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Rankin 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
Rankin County Mississippi Map
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Rankin County was erected February 4, 1828, from all that portion of Hinds County lying east of the Pearl River, and was named in honor of Christopher Rankin, congressman from Mississippi. The county has a land surface of 791 square miles. The Pearl River forms its entire western and northern boundary and divides it from the counties of Madison and Hinds. It formed a part of the New Purchase of 1820, and the Choctaw Boundary line, defining that purchase, makes part of the present eastern boundary line. It has an area of about twenty townships.

As early as 1837 it had a population of 3,255 free whites and 1,956 slaves. One of the oldest settlements in the county was located at Richmond, on the east side of Pearl River, about five miles from Jackson. It had in the time of its greatest prosperity a population of about three hundred. Its prominent citizens were John Long, Henry White, James Howard, William Howard, and Simpson Cooper. The old town has disappeared and the site is now under cultivation.

The county seat is at Brandon, (named for Gov. Gerard C. Brandon). It is located twelve miles east of Jackson. Brandon was at one time the most important trading point in this section of the State. The old Brandon Male and Female Academy, reorganized in 1849, as Brandon College by the well known educator, Dr. Thornton, and the later Brandon Female College, were potent influences in raising the general standard of culture throughout this vicinity. Miss Frank Johnson was the principal of this famous school from the time of its founding until 1897 when her noble life and career was ended in death.

Rankin County is bordered by Madison County (north), Scott County (east), Smith County (southeast), Simpson County (south) and Hinds County (west) . Cities and Towns include Brandon, Florence, Flowood, Pearl, Pelahatchie, Puckett, Richland, Sandhill, Star .

The Official County Government Website is located at http://www.rankincounty.org/.

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Rankin County Court, Probate and Tax Records

See Also Mississippi Court, Land, Tax & Probate Records

Rankin County Clerk of Circuit Court has Marriage Records from 1828 and Court Records from 1819 and is located at P. O. Box 1599, Brandon, Mississippi 39043; Phone: 825-1466, Fax: 825-9602 .

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.

Rankin County Chancery Court Clerk has Land Records from 1824 and Probate Records from 1828 and is located at P. O. Box 700, Brandon, Mississippi 39043; Phone: 825-1469, Fax: 824-7116.

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

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Rankin 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.

Rankin County Health Department has Birth and Death Records from November of 1912 and is located at 100 Tamberlin Street, Brandon, Mississippi 39042; Phone: 601-825-2141 . 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 Rankin 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 Rankin 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 Rankin County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Rankin County Vital Records by clicking the link below:

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

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Rankin County Maps & Atlases

See Also Statewide Maps that exist for Mississippi

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

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Rankin County Military Records

See Also Research In Military Records or Military Records in Mississippi

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

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Rankin County Genealogical Addresses

See Also Other Mississippi Genealogical Addresses

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

  • Submit a website for Rankin Co. Genealogical Addresses
  • Rankin County Historical Society, P.O. Box 841, Brandon, MS 39042
  • 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.
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Rankin County Cemeteries & Graveyards

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

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

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