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Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana

Parish Census Records  •  Parish Court, Probate, Land and Tax Records
Parish Birth Records, Marriage Records, Divorce Records and Death Records
Parish Cemeteries & Graveyards  •  Parish Church & Bible Records
Calcasieu Parish

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Calcasieu Parish was formed out of St. Landry Parish by an act of the State Legislature on March 24, 1840, and the parish was named in honor Calcasieu, of meaning crying eagle, is said to be the name of an Atakapa Native American leader . The Parish seat is Lake Charles . Courthouse was destroyed by a disastrous fire on April 23, 1910, as well as most of downtown Lake Charles, and many of the records of the parish were burned or damaged.

It is borderd by Beauregard Parish (north), Jefferson Davis Parish (east), Cameron Parish (south), Orange County, TX (west), Newton County, TX (northwest) . Cites, Towns and Communities include DeQuincy, Iowa, Lake Charles, Sulphur, Vinton, Westlake, Bell City, Carlyss, Gillis, Moss Bluff, Prien, Starks . The Official Parish Website is located at http://www.cppj.net/ .

The area had been inhabited by white families since about 1815. These families formed settlements along the Calcasieu River. When the parish was formed, the boundaries were " ...all the territory in the parish of St. Landry, within the following boundaries, to-wit: Commencing at the mouth of the River Mermentau, thence up said river to the mouth of the Bayou Nez Pique, thence up said bayou to the mouth of Cedar Creek, thence due north to the dividing line between the parishes of St. Landry and Rapides, thence along said line to the Sabine River, thence down the said river to the mouth, thence along the sea coast to the place of beginning...." Quoted from the legislative act of formation. The Calcasieu Parish Seat is Lake Charles .

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Parish Court, Probate and Tax Records

See Also Louisiana Court, Land, Tax & Probate Records and Marriage Records

Courthouse was destroyed by a disastrous fire on April 23, 1910, as well as most of downtown Lake Charles, and many of the records of the parish were burned or damaged.

Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court has Court Records from 1910, Land Records from 1910, Probate Records from 1910 and Marriage Records from 1910 and is located at 1000 Ryan Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601, P O Box 1030, Lake Charles, LA 70602, (337) 437-3550, (337) 437-3350 Fax .

The Clerk of Court for each parish in Louisiana performs the functions of more than one office. As the Recorder, the office of the Clerk of Court receives, files, records and indexes all mortgages, conveyances and all other instruments recorded in the Public Records for the Parish. The Clerk’s Office receives and files all pleadings, such as petitions, answers, motions and other filings in Civil and Probate matters, as well as indictments, bills of information and other filings in Criminal matters. The Clerk’s Office also handles special Juvenile matters and Criminal Neglect cases. Another function of the Clerk’s Office is the issuance of Marriage Licenses and recording their returns after the marriages are performed.

You may also search the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) which does cover Louisiana and does cover surrounding states. Many pioneers and settelers bought land from the government instead of individuals.

Tax records are a valuable but little-used source. Almost everything was taxed: household and personal goods, livestock, slaves, and property. Tax lists can be used as a substitute census, to create complete neighborhoods for a neighborhood study, establish relationships, locate land, and so on. Unfortunately, most of these lists no longer exist in Louisiana, but those that are extant are usually found in the tax assessor's office.

Below is a list of online resources for Calcasieu Parish Court Records. Email us with websites containing Calcasieu Parish Court Records by clicking the link below:

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Parish Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records

See Also Research In Vital Records or Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records in Louisiana

Birth, marriage, and death records are connected with central life events. They are prime sources for genealogical information.

Vital Records Registry Office of Public Health, 325 Loyola Avenue, P.O. Box 60630. New Orleans, LA 70160; Tel: 504-568-5150 504- 568-5152 (automated) is the repository for all Louisiana Birth Certificates less than 101 years old and all Louisiana Death Certificates less than 51 years old. Existing records of births which occurred in Louisiana more than 100 years ago or deaths which occurred more than 50 years ago are maintained by the Louisiana State Archives. They have the following records:

  • Birth Certificates: State office has had records since July 1914. Birth records for city of New Orleans are available from 1892. Death records are available since 1942. Older birth, death, and marriage records are available through the Louisiana State Archives, P.O. Box 94125, Baton Rouge, LA 70804.
    • Cost: The cost of a birth record is $15.00. Fees must be remitted by personal check, money order or Credi/Debit Card Online for the exact amount at the time the order is placed. No credit cards are accepted except online. If the record is not on file, one fee is retained to cover the expense of the search. Please do not send cash in the mail
    • Processing Time: 4-6 weeks when ordered by MAIL or 2-5 Days when you order Online Below
  • Death Certificates: Under Louisiana law, death records are strictly confidential until 50 years after the year of death. Death records older than 50 years are available at the Louisiana State Archives.
    • Cost: The cost of a death record is $7.00. Fees must be remitted by personal check, money order or Credi/Debit Card Online for the exact amount at the time the order is placed. No credit cards are accepted except online. If the record is not on file, one fee is retained to cover the expense of the search. Please do not send cash in the mail
    • Processing Time: 4-6 weeks when ordered by MAIL or 2-5 Days when you order Online Below
  • Marriage Certificates: Orleans Parish records only from Vital Records Registry or the Louisiana State Archives. For other parishes, certified copies are available from the Clerk of the Court in the parish where the license was issued
  • Divorce Certificates: Divorce records are available from Clerk of Court in parish where divorce was granted. Fees vary. Call Civil District Court, (504) 592-9100
  • Ordering Vital Records - You can also order
  • Order Electronically Online or You can download an application for Birth, Marriage, Divorce or Death Certificates to mail.

