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Smith 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
Smith County Mississippi Map
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Smith County was the southwestern corner of the large tract of land ceded to the United States by the Choctaw treaty of Dancing Rabbit in 1830. It was established December 23, 1833, and was named in honor of Major David Smith of Hinds County, was born in 1753 in Anson County, NC.  Smith served as a private in the battles of King's Mountain, Cowpens, and Euthaw Springs, becoming a hero of the Revolutionary War.  He first married in 1776 to Sarah Terry, and later, in 1791 married Obedience Fort.  He moved with his family to Mississippi, settling in Hinds County not long after that region was yielded by the Choctaws.  His son, Benjamin F. Smith, served as the first representative for Hinds County in the Mississippi Legislature.  Major Smith died at Jackson, Mississippi in 1834.  Aurelia Smith, his daughter, married Governor Runnels. Its limits were defined as follows by the act which created the county:

“Beginning on the line between ranges 9 and 10 east, at the point at which the line between townships 4 and 5 crosses said line, and from thence south with the said line between ranges 9 and 10 east, to the southern boundary of the Choctaw nation; from thence west, with said southern boundary line, to the western boundary line of said Choctaw nation; from thence north with said western boundary line, to the point at which the line between townships 2 and 3 strikes said western boundary line; from thence west to the line between ranges 5 and 6 east; from thence north with said line between ranges 5 and 6 east, to the line between townships 4 and 5; and from thence to the place of beginning.”

A large influx of settlers from the older parts of the State came to the new county at an early date, and by 1837 there were 1,085 free whites, owning some three hundred slaves. A list of the county officers for the year 1838 follows: Abraham Carr, Sampson Ainsworth, Emanuel A. Durr, Thomas J. Husbands, John Sprinks, members of the Board of Police; James B. Graham, Sheriff, Assessor and Collector; Benjamin Thornton, Clerk of the Circuit and Probate Courts; John Campbell, Judge of Probate; James L. McCaugh, County Surveyor; Abner Lewis, Coroner; Charles C. Horton, Ranger; Reuben Craft, County Treasurer; David Ward, Justice of the Peace, Jesse Rose, Constable.

The original county seat was located at Fairchild, about four miles south of Raleigh, but was soon abandoned. The new county seat was then established and called for Sir Walter Raleigh. There has been four courthouses in Raleigh due to fires. After the first courthouse burned, the Old Floyd Hotel was put to use as a courthouse, only to see the same thing happen to it in 1892.  This resulted in the loss of all of the records for Smith County.  A new building was erected and again was destroyed by fire in 1912, destroying practically all of the records.  The present courthouse was built in 1912.

Smith County is bordered by Scott County (north), Jasper County (east), Jones County (southeast), Covington County (south), Simpson County (west) and Rankin County (northwest) . Cities and Towns include Mize, Polkville, Raleigh, Sylvarena, Taylorsville .

The Official County Government Website is located at http://www.smithcounty.ms.gov/.

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Smith County Court, Probate and Tax Records

See Also Mississippi Court, Land, Tax & Probate Records

Smith County Clerk of Circuit Court has Marriage Records from 1912 and Court Records from 1883 and is located at P. O. Box 517, Raleigh, Mississippi 39153; Phone: 782-4751, Fax: 782-9481 .

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.

Smith County Chancery Court Clerk has Land Records from 1892 and Probate Records from 1892 and is located at P. O. Box 39, Raleigh, Mississippi 39153; Phone: 782-9811, Fax: 782-4002.

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

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Smith 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.

