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Association Généalogists Familiaux,
I? avenue Treilhard, F-19100 BRIVE, France.
Fondation Européenne de Généalogie, d'Héraldique, et d'Histoire Locale,
I avenue Jean Moulin, F-75014 PARIS. France.
In both cases there is no guarantee that the contact will be bilingual,
These are lar too lew to ensure prompt replies and this is the reason why.
about three years ago. a non-profit-making association was lormed as a kind of
sorting station for inquiries lrom English-speaking genealogists living outside
France or for French genealogists requiring research in Great Britain. This as-
sociation:
The French Research Organisation for Genealogical Services,
37 rue La Quintinie, F-75015 PARIS, France
has provided rnembers with advice on English-French genealogy. sold lists ol
French archives, socieiies or useful books and tried to arrange scarches when
possible. Unlortunately, as already mentioned, bilingual helpers are few and
unless new assistance is lound this association will probably cease to exist.
There are also many amateur genealogical societies in France, regional, de-
partmenlal or by affinity. The oldest society is nation-wide:
Centre d3Entraide Généalogique de France,
69, rue du Cardinal Lemoine. F-75005, PARIS, France
To obtain a list of amateur societies or the address of one in a particular re-
gion it is also possible to contact the French Federation which groups at least
hall of ihe amateur societies and knows ol the others:
Fédération des Sociétés Françaises de Généalogie, d'Héraldique et de
Sigillographie, B.P.63, F-75261 PARIS Cedex 06.
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Most ol these eenealoeical societies nroduce newsletters and sssist members.
A lrw aciepi inquiriri i'r<~m non-mrrnher. and rhr \rition i>n rdmil) Iiirtor)
\liiirtic~ in the Diri%rorr uill prohdhl) hclp rcdder. to mdke J choiic
Of rhe many letters received over the last twenty years since the writer be-
came invoved in French genealogy. the favorite anecdote is that concerning a
letter received several years ago lrom the United States. It was very short, well
written and to the point:
'Dear Madam.
How much would you charge to find my French grandmother'! 1 do no1 undersiand
French. Payment will be in French francs throueh the bank.
YDU~S lnily:
10s. Smith.
Alter a few moments of hilarity, and resisting the temptation ol making the
obvious reply 'When and where did you lose her?'. a reply was sent to ask for
more details. Mr. Smith will probably not mind his letter being quoted as his
grandmother's family was located - she had died - and he found an uncle.
auni and cousins with whom he has since spent a holiday.
- Margaret AUDlN

This ir an updarr of an article published by Herilage Qur.~l Issue 4 MarchIApril
1986 ( Herilage Quesi. Drawer 40, Orting, WA 98360-0040 USA).