GEN-FR-L Archives

From: Gilles Dubrule <>
Subject: F/C sources
Date: Tue, 4 Jul 1995 19:44:18 -0700

Tom Lamora asked:
>Could someone explain the differences in the F/C references Drouin,
>Jette, and Tanquay. Is one known to be a more accurate definitive
>work? On the other end, is one known to contain numerous errors?
>Are there other similar works available, and what are their attributes?

Tanguay should be used only as a last resort.....and EVEN THEN...as
a clue-to-be-verified.
I repeat : Everything in Tanguay *should* be verified...either in that
parish's printed repertory OR, if this is not available, in the LDS
microfilm of that parish.
Tanguay's work dates from the 1880's....and contains THOUSANDS of errors.
Notwithstanding what I have just said...the Tanguay remains a valuable
reference work ( if used with appropriate caution).

Later came Drouin....
Drouin has less errors than Tanguay....but still many , many errors.

Then came Loiselle.. with less errors than Tanguay or Drouin...but still
not perfect.

Then came the PRDH (Programme de recherche en demographie historique)
and its offshoot the "Dictionnaire Jette'".
Here, we are fast approaching perfection....both of these can be considered
about 99% accurate.
As for the other 1%....when errors are found...the corrections are
(often...not always) posted in the articles of the Memoires of the Societe'
Genealogique Canadienne-Francaise ( normally abbreviated M.S.G.C.F.).

The Jette' data ends at Dec.31 1730
The (published) PRDH ends Dec.31 1765 ==> ( 47 volumes publ. so far )
In the near future, the PRDH will publish the period 1765 to 1800; ---
and eventually, the period 1800-1851.
* * *

Both the BIG Drouin and the Loiselle end in the late 1800's and the
early 1900's....BUT.... neither covered ALL the parishes and missions....
so just because a marriage cannot be found in either...doesn't mean
it doesn't exist.

So, Tom, as you can see, the Tanguay is the oldest reference work.
Cyprien Tanguay was the father of Quebec genealogy....and laid the
groundwork. Those that followed in his footsteps (hundreds of
historians, archivists, and genealogists...among which were the
DrouinS and Loiselle) tried to improve on Tanguay's original work and
correct the errors they found in it.
All this research produced hundreds of publications.
So many, in fact, that by the 60's and 70's ...it became obvious that
somebody would have to start over from scratch. That "somebody" turned
out to be the P.R.D.H.
Rene' Jette' produced a synopsis of the data from the P.R.D.H. database,
and arranged it in easy-to-use alphabetical order...which you know as
the "Dictionnaire Jette'" .
It contains only a small part of the info that is contained in the PRDH
and covers from the `beginning' to Dec-31-1730.

These (above) are the best known..and most widely used.
>Are there other similar works available, and what are their attributes?
There are many, many more databases and indexes...
but not necessarily available in New England (where you live).
Some, like "Le Parchemin", which is a database of notarial contracts,
seem to be available ONLY in the Province of Quebec.

Others seem to be available in many places in Canada and the United
States...but are apparently not used very often.
For example:
"Les Registres de la Gaspesie", published by the S.G.C.F., aren't used
often enough.....when a marriage can't be found in either the BIG Drouin
or the Loiselle. Data ends circa 1849.
The RAPQ (Rapport de l'Archiviste de la Province de Quebec) contain a
gold mine of information....but these seem to be neglected as well.
Another "accurate definitive" work....widely available....is the DBC
( Dictionary of Canadian Biography ).

I hope this will clear up some of the confusion.

regards,
Gilles Dubrule
email:

--
| InterNet:
| Standard disclaimer: The views of this user are strictly their own.

This thread:

• F/C sources by Gilles Dubrule <>