Civil records: a favourite source for genealogists
It was established by decree of the legislative assembly, the National Convention, on 20 September 1792. Our country was under French occupation following the retreat of the Prussians after their defeat at Valmy.
This agreement stipulates that the parish registers are to be closed and inventoried within a week. They are deposited in the common houses where they will be kept.
Records were no longer drawn up by the clergy (after the Concordat, the clergy continued to keep their own registers, but they had no legal value) but by the commune's civil registrar, usually the mayor (today's burgomaster) or one of his deputies. All the inhabitants (citizens) of a commune, regardless of their religion, are registered.
The 3 major acts in a man's life are: birth, marriage and death.
NB. By the law of 13 fructitor year IV ( 30 august 1798 ) weddings are celebrated in the county town and only decadis.
The celebration of marriages in the communes was re-established on 7 thermidor year VIII ( 26 july 1800 ).
* It is possible to obtain a deed via our association
Sources :
Léon Roy, Genealogy manual, Genealogy workshop of the Cercle d'histoire de Rixensart, 2000, p 85.
Tony Neulat, marital statusVotre généalogie n°34, pp 40-41.
Photographic Document : GéniWal asbl © all rights reserved