Order By Mail: SUBMIT APPLICATION, COPY OF STATE OR FEDERAL PHOTO ID AND CHECK OR MONEY ORDER TO: Vital Records Registry, P.O. Box 60630, New Orleans, LA 70160. Please do not send cash in the mail. IF NO RECORD IS FOUND, YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED AND FEES WILL BE RETAINED FOR THE SEARCH PER R.S. 40:40. See LOUISIANA VITAL RECORDS REGISTRY OFFICE OF PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HOSPITALS SERVICE FEES for current cost of all documents.

Below is a list of online resources for Calcasieu Parish Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Calcasieu Parish Vital Records by clicking the link below:

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Parish Census Records

See Also Research In Census Records & Statewide Census Records for Louisiana

Few, if any, records reveal as many details about individuals and families as do government census records. Substitute records can be used when the official census is unavailable

Parishwide Records: Federal Population Schedules that exist for Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana are 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1890 (fragment, see below), 1900, 1910, 1910, 1920 and 1940. Other Federal Schedules to look at when researching your family tree in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana are Industry and Agriculture Schedules availible for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Slave Schedules exist for 1850 & 1860. The Mortality Schedules for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880.

Statewide Records that exist for Louisiana are 1810, 1820, 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1890 (fragment, see below), 1900, 1910, 1910, 1920 and 1940. After the 1803 purchase of Louisiana it became an American possession; therefore, the first federal census report taken for the state was 1810.

Caution should be used particularly with the AIS indexes for Louisiana. Many of the French and Spanish names were transcribed wrong and numerous omissions exist. Many of these population schedules have been published. See Louisiana Census Records. Volume I: Avoyelles and St. Landry Parishes, 1810 and 1820 & Louisiana Census Records. Volume II: Iberville, Natchitoches, Pointe Coupee, and Rapides Parishes, 1810 and 1820 by Robert Bruce L. Ardoin & The Census Tables for the French Colony of Louisiana from 1699 Through 1732 by Charles R. Maduell, Jr. These books are on 1 Family Archive CD

As early as 1860 the federal government began attempts to identify Native Americans. In 1900 and 1910 it created a special Indian schedule. The first page was the same as the population census only it had “Indian Population” as its heading. The second page provided for such important information as: tribal affiliation, the tribe of each parent, the person's Indian blood quantum, and—if not full blooded —their precise racial mixture. These schedules will be found at the end of the ward or district in which the Native American resided.

There are Industry and Agriculture Schedules availible for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Slave Schedules exist for 1850 & 1860. The Mortality Schedules for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Union Veterans Schedules were conducted in 1890.

Below is a list of online resources for Calcasieu Parish Census Records. Email us with websites containing Calcasieu Parish Census Records by clicking the link below:

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Parish Maps & Atlases

See Also Statewide Maps that exist for Louisiana

Below is a list of online resources for Calcasieu Parish Maps. Email us with websites containing Calcasieu Parish Maps by clicking the link below:

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Parish Military Records

See Also Research In Military Records or Military Records in Louisiana

Below is a list of online resources for Calcasieu Parish Military Records. Email us with websites containing Calcasieu Parish Military Records by clicking the link below:

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Parish Genealogical Addresses

See Also Other Louisiana Genealogical Addresses

Below is a list of online resources for Calcasieu Parish Genealogical Addresses. Email us with websites containing Calcasieu Parish Genealogical Addresses by clicking the link below:

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Parish Parish Cemeteries & Graveyards

See Also Research In Cemetery Records or Statewide Cemetery Links for Louisiana

There are many churches and cemeteries in Calcasieu Parish. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Calcasieu Parish Tombstone Transcription Project.

Most Catholic church registers are still in the local parish church. Many of them have been translated and published.

The recording of cemetery inscriptions in Louisiana has long been a project of the DAR and numerous genealogical societies. Genealogical publications continually print these inscriptions in their issues.

Below is a list of online resources for Calcasieu Parish Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing Calcasieu Parish Cemetery & Church Records by clicking the link below:

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Parish Church & Bible Records

See Also Research In Church Records or Statewide Church & Bible Links for Louisiana

For periods before the advent of civil registration of vital statistics, Louisiana church records rank as the best available sources for information on specific vital events: birth, marriage, and death. Louisiana bible records is a good primary source for genealogy research and information. You will find many different Louisiana surnames listed in many of these Bibles which include old photos, obituaries and other facts such as birth and death dates.

Below is a list of online resources for ????? Parish Cemetery & Church Records. EMAIL US with websites links to ????? Parish Cemetery & Church Records.

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Family Trees & Genealogy Tidbits

 

Below is a list of online resources for Calcasieu Parish Family Trees, web forums and other family type information . Email us with websites containing Calcasieu Parish Family Trees, web forums and other family type information by clicking the link below:

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