How to find an English-speaking interpreter for a very short trip to France

I wouldn't make it to much of a whirlwind and I wouldn't be overly concerned with needing an interpreter. With a few simple pleasantries you can usually get by. I'd contact the hotels and ask if they can refer someone local. Visual aids like pictures of your relatives or where they lived could be useful to communicate with locals.

I disagree with Richard. If you were just passing through you could "get by" with a few words and gesture or two. But for what you want to do, you do need the interpreter to get at the detail you want. You could send a letter to the mayor of each town and ask for his/her assistance. Send it both in English and in French running it through one of the translation web site. You might look at some genealogical web sites for that area. They often have people that provide that kind of resource.

I would write the mayors' offices of the two villages--(I see Frank and I answered at the same time. I would get a Google translation cleaned up before sending it, however.) You might be surprised at what they might do for a "fils du pays". This is a term which roughly translates to "one of our own," which is how you'll be treated if they know about your interest and visit. Certainly there's someone in each village who speaks some English. Do you also want to check the war monument and cemetery for others with your last name? The local church records?

You need to write now because things slow down in July and August in town halls.

Please report back.

Have you asked the staff at the hotel where you are staying? They are presumably more local and might know of a person willing to help you out. Bar le Duc has 16,000 residents - not a small village in my book.

I cannot begin to adequately express my appreciation to all of you, for each one has given me some extremely helpful advice - and I plan to take action on your suggestions.

My ancestors lived, as far back as the 1500s, in Bettancourt-la-Longue. My great-great grandfather was born a short distance away, in Rancourt-sur-Ornain. From Rancourt, he journeyed with his wife and baby to New Orleans, where my grandfather and my mother were born. Although her parents communicated in French, my mother was orphaned at an early age - and the French she spoke to me when I was a child is incomprehensible to speakers of correct French today. When I use phrases common in my family or sing a fragment of an ancient song in French while I am at work, none of our fine French teachers comprehend a word I am uttering!

I did write to mayors of the two communes, some time ago. One sent me a beautiful reply -- obviously a wonderful person. The other did not respond. I have been very reluctant to bother the kind mayor with my travel problem, although that is undoubtedly what I ought to do.

Being interested in genealogy, I am thankful for the suggestion that I try contacting a genealogical society in that region. Such an interpreter, if I could find one, would be ideal.

It is extremely embarrassing, in view of my French ancestry, to be unable to speak French. Through a quirk of fate, I spent part of my youth living in Latin America, and I am fluent in Spanish. This enables me to read some French and figure it out, so I have had no difficulty in conducting genealogical research. Actually seeing and trying to photograph those tiny communes, however, is something altogether different. Communicating with folks in those rural communities would be impossible.

Quite frankly, I am hesitant about getting on the TGV for Bar le Duc, not speaking the language. In Paris, there would be no problem. My hotel is in Revigny-sur-Ornain, because it is so close to the two little communes where my ancestors lived. I assume there is a taxi in Bar le Duc to transport me to Revigny.

My two ancestral towns are situated right on the Champagne/Lorraine line. I have been trying to find an interpreter in Lorraine, but perhaps I should also try Champagne. My kingdom for an English teacher at a school in that area! Few schools there seem to have websites, however, and I would not know how to contact any of the instructors. I should have made this trip decades ago, when I was braver, more resilient, and probably more resourceful!

A million thanks to everyone. Your advice is appreciated more than I can tell you.

I really think that your hotel can help with this. Someone knows someone who has a niece or nephew who studied English at the university even if all the local English teachers are in vacation in August. Worst case, ask them to put a notice on a local community-center bulletin board, stating that an English-speaker is needed for genealogical research on the dates XX-YY August and asking interested parties to email you in English.

You might also look online for the local churches to see if they have websites. If so, information will be in French, of course. Run it through Google Translate to get the gist.

If any local church has an email address, or a form to fill out for some reason, write them and be sure to tell them about your ancestors and what you want to do. I'd write in both English and French.

I did this with the tiny (population about 180) English village of Postling in Kent. That led to a person from there who picked me up at the bus stop in a town nearby, took me for a drive to see where my ancestors' farm was, showed me around town and returned me to the bus stop to go back to Canterbury.

The process wasn't nearly so complicated as yours, except that Postling is so tiny that if I hadn't used the church's form intended for something else entirely, it would never have happened.

