Louisiana Genealogy Resources
The best place in Baton Rouge to trace your ancestors is the Main Branch of the East Baton Rouge Parish Library, located at 7711 Goodwood Boulevard. Its Genealogy Collection contains a wide range of resources, and the library offers free access to Ancestry.com (not available at LSU). Librarians who specialize in doing genealogical research are also on hand to help you. For more information, click here.
The LSU Libraries' genealogical resources focus mostly on Louisiana and are particularly strong in historical newspapers, which you can use to find obituaries and other biographical information. For an in-depth guide to available resources, see:
See also the LSU Libraries' guides to Louisiana Biographical Reference Works and Louisiana Newspapers.
Be aware that many excellent resources are available online for free. These include:
FamilySearch.org
This extensive database is provided by the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, the largest genealogy library in the world. You can search it for free by setting up a personal account. Includes census, birth, marriage, death, immigration, military, and other records from around the world.
Louisiana Biography and Obituary Index
Index of obituaries that appeared in New Orleans newspapers from 1804 to 1972 and biographical information published in older Louisiana collective biographies.
Findagrave.com
Database of more than 100 million grave records throughout the United States. Helpful for finding birth and death dates and occasionally other biographical information and photos. Many Louisiana cemeteries are included.