RESEARCH OUTLINE Louisiana FAMILY HISTORY ,LIBRARY SALT LAKE CITY UTAH THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS This outline describes major sources of information about families from Louisiana. Before reading this outline, study the United States Research Outline, which will help you understand terminology and the contents and uses of genealogical records. RECORDS OF THE FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY The Family History Library has many of the records described in this outline. The library's major holdings of Louisiana records include census, cemetery, land, probate, and vital records. The library has a large collection of notarial records and naturalization papers from the Parish of Orleans and passenger lists of New Orleans. It is continually acquiring additional records. Some of the sources described in this outline list the Family History Library's book, microfilm, and microfiche numbers. These are preceded by FHL, the abbreviation for Family History Library. These numbers may be used to locate materials in the library and to order microfilm and microfiche at family history centers (formerly known as branch genealogical libraries). FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY CATALOG The library's records are listed in the Family History Library Catalog found at the library and at each family history center. To find a record, look in the locality section of the catalog for: The place where your ancestors lived: UNITED STATES - CENSUS LOUISIANA - COURT RECORDS LOUISIANA, ORLEANS - VITAL RECORDS LOUISIANA, ORLEANS, NEW ORLEANS - CEMETERIES The record type you want, such as: UNITED STATES - CENSUS LOUISIANA - COURT RECORDS LOUISIANA, ORLEANS - VITAL RECORDS LOUISIANA, ORLEANS, NEW ORLEANS - CEMETERIES The section headings in this outline match the names of record types used in the catalog. ARCHIVES AND LIBRARIES The following archives, libraries, and societies have collections or services helpful for genealogical research. Division of Archives, Records Management, and History P.O. Box 94125, Capitol Station Baton Rouge, LA 70804 National Archives--Fort Worth Branch 501 West Felix Street P.O. Box 6216 Fort Worth, TX 76115 Louisiana Genealogical and Historical Society P.O. Box 3454 Baton Rouge, LA 70821 Louisiana State Library 760 Riverside North P.O. Box 131 Baton Rouge, LA 70821 Louisiana Historical Association University of Southwestern Louisiana P.O. Box 42808 Lafayette, LA 70504 Historic New Orleans Collection 533 Royal Street New Orleans, LA 70130 Louisiana Historical Center Library 400 Esplanade Avenue New Orleans, LA 70116 Hill Memorial Library Louisiana State University Baton Rouge, LA 70803 Howard Tilton Library Manuscripts & Rare Books Department Tulane University 7001 Freret Street New Orleans, LA 70118 A helpful guide to Louisiana libraries is Resources in Louisiana Libraries: Public, Academic, Special and in Media Centers (Baton Rouge: Louisiana State Library, 1971; FHL book 976.3 A3L; film 896,543; fiche 6019941.) To learn more about the history and record-keeping systems of Louisiana parishes, use any of the 22 inventories of the parish archives produced by the Historical Records Survey about 1940. The library has most of these inventories. BIBLE RECORDS The Louisiana Genealogical Records Committee of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) has collected many Bible records. They can be found at the DAR Library in Washington, D.C. Over 25 volumes of these and similar compilations are available on microfilm at the Family History Library. An example is Be It Known and Remembered: Bible Records (Baton Rouge, N.p., 1960; FHL book 976.3 V29L; vols. 1-2 on film 844,970 and vols. 3-4 on film 844,935; vols. 1-4 on fiche 6051103). BIOGRAPHY Extensive collections of biographical material are at the Louisiana State Library, Louisiana State University Library, and the New Orleans Public Library. The New Orleans Public Library has an extensive card index of biographical sketches in books and newspapers published before 1972. The Louisiana Historical Association is presently compiling a "Dictionary of Louisiana Biography." Also search local histories, historical atlases, and similar materials for biographical information. The Family History Library has several biographical and "Who's Who" sources on FHL film 1,000,054, including Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Louisiana... (Chicago: Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1892). CEMETERIES Twenty-two volumes of Louisiana tombstone inscriptions were