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Covington County, Mississippi
Genealogy, Facts and Records Resources

County Court, Probate, Land & Tax Records  •  County Census Records
County Birth Records, Marriage Records, Divorce Records and Death Records
County Cemeteries & Graveyards  •  County Church & Bible Records
Covington County Mississippi Map
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Covington County was established January 5, 1819 as Bainbridge, then renamed short time after Mississippi became a State, from the counties of Lawrence and Wayne. The county was named for General Leonard Covington, who was killed in the invasion of Canada during the War of 1812. It now contains an area of 410 square miles. The original act defined its boundaries as follows:

"Beginning on the eastern boundary of the eighteenth range line where it intersects the southern boundary line of Lawrence County; thence north along the said range line to its intersection with the dividing ridge between the waters of Leaf and Pearl rivers; thence along the summit of said ridge to its intersection with the Choctaw boundary line; thence easterly along that line to the eastern boundary of the tenth range line; thence south along the said range line to its intersection with the northern boundary of Greene County; thence west along the said line to the corner of the said county of Greene; thence along the fifth parallel township line to where the same intersects the eighteenth range line."

In 1825 the dividing line between Covington and Lawrence was declared to be:

"Beginning on the eastern boundary of the 18th range line, where it now intersects the northern boundary of the 5th township line; thence due west four miles; thence due north to Simpson County line."

Williamsburg was the county seat (named for Thomas H. Williams, who was one of the two first United States Senators from Mississippi). Collins became the county seat in 1906. It was named for Fred W. Collins who was the United States Marshall for the Southern District of Mississippi in 1891-1893 and 1897-1902, and from 1910 until his death in 1912.

In 1826 all that part of Covington lying east of the center of range 14 was taken to form part of the county of Jones. In 1906 a part of Covington was taken to form Jefferson Davis County . The following is a list of the county officers during the year 1819, when the county was first organized: John Shipp, John Snow, Thomas Colbert, Isaac Boles, Joseph McAfee, Justices of the Quorum; John B. Low, John C. Thomas, Uriah Flowers, Abb. L. Hattin, Duncan Thompson, Justices of the Peace; Gowen Harris, Assessor and Collector; William Bud, Sheriff; Stephen Shelton, Coroner; Norwell Robertson, Sr., County Treasurer; Norwell Robertson, Jun. Ranger; John Graves, Sr., County Surveyor; Archibald McPherson, Joshua Terril, Richard Flowers, Wm. Ducksworth, Constables.

Covington County is bordered by Smith County (north), Jones County (east), Forrest County (southeast), Lamar County (south), Jefferson Davis County (west) and Simpson County (northwest) . Cities and Towns include Collins, Mount Olive, Seminary . The County Courthouse had a Record loss in 1904

The Official County Government Website is located at ?.

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Covington County Court, Probate and Tax Records

See Also Mississippi Court, Land, Tax & Probate Records

Covington County Clerk of Circuit Court has Marriage Records from 1904/1904 and Court Records from 1857 and is located at P. O. Box 667, Collins, Mississippi 39428; Phone: 765-6506, Fax: 765-1052 .

Duties of the Circuit Clerk include Receivin and fileing all law suits, indictments, motions and other related papers in all Civil and Criminal Cases filed in the Circuit or County Courts and issues all process including summons and subpoenas, Draws Jurors and qualifies Juries, Keeps a record of all Judgments and Executions, Issues marriage licenses and keeps records of marriages.

Covington County Chancery Court Clerk has Land Records from 1853 and Probate Records from 1854 and is located at P. O. Drawer 1679, Collins, Mississippi 39428; Phone: 765-6132, Fax: 765-1052.

The Chancery Clerk occupies perhaps the most unique and diverse office in all of Mississippi government. The various duties given the Chancery Clerk by statute, or assumed voluntarily by the individual Clerk, cover a wide range of vitally important functions. Some of the duties and functions of the Chancery Clerk are recording the official minutes. As public recorder, the Clerk handles the recording and storage of several types of documents and maintains various indexes that aid people in researching these records. The primary records are deeds and mortgages relating to real property, but the Clerk also records federal tax liens, Lis Pendens ( notices of pending lawsuits ) and military discharges. The Clerk is in charge of the storage and authorized disposal of older land rolls, tax receipts and many other County records after their active use lifespan. As Clerk of the Chancery Court, the Clerk handles a multitude of tasks such as matters of estates, guardianships, conservatorships, divorces, child custody, adoption, property disputes and other matters of equity.

Local county courthouses maintain original tax records, both real and personal. Microfilm copies of the earlier records are found in the Mississippi Department of Archives and History where the collection is extensive, but there are gaps. Although not many, some counties have published selected years of tax rolls.

Below is a list of online resources for Covington County Court Records. Email us with websites containing Covington ounty Court Records by clicking the link below:

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Covington County Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records

See Also Research In Vital Records or Birth, Marriage, Divorce and Death Records in Mississippi

Birth, marriage, and death records are connected with central life events. They are prime sources for genealogical information.

