Louisiana State Penitentiary Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

Record Description
This Collection will include records from 1866 to 1963.

This collection includes a seven-volume index of prisoners and 36 volumes registering convicts admitted to the prison. The prison was opened in 1835. Although some early records of inmates were made, they are not complete.

For an alphabetical index of records currently published in this collection, select the Browse link from the collection landing page.

Record Content
Information in these records may vary; however, they generally include the following:


 * Name of prisoner
 * Age, height and weight
 * Physical description including color of eyes, hair and identifying marks
 * Marital status
 * Reason for entry in (offense)ledger
 * Term of imprisonment
 * Level of education
 * Literacy
 * Birth date and place
 * Death date
 * Burial date and place
 * Cause of death
 * Last residence prior to confinement
 * Discharge or transfer date
 * Where transferred to

How to Use the Record
To search the collection, select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page ⇒ Select the Record Category ⇒ Select the Record Type, Volume and Year Range which takes you to the images.

Look at the images one by one comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine which one is your ancestor. You may need to compare the information about more than one person to make this determination.

To begin your search you will need to know the following:


 * Full name
 * Approximate dates served

Search the Collection
To search the collection image by image select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page ⇒Select the appropriate "Record Category" ⇒Select the appropriate "Record Type, Volume and Year Range" which takes you to the images

Look at the images one by one comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine which one is your ancestor. You may need to compare the information about more than one person to make this determination.

Using the Information
When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details that can lead you to other records about your ancestors. Add this new information to your records of each family. This information will often lead you to other records. For example:


 * Use the death date to search for a death certificate.
 * Use the death date and prior residence to locate mortuary, or burial records.
 * Use the age to calculate an approximate birth date.
 * Use the birth date or age along with the prior residence, enlistment place, or place of birth to locate census, church, and land records.

Tips to Keep in Mind

 * Compile a list of other prisoners with the same surname. If the surname is uncommon, they may be relatives.
 * When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct.
 * If you are having difficulty finding your ancestor, look for variations in the spelling of the name. If your ancestor used an alias or a nickname, be sure to check for those alternate names. You may also want to search the records of other prisons.
 * Record accuracy depends largely on the accuracy of the document authors and may be subject to inacurracies.

Related Websites
Louisiana State Penitentiary on Wikipedia

Related Wiki Articles
Louisiana Vital Records

Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections
Citations for individual images are available for this collection. Browse through images in this collection and click on the "show citation" box. Louisiana, State Penitentiary Records, 1866-1963

When you copy information from a record, you should list where you found the information. This will help you or others to find the record again. It is also good to keep track of records where you did not find information, including the names of the people you looked for in the records.

A suggested format for keeping track of records that you have searched is found in the wiki article Help:How to Cite FamilySearch Collections.

Citation for This Collection
The following citation refers to the original source of the information published in FamilySearch.org Historical Records collections. Sources include the author, custodian, publisher, and archive for the original records.

Suggested citation format for a record in this collection.