Genealogy in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques (64): Complete Guide

Genealogy antics - We share the useful links to find your ancestors in the Pyrénées -Atlantiques: archives, history, association sites ...

Genealogy in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques (64): Complete Guide

©️Wikimedia - Claude Villetaneuse

Update:: February 25, 2025


The department of Pyrénées-Atlantiques, located in the New Aquitaine region in the southwest of France, was created in 1790. First called Basses-Pyrénées, it took its current name in 1969.


This territory of more than 7,600 km2 consists of Béarn, three Basque provinces (Labourd, Basse-Navarre and Soule)))), as well as the Gascon and Bidache land. It is bordering on the departments of Moors, of Gers and Hautes-Pyrénées. The department shares a border with Spain, to the south, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean - forming the famous Basque Coast.


The history of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques is rich and complex, marked by the coexistence of two strong identities:: the Béarn and the Basque Country. 


The cultural, linguistic and historical diversity of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques makes it an exciting research field for genealogists. For all useful purposes, keep these dictionaries to navigate the archives::

  • Larousse:: Dictionnaire français > espagnol
  • Nola Erraan:: Dictionnaire électronique français > basque


📜  Les archives des Pyrénées-Atlantiques


The Departmental Archives of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques


Go to the Departmental Archives::

📍  Boulevard Tourasse, 64000 Pau


Contact the Departmental Archives::

📞  05 59 84 97 60

📧  contact@cg64.fr


Consult the Departmental Archives website::

🖥️ Link to the AD website


Consult the digitized funds in search of your ancestors:: 



Online acts



Unusual acts


🧳 Migration in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques


  • 16th-18th centuries :: Bigourdans cross the Pyrenean chain to go to Spain, generally temporarily.


  • 18th century :: Rural Bigourdans and Haut-Pyrenees leave towards Bordeaux, the first stage of an exodus to the islands of Santo Domingo, Martinique or Guadeloupe.


  • 19th century :: has The rest of the agricultural crisis of 1847, of the closure of several mines, unemployment and poverty prompted the inhabitants of the department to go to new lands. ENtre 1832 and 1913, it is estimated that at least 25,000 people leave the Hautes-Pyrénées department for America (Argentina, Uruguay, Louisiana)))) and North Africa (Algeria)))).
    De 1856 à 1913, environ 15 000 personnes originaires de Soule, de Basse-Navarre, of Béarn et de Navarre émigrent vers l'Argentine. This emigration tradition is also partly linked to the mode of heritage transmission, The right of birth, very widespread in the region.


  • End of the 19th - early 20th century :: The Pyrénées-Atlantiques (then Basses-Pyrénées)))) rank at the forefront of the French departments for the number of emigrants to America.
    Between 1857 and 1864, more than 200,000 Basques settled in the Argentina pampas.


  • 1937-1939 :: The Spanish War caused the departure of several waves of Spanish republican refugees to France, crossing the Pyrenees. The city ofHendaye (and the SNCF station)))), the national 10 and the Pyrenees border are important witnesses to this immigration. In the 1930s, a refugee camp was open to Gurs. He will then be, during the war, transformed into an internment camp for foreigners, the Jews, the German resistance fighters and prisoners.


  • 1936-1945 :: A mainly political wave of emigration takes place following the Spanish civil war and the Second World War.


  • Years 1950-1970 :: Basque emigration to Argentina is starting to decrease. Important Portuguese immigration develops in the region. The Department of Pyrénées-Atlantiques becomes a reception land for many Portuguese fleeing the dictatorship of Salazar.


To find out more ::



🎞️ Les Pyrénées-Atlantiques in pictures


Videos


Les images et cartes postales anciennes

Les cartes anciennes du department



📖 The history of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques


Sur Gallica :: les books, there press and manuscript pour tout savoir sur le department des Vosges



🖥️ Genealogy sites in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques


Les cercles et associations de généalogie dans les Pyrénées-Atlantiques ou alentours


Genealogy blogs that speak of Pyrénées-Atlantiques

Accounts to follow on social networks



Good research!  


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