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Sunflower 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
Sunflower County Mississippi Map
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Sunflower County was formed February 15, 1844, from the County of Bolivar, and its original limits were defined as follows:

“Beginning at the corner of townships 24 and 25, of ranges 4 and 5 west, thence east between townships 24 and 25, to the line between ranges 2 and 3 west; thence south between ranges 2 and 3 west to the line between townships 21 and 22; thence east between townships 21 and 22 to the Tallahatchie River; thence down the Tallahatchie River, and down the Yazoo River to the point where the old Choctaw boundary line intersects it; thence with the said boundary line north, forty-six degrees west, to the point where the line between ranges 4 and 5 west, intersects that line; thence north with the line between ranges 4 and 5 west, to the place of beginning.”

In 1871, a large portion of the eastern area of the county was taken to assist in the formation of Leflore County , and its western and southern limits were extended at the expense of Bolivar and Washington counties. In 1918, Sunflower County contributed from its southern territory to the newest county of Humphreys.

On March 15, 1871, when a large portion of Sunflower County was cut off to form the new county of Leflore, the county seat was moved from McNutt to a new town to be called Johnsonville, at the junction of Mound Bayou with the Sunflower River. Eleven years later in 1882, by vote of the people, the county seat was again moved—this time to a point about four miles west of the Sunflower River on Indian Bayou, first called Eureka, but since that time known as Indianola, the current county seat. With the advent of the Georgia Pacific, now the Southern railway, a few years later, the town of Baird grew up one mile north of Johnsonville and the latter town soon ceased to exist.

Gov. B.G. Humphreys, was an early settler in this county, as were James J. Chenning, G.B. Wilds, Col. Eli Waits, J.Y. McNeil, Col. Hezekiah McNabb, Ezekiel McNabb, Maj. Frank Hawkins and Capt. John Hawkins. The first State Senators to represent the county were Felix Lebauve and D.C. Sharpe of De Soto County. The earliest representatives were J.J. Chenning, G.B. Wilds and Ezekiel McNabb.

The present county site, Indianola, is a flourishing and rapidly growing town. It is on the line of the Southern railway and around it are some of the largest and richest plantations in the State. In 1890, Indianola had a population of only 630 people, which had increased to 1,098 in 1910 and to 2,112 in 1920. There are a number of other thriving towns in the county, among which are mentioned Ruleville, north of the central part of the county with a population of over 1,000; Drew, Inverness, Rome, and Sunflower village.

Sunflower County is bordered by Coahoma County (north), Tallahatchie County (northeast), Leflore County (east), Humphreys County (south), Washington County (southwest) and, Bolivar County (northwest) . Cities and Towns include Caile, Doddsville, Drew, Holly Ridge, Indianola, Inverness, Moorhead, Parchman, Ruleville, Shaw, Sunflower .

The Official County Government Website is located at ?.

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Sunflower County Court, Probate and Tax Records

See Also Mississippi Court, Land, Tax & Probate Records

Sunflower County Clerk of Circuit Court has Marriage Records from 1871/1871 and Court Records from 1844 and is located at P. O. Box 576, Indianola, Mississippi 38751; Phone: 887-1252, Fax: 887-7054 .

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.

Sunflower County Chancery Court Clerk has Land Records from 1817 and Probate Records from 1844 and is located at P. O. Box 988, Indianola, Mississippi 38751 ; Phone: 887-4703, Fax: 887-7054.

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

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Sunflower 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.

Sunflower County Health Department has Birth and Death Records from November of 1912 and is located at 412 Highway 49 South, Indianola MS 38751; Phone: 662-887-4951. 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 Sunflower 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 Sunflower 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 Sunflower County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Sunflower County Vital Records by clicking the link below:

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

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Sunflower County Maps & Atlases

See Also Statewide Maps that exist for Mississippi

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

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Sunflower County Military Records

See Also Research In Military Records or Military Records in Mississippi

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

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Sunflower County Genealogical Addresses

See Also Other Mississippi Genealogical Addresses

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

  • Submit a website for Sunflower Co. Genealogical Addresses
  • Sunflower County Historical Society, c/o Sunflower County Library, 201 Cypress Drive, Indianola MS 38751
  • 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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Sunflower County Cemeteries & Graveyards

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

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

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