Author Topic: France - French Immigrants to UK during French Revolution  (Read 994 times)

Offline dearman

  • RootsChat Extra
  • **
  • Posts: 20
  • Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
    • View Profile
France - French Immigrants to UK during French Revolution
« on: Wednesday 17 April 13 20:54 BST (UK) »
Hi,

According to a family story some of my ancestors emigrated to England during the French Revolution. Does anyone know what records are available in France - departure records for example.
I have no idea where to start really so any help would be much appreciated.
Many thanks

Offline aghadowey

  • RootsChat Honorary
  • RootsChat Marquessate
  • *******
  • Posts: 52,660
    • View Profile
Re: France - French Immigrants to UK during French Revolution
« Reply #1 on: Wednesday 17 April 13 22:01 BST (UK) »
I suspect there will not be records for those who left France at that time. One of my ancestors left France in a wine cask for England and his wife was smuggled out of Paris and then joined him in England.
Away sorting out DNA matches... I may be gone for some time many years!

Offline dearman

  • RootsChat Extra
  • **
  • Posts: 20
  • Census information Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
    • View Profile
Re: France - French Immigrants to UK during French Revolution
« Reply #2 on: Thursday 18 April 13 00:03 BST (UK) »
Wow! I wish we had a story like that!

Offline aghadowey

  • RootsChat Honorary
  • RootsChat Marquessate
  • *******
  • Posts: 52,660
    • View Profile
Re: France - French Immigrants to UK during French Revolution
« Reply #3 on: Thursday 18 April 13 00:11 BST (UK) »
There's lots more to the story- he was in the Royal Guard and she was a lady-in-waiting at the French court. Her escape, after failing to receive message from husband to flee with him, involved trading places with an identical twin sister and leaving their child behind with the sister. Luckily the story was well documented.
Away sorting out DNA matches... I may be gone for some time many years!