It's very different in France concerning the churches, unless this is a Protestant village, in which case a congregation may be active. The church buildings all belong to the government, in fact. That's why I suggested the town hall, which is at the center of the community nowadays. If he had one response from one mayor, he should follow that up. They will be delighted to meet him. I base this on our own personal experience going to my father-in-law's hamlet and neighboring village, as well as my own interaction over the decades in my in-law's village.

My sister and I went to a tiny town outside of Macon to research our family's history. We went to the Mairie (town hall), asked at the desk and were graciously allowed to access the archives in the attic, even though it was late on a Friday afternoon.

To find out anything about your ancestors, you must have precise names, dates, the towns in which they were married, and as much other information as possible. Poring over the beautiful calligraphy in the ledgers with the help of the elderly archivist was something we'll never forget.

Today, in the chilly Northeastern United States, I am reflecting on my first-ever visit - last summer - to the two tiny towns where my ancestors lived, on the border of Champagne and Lorraine. Because of my French ancestry, it embarrassed me terribly to be unable to converse in French, and so I desperately sought an interpreter who could help me do what I wanted to do. I tried in every way possible, but I was unsuccessful. Every bilingual guide or interpreter seemed to be occupied with other work in August. I had made the reservations, had failed to locate an interpreter, and - as fate would have it - was beginning to experience some unpleasant health issues. I consulted my physician, who declared me fit to travel and urged me to go through with the long-anticipated trip.

I had not been in France in 50 years, and had never seen my two tiny ancestral communes. However, I arrived in Paris via La Compagnie's comfortable flight, and from the airport took a taxi to the Gare de l'Est. Obviously, I have enough French at my command to get from one place to another. I waited a long while at the train station for the TGV to make the two-hour trip to Bar-le-Duc. The train ride was extremely pleasant and comfortable. Being of French descent, I felt quite at home with all the wonderful people I encountered along the way.

From Bar-le-Duc, another taxi transported me to the Maison Forte in Revigny, a splendid inn (commonly termed "bed and breakfast," though it is much more than that). I was treated royally. Because I had failed to find an interpreter, I'd reluctantly thrown myself on the mercy of my only French friend - the Mayor of my small ancestral village, Bettancourt-la-Longue. This gentleman, among the finest people I have known in my long journey through this life, arrived at the inn the next morning to pick me up. The language barrier was immediately dissolved and we became fast friends. He and his charming wife - who may be very distantly related to me - made my stay in France absolutely perfect. Further, the Mayor's grandson accompanied us - and this brilliant young man speaks better English than I do. Whenever I needed help, he was there.

I was beautifully treated in both ancestral villages - which are one mile apart. Bettancourt-la-Longue is in Champagne, and Rancourt-sur-Ornain is in Lorraine. A newspaper reporter did a long story about my visit. All the townsfolk came to greet me, and I truly felt at home. Several people remarked that I seemed thoroughly French to them, despite my lack of language. I became well acquainted with both towns, made videos to use at school, and was treated to the most delectable food I have enjoyed in decades.
The visit was perfect in every regard.

The innkeepers and their guests spoke English, and even the taxi drivers had a bit of English at their command. I, however, understood much of the French I heard - and was even vindicated when I used some Louisiana French expressions which are mocked by many of my French teacher friends.....but which are, apparently, perfectly correct!

My friends and all the other people encountered during the trip made me feel completely at home. My ancestors left for America in 1840, never returning to France. In a sense, I made the return visit for them in 2016. It was beyond wonderful. Many thanks to everyone who gave me such valuable advice prior to my voyage. I appreciate your kindness, and am pleased to report that my trip surpassed all my expectations.

Wow, it sounds like a trip that exceeded your wildest expectations! What a wonderful experience. You clearly won over the mayor, thus his personal involvement and assistance. Truly fantastic. Thank you for coming back and sharing your story.

Thank you for sharing the results of your extraordinary quest. It brought tears to my eyes.

So glad you decided to come back and tell us your story. This could be the best trip report ever. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. This is a good example of what most posters here will say, don't let language differences keep you from traveling in other countries, you can always find a way to communicate.

Thank you so much for your trip report! What a wonderful experience you had!!!! So glad that you were able to go and make these wonderful connections!!!

Thanks for the follow up and your trip sounded fantastic! Do you think the lack of a professional interpreter hindered or aided connecting with people?

