Louisiana, Orleans Parish Will Books - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection of will books for Orleans Parish courts include copies of all wills filed in Orleans Parish, 1805-1920. The will books comprise 39 bound volumes. Each volume is individually indexed at the front of each book. The will books were created in several courts including the Court of Probates (1805-1846), Second District Court (1846-1880) and Civil District Court (1880-1920). Volume 31, No. 11 is missing.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:

Parish Will Books
 * Name of deceased
 * Place of birth
 * Name of spouse
 * Wife’s maiden name
 * Name of children
 * Date and place of death
 * Date and place of burial
 * Date of will
 * Occupation
 * Names of witnesses

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of the deceased
 * The approximate date of death
 * The approximate date of probate
 * The place where your ancestor lived
 * The names of family members who may be named in the will

View the Images
View images in this collection by visiting the :
 * 1) Select the Volume Title and Year to view the images.

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.

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

 * Use a probate record to identify adoptions, guardians, heirs and relatives
 * Use a probate record to approximate a death date, then find a death certificate
 * For earlier years, use the probate record to substitute for civil birth and death records
 * Use the information found in the record to find vital records such as birth, baptism and marriage
 * Use the information found in the record to find immigration and land 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

 * Indexes and transcriptions may not include all the data found in the original records. You could get a copy of the original record from the New Orleans Public Library, New Orleans
 * If your ancestor does not have a common name, collect entries for every person who has the same surname. This list can help you find possible relatives
 * 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.