Louisiana, Orleans Parish Death Records and Certificates - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
Death records and certificates from the parish of Orleans, Louisiana for years 1835-1954. Up to the year 1942, the information included was informant name, informant residence, name, (color), nativity, age, death date, death place, cause of death, and witnesses. These records were written out in a paragraph form with printed prompts. After 1942, a more traditional death certificate form was used which included parent's names.

What Can These Records Tell Me?

 * Name of undertaker
 * Name of deceased
 * Date and place of death
 * Residence
 * Native of
 * Cause of death
 * Doctor
 * Information about family
 * Witnesses

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * Name of the person
 * Approximate date of the event

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

What Do I Do Next?

 * Add the new information to your records
 * Use the information to find the person in other records
 * Analyze the entry to see if if provides additional clues to find other records of the person or their family

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Use the age or estimated birth date to find vital records such as birth, baptism, marriage, and death
 * Use the information found in the record to find land, probate and immigration records
 * Use the information found in the record to find additional family members in census records

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

 * If your ancestor does not have a common name, collect entries for every person who has the same surname
 * If you cannot locate your ancestor in the locality in which you believe they lived, then try searching records of a nearby town or county
 * Try different spellings of your ancestor’s name
 * Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle names

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the state of Louisiana.
 * Louisiana Guided Research
 * Louisiana Record Finder
 * Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Research

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.