I remember your original posting although I didn't have anything to add to the suggestions and encouragement that you received at the time.
Thank you for coming back and sharing your wonderful experience. Like Mona, I'm in tears ...
Do you think you will try to return to France? (I bet I'm not the only one who hopes that you do!)
SharYn

Thank you, all, for your extremely kind comments. My mother, who was orphaned at an early age, had a keen interest in learning about the family history - and my first attempts to dig into family research resulted from my desire to fulfill one of her lifelong goals. She never knew a grandparent, nor did she know their names. In the early 1970s, I discovered through simple research that my great-great grandfather was born in Rancourt-sur-Ornain, Meuse. Digging further, I learned that my ancestors had resided in Bettancourt-la-Longue, Marne, for several centuries. I had thought about those two communities for years - and had even dreamed on several occasions that I was trying to reach them, usually getting lost in the process. My trip last August came after decades of thinking about going.

My desire to see those ancestral villages was simply that: to personally walk where my ancestors had walked, and to see what they saw. Although my grandparents spoke in French within the family, my mother grew up with relatives who encouraged her to forget the ancestral tongue and to speak in English. As a consequence of this, my French is extremely limited. I had long feared that venturing off the beaten path and trying to see two rural villages would be nearly impossible, and that I would find few bilingual folks willing to assist. My fears intensified when I struggled to hire an interpreter this past summer, failing at every turn. I couldn't imagine trying to get to the Champagne/Lorraine border with virtually no French.

The simplicity of my mission helped enormously. It was not a research trip. I wanted to see the towns I had already researched for over 40 years. Because I am a teacher, and because I traditionally do a French-American presentation for the whole school during a "Diversity Day" celebration each year, I wanted to make a few videos of those two towns. I needed to get from Paris to Bar-le-Duc, then to Revigny, and finally to Rancourt-sur-Ornain and to Bettancourt-la-Longue. There being no automobile rentals in Bar-le-Duc, I needed someone to transport me to the places I wanted to see.

I'd previously corresponded with the Mayor of Bettancourt, and I hated to impose on him -- but I was desperate. I wrote and told him of my trip, and he took care of all the rest. A wonderful gentleman whom I now count among my dearest friends, the Mayor planned a Town Hall reception for me. The town is in Champagne - and, despite my severe hypertension and the medications I must take - I was toasted (with my physician's blessing) with my ancestral beverage, which was exquisite. A newspaper reporter came to do a story about the French-American senior citizen who became the first member of his family to return to France since 1840. I walked all over the beautiful little commune. The next day, I was transported to Rancourt-sur-Ornain, given a tour of the Town Hall, and taken to see the ancient Eglise Saint-Medard, built between the 12th and 15th centuries. This experience so moved me that, upon returning home, I bought a St. Medard medallion to wear.

The Mayor's lovely home became my headquarters in France, and I dined in the manner of royalty - bringing back traditional recipes to share with French students at school. I had no trouble communicating, and the Mayor's grandson - whose English is astonishingly fine - was there to assist. I now regard him as one of my own grandchildren, and he has corresponded with my students.

My expectations were surpassed. The little towns are beautiful, tranquil, and filled with wonderful people. Everyone I encountered was exceedingly friendly, warm, kind, compassionate, and intelligent. Even the weather was ideal! I would love to visit again - but, in the event this does not happen, I shall forever treasure the memory of my long-delayed visit to the towns where my forefathers lived, in the loveliest part of France I have yet seen. Thank you, everyone!

What a wonderful, full-circle experience! Case and point that the French go out of their way to make people feel at home. Thanks for sharing!

Thanks for the report. Good that it went well. My first time passing by Bar le Duc was in 1984 on the way to Metz....all interesting towns the closer you get to Metz.

It's fantastic that your quest turned out so well. It would seem that not having a pre-arranged translator actually worked in your favour. Hopefully there will be another opportunity to re-visit all the wonderful people that you met. Can I assume that French lessons might be in your future?

Very glad you decided to go, guyotsmith - Felicitations!

This is the coolest trip report ever. Thanks so much for sharing such s wonderful story.

You might want to copy it and repost in the Trip Reports section where more people may see it.

When someone posts on this forum that they have "heard" that the French are unfriendly and rude to Americans, they should be referred to this thread. Maybe then the myth will die.

I wish the RS website had a way to post "reactions" like Facebook does. I'd give your posts (and your bravery as well as your trip experience itself) a heart <3. Congratulations on an amazing experience and reminding us all that we should seize the opportunities, no matter how intimidating!