Statistics and censuses, precious tools for genealogy

Statistically speaking, statistics are also useful in genelaogy!

We may not be aware of this, but statistics have an important part in genealogy and can be very useful, for example to establish comparisons with France today. These statistics are mainly carried out by INSEE, the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies.

Census, a precious tool

The population census was set up in 1836 and has a lot of information: name, profession, birthplace, situation in the family ... 

If you do not have the birthplace of your ancestor, you will find this information there and will be able to seek his birth certificate thanks to this. This also allows you to know the size of the home, as well as its living conditions. In terms of pure statistics, the census figures highlight migrations between departments or regions linked to the economic attractiveness of these according to the times. If you have lost track of one of your ancestors, maybe it would be wise to use these statistics. 

In addition, statistics linked to living standards, the size of households, etc. make it possible to compare the situation of its ancestors to that of the French homes of that time. A good way to see beyond names and other dates of birth and death to really get to know your ancestors! 

The patronymic statistics, not to be overlooked

INSEE also has another statistics, the patronymic file. This study makes it possible to know the number and distribution of surnames and first names in France. This is not trivial when you know that the surnames reflect the history of men (see our article N as a last name ! ) as well as the importance and management of migration. The result of these different statistics on the surnames highlights the richness and diversity of France, whether thanks to different regional languages ​​or thanks to the many generations of migrants. Thanks to these statistics, it is possible to draw up a Family names, where we can see in which region their presence is the strongest. As part of a genealogical research, this can be very interesting and allow you to explore new family tracks. In addition, for a person with a name of foreign origin, these statistics can highlight a period of appearance of their name on French territory, and direct them in their research. 

This is why, even if the statistics can appear quite abstract in genealogy, and of less importance, they can however highlight data in particular on the living conditions at a specific time which make it possible to better understand the France of our ancestors.