collected by members of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and deposited with the DAR Library in Washington, D.C. These were microfilmed in 1970 and are available at the Family History Library (FHL films 854,861-63 and 855,248-50). Another DAR collection containing tombstone inscriptions is described in the "Genealogy" section of this outline. The Family History Library also has 210 microfilms of New Orleans cemetery records. These are listed in the catalog under LOUISIANA, ORLEANS, NEW ORLEANS - CEMETERIES. CENSUS Federal Federal census records are found at the Family History Library, the National Archives, and other federal and state archives. The United States Research Outline provides more detailed information regarding these records. The Family History Library has the United States federal censuses of Louisiana from 1810 to 1910. The 1890 census was destroyed, but there is a Union veterans schedule and a published index to it that is available at the Family History Library. The population schedule for the Ascension Parish 1890 census is at the Division of Archives, Records Management, and History, and an index has been published and is at the Family History Library. Statewide indexes are available for the 1810, 1820, 1830, 1840, 1850, and 1860 censuses in book and microfiche format. Soundex (phonetic) indexes are available on microfilm for part of the 1880 and all of the 1900 and 1910 censuses. Mortality schedules exist for 1850, 1860, 1870, and 1880, and all are indexed. The schedules and indexes are available at the Family History Library and the National Archives. Colonial and State In addition to the federal censuses, various military and local censuses were taken between 1699 and 1805. A special census of New Orleans was taken in 1805. The information in these censuses varies greatly. Several give the names and ages of all residents. Most of these censuses have been published and are available at the Family History Library. Two particularly helpful publications are: Madwell, Charles R. The Census Tables for the French Colony of Louisiana from 1699 Through 1732. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1972. (FHL book 976.3 X2pm.) Robichaux, Alberte J., Jr. Louisiana Census and Militia Lists 1770-1789. 2 vols. Harvey, La.: A. J. Robichaux, 1973 and 1974. (FHL book 976.3 X2pr.) CHURCH RECORDS Before statehood in 1812 the Roman Catholic Church was dominant in Louisiana. Few Protestant churches flourished. From 1812 to 1900, the largest religious groups in Louisiana were the Roman Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Lutheran churches. The earliest church records were Roman Catholic marriage records that began in 1720 and baptism records that began in 1729. Most records are kept at the local churches. The Family History Library has a small collection of Louisiana church records, including Roman Catholic and Baptist sources. Also see the 45 volumes of civil and church records from southern and southwestern Louisiana published by Donald J. Hebert (see the "Vital Records" section of this outline). Guides to help you locate Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish records are: Hebert, Donald J. A Guide to Church Records in Louisiana, 1720-1975. Eunice, La.: D. J. Hebert, 1975. (FHL book 976.3 K23h.) Guide to Vital Statistics Records of Church Archives in Louisiana. New Orleans: Louisiana State Board of Health, 1942. (FHL book 976.3 V2s; film 1,305,374; fiche 6051101.) You can also write to the following addresses to learn where their records are located: Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New Orleans Archives 1100 Chartres Street New Orleans, LA 70116 This archdiocese includes the parishes of Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. John the Baptist, St. Tammany, Plaquemines, and Washington. Diocese of Alexandria-Shreveport P.O. Box 7417 Alexandria, LA 71306 Diocese of Baton Rouge Archives 1800 South Acadian Thruway P.O. Box 2228 Baton Rouge, LA 70821 This diocese has collected all parish registers in its area and indexed them. Baptist Historical Commission Southern Baptist Convention 127 Ninth Avenue, North Nashville, TN 37234 Methodist Centenary College of Louisiana Magale Library, Cline Room Shreveport, LA 71104 Lutheran University of New Orleans Earl K. Long Library Archives and Manuscripts Division 2000 Lakeshore Drive New Orleans, LA 70122 COURT RECORDS Major Louisiana courts that kept records of genealogical value were as follows: 1679- 1769 Conseil superieur, or the French Superior Council, had jurisdiction over land and court matters. The Family History Library has copies of Conseil Superieur records. The originals are at the Louisiana Historical Center. 