The following important events in the history of Louisiana affected political boundaries, record keeping, and family movements.

1714	The first settlement was established at Natchitoches.
1717-1722	Forced immigration from France brought a few thousand settlers. A few thousand more, attracted by free land, came from German-speaking areas of Europe. The importation of African slaves began.
1718	New Orleans was founded.
1755-1785	After they had been expelled from Nova Scotia, 5,000 French-speaking Acadians settled in Louisiana.
1763	France ceded Louisiana to Spain.
1769	Spain took control of Louisiana and began new record-keeping procedures.
1803	The Louisiana area was purchased by the United States from France. Although France owned Louisiana between 1800 and 1803, it was still administered by Spain until just before the United States took possession.
1804	The territory was divided, using the 33rd parallel as the boundary. The northern portion became the District of Louisiana, and the southern portion became the Territory of Orleans.
1805-1807	The Territory of Orleans was divided into counties, but the functions of the counties were soon taken over by smaller civil divisions called parishes, which followed the boundaries of the old Spanish ecclesiastical parishes.
1810	Spanish West Florida between the Mississippi and Pearl Rivers, including Baton Rouge, was occupied by the United States and became part of the Territory of Orleans.
1812	The Territory of Orleans became the state of Louisiana.
1861	Louisiana seceded from the Union. It was readmitted in 1868.