Louisiana State Penitentiary Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
This collection includes penitentiary 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.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
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 Do I Search the Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of the individual
 * The approximate age of the prisoner
 * The years in prison

View the Images
View images in this collection by visiting the :
 * 1) Select the Record
 * 2) Select the Record Type, Volume and Year Range which takes you to 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.

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

 * Copy the citation below, in case you need to find this record again later.
 * Use the information found in the record to locate the death record.
 * Use the age or estimated birth date to determine an approximate birth date to find other church and vital records such as birth, baptism, and marriage records.
 * 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 censuses.
 * Repeat this process with additional family members found, to find more generations of the family.
 * Church Records were kept years before counties began keeping records. They are a good source for finding ancestors before 1900.

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. 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. Try searching for these names as well.
 * Check the info box above for additional FamilySearch websites and related websites that may assist you in finding similar records.

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.

"Louisiana State Penitentiary Records, 1866-1963." Images. FamilySearch http://FamilySearch.org : 14 June 2016. State Archives, Baton Rouge.
 * Collection Citation:

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