Genealogy in Pas-de-Calais (62): We guide you through the archives
Genealogy cheat sheet - Easy to find your roots in Pas-de-Calais: civil records and online archives, deeds and registers, maps and books and more...
©️Wikimedia - Claude Villetaneuse
updated: January 9, 2025
Pas-de-Calais, a French department located in the Hauts-de-France region, is rich in a complex history and diverse cultural heritage. Created on March 4, 1790 during the French Revolution, it results from the merger of parts of Artois, Boulonnais, and Picardy and, at the time, the native language of the Pas-de-Calais people was Flemish.
The department is located next to the departments of Nord and the Somme and is bordered by the English Channel and the North Sea.
This territory has been the stage for many major historical events, including the Franco-Spanish conflicts of the 16th century, followed by its annexation to France under Louis XIV.
📜 Archives in Pas-de-Calais
Departmental archives of Pas-de-Calais
Visiting the Departmental archives of Pas-de-Calais:
📍1 rue du 19 mars 1962, 62000 Dainville
Contacting the Departmental archives of Pas-de-Calais:
📞 03 21 71 10 90
📧 Send an email
Online archives at the Departmental Archives of Pas-de-Calais
The website of the Departmental Archives of Pas-de-Calais allows you to search for “ the story of a person ” or for “ the story of a place ”.
The Departmental Archives offer methodological sheets to guide you in your research.
Use our quick links for your searches in the digitized archives:
Online records
Unusual records
🏏 Migrations in Pas-de-Calais
The Pas-de-Calais department (just like its neighbor, the Nord department) has experienced numerous and diverse waves of labor migration. It is primarily its industrial wealth that attracts the Pas-de-Calais department. Many foreigners from 29 different nationalities will play an important role in the development of local economic activity.
- Pre-industrial period: before the 19th century, Pas-de-Calais was mainly rural, with a stable population. Migrations were limited and often linked to economic or marital reasons, mainly between neighboring villages.
- Industrial Revolution (19th century): from the 19th century onwards, coal is recognized as the department's greatest wealth. Mines develop, as do railway lines, industrialization continues to grow. However, working conditions are often miserable. In 1906, the explosion – or the Courrières disaster (which killed more than 1000 miners) – will greatly mark the history of the department. At this time, the workforce is mainly Belgian or from rural exodus. Almost 1000 miners from Kabylie (north of Algeria will be recruited in addition to many Westphalian miners (Poland and Ukraine who will mainly settle in Barlin and in Méricourt or in other towns in the Nord department. These miners will be evacuated to the Massif Central at the start of the war. At the same time, some Asian immigrants (China, Indochina, and India) will join the ranks of foreign workers in the mines or factories.
- World Wars: during World War I, much of the department will be under German occupation and human and material losses will be very significant… In the best case scenario, populations will be evacuated. During the interwar period, everything needs to be rebuilt, the region is devastated. The need for labor immigration is important. A second wave of Polish workers will settle in Marles-les-mines, in Bruay and in Lapugnoy. Italians will also arrive in the Pas-de-Calais department to participate in its reconstruction. During World War II, populations will once again be evacuated, towards the South while the military occupy the department and control its industrial enterprises. At the end of the conflict, from 1945, the French State encourages immigration to reconstruct the country and support economic activity. A second wave of Italian migration (from Calabria where work is scarce and wages are very low) will arrive in the department.
- Contemporary period: in the 20th century, the main activities of Pas-de-Calais will concern textiles, mining, and steel. In 1946, the region's companies are nationalized to form the Nord-Pas-de-Calais Coal Mines and from the 1950s (until 1980), coal extraction will gradually come to an end. It is, however, in the 1960s that many Moroccans will come to work in the Mines, often recruited for short periods. Finally, the mid-1970s marks the end of the 30 Glorious Years but also the end of labor immigration.
For more information:
🏖️ Pas-de-Calais in pictures
The videos
Old images and postcards
Old maps of the department
📄 The history of Pas-de-Calais
On Gallica: the books, the press and the manuscripts to know everything about the department of Pas-de-Calais
🗺 Genealogy sites in Pas-de-Calais
Genealogy clubs and associations in Pas-de-Calais
Genealogy blogs in Pas-de-Calais
Useful links on Facebook
Happy researching !
📩🏻Your ancestors are waiting for you on Geneafinder, start or import your genealogical tree now
🌷Quick and free registration - learn more
