Ouachita Parish, Louisiana Genealogy

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

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

Parish Courthouse
Ouachita Parish Courthouse 300 St John Street Monroe, LA 71201 Phone: 318.327.1444 Parish Clerk has marriage records from 1800s, divorce, court and probate records from 1900, land records from 1790s and some military records.

Parent Parish
1805--Ouachita Parish was created 10 April 1805 as an original parish. Parish seat: Monroe

Boundary Changes
For animated maps illustrating Louisiana Parish boundary changes, "Rotating Formation Louisiana Parish Boundary Maps" (1805-1990) may be viewed for free at the MapofUS.org website.

Record Loss
1864, 1882 Courthouse was destroyed or partially destroyed, with probable record loss.

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 county:

Neighboring Parishes or Counties

 * Caldwell
 * Jackson
 * Lincoln
 * Morehouse
 * Richland
 * Union

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)

Cemeteries
The following web sites may have additional information on Ouachita Parish cemeteries.


 * Interment.net Louisiana cemetery records by Parish.
 * African American Cemeteries, listing by county

Census

 * Ouachita Parish Census Records (USGenWeb Archives)

Church

 * Ouachita Parish Church Records (USGenWeb Archives)

Court

 * Ouachita Parish Court Records (USGenWeb Archives)

Ethnic and Religious Groups
African American


 * 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 county

Local Histories

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

Maps

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

Military

 * Ouachita Parish Military Records (USGenWeb Archives)

Civil War
Online Records
 * 1861-1865 - at FamilySearch — index
 * 1861-1865 - at FamilySearch — index
 * 1898-1950 - at FamilySearch — images
 * - 3rd Battery, Louisiana Light Artillery (Benton's)(Confederate),

World War I

 * 1917-1920 - at FamilySearch — index and images

World War II

 * 1940-1945 - at FamilySearch — 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
Online Probate Records
 * 1756 – 1984 Louisiana Wills and Probate Records 1756-1984 at Ancestry — index and images $

Vital Records

 * Louisiana Records and Statistics Information ~ where and how to order information.
 * Index to Ouachita Parish Vital Records (USGenWeb Archives)

Birth

 * Ouachita Parish Birth Records (Genealogy Trails)

Marriage

 * 1837–1957 -  at FamilySearch — index and images

Death

 * 1850-1875, 1894-1960 - at FamilySearch — index and images

Societies and Libraries

 * Ouachita Genealogical Society 221 Riverbend West Monroe, LA 71292-3627
 * Louisiana Historical Society Website
 * Louisiana Historical Association Website

Family History Centers

 * Monroe Louisiana Family History Center

Websites

 * Louisiana Genealogy Network Community on Google+
 * Louisiana Genealogy Network Group on Facebook
 * Ouachita Parish, Louisiana (USGenWeb Archives)
 * Ouachita Parish (LAGenWeb)
 * Ouachita Parish, Louisiana Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
 * Ouachita Parish, Louisiana, Genealogy and History (Genealogy Trails)
 * Ouachita Parish LA Genealogy (ldsgenealogy.com)
 * Ouachita Parish LA Genealogy (ldsgenealogy.com)