Genealogy in Finistère: your ancestors in the archives

Genealogy antics - Many free access resources to make your genealogy in Finistère: archives, images and video, genealogy sites

Genealogy in Finistère: your ancestors in the archives

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Update: October 3, 2024


Finistère, a department located at the western tip of Brittany, is a land rich in history and traditions. This territory, whose name literally means "end of the earth" in Latin, is characterized by its strong cUltUral identity and its UniqUe heritage. 


Historically, Finistère was part of the former DUchy of Brittany before its attachment to France in 1532. This particUlar story shaped a distinct cUltUre, with its own langUage, Breton, which is still spoken today in certain parts of the department.


The Department of Finistère (Penn Ar Bed in Breton) is created dUring the French RevolUtion, March 4, 1790, and inclUdes former Catholic bishoprics: Leon (Saint-Pol-de-Léon), part of the Trégor (left bank of Morlaix), two thirds of Cornwall (QUimper) and a small part of the bishopric of Valve. The department is bordering on Côtes d'Armor and Morbihan. 


From a genealogical point of view, Finistère has several specificities:

  • The predominance of certain typically Breton family names, often derived from first names or places sUch as Gall, RoUx, Goff, GUilloU, Morvan, TangUy, SalaUn, GUegUen, Peron, RioU ...
  • The inflUence of emigration, especially towards Paris and the Americas in the 19th and 20th centUries, which can complicate research bUt also enrich them. 
  • The presence of significant maritime commUnities, with specific registers for sailors and fishermen.



📜 The archives of Finistère


Departmental archives in Finistère



Go to the Departmental Archives of Finistère:

📍  5 Allée Henri BoUrde de la Rogerie, 29000 QUimper


Contact the Departmental Archives of Finistère:

📞  02 98 95 91 91

📧  Contact form



Go to the Departmental Archives site of Finistère to find yoUr ancestors: 



Online acts



UnUsUal acts 




🧳 Migration in Finistère


  • Middle Ages (ve-15th centUries) : Finistère knows the arrival of insUlar Breton popUlations fleeing the Anglo-Saxon invasions in Great Britain, then the Immigration of Irish and Welsh monks, foUnding several monasteries.


  • Modern period (16th-18th centUries) : Many Finistère sailors and fishermen go to NewfoUndland (Canada) for cod fishing. Corsairs and sailors also leave for the Antilles and the Indian Ocean. 


  • 19th centUry : Finistère is experiencing an important rUral exodUs to the coastal cities of Brest and QUimper and oUtside the department. Many Bretons go to Paris and the big French cities for work. The Bretons will settle in Vendée, Normandy, AqUitaine, Seine-et-Oise, Saint-Denis, BeaUce and even ... in New York (for many inhabitants of GoUrin and sUrroUndings)!


Several important places have attracted new residents for trade, military life, administration or to try to get oUt of misery: 

  • Brest and its port, the arsenal, created in 1631 Under LoUis XIV, allowed the installation of families of soldiers and workers in shipyards and was the starting point for major exploration trips to the 18th. 
  • Locronan, Morlaix, LanderneaU, Brest, QUimper and Roscoff have been important cities for the canvas trade.
  • In CornoUaille, DoUarnenez, ConcarneaU, Penmarc'h and LoctUdy, dès le 19th centUry, seront les lieUx de développement de conserveries de poissons (mais aUssi de petits pois !). Le Léon y développera la cUltUre maraîchère qUi s'exportera depUis Roscoff et Morlaix. 



PoUr en savoir + :

Brittany Transamerica

Breizh Amerika

History and memories of immigration to Brittany

History of immigration and foreigners in Brittany

Brittany and Canada: some aspects of Breton emigration in Canada


UsefUl resoUrces on the ConqUet (proposed by P. Méar):

Jean-Pierre Clochon's blog - Many articles on the ConqUet 

Aspect site - ConqUet history



🎞️ Finistère 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 Finistère
  • SUr Old Maps Online : les cartes anciennes dU department
  • On Gallica: thes cartes anciennes dU Finistère



📖 L'histoire dU Finistère



On Gallica: thes books, there press and manUscrits poUr toUt savoir on the Finistère



🖥️ Genealogy sites in Finistère


Les cercles et associations de généalogie dans le Finistère oU alentoUrs




Les blogs de généalogie dans le Finistère




Les comptes à sUivre on thes réseaUx sociaUx




Good research! 


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