The latest video from How We Got Here Genealogy tackles a fascinating quirk of French-Canadian genealogy: dit names. If you’re tracing your roots in Quebec or other areas with French-Canadian heritage, understanding these additional names is crucial to accurately navigating historical records.
The video explains that dit names are secondary names added to surnames, a common practice in French-Canadian families [00:11]. The French word “dit” translates to “called” or “also known as” [00:38], and these names served a vital purpose: distinguishing between families with the same surname. Imagine a small village with multiple families named “Tremblay” – a dit name helped clarify which branch you were looking for [00:47].
These dit names weren’t random; they often reflected a family’s trade, a physical characteristic, or their place of origin [00:54]. Think of it like a nickname that eventually became part of the family’s identity. The video highlights that dit names could be used in various ways: instead of the original surname, combined with it, or even reversed [01:39]. This variability can be a challenge for researchers, but the video offers valuable advice.
To find the correct version of a dit name, the video recommends consulting family history books and online databases [01:52]. It also specifically mentions the work of Quebec genealogist Dr. Rene Jet as a helpful resource [01:58]. Understanding dit names is essential for accurate and thorough research into your French-Canadian family history.