Covington County Health Department has Birth and Death Records from November of 1912 and is located at 502 Beech Street, Collins, MS 39428; Phone: 601-765-4291. You may go to any county health department in the State of Mississippi to obtain a certificates can be issued while you wait.

Contact Chancery Clerk for County Divorce Records (See Covington County Court Records for Address and Phone number) in the county where divorce was granted, and Contact Clerk of Circuit Court Judge For County Marriage Records (See Covington County Court Records for Address and Phone number) in county where license was issued

Mississippi Department of Health is located in the Underwood Building, 571 Stadium Drive, just off North State Street near Woodrow Wilson Avenue in Jackson, Mississippi. The phone number is 601.576.7981. They have the following records:

  • Birth Certificates: The Mississippi Department of Health began filing birth certificates in November of 1912 for persons born in Mississippi. For earlier records, contact the Mississippi Department of Archives and History at (601) 576-6876.The certified copy of the birth certificate is available for $12.00 for the first copy and $3.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. You can download an application online for Birth Certificates.
  • Death Certificates: The Mississippi Department of Health began filing death certificates in November of 1912 for persons who died in Mississippi. For earlier records, contact the Mississippi Department of Archives and History at (601) 576-6876. The fee for a certified copy of a death certificate is $10.00. Each additional copy ordered at the same time is $2.00. You can download an application online for Death Certificates. You can also order Order Electronically and get the certificates much quicker by ordering HERE. Click Here to Search the Social Security Death Index
  • Marriage Certificates: The Mississippi Department of Health began filing Marriage records from January 1, 1926 to June 30, 1938, and for January 1, 1942 to present. for marriages that occurred in Mississippi. (Information for marriages prior to 1926 must be obtained from the Clerk of Circuit Court office in the county where the marriage license was issued.).The fee for a search of the records and a certified copy is $10.00. Additional copies ordered at the same time are $2.00 each. You can download an application online for Marriage Certificates.
  • Ordering Vital Records - You can also order Order Electronically Online or You can download an application for Birth, Marriage, Divorce or Death Certificates to mail.

Checks or Money Orders should be made payable to "Vital Records." Please do not send cash. Fees are non refundable. Additional fees are required for expedited service. Mail all Applications to: Mississippi Vital Records, P.O. Box 1700, Jackson, MS 39215-1700. You can download an application online for Birth Certificates, Marriage Certificates or Death Certificates.

Below is a list of online resources for Covington County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Covington County Vital Records by clicking the link below:

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Covington County Census Records

See Also Research In Census Records & Statewide Census Records for Mississippi

Few, if any, records reveal as many details about individuals and families as do government census records. Substitute records can be used when the official census is unavailable

Federal Population Schedules that exist for Mississippi are 1820, 1830 (Partial), 1840, 1850, 1860 (Partial), 1870, 1880, 1890 (fragment, see below), 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930. In 1817 Mississippi became the twentieth state to enter the union; therefore, the first federal population census available is that of 1820.

Variations of this census appear in three printed forms, none of which include slave or miscellaneous information. Enumerations for Pike County are missing in 1830, but the Gillis index used extant tax records to supplement their index. Transcriptions are subject to error; use these reprints simply as a guide to the original records.

A significant addition to the 1840 census supplies the names and ages of pensioners. Schedules are missing for Hancock, Sunflower, and Washington counties in 1860.

By 1870, with slavery abolished, all blacks, natives, and Chinese were included, along with information regarding citizenship. With the destruction of the 1890 population schedules, only the schedules enumerating Union veterans are available for Mississippi. There are free downloadable and printable Census forms to help with your research. These include U.S. Census Extraction Forms & U.K. Census Extraction Forms

Below is a list of online resources for Covington County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Covington County Census Records by clicking the link below:

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Covington County Maps & Atlases

See Also Statewide Maps that exist for Mississippi

Below is a list of online resources for Covington County Maps. Email us with websites containing Covington County Maps by clicking the link below:

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Covington County Military Records

See Also Research In Military Records or Military Records in Mississippi

Below is a list of online resources for Covington County Military Records. Email us with websites containing Covington County Military Records by clicking the link below:

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Covington County Genealogical Addresses

See Also Other Mississippi Genealogical Addresses

Below is a list of online resources for Covington County Genealogical Addresses. Email us with websites containing Covington County Genealogical Addresses by clicking the link below:

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Covington County Cemeteries & Graveyards

See Also Research In Cemetery Records or Statewide Cemetery Links for Mississippi

There are many churches and cemeteries in Covington County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Covington County Tombstone Transcription Project. The Mississippi Department of Transportation has county maps the show the locations of churches and cemeteries free for viewing or download here.

Below is a list of online resources for Covington County Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing Covington County Cemetery & Church Records by clicking the link below:

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County Church & Bible Records

See Also Research In Church Records or Statewide Church & Bible Links for Mississippi

 

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Family Trees & Genealogy Tidbits

 

Below is a list of online resources for Covington County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information . Email us with websites containing Covington County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information by clicking the link below:

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