Your Guide to Researching Louisiana Ancestors

Capital: Baton Rouge
Louisina Purchase: 1803
Territory 1805
State 1812
New Orleans founded 1718
1755 British expulsion of French from Acadia, later Nova Scotia caused a migration to Lousiana, where they become known as "Cajuns". The term "Creoles" is used to describe descendants of the older French and Spanish settlers.
Louisiana is divided into parishes, which function the same as counties.

 

 

Books, articles, CD's, Tapes, etc.
On the Web.

There is nothing more helpful that a handy reference book with information specific to the area you are researching. I've listed below those that I know about.

(find in a library) will give you a link to help you find the book in the library closest to you. Most will show libraries near Ann Arbor... to change the location, type in your zip code and you can find libraries near you.

All of the three books listed below have a small section covering each state that includes maps, historical information, vital records coverage and a bibliography of resources for that state.

  1. Handybook for Genealogists ( 11th edition) (find in a library) (note: some libraries may have earleir editions; those are perfectly usable)
  2. Ancestry's Redbook (you'll want the 3rd edition) (find in a library)
  3. The Family Tree Resource Book for Genealogical Research (find in a library)

Here are some books specific to Louisiana Research:

Boling. A Guide to Printed Sources for Genealogical and Historical Research in the Louisiana Parishes. 1985 [out of print; try ebay or alibris ]

Herbert. Acadian-Cajun Genealogy Step by Step. 1993.

* FHL Louisiana Research Outline
* Louisiana Gen Web
* ALHN Louisiana page
* Louisiana State Archives Research Library
* Louisiana Genealogy Society Directory

Louisiana Cemeteries

More Links
* Genealogy Today's State Gen Site: Louisiana
* Genealink's Louisiana Page
* Access Genealogy's List of Louisiana Links
*Cyndi's List: Kansas