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Oktibbeha 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
Oktibbeha County Mississippi Map
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Oktibbeha County was established December 23, 1833, as one of the numerous counties formed at that time from the Choctaw cession of 1830. Oktibbeha is an Indian word meaning “ice there in creek,” or, according to another authority “bloody water,” because of the battles fought here between the Chickasaws and Choctaws in an early day.

The first whites to settle permanently in Oktibbeha County were Presbyterian missionaries led by Cyrus Kingsbury. They developed Mayhew Mission in 1820 where Ash Creek flows into the "Tibbee" in the northeastern corner of the county. It contained a school for the Indians, a grist mill, a blacksmith shop, and several other buildings. Three years later, Calvin Cushman established a mission at Hebron, about three miles northwest of present-day Starkville. The Choctaws surrendered their claims to the area in the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek, which was signed on September 27, 1830. In exchange they were given lands in present-day Oklahoma to which most of them moved. White settlers now began pouring into the region, many bringing slaves with them. A number of these newcomers were attracted to the Starkville area by two large springs and the favorable lay of the land. A mill south-west of the site provided clapboards which were used for many of the original buildings. From this, the settlement came to be known as Boardtown. Oktibbeha County was formally organized on December 23, 1833, with the first court meeting at Hebron the following year. By 1835, the county seat had been established at Boardtown, which changed its name to Starkville in honor of General John Stark, a hero of the Revolutionary War. The original act defined its boundaries as follows:

“Beginning at the point at which the line between ranges 15 and 16 east, leaves the line between townships 16 and 17, and running from thence north with said line, between ranges 15 and 16 east, to a point directly west of the junction of the Buttahatchy River, with the Tombigbee River; from thence west to the line between ranges 11 and 12 east; from thence south, with said line between ranges 11 and 12 east, to the line between townships 16 and 17, and from thence east, with said line between townships 16 and 17, to the place of beginning.”

A part of its northern area was taken in 1872 to assist in forming the new county of Clay and in 1874 another piece of its territory went to Sumner, afterward Webster County . The old “Robinson Road” ran through the southern part of the county and in the southeastern part was the old Choctaw Indian agency. Numerous mounds and the many Indian names of streams and towns are constant reminders of the old Choctaw occupancy. The county has a land surface of 457 square miles.

A list of the civil officials of the county for 1838, soon after its organization, is as follows: David Ames, Judge of the Probate court; Joseph Yates, Clerk of the Circuit court; Charles Debrells, Clerk of the Probate court; John Moore, Sheriff; Richard S. Graves, Surveyor; John Wiseman, Assessor and Collector; Thomas A. Forbut, Treasurer; Richard Drummond, Coroner; John R. Todd, Ranger; James Copeland, S. Clark, Samuel Harper, John Quin, Nicholas H. Simmons, members of the Board of Police.

The first Probate Judge was David Reese; the first Sheriff was J.W. Eastland, the first County Treasurer was Robert Bell, the first Clerks of the Circuit and Probate Courts were Yates and Debrell above mentioned. R.A. Lampkin was the first postmaster and Horatio Bardwell, a Presbyterian divine, was probably the first minister to hold services in the county, about 1835. The Starkville Whig, established in 1847 by Dr. J.T. Freeman, was the first paper published. This became the Broad Ax a little later and continued under that name down to the time of the War.

Oktibbeha County is bordered by Noxubee County (southeast), Winston County (south), Choctaw County (west), Webster County (northwest), Clay County (north) and Lowndes County (east) . Cities and Towns include Maben, Starkville, Sturgis . On April 25, 1875, fire swept through downtown Starkville destroying 52 buildings.

The Official County Government Website is located at http://www.gtpdd.com/counties/oktibbeha/index.htm. .

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Oktibbeha County Court, Probate and Tax Records

See Also Mississippi Court, Land, Tax & Probate Records

Oktibbeha County Clerk of Circuit Court has Marriage Records from 1861/1861 and Court Records from 1836 and is located at Courthouse, Starkville, Mississippi 39759; Phone: 323-1356, Fax: 338-1065 .

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.

Oktibbeha County Chancery Court Clerk has Land Records from 1834 and Probate Records from 1845 and is located at East Main Street, Starkville, Mississippi 39759; Phone: 323-5834, Fax: 338-1065.

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

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Oktibbeha 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.

Oktibbeha County Health Department has Birth and Death Records from November of 1912 and is located at 203 Yates Street, Starkville, MS 39759; Phone: 662-323-4565 . 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 Oktibbeha 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 Oktibbeha 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 Oktibbeha County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Oktibbeha County Vital Records by clicking the link below:

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

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Oktibbeha County Maps & Atlases

See Also Statewide Maps that exist for Mississippi

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

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Oktibbeha County Military Records

See Also Research In Military Records or Military Records in Mississippi

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

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Oktibbeha County Genealogical Addresses

See Also Other Mississippi Genealogical Addresses

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

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Oktibbeha County Cemeteries & Graveyards

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

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

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