1769- 1803 Spanish cabildo was the Spanish government for the province of Louisiana from 1769 to 1803 and presided over court and land matters. The Family History Library has Cabildo records on microfilm. The originals are at the Louisiana Historical Center. 1800s- pres. District courts are districtwide courts with jurisdiction over probate, divorce, equity, criminal, and civil cases. The Family History Library has some district court records. For example, from Orleans Parish the library has minutes (1838-80), judicial records (1880-1921), and successions (1846-80). 1800s- pres. Parish courts have parishwide jurisdiction over criminal and minor civil cases. Most parish courts were abolished in 1846. The Family History Library has some parish court records, including Orleans Parish minutes, 1808-46. 1800s- pres. Supreme court is a statewide court located in New Orleans, which has records of appeals from inferior courts. It was originally created in 1804 as the Superior Court. Supreme Court records are at the Division of Archives, Records Management, and History. Other Louisiana court records are available from the various parish courthouses. The University of New Orleans Archives also has some court records. Notarial records were kept by the Louisiana courts during some periods. (See the "Notarial Records" section of this outline.) You may also want to use English Language Summaries of the Records of the French Superior Council and the Judicial Records of the Spanish Cabildo, 1714-1800 (N.p.: Works Project Administration, N.d.; FHL films 1,292,537-38 and 1,292,541-43 for the French Superior Council; films 1,292,539-40 for the Spanish Cabildo). DIRECTORIES Directories of heads of households were published for major cities. For example, the Family History Library has city directories of New Orleans for: 1805-11, 1822-24, 1832-61 FHL fiche 6044250-80 1861-1901 FHL film 1,377,153-70 1874-1900 FHL film 1,000,770-76 1917 FHL book 976.335/N1 E4p 1945, 1965 FHL book Q 976.335/N1 E4p The New Orleans Public Library has New Orleans city directories for most years since 1805. EMIGRATION AND IMMIGRATION Immigrants Prestatehood settlers of Louisiana generally came from eastern Canada, France, Germany, the West Indies, Spain, and Africa. During the Revolutionary War many other immigrants arrived from the Atlantic states. When the territory was formed, large numbers of Americans from southern Ohio moved to this new acquisition. The Irish were the largest immigrant group in Louisiana during the nineteenth century. They settled mainly during the 1840s and 1850s. Large numbers of Germans arrived in two waves, one just after 1810, the second between 1840 and 1860. Small numbers of Scandinavians came in the 1820s. Some Mexicans settled here in the 1830s. Later immigrant groups included Italians, Hungarians, and Slavs. Records and histories of ethnic groups in Louisiana, including Acadians ("Cajuns"), Blacks, Canary Islanders, Chinese, Creoles, French, Germans, and Yugoslavs, are listed in the catalog under LOUISIANA - MINORITIES. Passenger Lists The major port of entry to Louisiana has been New Orleans. Lists of some of the colonial passengers have been published and are at the Family History Library. The Family History Library and the National Archives also have microfilms of: Original passenger lists for New Orleans (1820-1921) Indexes (1820-50, 1853-99, and 1900-52) Quarterly summaries of passenger lists for New Orleans (1820-75) The National Archives also has: Passenger lists for New Orleans (1903-45) Five of the six volumes of Passenger Lists...Port of New Orleans. These are typescripts of lists from some years between 1813 and 1867. Each volume contains an index. Further information on immigration sources is in the United States Research Outline. GAZETTEERS Two helpful guides to Louisiana place names are: Gibson, Dennis A., ed. Index to Louisiana Place Names Mentioned in the War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Lafayette: University of Southwestern Louisiana, 1975. (FHL book 976.3 E5i.) Hansen, Harry, ed. Louisiana: A Guide to the State. New York: Hastings House, 1971. (FHL book 976.3 E6h.) This is a revised edition of a 1941 WPA publication. GENEALOGY Most archives, historical societies, and genealogical societies have special collections and indexes of genealogical value. These must usually be searched in person. An important manuscript collection