Louisiana State Penitentiary Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

Collection Time Period
The collection covers the years 1866 to 1936.

Record Description
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.

Record Content


The key genealogical facts in these records may vary; however, they generally include the following:


 * Name of prisoner
 * Date of entry in the report, list, or ledger
 * Reason for entry in the repost, list, or ledger
 * Birth date and place
 * Death date
 * Burial date and place
 * Cause of death
 * Age
 * Physical description
 * Names of relatives or friends
 * Last residence prior to confinement
 * Monies exchanged
 * Release or transfer date
 * Where transferred to

How to Use the Record
To begin your search you will need to know the following:


 * Full name
 * Approximate dates served

Search the Collection
To search the collection you will need follow this series of links: ⇒Select the "Browse" link in the initial search page ⇒Select the "Correctional Institution Records" link which takes you to a list of parishes ⇒Select the appropriate "Record Type, Volume and Year Range" link which takes you to the images

Look at the images one by one comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine which one is your ancestor. You may need to compare the information about more than one person to make this determination.

Using the Information
When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details that can lead you to other records about your ancestors. Add this new information to your records of each family. This information will often lead you to other records. For example:


 * Use the death date to search for a death certificate.
 * Use the death date and prior residence to locate mortuary, or burial records.
 * Use the age to calculate an approximate birth date.
 * Use the birth date or age along with the prior residence, enlistment place, or place of birth to locate census, church, and land records.

Tips to Keep in Mind

 * Compile a list of other prisoners with the same surname. If the surname is uncommon, they may be relatives.
 * When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct.
 * If you are having difficulty finding your ancestor, look for variations in the spelling of the name. If your ancestor used an alias or a nickname, be sure to check for those alternate names. You may also want to search the records of other prisons.
 * Record accuracy depends largely on the accuracy of the document authors and may be subject to inacurracies.

Related Websites
Louisiana State Penitentiary on Wikipedia

Related Wiki Articles
Louisiana Vital Records

Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections
When you copy information from a record, you should list where you found the information. This will help you or others to find the record again. It is also good to keep track of records where you did not find information, including the names of the people you looked for in the records.

A suggested format for keeping track of records that you have searched is found in the Wiki Article: How to Cite FamilySearch Collections.

Examples of Source Citations for a Record in This Collection

 * “Delaware Marriage Records,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org: accessed 4 March 2011), entry for William Anderson and Elizabeth Baynard Henry, married 23 November 1913; citing marriage certificate no. 859; FHL microfilm 2,025,063; Delaware Bureau of Archives and Records Management, Dover.
 * “El Salvador Civil Registration,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org: accessed 21 March 2011), entry for Jose Maria Antonio del Carmen, born 9 April 1880; citing La Libertad, San Juan Opico, Nacimientos 1879-1893, image 50; Ministerio Archivo Civil de la Alcaldia Municipal de San Salvador.

Sources of information for This Collection
"Louisiana State Penitentiary Records, 1866-1936." FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org). Louisiana State Penitentiary, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. FHL digital images, 25,000 digital images. Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.

The suggested format for citing FamilySearch Historical Collections is found in the following article: How to Create Source Citations For FamilySearch Historical Records Collections.