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→Marriage Records
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The Family History Library has an extensive collection of Louisiana marriage records. For example, for Orleans Parish the library has 86 microfilms of marriage licenses and certificates from 1834 to 1888. Another set of Orleans Parish records includes 185 films of marriage licenses from 1870 to 1915. The library has similar records for most parishes. | The Family History Library has an extensive collection of Louisiana marriage records. For example, for Orleans Parish the library has 86 microfilms of marriage licenses and certificates from 1834 to 1888. Another set of Orleans Parish records includes 185 films of marriage licenses from 1870 to 1915. The library has similar records for most parishes. | ||
Many colonial marriages are | Many colonial marriages are referenced in the judicial records of the French Superior Council and the Spanish Cabildo (originals at the [http://lsm.crt.state.la.us/collections/hcenter.htm Louisiana Historical Center of the Louisiana State Museum]). Many marriage contracts appear in the registers of the royal notaries; for Orleans Parish, these are maintained at the Notarial Archives; for other colonial parishes they may be held by the parish clerk of court or by the state archives. Microfilm copies of most of these records are at the Family History Library. ''Note, however, that a marriage contract is not a record of a marriage.'' In colonial Louisiana, marriages were a function of the church. A marriage contract was a ''civil'' contract in which couples stated an intent to marry and agreed upon the financial terms that would govern both the marriage and the eventual distribution of their community of goods at the time one or both died. Most contracting couples did proceed to marry; but some did not. | ||
Many colonial marriage records have also been published in the sources listed below. These sources also provide descriptions of some of the unique marriage customs practiced during the French and Spanish colonial periods. | Many colonial marriage records have also been published in the sources listed below. These sources also provide descriptions of some of the unique marriage customs practiced during the French and Spanish colonial periods. | ||
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In 1827 the district courts in the Louisiana parishes and the parish court of Orleans Parish were given jurisdiction over divorce cases. To locate parish divorce records, contact the clerk of the court in each parish. The New Orleans Public Library has some clerk of court records for many parishes. | In 1827 the district courts in the Louisiana parishes and the parish court of Orleans Parish were given jurisdiction over divorce cases. To locate parish divorce records, contact the clerk of the court in each parish. The New Orleans Public Library has some clerk of court records for many parishes. | ||
The Family History Library has divorce records for some Louisiana parishes. For example, the library has divorce records from Orleans Parish from 1813 to 1924. Divorce records in the Family History Library Center are listed under LOUISIANA, [COUNTY], - COURT, PUBLIC, or VITAL RECORDS. | The Family History Library has divorce records for some Louisiana parishes. For example, the library has divorce records from Orleans Parish from 1813 to 1924. Divorce records in the Family History Library Center are listed under LOUISIANA, [COUNTY], - COURT, PUBLIC, or VITAL RECORDS. | ||
== Death Records == | == Death Records == | ||