of compiled genealogies is the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Collection. This collection consists of transcripts of Bible, cemetery, church, marriage, death, obituary, and will records. It was microfilmed in 1971 at the DAR Library in Washington, D.C., and is available on 23 microfilms at the Family History Library. The volumes are generally arranged by county, and many have individual indexes. Some major published genealogical collections for Louisiana include: Arthur, Stanley, and George de Kernion. Old Families of Louisiana. New Orleans: Harmanson, 1931. (FHL book 976.3 D2a; film 1,425,655, item 5.) West, Robert C. An Atlas of Louisiana Surnames of French and Spanish Origin. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University, 1986. (FHL book 976.3 D42.) Whittington, Hattie, and Gladys Sandefur. Louisiana Ahnentafels, Ancestor Charts and Family Group Sheets. Natchitoches, La.: Natchitoches Genealogical and Historical Association, 1982. (FHL book 976.3 D2s.) HISTORY The following important events in the history of Louisiana affected political boundaries, record keeping, and family movements. 1714 The first settlement was established at Natchitoches. 1717- 1722 Forced immigration from France brought a few thousand settlers. A few thousand more, attracted by free land, came from German-speaking areas of Europe. The importation of African slaves began. 1718 New Orleans was founded. 1755- 1785 After they had been expelled from Nova Scotia, 5,000 French-speaking Acadians settled in Louisiana. 1763 France ceded Louisiana to Spain. 1769 Spain takes control of Louisiana and begins new record-keeping procedures. 1803 The Louisiana area was purchased by the United States from France. Although France owned Louisiana between 1800 and 1803, it was still administered by Spain until just before the United States took possession. 1804 The territory was divided, using the 33rd parallel as the boundary. The northern portion became the District of Louisiana, and the southern portion became the Territory of Orleans. 1805- 1807 The Territory of Orleans was divided into counties, but the functions of the counties were soon taken over by smaller civil divisions called parishes, which followed the boundaries of the old Spanish ecclesiastical parishes. 1810 Spanish West Florida between the Mississippi and Pearl Rivers, including Baton Rouge, was occupied by the United States and became part of the Territory of Orleans. 1812 The Territory of Orleans became the State of Louisiana. 1861 Louisiana seceded from the Union. It was readmitted in 1868. Two sources for studying the history of Louisiana are: Davis, Edwin Adams. Louisiana: A Narrative History. 2d ed. Baton Rouge: Claitor's Book Store, 1965. (FHL book 976.3 H2d.) Fortier, Alcee. A History of Louisiana. 4 vols. New York: Manzi, Joyant, and Co., 1903. (FHL book 976.3 H2f; film 1,036,330.) LAND AND PROPERTY The French and the Spanish kept the earliest land records of Louisiana, and the documents are in their languages. Since most of these records were filed with notorial records. Refer to the section on "Notorial Records" in this outline. The Family History Library has microfilm copies and indexes of the records kept by the French Conseil Superieur and the Spanish Cabildo. When Louisiana was ceded to the United States, the landowners registered private claims to verify their ownership. Most of these claims have genealogical value and have been published. Useful indexes to pre-1837 claims in the American State Papers are: McMullin, Phillip W., ed. Grassroots of America. Salt Lake City: Gendex Corp., 1972. (FHL book 973 R2m; fiche 6051323.) Maduell, Charles R., Jr. Federal Land Grants in the Territory of Orleans: The Delta Parishes. New Orleans: Polyanthos, 1975. (FHL book 976.33 R2m.) Unclaimed land became public domain and was surveyed and sold to private owners. The Family History Library and the Division of Archives, Records Management, and History have microfilms of the ninteenth-century claims and original land sales recorded by the United States District Land Offices, such as those in Ouachita, Opelousas, St. Helena, and New Orleans. The original records are in the State Land Office, Box 44124, Baton Rouge, LA 70804. Each office created several sets of records and indexes. Land tract books arranged by ranges and townships for the years 1807 to 1870 are also at the State Land Office and the Family History Library. Since statehood, subsequent transfers of land between private owners have been recorded by the local clerk of court in each