Research historical records

Browse our online catalog of resources available in the archival collections housed at the Louisiana State Archives. Our collections, primarily pertaining to Louisiana state and governmental history, include books, manuscripts, photographs, newspaper, microfilm and more. Search keywords in order to access more information about our collections. 

The State Archives is a perfect destination for those interested in Louisiana's written historical record. Governmental records, as well as those donated by private individuals, combine with the family histories and census materials held in the Research Library to provide a great resource for both the academic researcher and the genealogist. In recent years, public interest in genealogy has grown, and the interest in our genealogical resources has increased. Our Research Library provides patrons access to the thirty thousand cubic feet of records stored here, as well as books on general histories, census indexes, immigration schedules, church records, and family history. Some of the more popular records requested by patrons are assessment records, colonial documents, passenger manifests for the Port of New Orleans, military service records, Confederate Pension Applications and records from the State Land Office, among others.

Also found in the Research Library is the state's archival vital records program. Here patrons can view selected marriage, death and birth records for Orleans Parish, as well as death records and some birth records for the remainder of the state. These records may contain information vital to ancestral research such as parents names, place of birth, cause of death, age and occupation of deceased persons, location of burial and official performing wedding. See the Online Public Vital Records Index for more information.

Additionally, thousands of hours of film and video footage relevant to Louisiana are available through our Multimedia Archives. Film and video from television stations, film collections and newsreels have been digitized for the public's viewing.

Consider a visit to see what you can find and learn more about Louisiana, and your family, in the process!