I have the birth handwritten records from the 1820's in Coutances, Normandie, France, for my 2 x's g

LegacyUser

This is the translated document:

" Caroline Elisa Chaplin "The year 1820 on September 28 at noon In front of us Louis Joseph Aimable Herbert retired battalion commander knight of the royal order of the legion of honor, addition being the officer of the civil status of the city of Coutances Bydelegation of the Mayor Knight of the Royal Order of the Legion of Honor appeared Mr. Jean Chaplin 33-year-old English gentleman born in the city of London capital of the Kingdom of England domiciled there momentarily in Coutances rue du Pilory who introduced us to a female child born yesterday at 5:30 in the evening of declaring him and Dame Olympe Adèle Moisy his 29-year-old wife born in the city of Le Havre living with him and he declared to give the child the first name of Caroline Elisa. The said statement and presentation made in the presence of Messrs. Richard Brownsmith lieutenant from england 26 years old and Josué Falle 65 year old English gentleman both also in this city"

What I want to know is are the witnesses to these types of records usually family/friends or just people that happen to be there at the time?

I have 2 possible 3 x's gr grandfather "John Chaplin (or Jean as listed here). I am trying to figure out which one of the 2 I have could be the right one. There is a connection to the "Richard Brownsmith listed here. I know it's confusing!

matthieucrouet

Bonjour Patricia, les témoins dans les actes de naissances sont des personnes habitants à côté, donc généralement des voisins, parfois la famille dans quand celle-ci cohabite ou habite dans le même village. Cela dit, s'agissant de personnalités de haut rang, on retrouve plus souvent d'autres personnalités de haut rang en tant que témoin, simplement par le fait qu'ils se côtoyaient fréquemment.

Paul-Marc HEUDRE

Bonjour @Patriciachaplin2 Patriciachaplin2​ 

There is no rule in the holding of the French Civil Status to define the status of witnesses, how many even they were often family members.

In such a situation, what I try to do is compare the signatures (when they exist).

Best regards - Paul-Marc

LegacyUser

Merci Matthieu pour ta réponse.

LegacyUser

Thank you Paul-Marc for replying.