Finding Louisiana Death Records on FamilySearch.org

Finding Louisiana Death Records on FamilySearch.org

This guide provides a step-by-step process for locating Louisiana death records using the extensive resources available on FamilySearch.org.

Step-by-Step Guide

• Step 1: Access FamilySearch.org and Log In
  Begin by navigating to FamilySearch.org in your web browser. If you have an account, click "Sign In" in the top right corner and enter your credentials. If you don't have an account, you can create one for free by clicking "Create Account".
• Step 2: Navigate to the Search Records Page
  Once logged in, hover over the "Search" option in the top navigation bar. From the dropdown menu, click on "Records." This will take you to the main historical records search page.
• Step 3: Find Louisiana Collections Directly
  On the Records page, locate the "Find a Collection" search bar, usually found near the top-center. Type "Louisiana death" (or "Louisiana deaths") into this box and press Enter or click the search icon. This will display a list of collections specifically related to death records in Louisiana. Look for key collections like "Louisiana, Statewide Death Index, 1900-1964" or "Louisiana, New Orleans, Death Records, 1850-1964".
• Step 4: Alternatively, Browse by Place
  If you prefer to browse, on the Records page, scroll down to the "Find Places" section and type "Louisiana, United States" into the box, then select it from the suggestions. Or, click on the world map, then "North America," then "United States," and finally select "Louisiana." This will show you all available historical record collections for Louisiana. Scroll through the list, paying close attention to collection titles that include "Death," "Deaths," "Burials," "Cemeteries," or "Probate Records" (as probate often includes death dates).
• Step 5: Select a Relevant Collection
  Click on the title of a collection that appears most promising for your research. For instance, the "Louisiana, Statewide Death Index, 1900-1964" is often a good starting point for statewide searches, while "Louisiana, New Orleans, Death Records" is excellent for that specific city.
• Step 6: Search Within the Collection
  Once inside a specific collection, you'll see a search interface tailored to that collection. Enter the deceased individual's first and last names. You can also add other details like a death year range, birth year range, or parish/county to narrow your results. Click "Search." Remember to try variations of names or broader date ranges if your initial search yields no results.
• Step 7: Review Search Results and Access Records
  Examine the list of results for potential matches. Pay attention to the names, dates, and locations. Click on a promising result to view the detailed record. Many records will display indexed information directly, while others may provide a link to "View the original document" (often an image of the death certificate or index entry). Some collections may require you to "Browse through images" page by page if they are not fully indexed.
• Step 8: Utilize the General Records Search if Needed
  If direct collection searches don't yield results, return to the main "Search Records" page. Use the broader search fields at the top of the page. Enter the person's name, ensure "Louisiana, United States" is in the "Places" field, and specify "Death" as the event type. This broader search can sometimes pull records from various collections that might not be immediately obvious.

By following these steps, you can effectively navigate FamilySearch.org to uncover valuable Louisiana death records for your family history research.