Smith County Health Department has Birth and Death Records from November of 1912 and is located at 362 Magnolia Drive, Raleigh, MS 39153; Phone: 601-782-4472 . 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 Smith 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 Smith 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 Smith County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Smith County Vital Records by clicking the link below:

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

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Smith County Maps & Atlases

See Also Statewide Maps that exist for Mississippi

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

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Smith County Military Records

See Also Research In Military Records or Military Records in Mississippi

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

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Smith County Genealogical Addresses

See Also Other Mississippi Genealogical Addresses

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

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Smith County Cemeteries & Graveyards

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

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

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County History

Smith Courthouse 1912

Long before the appearance of European explorers and east coast colonial settlers, the land area that would become Mississippi was the home of the Choctaw, Chickasaw, and other American Indian tribes. For many centuries, these peoples called this land home. The area that today is known as Smith County was part of the Choctaw Nation's domain, but this would end in 1830 with the “Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek.” This was the last treaty between the white man and the Choctaw, and it would be the one that gave up all remaining land in Mississippi.

Some three years later, on December 23, 1833, Smith County was carved out of this land area. It was one of several counties formed at this time from this vast area ceded in the Treaty of 1830. Smith County was named for Major David Smith who served as a Private in the Revolutionary War at Kings Mountain, Cowpens, and Euthaw Springs.

The county’s outline is almost a quadrangle being 30 miles north and south and 22 miles east and west. The area is about 660 square miles. Neighboring counties are Scott, Jasper, Jones, Covington, Simpson, and Rankin.

Settlers quickly came into the area and made homes in the new land. Migration primarily came from Georgia and Alabama with family roots that went back to Virginia and the Carolinas. The early times were tough. Families had to carve homesteads from wooded lands and grow crops that supplied daily needs and little income to meet other needs. A strong belief in God was a big part of these early settlers’ constitution, and churches and schools, along with the individual settlements, soon dotted the landscape. Many of these early communities, schools, and churches are gone, but their presence and influence remains a part of Smith County history. The first county seat was at Fairfield, four miles south of present day Raleigh. Not long afterward, it was relocated to Raleigh, named for Sir Walter Raleigh. Three county courthouses have burned destroying many of the county historical records. The present courthouse was built in 1912.

Smith County Genealogical Society ... contact Charlotte Webb, Lncwebb@hughes.net
The Smith County Genealogical Society  meetings are scheduled for the second Saturday of each month at 10:00 am. The meetings are held at the Raleigh Public  Library. Membership dues are  $12.00 for 1 person or $18.00 per couple

Newsletters are be published quarterly.  Members submission of queries is free, non-members will be charged a small fee based on length of query. 
Applications can be requested at the following address:

Smith County Genealogical Society 
   P. O. Box 356 
   Raleigh, MS 39153

Smith County Genealogical Society is working on an undated book on the Smith County Cemeteries. The society is interested in such information as Wife of, Child of,  Husband of, and so forth.  Anyone having this information that would like to see in the book is encourage to send it to society president Charlotte Webb, Lncwebb@hughes.net

SMITH COUNTY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY PUBLISH FAMILY HISTORY BOOK

A special hardback bound publication, "Smith County, Mississippi and Its Families, 1833-2003" is now available that is devoted to past and present families, communities, businesses, organizations, schools, and churches. The book is a result of three years work by the Smith County Genealogical Society and contains individual contributions for 580 individual family and military veteran histories as well as writeups for past and present communities, businesses, organizations, churches, and schools.

Charlotte Webb, President of the Smith County Genealogical Society, says the book is an effort to collect and preserve important historical and family information. Each item in the book was contributed by someone with ties to or knowledge of Smith County, and each item is presented in their own words. Many contributions included photographs. This book will prove very valuable to those researching their Smith County roots and connections, or to those who just have an interest in Smith County. Charlotte added that there will undoubtedly be some people who will be disappointed that their histories were not included, but the Society had for two years asked for and solicited contributions for this book.

Copies of the book can be purchased from the Smith County Genealogical Society for 40.00 + $5.00 shipping. Request and payment can be sent to: Smith County Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 356, Raleigh, MS 39153. Be sure to indicate that payment is for the "Smith County, Mississippi and Its Families, 1823-2003" publication.

Click HERE to see a list of publications, and ordering information, available through the Smith County Genealogical Society.

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