HELPFUL HINTS FOR THE DATABASE

This database indexes names from a variety of sources at the History Center: newspapers, books, collection items, church records, documents and some census records. At present, most names in the index are from the Bossier Banner and the Plain Dealing Progress newspapers.

To Obtain Copies of Documents by Mail:
Please be sure to note the source, date, page number, column, and/or book. We need this information so that we can locate and copy the articles for you.

We can make up to 10 copies for you for a minimal charge. Please call for more information.

To Search for A Person:
Enter the person's name in the boxes above. Enslaved persons and freedpeople whose last names are not known have "slave" or "freedman" in the last name column.

Remember to search different variations of a person's name.

Example: Mrs. John Smith may also be listed as Susan Smith or by her maiden name as Susan Jones.

Example: Mr. John Thomas Smith may be J. T. Smith, John Smith, or John T. Smith. Try different spellings of the person's last name.

IF IN DOUBT, SEARCH BY LAST NAME ONLY AND THEN SCROLL THROUGH THE LIST. YOU MAY FIND OTHER RELATIVES THIS WAY!

To Search for a Business, Town, Church, or School . Enter the name of the town, business or institution in the last name box.