Louisiana Deaths - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
The collection consists of a name index and images of Louisiana deaths. The statewide records for all parishes cover 1911-1959. Coverage outside these dates for individual parishes varies. This collection does not include records for deaths from 1875-1893 and has only a few entries for 1894-1904. Death records for 1850-1875 are for Jefferson Parish only.

Certified copies of certificates can be ordered from the Louisiana State records website

The New Orleans Public Library, has acquired the Louisiana Biography and Obituary Index references obituaries and death notices published in New Orleans newspapers from 1804-1972 and biographical information published in older Louisiana collective biographies. The original index, housed in the Louisiana Division of New Orleans Public Library, is an alphabetical card file of more than 650,000 names. This information can be accessed by following these steps:
 *  Related Collection 


 * Go to New Orleans Public Library
 * Click on City Archives and Special Collections
 * Scroll down to Genealogy
 * Click on Louisiana Biography and Obituary Index
 * Click on the large red words 'Search the Index'
 * Enter a name

If you only enter a surname you get every result for that surname. Also, if you only enter the surname married women who were born as that surname may also come up, if the obituary gave her maiden name.

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

Deaths
 * Name
 * Death date
 * Location
 * Cause of Death
 * Date of birth
 * Marital status
 * Occupation
 * Name of informant

Digital Folder List
This collection was published as a DGS browse collection. These collections do not include any human-readable waypoint data making them difficult to use. A table showing each DGS number and its contents can be found in Louisiana Deaths Index Digital Folder Number List. The list can be sorted by DGS number, GS number, parish, volume and year.

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of the individual
 * The approximate date and or location of death

View the Images
To view images in this collection:
 * 1) Look at the Louisiana Deaths Index Digital Folder Number List article to determine the folder/film number for the images you want to see
 * 2) Go to the Browse Page
 * 3) Select the Film number 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?

 * Add any new information to your records
 * Use the age or estimated birth date to find vital records such as birth, baptism, and marriage
 * 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 census records
 * Search for church records

An index to the Orleans parish death records beginning in 1804 can be found at The USGenWeb Archives Project: Louisiana, Orleans Parish. An index to these records and the Orleans parish death records is available at the Louisiana Government website.

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 parish
 * Try different spellings of your ancestor’s name
 * Remember that sometimes individuals went by nicknames or alternated between using first and middle name

Research Helps
The following articles will help you research your family in the state of Louisiana.
 * Louisiana Guided Research
 * Louisiana Record Finder
 * Louisiana Research Tips and Strategies
 * Step-by-Step Louisiana Research, 1880-Present

Other FamilySearch Collections
These collections may have additional materials to help you with your research.

FamilySearch Catalog

 * Louisiana, death records, 1900-1965
 * Louisiana, statewide death records, 1956-1957
 * Louisiana, out of state death register, 1942-1957
 * Orleans Parish, Louisiana death records & certificates, 1819-1954; index to deaths records,1804-1954

FamilySearch Digital Library

 * Louisiana Historical Records Survey and the War Service Program, Service Division, Work Projects Administration, Guide to public vital statistics records in Louisiana New Orleans, Louisiana : Louisiana State Board of Health, 1942

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.