parish. Some records are filed in notarial books. They are often called "conveyances" and have vendor/vendee indexes. The Family History Library has microfilm copies of the deeds for most parishes. For example, for New Orleans the Family History Library has 180 microfilms covering the years 1827 to 1887 and an index to 1900. MAPS Libraries at Louisiana State University have the most complete collection of maps for the state. The Family History Library has a few historical maps, including maps of early land districts. Ward maps for New Orleans, 1829 to 1898, are on FHL film 1,377,700. A helpful set of maps is County Parish Boundaries in Louisiana (New Orleans: Historical Records Survey, 1939; FHL book 976.3 E3h; film 1,425,651, item 5). This includes information on the laws affecting the development of the state. MILITARY RECORDS Many military records are found at the Family History Library, the National Archives, and other federal and state archives. The United States Research Outline provides more information on federal records. For Louisiana the following are among the many sources at the Family History Library: Colonial Wars, 1787 to 1794 Spanish military records are on FHL film 1,156,353. Published sources include a list of men serving in the militia, found in Winston DeVille, Louisiana Troops, 1720-1770 (Fort Worth: American Reference Publishers, 1965; FHL book 976.3 M2dv). War of 1812 An alphabetical list of soldiers, their rank, and company is in Marion J. Pierson, Louisiana Soldiers in the War of 1812 (N.p.: Louisiana Genealogical and Historical Society, 1963; FHL book 976.3 M23p). Troop rosters are in Powell A. Casey, Louisiana in the War of 1812 (Baton Rouge: Casey, 1963; FHL book 976.3 M2c). An index to compiled service records of Louisiana soldiers who served in the War of 1812 is on FHL films 880,010-12. The service records are at the National Archives. Indian Wars Indexes to compiled service records of Louisiana soldiers in the Florida War and the War of 1837 to 1838 are on FHL film 880,843. Mexican War An index to compiled service records is on FHL films 1,205,336-57. The service records have not been filmed and are available at the National Archives. Civil War Louisiana soldiers served in both the Union and the Confederate armies. Indexes to the service records and the compiled Confederate service records are at the Family History Library. The service records for both armies are at the National Archives. Pension records for Confederate veterans are at the Division of Archives, Records Management, and History. Union army pensions are available at the National Archives. In 1911 a special census was taken of Confederate veterans or their widows. The census is arranged alphabetically by parish and is on FHL film 483,489. The original census and similar records are at the New Orleans Public Library. The following books also list names of veterans: Booth, Andrew B. Records of Louisiana Confederate Soldiers and Louisiana Confederate Commands. 3 vols. New Orleans: N.p., 1920. (FHL films 1,305,383-85.) Bartlett, Napier. Military Record of Louisiana: Including Biographical and Historical Papers Relating to the Military Organizations of the State. 1875. Reprint. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1964. (976.3 M2b.) Spanish-American War An index to service records of Louisiana soldiers in the War with Spain is on FHL film 880,013. The service records are at the National Archives. Additional Records The Adjutant General's Office (Building 36, Jackson Barracks, New Orleans, LA 70146) has records of state military units and twentieth century service files. NATURALIZATION AND CITIZENSHIP Naturalization records were filed in various courts in Louisiana. The Family History Library has records of the United States District Court (Eastern District) for the years 1812 to the 1930s. These are listed in the catalog under LOUISIANA - NATURALIZATION. The originals are located at the United States District Court in New Orleans. The Family History Library also has naturalization records of New Orleans from various parish and United States district courts for the years 1821 to 1906. Some have indexes. These records are generally listed in the catalog under LOUISIANA - ORLEANS - NATURALIZATION. Most of the original records are at the New Orleans Public Library. The Howard Tilton Library also has many of the citizenship applications for New Orleans. The Family History Library has a few naturalization papers of other parishes. In some areas, however, these papers are filed along with court and probate