Louisiana birth records uncover names of midwives in the Southeast Florida Parishes

Charley Green
1917 Louisiana Birth Records
Source: Ancestry. com

Louisiana birth records, covering 1911 to 1923, became accessible in September. Jane Holiday shared this news with me via email, expressing her excitement. I was eager to explore and analyze the records. I located my maternal relative, Charley Green, who was the son of my third great-aunt. I carefully examined and analyzed each detail on the record. I discovered that Green was born in 1917 in Jack, Louisiana, an unincorporated community situated in the third district of St. Helena Parish. His father was a farmer, and his mother was a housewife. The midwife who certified his birth was Delia Self.

The names of midwives are nearly indistinct, with many from earlier eras fading into history. This newly developed database aims to unravel the mystery surrounding the women who served as healthcare providers for those preparing to give birth.

Midwives such as Mandy Jones Wheat and Tishann Woods are among the few whose contributions have been documented, shedding light on their essential roles within their communities. These records not only trace the evolution of childbirth practices in Louisiana but also serve as a foundation for further research into the lives of midwives whose names have been lost to history.