This file is as complete and accurate as possible, however if you
should find errors, have additions or deletions, send them to me
and I will update the file.
 
Bill Green         bgreen@milo.nodak.edu     bill90@Delphi.Com
 
Date of last update: 4 November 1993
 
*************************************************************************
 
  GENEALOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETIES OF LOUISIANA
                      5 March 1989
                      Robert McLaren
                    7810 Kincardine Ct.
                 Alexandria, VA 22310-4025
 
The following file contains a listing of genealogical and historical
societies in Louisiana.  Included in the listing, where known, are telephone
numbers and yearly dues.  This listing is donated to the public domain and
may be freely  copied.  Under no conditions can this listing be sold or used
in any other commercial fashion.  If you think this list has any value, then
donate that value in helping your local genealogical society (or the National
Genealogical Society).
 
If you write to any of the societies on this list for information, remember
to include a self addressed stamped envelop (SASE).  Many of these societies
work with a limited budget, supplemented by volunteers, and can not afford to
respond unless a SASE is included in your letter.
 
     Louisana Genealogical and Historical Society
     P.O. Box 80565
     SE Station
     Baton Rouge, LA 70898-0565
       Dues:  $10.00 per year
 
     North Louisiana Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 324
     Ruston, LA 71270
       Dues:
 
     Central Louisiana Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 12206
     Alexandria, LA 71315
       Dues:  $12.00 per year
 
     Southwest Louisiana Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 5652
     Lake Charles, LA 70606-5652
       Dues:  $10.00 per year (single); $15.00 per year (family)
 
Ascension Parish
 
     East Ascension Genealogical and Historical Society
     P.O. Box 1006
     Gonzales, LA 70707-1006
       Dues:
 
Caddo Parish
 
     Ark-La-Tex Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 4462
     Shreveport, LA 71134
       Dues:
 
East Baton Rouge Parish
 
     Baton Rouge Genealogical and Historical Society
     P.O. Box 80565 SE Station
     Baton Rouge, LA 70898-0565
       Dues:  $15.00 per year
 
Jefferson Parish
 
     Jefferson Genealogical Society Inc.
     P.O. Box 961
     Metairie, LA 70004
       Dues:
 
Jefferson Davis Parish
 
     Jennings Genealogical Society
     c/o Dorothy P. Lawrence
     136 Greenwood Drive
     Jennings, LA 70546
       Dues:
 
Natchitoches Parish
 
     Natchitoches Genealogical and Historical Association
     c/o Henrietta Breedlove
     P.O. Box 14
     Natchitoches, LA 71457
       Dues:
 
Orleans Parish
 
     Genealogical Research Society of New Orleans
     P.O. Box 51791
     New Orleans, LA 70150
       Dues:
 
Plaquemines Parish
 
     Plaquemines Deep Delta Genealogical Society
     203 Highway 23, South
     Buras, LA 70041
       Dues:
 
St. Bernard Parish
 
     St. Bernard Genealogical Society, Inc.
     P.O. Box 271
     Chalmette, LA 70044
       Dues:  $17.50 per year
 
Terrebonne Parish
 
     Terrebonne Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 295
     Station 2
     Houma, LA 70360
       Dues:
 
Vermilion Parish
 
     Vermilion Historical Society
     307 North Main Street
     Abbeville, LA 70510
       Dues:
 
West Baton Rouge Parish
 
     West Baton Rogue Genealogical Society
     P.O. Box 1126
     Port Allen, LA 70767
       Dues:  $6.00 per year
 
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                       VITAL RECORDS
 
Parish Records of Births and Deaths
 
Some parishes began recording births as early as 1790 and deaths beginning in
1803. The The years included in the records vary by parish.  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
 
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.
 
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).
                                   (Source: FHC Research Guide)
 
 From: guillory@storm.DNET.NASA.GOV (Anthony R. Guillory)
 
                     LOUISIANA VITAL RECORDS
May 20, 1991
 
LA Vital records of deaths and marriages over 50 years old and births over
100 years old can be obtained by writing the state archives:
 
          Louisiana State Archives
          P. O. Box 94125
          Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9125
          (504) 922-1200
 
At this time these include:
 
Birth Certificates (Orleans Parish Only) - 1790-1890
Marriage Certificates (Orleans Parish Only) - 1831-1939
Death Certificates (Orleans Parish Only) - 1804-1940
Death Certificates (Statewide, except Orleans Parish -- see above) -
1911-1939
 
Birth, Death, and Marriage Cerficates are $5 (includes postage).
 
Newer records can be obtained from the Vital Records Office in New Orleans:
 
          Vital Records
          P. O. Box 60630
          New Orleans, LA 70160
          (504) 568-2561
          FAX (504) 568-5391 (see article below for details)
 
Birth Certificates -- $8
Birth Card, Marriage and Death Certificates -- $5.
Prices above include postage.
 
NOTE:  Marriage Certificates can ONLY be obtained from the parish courthouse
where the license was obtained! The archives (see above) is the only
exception to this rule and it ONLY has Orleans Parish.
=============================================================================
 
         LOUISIANA VITAL RECORDS NOW ACCEPTS REQUESTS BY FAX
 
The Vital Records Registry is accepting FAX requests for Louisiana birth,
death, and Orleans Parish marriage certificates.
 
FAX requests may be sent 24 hours a day, seven days a week to 504-568-5391,
according to Joel Nitzkin, M.D., D.P.A., Director of the Office of Public
Health, Department of Health and Hospitals.
 
Nitzkin suggests that request be made on standard Vital Records Applications
forms available from Parish Health Units.  However, written requests in
letter format will be accepted as long as adequate information is provided,
he said.
 
Requests must be signed and should include birth, death or marriage facts, a
statement of relationship to the registrant, home and office telephone
numbers and a VISA or Mastercard number with expiration date.
 
A copy of a birth certificate costs $8 and a birth card, death certificate or
Orleans marriage certificate costs $5.  If no record is on file, a search fee
equivalent to the cost of one copy of the record will be charged.
 
**************************************************************************
 
                       STATE ARCHIVES
 
        Division of Archives, Records Management, and History
        P.O. Box 94125, Capitol Station
        Baton Rouge, LA 70804
 
        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
                                   (Source: FHC Research Guide)
 
**************************************************************************
 
                NEWSPAPER GENEALOGICAL COLUMNS
 
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*   Bill Green       Minot, North Dakota  58701  *       Home of the       *
*            bgreen@milo.NoDak.Edu               *      NORSK H0STFEST     *
*              Bill90@Delphi.Com                 *                         *
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