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Panola County, Mississippi
Genealogy, Facts and Records Resources

Panola County was established February 9, 1836, and is one of the twelve large northern counties created in that year out of the Chickasaw cession of 1832. The original act defined its limits as follows:

“Beginning at the point where the line between ranges 9 and 10 strikes the center of section 6, and running thence south with the said range line, and from its termination in a direct line to the northern boundary of Tallahatchie County, and thence along the northern boundary of Tallahatchie and Yalobusha counties, to the center of range 5 west; thence north through the center of range 5 west, according to the sectional lines, to the center of township six; thence west through the center of township six, according to the sectional lines, to the beginning.”

February 1, 1877, when Quitman County was created, Panola surrendered a small fraction of its southwestern area to assist in forming that county.The name Panola is an Indian name signifying cotton, and the fertile sunny valleys of the county have enabled the region to live up to its name.

Two of the oldest settlements in the county were at Belmont and Panola, a few miles apart, and on opposite sides of the Tallahatchie River. For several years there was a spirited contest between these two towns over the location of the courthouse of Panola County. With the advent of the Mississippi and Tennessee (now the Illinois Central railroad) Belmont was absorbed by Sardis, and Panola was absorbed by Batesville. One result of the above contest is found in the two judicial districts of the county, Sardis being the seat of justice for the first judicial district, and Batesville for the second judicial district into which the county is divided.

The county suffered some record loss in 1886. The list below summarizes some of the records available at each Court House. First District Court House, Sardis: Probate Court Records - 1836, Second District Court House, Batesville:Chancery Court Records - 1880, Guardian Bonds - 1880, Deed Records - 1836, Marriage Records - 1880

Panola County is bordered by Tate County (north), Lafayette County (east), Yalobusha County (southeast), Tallahatchie County (southwest), Quitman County (west) and Tunica County (northwest) . Cities and Towns include Batesville, Como, Courtland, Crenshaw, Crowder, Pope, Sardis .

The Official County Government Website is located at http://www.panolacoms.com/.

Panola County Court, Probate and Tax Records

See Also Mississippi Court, Land, Tax & Probate Records

Panola County Clerk of Circuit Court has Marriage Records from 1871/1874 and Court Records from 1836 and is located at P.O. Box 346, Batesville, Mississippi 38606; Phone: 563-6210, Fax: 563-8233 .

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.

Panola County Chancery Court Clerk has Land Records from 1836 and Probate Records from 1845 and is located at 151 Public Square, Batesville, Mississippi 38606; Phone: 563-6205, Fax: 563-8233.

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

Panola 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.

Panola County Health Department has Birth and Death Records from November of 1912 and is located at 381 Highway 51 South, Batesville, MS 38606; Phone: 662-563-4616 . 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 Panola 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 Panola 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 Panola County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Panola County Vital Records by clicking the link below:

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

Panola County Maps & Atlases

See Also Statewide Maps that exist for Mississippi

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

Panola County Military Records

See Also Research In Military Records or Military Records in Mississippi

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

Panola County Genealogical Addresses

See Also Other Mississippi Genealogical Addresses

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

  • Submit a website for Panola Co. Genealogical Addresses
  • Batesville Public Library, 106 College Street, Batesville, MS 38606
  • Historical & Genealogical Society of Panola County, Mrs. J.L. Still, 105 Church Street, Batesville, MS 38606
  • Mississippi Department of Archives and History, Ph. (601) 576-6850, fax (601) 576-6964
    Physical Address: 200 North Street, Jackson, MS 39201
    Mailing Address: P. O. Box 571, Jackson, MS 39205-0571
  • Mississippi State Records Center, 929 High Str, Jackson, MS 39201; (601) 354-7688
  • Mississippi Historical Society PO Box 571, Jackson, MS 39205-0571
  • Mississippi Genealogical Society, PO Box 5301, Jackson, MS 39296-5301
  • Newspapers & Periodicals - The Newspapers & Periodicals Collection lets you discover a wealth of information about your ancestors from many historical newspapers, magazines, and other periodicals. These types of sources can often supplement public records and provide information that is not recorded anywhere else. Here, you can learn more about your ancestor's possible daily activities by placing them in the context of their time.

Panola County Cemeteries & Graveyards

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

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

County Church & Bible Records

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

 

Family Trees & Genealogy Tidbits

 

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

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