: trace the journey of your ancestors
- Prehistory and Antiquity: excavations have revealed evidence of human groups in the region since the Paleolithic era. Celtic tribes, such as the Eduens and the Arvernes, inhabited the region during Antiquity.
- Middle Ages: at this time, the region of Allier saw significant migrations, particularly during the barbarian invasions. The Burgundians, Visigoths, and Franks all crossed the region, leaving traces of their presence. In the 9th century, the Vikings sailed up the Loire and attacked the region, which led to population displacements.
A partir du Xe siècle, la région de l'Allier est devenue une partie importante du duché de Bourbonnais. Les seigneurs locaux ont encouragé la migration de paysans et d'artisans pour développer l'économie de la région. Des colons flamands et wallons ont également été invités à s'installer dans la région pour améliorer la production de tissus.
- Modern Period: in the 17th century, Swiss settlers were invited to settle in the region to help with dairy production. In the 18th century, the region experienced significant industrialization, particularly in the cities of Montluçon and Vichy.
- Contemporary Period: The department of Allier is one of the French departments with the least demographic and migratory changes between the 19th and 20th centuries. In 1831, the population of Allier represented 0.92% of the total French population thanks to improved living conditions and industrial development. However, in the 20th century, Allier experienced a significant decline and became the only department where the population decreased during the interwar period, due to rural exodus and World War I.
During World War II, the region was occupied by the Germans and was the site of several important events, notably the creation of the Vichy regime in 1940.
Immigration in the department of Allier is late, and particularly in Montluçon. The city ultimately has a recent and rich migratory history. Spaniards, Poles, Italians, and Algerian repatriates arrived in Montluçon and worked in industry, many at Dunlop. Many later arrived from Turkey and Portugal and remain present in the city of Allier.
The village of Noyant-d'Allier saw the arrival of Polish and Ukrainian workers to work in the village's mine. Additionally, at the end of the Indochina War (1954), many locals were repatriated to France, to Noyant-d'Allier.
Learn more:
🏠 The Allier Department, in images
Videos
Old Images and Postcards
Old Maps of the Department
- From Cassini's villages to today's communes: the department of the Allier
- On Old Maps Online: the old maps of the department
- On Gallica: the old maps of the Allier
📄 History of the Allier department
On Gallica: the books, the press and the manuscripts to learn everything about the Allier department
🏠 The 50 Most Common Surnames in Allier
Top 10 Surnames in Allier:
- MARTIN
- LAURENT
- GIRAUD
- BERNARD
- BRUN
- THOMAS
- MOREAU
- FOURNIER
- MEUNIER
- BONNET
The other 40 most popular surnames in the department (according to the INSEE File) :
- VINCENT
- GUILLAUMIN
- PETIT
- AUCLAIR
- THEVENET
- DUMONT
- MICHEL
- FAURE
- FRADIN
- PERRIN
- ROCHE
- DURAND
- ROUX
- DUMAS
- BERTHON
- NICOLAS
- BERGER
- PERROT
- GUILLOT
- BLANCHET
- ANDRE
- ROY
- MERCIER
- FAVIER
- RAY
- ROBIN
- TOURRET
- CHEVALIER
- MICHARD
- ROBERT
- BESSON
- THEVENIN
- DUBOIS
- JACQUET
- RAYNAUD
- COGNET
- GAY
- GIRARD
- LACROIX
- DEVAUX
🖫 Genealogy sites in Allier
Genealogy circles and associations in Allier and surrounding areas
Genealogy blogs talking about Allier
Social media accounts to follow
Happy researching !
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