When the French explorers came through Assumption Parish in the early eighteenth century, they found a variety of Native American tribes. The largest of these were the Chitimacha Tribe, which is thought to have been one of the leading Louisiana tribes in 1700. By the mid 1800’s, the Indians were nearly gone from Assumption Parish. European settlers, primarily French and Spanish, had replaced them. Today, mounds on Lake Verret are believed to be Chitimacha burial places.

Assumption Parish was named for the Festival of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was created on March 31, 1807, five years before Louisiana entered the Union. The parish had previously been part of the Lafourche Settlement, one of the earliest settlements of Louisiana.

Assumption Parish has always been an agriculturally based parish, beginning with the Indian inhabitation. Historical records indicate that the first settlers to come to the region were likely trappers and traders, but farmers soon followed.

In 1861, sugar cane became the principal crop grown in Assumption Parish. Since then, most soils in the parish not prone to flooding have been used for the production of sugar cane. Today, Assumption Parish remains an important sugar cane producing parish. Large farms or plantations have kept sugar in production for generations. Antebellum homes such as the beautifully-preserved Madewood Plantation are a reminder of life in 18th century Assumption Parish.

The parish has a total area of 365 square miles, of which 339 square miles is land and 26 square miles (7.10%) is water. The population in the 1810 Federal Census was 2,472. In 2000 the Federal Census showed a population of 23,388.

Neighboring parishes are Ascension Parish (north), Iberville Parish (north), St. James Parish (northeast), Lafourche Parish (east), Terrebonne Parish (southeast), St. Mary Parish (southwest), Iberia Parish (northwest), and St. Martin Parish (west).

The village of Napoleonville is the parish seat. Other communities in the parish include Belle Rose, Pierre Part, Paincourtville, Supreme, and Labadieville.

Birth Records - The Louisiana State office maintains records for 100 years after the date of birth. Birth records are considered confidential for the first 100 years. For current information on who may obtain a birth record as well as how to submit a request visit the Office of Public Health, Vital Records Registry website or write to them at PO Box 60630, New Orleans, LA 70160.

Birth records older than 100 years are available through the Louisiana State Archives, 3851 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge, LA 70809. (225) 922-1000.

Death Records - The Louisiana State office maintains records for 100 years after the date of death. Death records are considered confidential for the first 100 years. For current information on who may obtain a death record as well as how to submit a request visit the Office of Public Health, Vital Records Registry website or write to them at PO Box 60630, New Orleans, LA 70160.

Death records older than 100 years are available through the Louisiana State Archives, 3851 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge, LA 70809. (225) 922-1000.

Marriage Records - There are many thousands of Assumption Parish, Louisiana marriages here on our website. For current information on how to submit a request for a certified copy of an Orleans Parish marriage record less than 50 years old, see the Louisiana Office of Public Health Director, Vital Records and Statistics website or write to PO Box 60630, New Orleans, LA 70160.

Certified copies for the parish are issued by Clerk of Court. For the address of the parish Clerk of Court visit the Assumption Parish Important Addresses page.

Marriage records over 50 years are stored by the Louisiana State Archives, 3851 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge, LA 70809. (225) 922-1000.

Divorce Records - To obtain current information on how to submit a request for a certified copy of divorce records contact the Clerk of Court. For the address of the parish Clerk of Court visit the Assumption Parish Important Addresses page.