Louisiana Genealogy

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Overview of Louisiana records

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Overview of Louisiana Genealogy Records

• History: Louisiana was first settled in 1717, became part of the United States in 1803, became a territory in 1805, and became a state in 1812. It was part of the Confederate states during the Civil War from 1861 to 1865. Louisiana is divided into parishes rather than counties.
• Birth records: A few birth records were kept the government in Louisiana before 1914. Orleans Parish began keeping birth records in 1790. Statewide registration of births began in 1911.  Birth records from 1911 to the present can be obtained from the Louisiana Bureau of Vital Records and Statistics .
• Marriage records: Marriage records were kept in Louisiana starting as early as 1773. Copies of marriage records can be obtained from the offices of the clerks of the court in each parish.
• Death records: A few death records were kept the government in Louisiana before 1914. Orleans Parish began keeping death records in 1790. Statewide registration of deaths began in 1911.  Death records from 1911 to the present can be obtained from the Louisiana Bureau of Vital Records and Statistics .
• Divorce records: Divorces were recorded by the parish clerks.
• Census records: The first federal census available for Louisiana is 1810. There are federal censuses publicly available for 1810, 1820, 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940, and 1950.
County records: Court, land, probate, naturalization, and tax records were kept by the individual counties.
• Other records: Many cities and towns had newspapers, records kept by churches, cemeteries, histories, school, city directories, and other records that can be located on the city pages on this site. Records specific to minority groups can be found in the Minority Records section.
• All records: Online indexes and images of many of the above records can be found by using the links on this site.