Founded in February 1978, the American-French Genealogical Society represents a passionate community of individuals dedicated to honoring and preserving French Canadian heritage in Woonsocket, RI. This 501(c)(3) non-profit organization emerged from a recognition that Franco-American culture and language were disappearing as descendants assimilated into broader American society. The society's mission centers on connecting people of French Canadian descent with their ancestors and the transformative historical events that shaped their families' journeys to America. Between 1871 and 1901, over 2 million French Canadians left their homeland, driven by taxation, debt, unemployment, and economic hardship in search of opportunity in the United States. Today, more than 10 million descendants of these immigrants carry Franco-American heritage, yet many lack connection to their cultural roots. The American-French Genealogical Society bridges this gap by providing members with tools, guidance, and community support to discover their family stories and preserve their rich cultural legacy. The organization embodies a commitment to intergenerational connection and cultural continuity, recognizing that genealogical research is fundamentally about understanding the resilience, sacrifice, and dreams of those who came before. Serving the Woonsocket area and Franco-American communities nationwide, the society remains a welcoming space for anyone seeking to reconnect with their French Canadian heritage and contribute to the preservation of this vital American cultural tradition.
Woonsocket, RI