records, many of which the Family History Library has. If you need naturalization records after 1906, contact the National Archives--Fort Worth Branch. NEWSPAPERS The Family History Library has very few newspapers from Louisiana. The New Orleans Public Library has the most complete collection of newspapers in the state and an obituary index to several newspapers. The 550,000 cards in the index cover the years 1804 to 1811, 1814 to 1815, 1860 to 1866, and 1876 to 1972. Two helpful published sources are: Mayers, Brenda L., and Gloria L. Kerns. Death Notices from Louisiana Newspapers, 1811-1919. Baker, La.: Folk Finders, 1984. (FHL book 976.31 V4m.) Newspaper Files in Louisiana State University Library. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University, 1961. (FHL book 976.318 B3L; fiche 6051322.) NOTARIAL RECORDS The Family History Library has over 2,500 microfilms of Louisiana notarial records, especially for the Parish of Orleans from 1730 to about 1910. These records are also called prothonotarial records. The records contain marriage contracts, probate records, deeds, mortgages, acts of sale, emancipations, procurations, contracts, and partitions of property records. Most of these records deal with the French residents of New Orleans and their relatives. Pre-1769 records are in French. From 1769 to 1803 the records are in Spanish. From 1803 to 1830 most records are in French and sometimes English There are over 100 sets of records. They are arranged by date under the name of the notary. Indexes are available from 1771 to 1946, but there is no general single index. The majority of the original records are located at: Orleans Parish Notarial Archives Civil District Court Basement 421 Loyola Avenue New Orleans, LA 70112 PERIODICALS The major genealogical periodicals for Louisiana are: L'Heritage. 1978-. Published by the St. Bernard Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 271, Chalmette, LA 70044. (FHL book 976.3 B2s.) The Louisiana Genealogical Register. 1954-. Published by the Louisiana Genealogical and Historical Society. (FHL book 976.3 B2gr.) This has a cumulative subject index to 1974. The New Orleans Genesis. 1962-. Published by the Genealogical Research Society of New Orleans, P.O. Box 51791, New Orleans, LA 70151. (FHL book 976.335 B2n.) Terrebonne Life Lines. 1981-. Published by the Terrebonne Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 295, Station 2, Houma, LA 70360. (FHL book 976.341 D25t.) PROBATE RECORDS Probate records before 1845 were kept in probate courts. Since 1845, they have been kept by the clerk of the district court in each parish. Many of the probate records are included in the notarial records with the deeds and mortgages. In some parishes they are known as "succession" records. The Family History Library has copies of many Louisiana probate files. For example, the library has 900 microfilms from New Orleans courts. These include successions (1805-1926), will books (1807-1920), inventories (1805-77), and minutes (1819-46). Most of the pre-1880 files have been indexed. VITAL RECORDS Parish Records of Births and Deaths Some parishes began recording births as early as 1790 and deaths beginning in 1803. The Family History Library has an extensive collection of these vital records. The years included in the records vary by parish. For example, the death records of New Orleans Parish cover the period 1815 to 1915 and are on 194 microfilms. The index begins in 1804. The library also has 22 films of coroner's inquests (1844-1916) and 40 films of Charity Hospital admissions (1829-99). The New Orleans Public Library has copies of death records for Orleans Parish. State Records of Births and Deaths Statewide registration of births and deaths began in 1914. Delayed registration of births for the years 1939 to the present are also available at the state office. These records are not open for public searches. To obtain copies of state vital records write to: Vital Records P.O. Box 60630 New Orleans, LA 70160 The current fees for obtaining copies of the state's records are listed in Where to Write for Vital Records: Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Divorces (Hyattsville, Md.: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, August 1987). Copies of this booklet are at the Family History Library and family history centers. You can also write to the Vital Records office (address above) for current information. Marriage Records There is no statewide registration of marriages. Marriage records can be located in the offices of the clerks