Louisiana Census

Availability[edit | edit source]

1810-1930--The Family History Library has the United States federal censuses of Louisiana.

1850 United States Census—A free Internet index and images to the 1850 United States Census can be viewed on the FamilySearch Record Search – Pilot Site. This index includes every name listed on the census and is linked to an image including information about each person’s residence and age in 1850, birthplace, occupation, other family members, and neighbors.

1860 United States Census—A free Internet index and images to the 1860 United States Census can be viewed on the FamilySearch Record Search – Pilot Site. This index includes every name listed on the census and is linked to an image including information about each person’s residence and age in 1860, birthplace, occupation, other family members, whether married or single, and neighbors.

1870 United States Census---A free internet index and images can be viewed on FamilySearch Record Pilot site. This index includes the full name, age, sex, race, birthplace, occupation, month if born in census year, month if married in census year, birth place of father and mother, if born in a foreign country.

1890-- The 1890 census was destroyed, but there is a Union veterans schedule and a published index to it that is available at the Family History Library.

1890--The census for the Ascension Parish census is at the Division of Archives, Records Management, and History, and an index has been published and is available at the Family History Library.

Historical Background[edit | edit source]

1714--The first settlement was established at Natchitoches.

1717-1722--Forced immigration from France brought a few thousand settlers. Attracted by land, German-speaking people came. The importation of African slaves began.

1718--New Orleans was founded.

1763--France ceded Louisiana to Spain.

1803--The Louisiana area was purchased by the United States from France.

1804--The territory was divided, using the 33rd parallel as the boundary. The northern portion became the District of Louisiana, and the southern portion became the Territory of Orleans.

1812--The Territory of Orleans became the state of Louisiana.

Indexes[edit | edit source]

1810-1870--Statewide indexes are available for the censuses in book and microfiche format.

1880-1930-- Soundex (phonetic) indexes are available on microfilm.

Special Censuses[edit | edit source]

Mortality schedules exist for 1850, 1860, 1870, and 1880, and all are indexed. The schedules and indexes are available at the Family History Library and the National Archives.

1850 United States Census Mortality Schedules—A free Internet index and images to the 1850 United States Census Mortality Schedules can be viewed on the FamilySearch Record Search - Pilot Site. Mortality schedules provided nationwide death statistics for the twelve months prior to the 1850 census. Key genealogical facts found on the 1850 mortality schedule are: Name, age, sex, color, married or widowed, birthplace, month of death, occupation, cause of death.

State and Colonial Censuses[edit | edit source]

1699-1805--In addition to the federal censuses, various military and local censuses were taken.

1805-- A special census of New Orleans was taken.

The information in these censuses varies greatly. Several give the names and ages of all residents. Most of these censuses have been published and are available at the Family History Library. Two particularly helpful publications are:

Maduell,Charles R.,Jr. The Census Tables for the French Colony of Louisiana from 1699 Through 1732. Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1972. (Family History Library book 976.3 X2pm.)

Robichaux, Alberte J., Jr. Louisiana Census and Militia Lists 1770-1789. 2 vols. Harvey, Louisiana.: A. J. Robichaux, 1973 and 1974. (Family History Library book 976.3 X2pr fiche 6088510-511,vols. 1-2.)