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Holmes 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
Holmes County Mississippi Map
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Holmes County was created February 19, 1833. It was originally part of the territory forming the large county of Hinds, ceded to the United States by the Choctaw Indians in the Treaty of Doak’s Stand, October 18, 1820, and long known as the "New Purchase." One of the counties created out of Hinds was Yazoo, and from Yazoo County was taken the region forming the present county of Holmes. It was named in honor of Gov. David Holmes, fourth Territorial governor, first State governor, and later United States Senator for Mississippi. The County seat is located at Lexington. The original act defines its limits as follows:

"Beginning at Bole’s ferry, on Big Black, in the county of Yazoo, and in section 22, in township 12, and range 3 east; thence on a direct line to Yazoo River, at a point where the township line, between townships 13 and 14, strikes the same; thence up said river to a point on the same, 12 miles north of the township line, between townships 15 and 16; thence on a direct line, to the corner of the old Choctaw Boundary line on Black Creek, known by the name of Gum Corner; thence continuing the same course to Big Black; thence down the same, to the beginning."

In 1918, a portion of western Holmes County was contributed to the formation of Humphreys. Four of the oldest settlements in Holmes County were Rankin, Montgomery, Vernon and Georgevifle. All these old settlements are now extinct. Tradition recites that Etho Beau, a justice of the peace, held at Rankin, under the protection of a gun, the first county court. Rankin, was located about five miles from Tchula, and aspired at first to be the seat of justice of the new county. Captain Parrisot, father of Capt. S.H. Parrisot, and father-in-law of F. Barksdalle, of Yazoo City, settled near here in 1828, and kept a hotel in Rankin until 1834. Wm. MeLellan came from Biloxi in 1826 and settled on Little Black Creek on the east side. Montgomery (inc. 1836) was on the west bank of Big Black River at Pickens Ferry. Vernon was once a thriving town about 12 miles north of Lexington. Georgeville was situated in the northwest quarter of S. 35, T. 14, R. 3 east. In the early days of the county when it was sparsely settled many daring deeds, some of a romantic nature, others the outcome of outlawry were committed in the region, and several notorious robbers and counterfeiters, belonging to the much feared "Murrell clan", were captured at Tchula, severely punished and driven from the country. Among some of the names identified with the early history of the county may be mentioned Nathaniel E. Rives, Archibald H. Paxton, W. T. Land, Dr. Garret Keirn, Robert Cook, James R. Enloe, James M. Dyer, John W. Dyer, John W. Anderson, Israel W. Pickens, W.W. George, Dr. Frances R. Cheatham, Dr. Ira S. Mitchell, Joseph R. Plummer, Alexander Magee, Vincent H. Carraway, William H. Hines, John W. Cowen, and William McLellan, the progenitor of the numerous people of that name living in the Bowling Green neighborhood.

Holmes County is bordered by Carroll County (north), Attala County (east), Yazoo County (south), Humphreys County (west) and Leflore County (northwest) . Cities and Towns include Cruger, Durant, Goodman, Lexington, Pickens, Tchula, West .

The Official County Government Website is located at ?.

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Holmes County Court, Probate and Tax Records

See Also Mississippi Court, Land, Tax & Probate Records

Holmes County Clerk of Circuit Court has Marriage Records from 1884 and Court Records from ? and is located at P. O. Box 718 Lexington, Mississippi 39095; Phone: 834-2476 .

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.

Holmes County Chancery Court Clerk has Land Records from 1833 and Probate Records from 1833 and is located at P. O. Box 239, Lexington, Mississippi 39095; Phone: 834-2281.

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 Holmes County Court Records. Email us with websites containing Holmes ounty Court Records by clicking the link below:

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Holmes 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.

Holmes County Health Department has Birth and Death Records from November of 1912 and is located at 106 Westwood Avenue, Lexington, MS 39095; Phone: 662-834-3142. 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 Holmes 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 Holmes 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 Holmes County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Holmes County Vital Records by clicking the link below:

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Holmes 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 Holmes County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Holmes County Census Records by clicking the link below:

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Holmes County Maps & Atlases

See Also Statewide Maps that exist for Mississippi

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

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Holmes County Military Records

See Also Research In Military Records or Military Records in Mississippi

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

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Holmes County Genealogical Addresses

See Also Other Mississippi Genealogical Addresses

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

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Holmes County Cemeteries & Graveyards

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

There are many churches and cemeteries in Holmes County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Holmes 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 Holmes County Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing Holmes 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 Holmes County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information . Email us with websites containing Holmes County Family Trees, web forums and other family type information by clicking the link below:

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