of the district courts in each parish. French and Spanish laws allowed for marriages of girls at 12 and boys at 14. In colonial times there were many "second" marriages and "natural" children. "Second" marriages are marriages of Catholics who had not legally dissolved a previous marriage. "Natural" children are those born to couples whose marriages were not recognized by the Catholic Church but the children were legally recognized by their fathers. The Family History Library has an extensive collection of Louisiana marriage records. For example, for Orleans Parish there are 86 microfilms of marriage licenses and certificates, 1834 to 1888. Another set of 185 films covers the years 1870 to 1915. The library has similar records for most parishes. You can write to the clerk of the parish for information, except for Orleans Parish where the records are kept at the Vital Records office (see address above). Some marriage records for the colonial period that have been published are: Bourguard, Shirley Chaisson. Marriage Dispensations in the Diocese of Louisiana and the Floridas: 1786-1803. New Orleans: Polyanthos, 1980. (FHL book 973 K2bq.) Forsyth, Alice Daly. Louisiana Marriage Contracts: A Compilation of Abstracts from Records of the Superior Council of Louisiana during the French Regime, 1725-1758. New Orleans: Polyanthos, 1980. (FHL book 976.3 V2f.) DeVille, Winston. The Orleans French, 1720-1733: A Collection of Marriage Records Relating to the First Colonists of the Louisiana Province. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1973. (FHL book 976.3 V25d.) Divorce Records The Louisiana legislature kept divorce documents until 1846 when divorce was prohibited by law. For records after that time, search in district and parish court files for "suits of separation." Modern divorce proceedings are available from the clerk of each parish, except for Orleans Parish where copies may be obtained from the Vital Records office (address above). The Family History Library has an extensive collection of divorce records for most parishes, including 21 microfilms of Orleans divorces, 1880 to 1924. Additional Sources Records of birth, baptism, marriage, death, burial, and probate have been transcribed and published in the following series. Many of the names of the individuals who have been identified are listed in the International Genealogical Index (at the Family History Library and all family history centers). Hebert, Donald J. South Louisiana Records. 12 vols. Cecilia, La.: D. J. Hebert, 1978-. (FHL book 976.3 K2he.) Hebert, Donald J. Southwest Louisiana Records: Church and Civil Records. 35 vols. Eunice, La.: D. J. Hebert, 1974-1985. (FHL book 976.35 V2h). For further information on the history and availability of records, refer to Guide to Public Vital Statistics Records in Louisiana (New Orleans: Historical Records Survey, 1942; FHL book 976.3 V2h; film 1,036,701, item 7; fiche 6046989). VOTING REGISTERS Voting registers generally give information on a person's name, age, birthplace, and citizenship. The Family History Library has a large collection of voting registers of Orleans Parish from 1891 to 1952. The registers are arranged on 293 microfilms by date, ward, and precinct in New Orleans. Indexes are available for 1920 to 1940 and 1941 to 1948. The Family History Library does not have registers from most of the other parishes, but they are available at the various parish offices. FOR FURTHER READING For more detailed information about research and records of Louisiana, see Yvette G. Boling, A Guide to Printed Sources for Genealogical and Historical Research in the Louisiana Parishes (Jefferson, La.: Y. Boling, 1985; FHL book 976.3 D23b). COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS The Family History Library welcomes additions and corrections that will improve future editions of this outline. Please send your suggestions to: Publications Coordination Family History Library 35 N. N. West Temple Street Salt Lake City, UT 84150 We appreciate the archivists, librarians, and others who have reviewed this outline and shared helpful information. Copyright (c) 1988 by Corporation of the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. All Rights Reserved. Printed in USA. First Edition, June 1988. Series US-STATES, No. 19. No part of this document may be reproduced in any form without the prior written permission of the publisher. Send all requests for such permission to: Copyrights and Permissions Coordinator Family History Department 50 E. North Temple Street Salt Lake City, Utah 84150