Cadastre

Napoleonic plan, section states and matrices (series 3 P)

The cadastre is the spatial backbone: the plan shows each parcel's shape and number, while the section state and matrices give its nature, area, owner and successive mutations.

The three documents

The plan — each parcel drawn, by section and number (the basis for georeferencing).
The state of sections (état de section) — per parcel: place-name, nature (built / unbuilt), area and contributory income.
The matrices — per owner: the parcels they hold and the entries/exits (mutations) over time.

Step by step in GénéFoncier

Create the sources first. Create a Source for the plan sheet and one for the matrix folio — you will link them when creating parcels and events.
Identify and create each owner. Read off the owner name, quality and domicile from the matrix; create each as an Individu.
Tip: if an owner already exists in the application, find them by name — no need to create a duplicate.
Trace it in GénéAtlas. On the georeferenced historical plan, find the parcel by section and number and create the master parcel — link the plan Source.
Follow the matrix mutations. Each matrix entry becomes a dated Parcel Event on the Master, with its owner (Individu, step 2) and matrix Source (step 1) already linked.

Mind the period and edition (e.g. the 1807–1850 'Napoleonic' cadastre vs. the renewed cadastre) and the built/unbuilt matrices, which were kept separately.

Color key: Source Main individual Master parcel Parcel Event clause variable — clause présente dans certains actes seulement

Cadastral Documents

Cadastral register (matrice)

Napoleonic matrix listing each parcel by section/number with owner name and area.

SourceOwnerMasterCadastre parcel

Napoleonic cadastral map

19th-century cadastral plan showing parcel outlines; basis for GeoJSON and GénéAtlas.

SourceMap / GénéAtlasCadastre GeoJSON

Matrice cadastrale — Commune de Saint-Germain-les-Belles, Section A, 1829

N° 147 — Propriétaire : MARTIN Pierre, cultivateur, demeurant audit lieu, lieu-dit Les Grandes Terres. Nature : Terre labourable. Lieu-dit : Les Grandes Terres. Contenance : 2 journaux 30 perches. Revenu : 8 fr. 50. Case mutations : rayé le 12 mai 1847 → FAURE Jean-Louis (acte RICHARD, not^re, 12 mai 1847).

N° 148 — Propriétaire : DUPONT Jean. Nature : Pré. Lieu-dit : Les Vergnes. Contenance : 1 journal. Revenu : 3 fr. Remarque : « biens d'Église, rétrocédé à l'an IX ».

AD87 — 3P 2 Saint-Germain-les-Belles

1. Source Create → Type = Matrice cadastrale, Title = 'Section A Saint-Germain-les-Belles', Date ≈ 1829, Cote = AD87 3P 2.
2. Individu Create each owner → MARTIN Pierre (cultivateur, Domicile = Les Grandes Terres), DUPONT Jean, etc.
3. Master Find or create Parcelle Master → Name = « Les Grandes Terres », Commune = Saint-Germain-les-Belles, Lieu-dit = Les Grandes Terres.
4. Cadastre Parcel Create Parcelle Cadastre → Section = A, Number = 147, Area = 2J 30p, Type = Terre labourable — link to Master (step 3).
5. Parcel Event Create Parcel Event on Master (step 3) → Event = Propriété, Date = 1829 — link Source (step 1) — add MARTIN (step 2) as Propriétaire.
Optional Case mutations: each mutation = new Parcel Event on the Master → new owner Individu, date, notaire reference (create as Source if relevant).
Optional Special origin (biens d'Église, bien national, rétrocédé): add note in Master parcel notes → useful to trace pre-Revolution ownership.

Field mapping

In matrix	In GénéFoncier
Section + parcel number	Cadastre Parcel → Section + Number
Owner name + quality + domicile	Individu → linked as Propriétaire
Nature (terre / pré / vigne…)	Cadastre Parcel → Type
Lieu-dit	Master Parcel → Lieu-dit
Area (contenance)	Cadastre Parcel → Area
Case mutations (new owner + act ref.)	New Parcel Event on Master + linked Source

Ready to enter it?

Open the Studio, create the source, transcribe it, then link every person, parcel and event it names.

Open the Studio