7. Online Ships Lists & Emigration Records

Several historical events and colonization have lead French people to emigrate in America, in England, in the Netherlands, in Germany, in Switzerland, and all around the world.

Here is a list of websites where you can expect to find free online ships lists and emigration records.

The Refuge Huguenot Database – In 1685, king Louis XIV of France revokes the Edict of Nantes. The religious persecution intensifies and the protestants (those who have been called “Huguenots” for a century) flee the kingdom. 180,000 out of 800,000 left. http://refuge-huguenot.ish-lyon.cnrs.fr/

Fichier Origine – Database of French people who emigrated to New France. http://www.fichierorigine.com/

Library and Archives Canada, Exploration and Settlement – Library and Archives Canada holds vast resources related to exploration, immigration, naturalization and citizenship. Some of the types of resources available include immigrant diaries, Geological Survey of Canada records, fur trade records, Hudson’s Bay Company records, land grants, quarantine records, French and British colonial records, maps and artwork. http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/exploration-settlement/Pages/exploration-settlement.aspx

La Société des Filles du roi et soldats du Carignan – The purpose of La Société des Filles du roi et soldats du Carignan is to honor the memory of our courageous ancestors, the filles du roi (King’s Daughters) and the soldiers of the Carignan-Salières Regiment of 17th century New France. http://www.fillesduroi.org/

Gen Francesa – Collection of digitized archives held by the Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Passports and others records related to French people who emigrated to South America during the 19th century. http://www.genfrancesa.com/