Catahoula Parish, Louisiana Genealogy

Guide to Catahoula Parish, Louisiana ancestry, family history, and genealogy birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, family history, and military records. 

Description
The County was named for the Tensas word for big, clear lake. The County has Harrisonburg as its seat and the County was created March 23, 1808. The County is located in the northeast area of the state.

Parish Courthouse
Catahoula Parish County Courthouse 301 Bushley Street; PO Box 198 Harrisonburg, LA 71340-0198 Phone: 318.744.5497 Parish Clerk has marriage records from 1830, burial, probate and divorce records from 1800’s, land records from 1808 and military records


 * Louisiana Census Images  ~  USGenWeb Census Images Project

Parent Parish

 * 1808--Catahoula Parish was created 23 March 1808 from Rapides Parish. Parish seat: Harrisonburg

Boundary Changes
For animated maps illustrating Louisiana Parish boundary changes, "Rotating Formation Louisiana Parish Boundary Maps" (1805-1990) may be viewed for free at the MapofUS.org website.

Record Loss
Early 1900s Total record destruction from unknown cause.

Populated Places
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit HomeTown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:

Neighboring Parishes or Counties

 * Avoyelles
 * Caldwell
 * Concordia
 * Franklin
 * LaSalle
 * Tensas

African American

 * Louisiana African American Griots Project ~  USGenWeb Project
 * Afrigeneas - African Ancestored Genealogy
 * African American Cemeteries, listing by county

Bible Records

 * Catahoula Parish Bible Records (USGenWeb Archives)

Biographies

 * Index of Catahoula Parish Biographies (USGenWeb Archives)
 * Catahoula Biographies (LAGenWeb Project)
 * Catahoula Parish Biographies (Genealogy Trails)

Cemeteries
The following web sites may have additional information on Catahoula Parish cemeteries.


 * Interment.net Louisiana cemetery records by Parish.
 * African American Cemeteries, listing by county

Census

 * Louisiana Census Images  ~  USGenWeb Census Images Project
 * Catahoula Parish Census Records (USGenWeb Archives)
 * Catahoula Parish Census Records. Go to "Census" on menu bar and click on desired record. (LAGenWeb Project)

Church

 * Louisiana Historical Church Information
 * Directory of Churches in Louisiana, by city (Church Angel)

Land

 * Catahoula Parish Deeds and Land Records (USGenWeb Archives)

Local Histories

 * Louisiana Museums
 * Catahoula History (LAGenWeb Project)
 * Catahoula Parish History Records (USGenWeb Archives)

Maps

 * Maps of Louisiana (1805-1990)
 * USGW Digital Map Collection (USGenWeb Project)

Military

 * Louisiana Military History Online
 * Catahoula Parish Military Records (USGenWeb Archives)

Civil War
Online Records
 * 1861-1865 - at FamilySearch — index
 * 1861-1865 - at FamilySearch — index
 * 1883 - Catahoula Parish Pensioners on the Rolls as of January 1, 1883 (Genealogy Trails)
 * 1898-1950 - at FamilySearch — images


 * - 1st Regiment, Louisiana Cavalry (Confederate), Company K
 * - 3rd Regiment, Louisiana Cavalry (Confederate), Companies H and K
 * - 3rd Regiment, Louisiana Cavalry (Harrison's)(Confederate), Companies D and E

World War I

 * 1917-1920 - at FamilySearch — index and images

World War II

 * 1940-1945 - at FamilySearch — index and images

Newspapers

 * Louisiana Newspaper List, listing by name/parish (USNPL)
 * Louisiana Newspaper listing (Newslink)
 * Catahoula Parish Newspapers and Obituaries (LDS Genealogy}

Obituaries

 * Catahoula County Obituaries and Death Notices (Genealogy Trails)
 * Index to Catahoula County Obituaries (USGenWeb Archives)

Probate
Louisiana Probate Records

Online Probate Records
 * 1756 – 1984 Louisiana Wills and Probate Records 1756-1984 at Ancestry — index and images $

Vital Records

 * Louisiana Records and Statistics Information ~ where and how to order information.
 * Catahoula Parish Vital Records (USGenWeb Archives)

Marriage

 * 1837–1957 -  at FamilySearch — index and images
 * Catahoula Parish Marriage Records (LAGenWeb Project)
 * Catahoula County Marriage Records, A Surnames (Genealogy Trails)

Divorce

 * Catahoula Parish Divorce Records (LAGenWeb Project)

Death

 * 1850-1875, 1894-1960 - at FamilySearch — index and images
 * Catahoula County Death and Obituary Records (LAGenWeb Project)

Societies and Libraries

 * Central Louisiana Genealogical Society PO Box 12206 Alexandria, LA 71315-2206 Website
 * Louisiana Historical Society Website
 * Louisiana Historical Association Website

Websites

 * Louisiana Genealogy Network Community on Google+
 * Louisiana Genealogy Network Group on Facebook
 * Catahoula History
 * Catahoula Parish, Louisiana, LAGenWeb Project
 * Catahoula Parish, Louisiana, USGenWeb Archives
 * Catahoula Parish, Louisiana Genealogy and Family History(Linkpendium)
 * Catahoula Parish, Louisiana, Genealogy and History (Genealogy Trails)
 * Catahoula Parish LA Genealogy (ldsgenealogy.com)
 * Catahoula Parish LA Genealogy (ldsgenealogy.com)