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Jefferson County, Mississippi

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
Jefferson County Mississippi Map
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Jefferson County was originally known as Pickering, the original county of Jefferson (in the southwestern part of the State) was established April 2, 1799, by the following proclamation of Winthrop Sargent, the first territorial governor of Mississippi:

"I do ordain and order by these letters made patent, that all and singular the lands lying and being within the boundaries of -- the Mississippi Territory * * * should constitute two counties—the division of which shall be a line, commencing at the mouth of Fairchild’s Creek, and running direct to the most southern part of Ellicottville; thence easterly along the dividing ridge of the waters of Cole’s and Sandy creeks, so far as the present settlements extend, and thence by a due east line to the territorial boundary—the southern or lower division of which is named, and hereafter to be called Adams, and the northern or upper division, the county of Pickering."

Within its extensive boundaries as thus outlined, were embraced the upper portion of the narrow fringe of white settlements, along the Mississippi, forming a part of the so-called Natchez District, during the 18th century. It received its present name January 11, 1802, in honor of President Thomas Jefferson. The County Seat is Fayette

Much of the early emigration to the county came in over the public road known as the Natchez Trace, which ran north from Natchez through Jefferson County, to the distant white settlements on the Cumberland, Tennessee. This public road was infested by bandits in the early years of the 18th century The original county site until 1825, was at Greenville near the mouth of Cole’s Creek, but no trace of the old town remains. Greenville was the fourth station from Natchez on the old Natchez Trace, distant about 28 miles.

Jefferson County is bordered by Claiborne County (north), Copiah County (northeast), Lincoln County, Franklin County (south), Adams County (southwest) and Tensas Parish, Louisiana (west). Cities and Towns include Fayette . Formed as Pickering County and renamed in 1802. Record loss in 1904. The Old courthouse burned in 1990, A majority of records were saved, though some of the "saved" records were later lost.

The Official County Government Website is located at ?.

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Jefferson County Court, Probate and Tax Records

See Also Mississippi Court, Land, Tax & Probate Records

Jefferson County Clerk of Circuit Court has Marriage Records from 1805/1869 and Court Records from 1802 and is located at P. O. Box 305, Fayette, Mississippi 39069; Phone: 786-3422, Fax: 786-6000 .

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.

Jefferson County Chancery Court Clerk has Land Records from 1798 and Probate Records from 1805 and is located at P. O. Box 145, Fayette, Mississippi 39069; Phone: 786-3021, Fax: 786-6000.

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.

From Publications of the Mississippi Historical Society, Vol. 5, pub. 1902, pages 137-138.

Jefferson county was organized in 1802. Its early records are in the custody of the Chancery Clerk at Fayette, the county seat. They constitute a mine of valuable information, as is shown by the following account which was kindly prepared by Mr. Steve D. McNair, Chancery Clerk:

"Hunston, afterward changed to Greenville, was the county site of Pickering (now Jefferson) county, until the year 1825, and the old records of this county were kept in Adams county until 1802, then removed to Greenville, and in 1826 were removed to the present county site, Fayette. The first courthouse built in Jefferson county, at Fayette, was torn down and a new courthouse erected in 1881, which was destroyed by fire 19th March, 1901, but fortunately none of the record books were destroyed by the fire.

"The oldest record book in the office of the Chancery Clerk is Book W, commencing on the 31st July, 1799. Among the first deeds recorded is one from Parker Carradine to John J. Carradine, of date 9th May, 1798, another is from William Carney to Arthur Carney, dated 1795. There is also a bill of sale dated Sept. 23, 1790. Another document from the Spanish government to John Rankin Wilie, dated in Louisiana, 1792. This deed is recorded in the Spanish language and bears the signature of Don Carlos Trudo, Agrimens Realy particular de la Provincia de la Louisiana, &c. This record book contains many deeds written and recorded in the Spanish, French and English languages, and contains deeds up to 1818. Book 'A' (2), another old book, contains deeds, certificates of marriage, marks and brands, plats of land sold by the Spanish and British governments from 1794 to 1804. One deed of record in Deed Book A, dated 1775, begins: 'George the Third, by the grace of God,' etc. The next rec!
ord dates from 1804 to 1813, and contains conveyances of land recorded in Jefferson county.

"All these old books were imported from London. The surface of the paper is rough, but the use of the 'quill' made a beautiful record. The ink, plats, penmanship in these old books are as clear and distinct as If done but yesterday. An examination of these old books is very interesting, bringing to memory the names of many who figured in olden days in Mississippi history.

"The next book, a large, well preserved book, and brings the deed of records up to the year 1826, this book is 27 inches long, and 21 inches wide, and contains plats of the town of Fayette and Rodney, and also the original deed of conveyance of date May 21st, 1825, from Henry Platner to George Robinson, Joseph Parmerlee, Thomas Shelby, Abner Marble and David Willis, Commissioners under an act of the General Assembly of the State of Mississippi, laid off as the town of Fayette.

"The oldest wills recorded in Jefferson county are in Will Book A, and are from 1800 to 1830.

"The county of Jefferson has no courthouse at present (1902), but one underway of construction, and when completed we shall have one of the best fire proof record rooms in the State. At present the records are kept on the lower floor of the jail, a brick building, and are guarded at night by a special watchman."

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

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Jefferson 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.

Jefferson County Health Department has Birth and Death Records from November of 1912 and is located at 700 Main Street, P.O. Box 446, Fayette, MS 39069; Phone: 601-786-3061. 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 Jefferson 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 Jefferson 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 Jefferson County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Jefferson County Vital Records by clicking the link below:

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Jefferson 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, 1910, 1920 and 1940. 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 Jefferson County Census Records. Email us with websites containing Jefferson County Census Records by clicking the link below:

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Jefferson County Maps & Atlases

See Also Statewide Maps that exist for Mississippi

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

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Jefferson County Military Records

See Also Research In Military Records or Military Records in Mississippi

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

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Jefferson County Genealogical Addresses

See Also Other Mississippi Genealogical Addresses

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

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Jefferson County Cemeteries & Graveyards

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

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

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