DeSoto Parish, Louisiana Genealogy

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

Description
The Parish was named for the settler, Marcel DeSoto and was created in 1843. Mansfield is the parish seat and is located in the northwest area of the state.

Parish Courthouse
DeSoto Parish Courthouse 101 Texas St Mansfield, LA 71052 Phone: 318-872-3110 DeSoto Parish Courthouse

Parish Clerk has marriage and land records from 1843, divorce, probate and court records.

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:

History Timeline

 * 1871 Eastern part of the parish was set off 2 March 1871 to form Red River Parish

Bible Records

 * DeSoto Parish Bible Records (LAGenWeb)

Biographies

 * Index to DeSoto Parish Biographies (LAGenWeb)
 * Index to DeSoto Parish Biographies (USGenWeb Archives)
 * DeSoto Parish Biographies (Genealogy Trails)

Census Records

 * Louisiana Census Images (USGenWeb Census Images Project)
 * DeSoto Parish Census Records (USGenWeb Archives)
 * DeSoto Parish Census Transcriptions (LAGenWeb)

Church Records

 * Louisiana Historical Church Information
 * Directory of Churches in Louisiana — at Church Angel — by city
 * DeSoto Parish Church Records (USGenWeb Archives)

 List of Churches and Church Parishes
 * FamilySearch Places

Court Records
Online Court Indexes and Records
 * 1843-1909 Index of Succession Records (Including Tutorship), DeSoto Parish, Louisiana (LAGenWeb)
 * DeSoto Parish Court Records (USGenWeb Archives)
 * DeSoto Parish Civil Court Records (LAGenWeb)

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

Local Histories

 * DeSoto Parish History (LAGenWeb)
 * DeSoto Parish History Records (USGenWeb Archives)

Maps and Gazetteers

 * 1805-1990 Maps of Louisiana (1805-1990)
 * Family Maps of DeSoto Parish, Louisiana (land patent maps) at HistoryGeo.com ($). Free surname search.
 * 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

 * Louisiana Military History Online
 * DeSoto Parish Military Links (LAGenWeb)
 * DeSoto Parish Military Records (USGenWeb Archives)

 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
 * 1883 DeSoto Parish Pensioners on the Rolls as of January 1, 1883 (Genealogy Trails)
 * 1898-1950 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images

Civil War Battles: The following Civil War battles were fought in DeSoto Parish:
 * April 8, 1864 - Mansfield, also known as Sabine Cross-Roads or Pleasant Grove.
 * April 9, 1864 - Pleasant Hill.
 * Battles of the American Civil War maps - filter by state or by battle name.

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

Newspapers

 * Louisiana Newspaper List at United States Newspaper Listings, listing by name/parish
 * Louisiana Newspaper listing (Newslink)

Obituaries

 * DeSoto Parish Obituaries and Death Notices (Genealogy Trails)
 * index to DeSoto Parish Obituaries (USGenWeb Archives)
 * DeSoto Parish Obituaries (LAGenWeb)

Probate Records
Online Probate Indexes and Records
 * 1756-1984 Louisiana Wills and Probate Records 1756-1984 at Ancestry — index and images ($)
 * 1843-1909 Index of Succession Records, DeSoto Parish (LAGenWeb)
 * DeSoto Parish Wills and Probate Documents (Genealogy Trails)

School Records

 * DeSoto Parish School Records (USGenWeb Archives)
 * Schools of DeSoto Parish LA (LAGenWeb)

Tax Records
Online Tax Indexes and Records
 * 1861 Tax List - Slave Owners of nine or more slaves in 1861. (USGenWeb Archives)

Vital Records

 * DeSoto Parish Vital Records (USGenWeb Archives)

Marriage

 * To 1850 Early Desoto Parish Marriages (LAGenWeb)
 * 1837-1957 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images
 * 1843-1905 Some Marriages of DeSoto Parish LA (list is not complete) (LAGenWeb)

Death

 * 1850-1875, 1894-1960 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images
 * DeSoto Parish Deaths (LAGenWeb)

FamilySearch Centers

 * Monroe Louisiana FamilySearch Center
 * Ruston Louisiana FamilySearch Center
 * Shreveport Louisiana FamilySearch Center
 * Winnfield Louisiana FamilySearch Center
 * Shreve Memorial Library - an affiliate library
 * Webster Parish Library - Cotton Valley Branch - an affiliate library
 * Webster Parish Library - Doyline Branch - an affiliate library
 * Webster Parish Library - Heflin Branch - an affiliate library
 * Webster Parish Library - Minden Main Branch - an affiliate library
 * Webster Parish Library - Sarepta Branch - an affiliate library
 * Webster Parish Library - Sibley Branch - an affiliate library
 * Webster Parish Library - Springhill Branch - an affiliate library

Museums

 * Louisiana Museums

Societies

 * Desoto Historical Society PO Box 300 Stonewall, LA 71078-0300 Website
 * Louisiana Historical Association Website
 * Louisiana Historical Society Website

Websites

 * DeSoto Parish (USGenWeb Archives)
 * The DeSoto Parish (LAGenWeb)
 * DeSoto Parish, Louisiana Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
 * DeSoto Parish, Louisiana, Genealogy and History (Genealogy Trails)
 * MSGHN DeSoto, Louisiana Genealogy & History Network
 * DeSoto Parish LA Genealogy (ldsgenealogy.com)
 * Louisiana Genealogy & History Network
 * – 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.