Link To This Page — Contact Us —

Livingston 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
Livingston Parish

Browse Louisiana Counties

Livingston Parish was created on February 10, 1832 , from St. Helena Parish and the parish was named in honor of U.S. Secretary of State Edward Livingston . The Parish seat is Livingston . On October 15, 1875, the parish courthouse at Port Vincent burned, apparently destroying the official records which were maintained there.

It is borderd by St. Helena Parish (north), Tangipahoa Parish (east), St. John the Baptist Parish, Ascension Parish (southwest), East Baton Rouge Parish (west) . Cites, Towns and Communities include Albany, Denham Springs, French Settlement, Killian, Livingston, Port Vincent, Springfield, Walker, Holden, Maurepas, Watson, Colyell, Satsuma . The Official Parish Website is located at http://www.livingstonparish.org/ .

Livingston Parish is in the central part of the eastward-projecting southern half of Louisiana. The southeastern corner is about 35 miles east of Baton Rouge. Livingston Parish is known as one of the Florida Parishes of Louisiana; it was a part of West Florida until 1810. On September 22 or that year, the Spanish fort at Baton Rouge was captured by a band of cavalry and infantry made up of settlers from the West Florida area. Four days later, on September 26, a declaration of independence of the State of West Florida was issued. It has been asserted by one authority that the majority of foot soldiers of the rebel force and indeed a majority of that force itself, were volunteers from the Livingston Parish settlement of Springfield. On October 27, 1810, upon petition of the West Florida revolter's, West Florida between Mississippi and Pearl Rivers was annexed to the United States by Presidential proclamation.

Most compilers agree that the parish was named in honor of either Robert or Edward Livingston; however, they cannot unanimously agree on either one. Clark Forest Jr. in his article entitled "Various Locations of the Livingston Parish Courthouse" submits that the parish is named in honor of Edward Livingston.
Since its creation in 1832 from the southern portion of St. Helena Parish, Livingston has had five different parish seats, which may be a record of sorts for Louisiana Parishes.
No original records have been found to establish the location of the parish's first seat of justice, but secondary sources indicate it was at Van Buren. Information is contained in an act passed by the Louisiana Legislature on March 13, 1835 entitled "To Remove the Seat of Justice form Van Buren to Springfield, in the Parish of Livingston."

In the 1850's, after completion of the New Orleans to Jackson Railroad, pressure mounted to move the courthouse to a site along the vote on changing their courthouse location in 1871. The following year the legislature enacted Act 83 which stated the seat of justice would be located at Port Vincent.
On October 15, 1875, the parish courthouse was moved from Centerville to Livingston, three acts were passed by the Legislature authorizing the removal of the courthouse to some point on the railroad. A referendum was finally held in 1941, and the town of Livingston was approved as the fifth and final courthouse site.

Livingston Parish County was created on February 10, 1832. It was originally part of the Florida Parishes. The name is thought to derive from a U.S. Senator and Secretary of State under Andrew Jackson named Edward Livingston. However, contradicting arguments state that Livingston Parish was named after Robert Livingston, a well known lawyer and negotiator of the Louisiana Purchase as a minister to France.

Livingston Parish was one of the earliest settled parishes of the state, with both French and Spanish colonists settling here in the early 1700s in the Lake Maurepas area. To get to New Orleans the early settlers traveled the Amite River to Lake Maurepas then crossed the narrow pass into Lake Pontchartrain. At that time, the industry primarily was centered on farming, lumbering, and harvesting fish and seafood from the waterways. Livingston became the parish seat in 1941 when the courthouse was moved there from Centerville. Livingston Parish was incorporated on November 4, 1955, with the following officials: Winson Hoover, Mayor; Victor Smart; Fuqua Sibley and Willie Lee Duffy, Aldermen; and Johnnie Sartwell, Marshall. The growth of the community was lead by the construction of the present Illinois Central Gulf rail line in 1854 and 1856.

In the following years to come the parish was embroiled with the rest of the country in the Civil War. Some 14 engagements of the Civil War were fought in Livingston Parish between 1862 and 1865. They included eight battles fought in the vicinity of the Amite River, one at Benton’s Ferry, two at French Settlement, two in the Springfield area and one on the Tickfaw River. In 1869, the parish lost territory when Tangipahoa Parish was created. It later gained additional land when Maurepas Island was made part of the parish. Today, Livingston Parish has eight municipalities, with Denham Springs being the largest. Other municipalities are Albany, French Settlement, Killian, Livingston (the parish seat), Port Vincent, Springfield and Walker. As in the past, the harvesting of forest products and being the parish seat still plays a major role in the economic life of the town.

Back to top

Parish Court, Probate and Tax Records

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

On October 15, 1875, the parish courthouse at Port Vincent burned, apparently destroying the official records which were maintained there.

Livingston Parish Clerk of Court has Court Records from 1875, Land Records from 1875, Probate Records from 1875 and Marriage Records from 1875 and is located at 20180 Iowa Street, P O Box 1150, Livingston, LA 70754, (225) 686-2216, (225) 686-1867 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 Livingston Parish Court Records. Email us with websites containing Livingston Parish Court Records by clicking the link below:

Back to top

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 Livingston Parish Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Livingston Parish Vital Records by clicking the link below:

Back to top

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 Livingston Parish, Louisiana are 1830, 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 Livingston 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 Livingston Parish Census Records. Email us with websites containing Livingston Parish Census Records by clicking the link below:

Back to top

Parish Maps & Atlases

See Also Statewide Maps that exist for Louisiana

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

Back to top

Parish Military Records

See Also Research In Military Records or Military Records in Louisiana

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

Back to top

Parish Genealogical Addresses

See Also Other Louisiana Genealogical Addresses

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

Back to top

Parish Parish Cemeteries & Graveyards

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

There are many churches and cemeteries in Livingston Parish. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Livingston 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 Livingston Parish Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing Livingston Parish Cemetery & Church Records by clicking the link below:

Back to top

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.

Back to top

Family Trees & Genealogy Tidbits

 

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

Back to top
Site Map | Copyright © 2011 N2Genealogy.com,