Link To This Page — Contact Us —

Madison 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
Madison County Mississippi Map
VEIW FULL SIZED D.O.T. COUNTY MAP

Browse Mississippi Counties

Madison County was established January 29, 1828, and named for James Madison, fourth President of the United States. Embraced within the territory ceded by the Choctaws in 1820, and long known as the "New Purchase," it was originally a part of the old county of Hinds. In 1823 Hinds surrendered a large section of its area to form the county of Yazoo, and five years later, that portion of Yazoo lying east of the Big Black River, was taken to form the county of Madison. The act creating the county recites that

"So much of the county of Yazoo as lies east of the Big Black River, beginning on the east bank of said river, where the Hinds County line strikes the same; thence with the said line to Pearl River; thence up said river to the Choctaw boundary line; thence with said boundary line, to where it strikes the Big Black; thence down the Big Black River to the beginning." December 23, 1833, the county was enlarged by adding "the territory south of the line drawn from the western boundary of Leake County, through the center of township 12 of range 5 east, and extended west to the old Choctaw boundary, and thence west to the Big Black River, and west of Leake County."

February 22, 1840, the present boundary line between Madison and Hinds counties was established.

Madison County had a population of 3,675 whites and 11,238 slaves as early as 1837, and had 89,746 acres under cultivation in 1836. Many of the old settlements of the region, such as Runnelsville, Williamsburg, Madisonville, Livingston and Vernon, are now extinct or moribund. The first courts of the county were held at Beattie’s Bluff, on the Big Black River, and boats ascended the river to this point. The following men were appointed commissioners to select and lay out a county seat, and contract for the erection of county buildings: Jonah R. Doak, Robert Carson, Sr., Archibald McGehee, John P. Thompson and William Wilson. The first permanent county seat was located at the old town of Livingston, situated about 15 miles southwest of Canton, and at one time the most important town in the county. It began to decay when the county seat was changed to Madisonville. The present county site was finally established at Canton, near the center of the county. Some of the other important towns in the county are Madison, Ridgeland, Flora, Sharon and Miliville. In the northeast corner of the county formerly stood the old historic home of Governor McWillie, "Kirkwood," long known as one of the most beautiful and hospitable homes in the South, and a refuge for its war-worn sons during the War for Southern Independence. General Quitman, Governors Matthews, Foote, Pettus, and McRea, President Davis and many others of note have been entertained within its portals.

Madison County is bordered by Attala County (north), Leake County (east), Scott County, Rankin County (south), Hinds County (southwest) and Yazoo County (west). Cities and Towns include Canton, Flora, Madison, Ridgeland .

The Official County Government Website is located at http://madison-co.com/.

Back to top

Madison County Court, Probate and Tax Records

See Also Mississippi Court, Land, Tax & Probate Records

Madison County Clerk of Circuit Court has Marriage Records from 1830 and Court Records from 1828 and is located at P. O. Drawer 1626, Canton, Mississippi 39046; Phone: 859-4365, Fax: 859-5875 .

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.

Madison County Chancery Court Clerk has Land Records from 1828 and Probate Records from 1828 and is located at P. O. Box 404, Canton, Mississippi 39046; Phone: 859-1177, Fax: 859-5875.

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

Back to top

Madison 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.

Madison County Health Department has Birth and Death Records from November of 1912 and is located at 317 North Union Street, Canton, Mississippi 39046; Phone: 601-859-3316. 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 Madison 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 Madison 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 Madison County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Madison County Vital Records by clicking the link below:

Back to top

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

Back to top

Madison County Maps & Atlases

See Also Statewide Maps that exist for Mississippi

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

Back to top

Madison County Military Records

See Also Research In Military Records or Military Records in Mississippi

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

Back to top

Madison County Genealogical Addresses

See Also Other Mississippi Genealogical Addresses

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

Back to top

Madison County Cemeteries & Graveyards

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

There are many churches and cemeteries in Madison County. Some transcriptions are online. A great site is the Madison 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 Madison County Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing Madison County Cemetery & Church Records by clicking the link below:

Back to top

County Church & Bible Records

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

 

Back to top

Family Trees & Genealogy Tidbits

 

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

Back to top
Site Map | Copyright © 2011 N2Genealogy.com,