Rapides Parish, Louisiana Genealogy

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

Description
The Rapides Parish was named for the local river rapids and was created in 1807. The parish seat is Alexandria and is located in the central area of the state.

Parish Courthouse
Rapides Parish Courthouse 701 Murray Street Alexandria, LA 71301 Phone: 318-473-8153 Rapides Parish Courthouse Parish Clerk has marriage, divorce, probate, court and land records from 1864.

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 parish:

Bible Records

 * Index to Rapides Parish Bible Records (USGenWeb Archives)

Biographies

 * Rapides Parish Biographies (Genealogy Trails)
 * Index to Rapides Parish Biographies (USGenWeb Archives)
 * Index to Rapides Parish Family Records (USGenWeb Archives)
 * Louisiana Pioneers of Rapides Parish (USGenWeb Archives)

Census Records

 * Rapides Parish Census Records (USGenWeb Archives)
 * Louisiana Census Images (USGenWeb Census Images Project)

Church Records

 * Louisiana Historical Church Information
 * Directory of Churches in Louisiana, by city (Church Angel)
 * Rapides Parish Church Records (USGenWeb Archives)

 List of Churches and Church Parishes
 * FamilySearch Places

Court Records
Online Court Indexes and Records
 * Index to Rapides Parish Court Records (USGenWeb Archives)

Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups
 African Americans
 * Louisiana African American Griots Project
 * Afrigeneas - African Ancestored Genealogy
 * African American Cemeteries, listing by parish

Land and Property Records
Online Land Indexes and Records
 * Rapides Parish Land Records (USGenWeb Archives)
 * Dates Vary United States Wills and Deeds Experimental Search at FamilySearch - incomplete index and images, counties and dates vary

Local Histories

 * Rapides Parish History Records (USGenWeb Archives)

Maps and Gazetteers

 * Maps of Louisiana (1805-1990)
 * Louisiana Digital Map Library at USGen Web Archives
 * FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this parish - How to Use FS Places

Military Records

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

 War of 1812
 * Raymond, Charles E, Rapides Parish Pensioners in the War of 1812, (New Orleans: Polyanthos c1977)..

 Civil War
 * 1861-1865 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images at Partner Site
 * 1861-1865 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images at Partner Site
 * 1898-1950 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images

Regiments. Civil War service men in Rapides Parish served in various regiments. Men often joined a company (part of a regiment) that originated in their parish. Listed below are companies that were specifically formed in this parish:
 * -1st Regiment, Louisiana Cavalry (Confederate), Company D
 * -2nd Regiment, Louisiana Cavalry (Confederate), Company G

World War I
 * 1917-1920 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images

World War II
 * 1940-1945 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images
 * World War II Honor List of Dead and Missing Army and Army Air Forces Personnel, Rapides Parish, Louisiana (Genealogy Trails)

Newspapers

 * Louisiana Newspaper List, listing by name/parish (USNPL)
 * Louisiana Newspaper listing (Newslink)
 * Rapides Parish Newspaper Clippings (USGenWeb Archives)

Obituaries

 * Index to Rapides Parish Obituaries (USGenWeb Archives)
 * Rapides Parish Obituaries (Genealogy Trails)

Probate Records
Online Probate Indexes and Records
 * 1756-1984 Louisiana Wills and Probate Records 1756-1984 at Ancestry — index and images ($)
 * Rapides Parish Estate Records (USGenWeb Archives)
 * Dates Vary United States Wills and Deeds Experimental Search at FamilySearch - incomplete index and images, counties and dates vary

School Records

 * Rapides Parish School Records (USGenWeb Archives)

Social Security Records

 * 1936-2007 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index

Tax Records

 * 1885 Rapides Parish Delinquent Tax Notices (USGenWeb Archives)

Marriage

 * 1837-1957 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images
 * 1861-1885 Rapides Parish Marriage Index 1861-1885. Included in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch - free.
 * Rapides Parish Marriages (Linkpendium)
 * Index to Rapides Parish Marriage Records (USGenWeb Archives)

Death

 * 1850-1875, 1894-1960 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images
 * Louisiana Death Records of Rapides Parish

FamilySearch Centers

 * Alexandria Louisiana FamilySearch Center
 * Baker Louisiana FamilySearch Center
 * Liberty Mississippi FamilySearch Center
 * Opelousas Louisiana FamilySearch Center
 * Alexandria Genealogical Library - an affiliate library
 * West Feliciana Parish Library - an affiliate library

Libraries

 * Rapides Parish Data Website
 * Louisiana Czech Heritage Association 14 Locker Road Deville, LA 71328-9318

Museums

 * Louisiana Museums

Societies

 * Central Louisiana Genealogical Society PO Box 12206 Alexandria, LA 71315-2206 Telephone: 318-487-8556 Email: [mailto:cenlags1975@gmail.com cenlags1975@gmail.com] Website
 * Louisiana Historical Society 428 Hector Ave Metairie, La. 70005-4412 Website
 * Louisiana Historical Association 101 LSU Student Union LSU Box 25435 Baton Rouge, LA 70803 Website

Websites

 * Rapides, Louisiana Genealogy & History Network
 * Rapides Parish (LAGenWeb)
 * Rapides Parish, Louisiana (USGenWeb Archives)
 * Rapides Parish, Louisiana Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
 * Rapides Parish, Louisiana, Genealogy and History (Genealogy Trails)
 * Rapides Parish LA Genealogy (ldsgenealogy.com)
 * – The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection.  Use Historical Records to search for specific individuals in genealogical records.