New search features on Genealogy Quebec

By
Institut Drouin
Published on
09/17/2026
New search features on Genealogy Quebec

More precision. More flexibility. More ways to explore your family history!

Search by mention, choose your collections, and tailor your search to each person. These new advanced search options give you more control as you follow your leads and find the records that matter to you.

Try the new features

Another name, another lead

A name that keeps appearing in your research could open new doors. With search by mention, use it to refine your search, even if you do not know how that person was connected to your ancestor.

Looking for records about Joseph Tremblay that also mention Marie Gagnon? Enter Joseph as the target individual and add Marie using Mention. The search engine will take her presence into account to suggest relevant results, regardless of her role in the document.

You can also use Mention on its own, without a target individual, to search for a person across the 65 million records available on Genealogy Quebec, whatever their role.

Joseph Tremblay as the target individual and Marie Gagnon added using Mention.
Search for another person alongside your ancestor, regardless of their role in the document.

A search that fits each name

One name you know well, another with an uncertain spelling: the information you have is not always equally precise for everyone.

You can now choose an exact, similar, or extended search for each individual added to your search.

For example, if you know your ancestor’s name but are unsure how their mother’s name was spelled, combine an exact search for your ancestor with an extended search for their mother. Explore more name variations where you need them, while keeping your most reliable criteria precise.

Your collections, your choice

Looking for a marriage record? Want to explore a particular source? Choose where to look before you even run your search.

All collections and document types are included by default. In just a few clicks, narrow your selection to focus on what interests you.

Selection of marriage collections.
Explore every collection or focus your search on a selection of records.

Original documents in the spotlight

Checking a name, deciphering a note, spotting a detail missing from the transcription: nothing replaces seeing the original document.

You asked us to make original documents easier to find, and we listened. When results are similarly relevant, those accompanied by an original document now take priority.

Want to go a step further? The “Only show results with an image” option limits your search to results accompanied by an image. It is a simple way to find sources you can examine for yourself.

Only show results with an image checkbox selected.
Show only results accompanied by an image.

Ready to revisit a lead?

An elusive ancestor, an uncertain spelling, two names that might be connected… Now is the perfect time to return to your research and see where these new options take you!

Try advanced search

Need a hand? Find explanations and examples in our search engine user guide.

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About

Institut Drouin

Founded in 1899 by Joseph Drouin, the Drouin Genealogical Institute preserves and digitizes Quebec’s genealogical records. Its team publishes Genealogy Quebec news and practical guides here.

Specialty
Editorial team
On the blog since
2016