Rapides Parish, Louisiana Genealogy
Rapides Parish, Louisiana genealogy and family history research page. Find links to record collections, history, and genealogy resources to help you trace your Rapides Parish, ancestors.
Rapides Parish Quick Facts
- Government Website: www.rppj.com/
- Created Date / Origin: March 31, 1807 as one of the original 19 parishes. (originally created on April 10, 1805 as Rapides County, Louisana Territory as one of the original 12 counties)
- Parish Seat: Alexandria
- Named After: Named for local river rapids (French: rapides)
- Bordering Parishes: Grant Parish (north), La Salle Parish (northeast), Avoyelles Parish (east), Evangeline Parish (southeast), Allen Parish (southwest), Vernon Parish (west), Natchitoches Parish (northwest)
- Cities & Towns: Alexandria, Pineville, Ball, Boyce, Cheneyville, Glenmora, Lecompte, Woodworth, Forest Hill, McNary
Rapides Parish Genealogical & Historical Societies and Family History Resources
A list of Rapides Parish Historical and Genealogical Societies, Forums, Message Boards, Libraries, Archives. See Also Louisiana Archives, Genealogical and Historical Societies for statewide Addresses and links.
Rapides Parish Courthouse and Government Records
Researchers often overlook the importance of Rapides Parish court, probate, and land records as a source of genealogy and family history information. Buried away in Louisiana courthouses and archives everywhere are the dreams and frustrations of many Louisiana citizens. The chances are great that your ancestors have left a detailed record of at least some aspects of their lives in the Rapides Parish court records. Even if your ancestor is not mentioned in a Court case, consider all of the other procedures which could have lead to him or her appearing in court records.
Please call the clerk's department to confirm hours, mailing address, fees and other specifics before visiting or requesting information because of sometimes changing contact information. The Clerk's Office DOES NOT DO RESEARCH. The documents are available to interested parties, barring confidential issues. Most staff will assist people in finding the materials, but it is up to the individual to do the research.
The following indicates what vital, land, probate, and court records are in Rapides parish. The dates indicated below are the first known records for each parish which may include records of land, estates, taxes, vital records, divorces, naturalizations, voter registration, court records, and so forth. The Courthouse burned in 1864, all records were lost
- Rapides Parish Clerk of Court 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. Another function of the Clerk’s Office is the issuance of Marriage Licenses and recording their returns after the marriages are performed.
- Address: 701 Murray Street, Alexandria, LA 71301
- Phone: (318) 473-8153
- Marriage Records: 1871
- Land Records: 1871
- Probate Records: 1871
- Court Records: 1904
- Louisiana Office of Vital Records has copies of birth and death records. There is a fee for each copy requested. Please refer to the information to the Statewide Vital Records in Louisiana for current fees and application process. Birth, marriage, and death records are connected with central life events. They are prime sources for genealogical information.
Louisiana Historical Records - Databases include Louisiana Court, Land, Wills & Financial Records; Louisiana Birth, Marriage & Death Records; Louisiana Voter Lists & Census Records; Louisiana Immigration & Emigration Records; Louisiana Obituary Records; Louisiana Military Records; Louisiana Family Tree Records; Louisiana Pictures; Louisiana Stories, Memories & Histories; Louisiana Directories & Member Lists and much more....
Rapides Parish Genealogy Links
The following are links to Genealogy, Records and Resources relating to Rapides Parish. These genealogy links fall into 3 categories: Commercial Sites, Personal Sites or Organization Sites. Some have free access some require a payment. This is just a list that has been collected or submitted. I do not endorse or promote one genealogy site above another. Feel free to submit your own favorite genealogy or family history related sites.
Rapides Parish LA Books, Newspapers & Publications
Rapides Parish LA Birth, Marriage & Death Records
Rapides Parish LA Court, Probate Land and Tax Records
Rapides Parish LA Census Records
Rapides Parish LA Cemeteries & Graveyards
Rapides Parish LA Church & Bible Records
Rapides Parish LA Family Websites, Pictures & Histories
Rapides Parish LA General and History Websites
Rapides Parish LA Immigration & Naturalization
Rapides Parish LA Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers
Rapides Parish LA Military Records
Rapides Parish LA Schools & Directories