St. James Parish, Louisiana Genealogy

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

Description
The St. James Parish was named for Saint James and was created in March 31, 1807. The parish seat is Convent and is located in the southeast area of the state.

Parish Courthouse
St. James Parish Courthouse 5800 La Hwy. 44 Convent, LA, 70723 Phone: 225-562-2270 St. James Parish Courthouse Parish Clerk has marriage records from 1846, divorce, probate and court records from 1809.

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:

Biographies

 * Index to St. James Parish Biographies (LAGenWeb)
 * Index to St. James Parish Biographies (USGenWeb Archives)
 * St. James Parish Biographies (Genealogy Trails)

Business, Commerce, and Occupations
Business
 * 1842 Sugar Planters & Manufactures: 1842. Saint James Parish, Louisiana (LAGenWeb)
 * 1856 St. James Sugar Planters, 1856 (LAGenWeb)

Census Records

 * 1810 Census Images for St. James Parish (USGenWeb Archives)
 * 1810 Transcription of 1810 Census for St. James Parish (USGenWeb Archives)
 * Louisiana Census Images (USGenWeb Census Images Project)

Church Records

 * Louisiana Historical Church Information
 * Directory of Churches in Louisiana — at Church Angel — by city

 List of Churches and Church Parishes
 * FamilySearch Places

Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups
 African Americans
 * Louisiana African American Griots Project
 * Afrigeneas - African Ancestored Genealogy

Local Histories

 * St. James Parish History (Genealogy Trails)
 * St. James Parish Memoir (USGenWeb Archives)

Maps and Gazetteers

 * Maps of Louisiana (1805-1990)
 * Louisiana Digital Map Library at USGen Web Archives
 * FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this parish - How to Use FS Places

Military Records

 * Louisiana Military History Online

 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 St. James 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:
 * -5th Field Battery, Louisiana Artillery (Pelican Light Artillery) (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
 * Honor List of Dead and Missing Army & Army Air Forces Personnel, St. James Parish, Louisiana (Genealogy Trails)

Newspapers

 * Louisiana Newspaper List, listing by name/parish (USNPL)
 * Louisiana Newspaper listing (Newslink)

Obituaries

 * St. James Parish Obituaries (Genealogy Trails)
 * St. James 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 ($)

Marriage

 * 1837-1957 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images

Death

 * 1850-1875, 1894-1960 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index and images

FamilySearch Centers

 * Baton Rouge Louisiana FamilySearch Center
 * Gonzales Louisiana FamilySearch Center
 * New Orleans Louisiana FamilySearch Center

Museums

 * Louisiana Museums

Societies

 * German and Acadian Coast Historical and Genealogical Society PO Box 3086 LaPlace, LA 70069-3086 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

 * St. James, Louisiana Genealogy & History Network
 * St. James Parish (LAGenWeb) Records, Maps, Archives and Other Projects
 * St. James Parish, Louisiana (USGenWeb Archives)
 * St. James Parish, Louisiana Genealogy and Family History (Linkpendium)
 * St. James Parish, Louisiana, Genealogy and History (Genealogy Trails)
 * St. James 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.