Genealogy in Calvados: Find your ancestors online

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Genealogy in Calvados: Find your ancestors online

©️Wikimedia - Claude Shoshany

Update: September 2, 2024



Located in the Normandy region, in the northwest of France, the Calvados department is a territory rich in history. Le department du Calvados est créé à la Révolution Française en 1790. Il se compose d’une partie de l’ancienne province de Normandie. Bordé par la Sleeve au nord et à l'ouest, le Calvados est entouré par les departments de la Seine-Maritime, of theEure, of theOrnae and Sleeve. 


Its capital, Caen, is a historic city that played a crucial role in the history of France, especially during the Second War. 


Calvados is famous for its Normandy landing beaches. Emblematic sites like Omaha Beach, Utah Beach and the Pointe du Hoc attract thousands of visitors from around the world each year.


📜 Calvados archives 


Calvados departmental archives


Go to the Calvados departmental archives:

📍 61 rue de Lion-sur-Mer, 14000 Caen


Contact the Calvados Departmental Archives:

📞  02 31 47 18 50

📧  Contact archives



Browse the Calvados online archives, looking for your ancestors:



Online acts




Unusual acts




🧳 Migration in Calvados


Migration to and from the Calvados department and the Normandy region have been influenced by various historical, economic and social factors. 


  • Middle Ages : In the 9th and 10th centuries, the Vikings, from Scandinavia, invaded and colonized the Normandy region. Their chief, Rollon, obtained the territory of Normandy in 911 by the Treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte, marking the beginning of the Dukes of the Dukes of Normandy.


  • Modern time : In the 17th and 18th centuries, many Normans, including residents of Calvados, emigrated to the French colonies in North America, notably in New France (current Canada) and Louisiana. These migrations were often motivated by economic and religious reasons. 


  • 19th century : avec l'industrialisation, de nombreux habitants du Calvados and Normandie ont migré vers les grandes villes françaises, comme Paris, en quête de meilleures opportunités économiques.

    A la fin du 19th century, une nouvelle vague de migration vers les Etats-Unis et le Canada a eu lieu, souvent motivée par des crises agricoles et des opportunités économiques outre-Atlantique.


  • 20th century : The two world wars have led to massive population trips. During the Second World War, Calvados was the scene of the Normandy landing, which led to significant population movements, including evacuations and resettlements.

    After the Second World War, reconstruction and industrialization attracted workers to Calvados and Normandy. In addition, the region has also experienced internal migration with residents of rural areas moving to urban centers. 


To find out more:



🎞️ Calvados in pictures


Videos 



Les images et cartes postales anciennes



Les cartes anciennes du department


  • Des villages de Cassini aux communes d’aujourd’hui : le department du Calvados
  • On Old Maps Online: old cards of department
  • Sur Gallica : les cartes anciennes du Calvados



📖 The history of Calvados



On Gallica: the books, there press and manuscript pour tout savoir sur le department du Calvados



💬 The 50 most worn surnames in Calvados


Top 10 surnames in Calvados: 

  • MARRIED
  • Jeanne
  • Martin
  • Duval
  • Lefevre
  • Leroy
  • Anne
  • Hebert
  • Lelievre
  • Guerin


les 40 autres noms de famille les plus populaires dans le department (d'après le INSEE file): 

  • Catherine
  • Maridor
  • Michel
  • Delaunay
  • Letellier
  • Huet
  • Langlois
  • Morel
  • Durand
  • Lefrancois
  • Hue
  • Lemonnier
  • Gautier
  • Legrand
  • Morin
  • Bisson
  • SIMON
  • Dupont
  • Hamel
  • Madelaine
  • JEANS
  • Lecture
  • Lemarchand
  • Gosselin
  • FOUNTAIN
  • James
  • Leclerc
  • Richard
  • Francise
  • Auvray
  • Thomas
  • Roger
  • Dubois
  • Aubert
  • Laurent
  • David
  • Denis
  • Leroux
  • Lecoq
  • Lemoine



🖥️ Genealogy sites in Calvados

Les cercles et associations de généalogie dans le Calvados ou alentours



Genealogy blogs that talk about Calvados



Accounts to follow on social networks



Good research! 



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