Ouachita Parish, Louisiana Genealogy

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

Description
The Ouachita Parish was named for the Ouachita people and was created in March 31, 1807. The parish seat is Monroe and is located in the northeast area of the state.

Parish Courthouse
Ouachita Parish Courthouse 301 S. Grand St. Monroe, LA 71201 Phone: 318-327-1444 Ouachita Parish Courthouse

Parish Clerk has marriage records from 1800s, divorce, court and probate records from 1900, land records from 1790s and some military 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:

Bible Records

 * Oachita Parish Bible Records (USGenWeb Archives)
 * Oachita Parish Family Bibles and Records (Genealogy Trails)

Biographies

 * Ouachita Parish Biographies (Genealogy Trails)
 * Index to Oachita Parish Biographies (USGenWeb Archives)

Church Records

 * Ouachita Parish Church Records (USGenWeb Archives)

 List of Churches and Church Parishes
 * FamilySearch Places

Court Records
Online Court Indexes and Records
 * Ouachita Parish Court Records (USGenWeb Archives)

Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups
 African Americans
 * Contributors of Oqachita Parish: a History of Blacks to Commemorate the Bicentennial of the United States of America; research and compilation by the Black Bicentennial Committee of Ouachita Parish. Monroe. La. : The committee, 1976. 42 p.: ill. F377.078 B58 1976.
 * Louisiana African American Griots Project
 * African American Cemeteries, listing by parish

Local Histories

 * Early History of Ouachita Parish (Genealogy Trails)
 * Ouachita Parish Historical Records (USGenWeb Archives)

Maps and Gazetteers

 * Maps of Louisiana (1805-1990)
 * Family Maps of Ouachita Parish, Louisiana (land patent maps) at HistoryGeo.com ($). Free surname search.
 * FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this parish - How to Use FS Places

Military Records

 * Ouachita 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
 * 1898-1950 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images

Regiments. Civil War service men in Ouachita Parish served in various regiments. Men often joined a company (part of a regiment) that originated in their parish. Listed below are companies that were specifically formed in this parish:
 * 3rd Battery, Louisiana Light Artillery (Benton's)(Confederate),

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

 * Ouachita Parish Newspaper Articles (USGenWeb Archives)

Obituaries

 * Ouachita Parish Obituaries and Death Notices (Genealogy Trails)
 * Index to Ouachita Parish Obituaries (USGenWeb Archives)

Probate Records
Online Probate Indexes and Records
 * 1756-1984 Louisiana Wills and Probate Records 1756-1984 at Ancestry — index and images ($)

Social Security Records

 * 1936-2007 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index

Birth

 * Ouachita Parish Birth Records (Genealogy Trails)
 * Index to Ouachita Parish Vital Records (USGenWeb Archives)

Marriage

 * 1837-1957 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images
 * Index to Ouachita Parish Vital Records (USGenWeb Archives)

Death

 * 1850-1875, 1894-1960 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images
 * Index to Ouachita Parish Vital Records (USGenWeb Archives)

FamilySearch Centers

 * Monroe Louisiana FamilySearch Center
 * Ruston Louisiana FamilySearch Center

Societies

 * Ouachita Genealogical Society 221 Riverbend West Monroe, LA 71292-3627 Website
 * Louisiana Historical Society 428 Hector Ave Metairie, La. 70005-4412 Website
 * Louisiana Historical Association 101 LSU Student Union LSU Box 25435 Baton Rouge, LA 70803 Website

Websites

 * Ouachita, Louisiana Genealogy & History Network
 * Ouachita Parish, Louisiana (USGenWeb Archives)
 * Ouachita GenWeb, LA GenWeb
 * Ouachita Parish, Louisiana Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
 * Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, Genealogy and History (Genealogy Trails)
 * Ouachita Parish LA Genealogy (ldsgenealogy.com)
 * – 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.