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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: Bonny jean on Tuesday 22 March 11 01:35 GMT (UK)

Title: Can't read French birth lines.
Post by: Bonny jean on Tuesday 22 March 11 01:35 GMT (UK)
Can someone out there please tell me what this says, I have waited years to get this and now I don't know what it says.  ??? :'(

(http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k104/Bonny_012/Restored%20photos/LEROY.jpg)
Title: Re: Can't read French birth lines.
Post by: pkincaid on Tuesday 22 March 11 02:29 GMT (UK)
It's a birth declaration for Joseph Etienne, son of Joseph Leroy (age 33) and Marie Rose Masselet (age 32), his wife, born on 16 December (1860) at 11 o'clock at night at home.
Title: Re: Can't read French birth lines.
Post by: Manchester Rambler on Tuesday 22 March 11 07:02 GMT (UK)
A fairly literal translation:

12 am, 17 December 1860.

In the presence of Pierre Paulin BINABEN, registrar.

Joseph LEROY, sailor, aged 33, residing on this island, presented a male child born at his home yesterday 16 December at 11 pm to himself and his wife Rose MASSET, aged 32, declaring that he gave him the forenames Joseph Etienne.

The aforementioned presentation and declaration were made in the presence of Messrs Victor MESSANOT, carpenter, aged 33, and Jean HEGUY, office assistant, aged 40, both residants of this island.

The informant and the witnesses signed this certificate together with the registrar, after it had been read to them.

Signatures follow - certified copy - Chief Registrar


Rambler
Title: Re: Can't read French birth lines.
Post by: Billyblue on Tuesday 22 March 11 09:16 GMT (UK)
12 midi is 12 midday not 12 at night

Dawn M
Title: Re: Can't read French birth lines.
Post by: Manchester Rambler on Tuesday 22 March 11 11:44 GMT (UK)
I mean 12.00, not 00.00 or 24.00 -  ;)
Title: Re: Can't read French birth lines.
Post by: Redroger on Tuesday 22 March 11 17:50 GMT (UK)
When not working I refer to 12.00 as 12 Noon.
Title: Re: Can't read French birth lines.
Post by: Manchester Rambler on Tuesday 22 March 11 18:39 GMT (UK)
I'm mildly surprised to find a "fonctionnaire" still working at midday instead of heading off for a leisurely lunch - midnight really would be a shock!  ;D
Title: Re: Can't read French birth lines.
Post by: inss03 on Tuesday 22 March 11 23:57 GMT (UK)
Is this a Channel Islands birth certificate? 
Title: Re: Can't read French birth lines.
Post by: Redroger on Wednesday 23 March 11 13:38 GMT (UK)
I believe from the words "Etat civile" that it has to be mainland France rather than the Channel Islands. I would expect a certificate from the C.I to include the Royal coat of Arms etc.
Title: Re: Can't read French birth lines.
Post by: RunKitty on Wednesday 23 March 11 17:02 GMT (UK)
Hi,

The certificate refers to the "city of Saint-Pierre" and says that the declarant is a sailor domiciled on "this island".  Would it be possible that it is referring to Saint-Pierre on the islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon (off the coast of Newfoundland, but belonging to France) ??? 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Pierre_and_Miquelon

This was my first thought when I read the French certificate. 
Title: Re: Can't read French birth lines.
Post by: Bonny jean on Wednesday 23 March 11 22:53 GMT (UK)
Hi,

The certificate refers to the "city of Saint-Pierre" and says that the declarant is a sailer domiciled on "this island".  Would it be possible that it is referring to Saint-Pierre on the islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon (off the coast of Newfounland, but belonging to France) ??? 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Pierre_and_Miquelon

This was my first thought when I read the French certificate. 

Yes thats right  ;) Thank you all very much. x
Title: Re: Can't read French birth lines.
Post by: Redroger on Thursday 24 March 11 13:29 GMT (UK)
It does sound likely, for judicial purposes France I believe classifies its colonies as being departements of the mainland, which is why amongst other things they are represented in the French national Assembly and are part of the EU.