St. Helena Parish Clerk on a mission to preserve local records and creating online access

Mildred Cyprian
St. Helena Parish Clerk
Photo Credit: Dr. Antoinette Harrell 

I have conducted genealogy research for the past 30+ years at the St. Helena Parish Clerk's Office in Greensburg, LA. My family history traces back to St. Helena. It has always been an enjoyable experience for me to conduct research at the Clerk's office. In terms of preserving the records, I have seen tremendous changes in the last eight years.  I'm  impressed with the hard work Mildred Cyprian and her staff put into preserving records at the Clerk's Office. 

Just recently I learned that mortgage and conveyance records from 1983 to present is available online. This is a major step for Clerk's Offices located in rural communities to take. St. Helena has never had a fire to take place like many courthouse across the country. Some of the records dates back to the early 1800s and need to be protect and preserved. Many are crumbling up at a touch.  It's like watching a little piece of history be destroyed forever through each crumbling piece of the paper. "What can we do about it?" Collaborating with experts in this area would be the first step to take. These records certainly should be scanned in order to continue preserving them. I would like to set up a meeting with the Clerk to discuss possibilities.  

Previously, a briefcases and folders could be brought into the vault. Although we can no longer enter into the vault. You still have access to the records.  Whatever you need from the vault,  Denise Godfrey, the Key Deputy Clerk, will be glad to assist you. I'm in agreement as a genealogist and local historian.  It is not uncommon for  records be stolen and lost. It may be difficult for some people to understand this change. It is necessary to make this change in order to protect and preserve the records. The records in St. Helena Parish hold the key to understanding our parish's history. I'm very pleased with the new changes that I see each time I visit the clerk's office to conduct genealogy research. In recent years, the clerk's office has become more popular with genealogists and local historians. St. Helena Clerk's Office has been visited by groups from all over the country for research. 

Please visit:

https:eclerksla.com/Home