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Washington 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
Washington County Mississippi Map
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Washington County was created January 29, 1827 from Warren and Yazoo Counties. It was named for President George Washington and was one of the numerous counties formed from the so-called “New Purchase”, acquired from the Choctaws by the treaty of Doak’s Stand, October 20, 1820. Washington County was created by an act which recited that

“So much of the counties of Warren and Yazoo as lies west of the Yazoo River, beginning on the right bank of said river, where the Choctaw boundary line strikes the same; thence along said boundary to the Mississippi River; thence down the said river, to a point on the said river, where the east and west line between townships seventeen and eighteen strikes the same; thence along said line, to where the same strikes the Yazoo River; thence up the said last mentioned river, to the place of beginning, shall constitute a county, which shall be called the county of Washington.”

This created a triangular area, with the base on the Mississippi River and the apex on the Yazoo River. Sections two to nine of the same act organized the county. An act of February 12, 1828, declared the line between Warren and Washington counties to begin on the east bank of the Mississippi, “at the upper end of the plantation of Nerry Henley, and run so as to intersect the line between the counties of Warren and Yazoo, where the same strikes the Yazoo River”, and appointed commissioners to run the line. February 9, 1839, the line between the said counties was defined again as follows:

”commencing at the point on the Yazoo River, where the southern boundary of township nine, range six west of the Choctaw district, intersects it; thence running west on the southern boundary of township nine, range six, seven, eight, and nine, west to the Mississippi river.”

January 23, 1844, all that part of Washington County south of a line commencing on the Mississippi River between townships 13 and 14, and running east, between said townships, to the western boundary of Yazoo County, was taken to form the county of Issaquena. It later surrendered small portions of its territory to Bolivar and Sunflower counties and finally, on March 29, 1876, it surrendered other portions to help form the new county of Sharkey. Again, in 1918, part of its territory went to the new county of Humphreys.

The county lies wholly within the fertile Yazoo Delta, and many settlers of character and wealth were attracted to the rich region before its organization, and during the ‘30s and ‘40s, coming from the states of Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama, the Carolinas and the older parts of Mississippi. From South Carolina came Col. Wade Hampton, the son of Maj. Gen. Wade Hampton, and his two sons, Gen. Wade Hampton, afterwards Senator from South Carolina and Christopher Hampton, Robert J. Andrew and Dr. Charles Turnbull, Andrew and Ambrose Knox, and Thomas B. Kershaw; from Kentucky came Elisha Warfield, Thomas B. Warfield, Albert Metcalf, Captain Henry and Edward P. Johnson, George W. and Junius Ward; from Mississippi came Howell Hinds, son of Gen. Thos. Hinds, Col. Henry W. Vick, Capt. John Willis, and Benjamin Smith, an old resident of Claiborne County.

Other early settlers were William B. Prince, who gave his name to the old town of Princeton and was the first Representative of Washington County in 1828; William Blanton, whose plantation embraced part of the site of Greenville; Hon. Jacob S. Yerger, Wm. F. Jeffries, Sheriff, A. Knox, J.Y. Daster, Wm. Hunt, Andrew A.J. Paxton, and Samuel, Isaac and Dr. William Worthington. Another prominent settler was Wm. A. Percy, of Greenville, soldier, lawyer and publicist, whose untimely demise was a distinct loss, not only to the Delta, but to the whole State. A list of the county officers of Washington for 1827, the year of its organization, follows: Wm. B. Cook, Judge of Probate; Philip A. Gilbert, Thomas Marney, Associate Justices; William Prince, Assessor and Collector; Philip A. Gilbert, County Treasurer; Geo. Shanks, William Brittain, Peter H. Bennett, Nimrod Selsor, Joseph McGuire, Hiram Miller, James Bayne, Peter Wilkinson, Justices of the Peace.

Princeton, the first county seat, was at one time the chief town in the county. It was situated on the Mississippi River, about ten miles above the present southern boundary, and once had a population of about 600 people. After the county seat was removed to Greenville, Princeton rapidly declined, and is now entirely extinct. The old town of Greenville was a mile south of the present flourishing town of that name, but having been partially destroyed during the war and inundated by the river, the county seat was removed to the present point on the river. Greenville has long been one of the largest and most prosperous towns in the State; it had a population in 1900 of 7,642, in 1910 of 9,610 and in 1920, of 11,560. Greenville, like Greene County (1811) and the former seat (1802-1826) of Jefferson County , was named for General Nathanael Greene.

Washington County is bordered by Bolivar County (north), Sunflower County (northeast), Humphreys County (east), Sharkey County, Issaquena County (south) and Chicot County , Arkansas (west) . Cities and Towns include Arcola, Greenville, Hollandale, Leland, Metcalfe .

The Official County Government Website is located at http://www.co.washington.ms.us/.

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Washington County Court, Probate and Tax Records

See Also Mississippi Court, Land, Tax & Probate Records

Washington County Clerk of Circuit Court has Marriage Records from 1891/1858 and Court Records from ? and is located at P. O. Box 1276, Greenville, Mississippi 38702-1276; Phone: 378-2747, Fax: 334-2698 .

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.

Washington County Chancery Court Clerk has Land Records from 1828 and Probate Records from 1839 and is located at P. O. Box 309, Greenville, Mississippi 38701; Phone: 332-1595, Fax: 334-2725.

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

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Washington 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.

Washington County Health Department has Birth and Death Records from November of 1912 and is located at 1633 Hospital Street, Greenville, MS 38701; Phone: 662-332-8177 . 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 Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington County Vital Records. Email us with websites containing Washington County Vital Records by clicking the link below:

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

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Washington County Maps & Atlases

See Also Statewide Maps that exist for Mississippi

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

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Washington County Military Records

See Also Research In Military Records or Military Records in Mississippi

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

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Washington County Genealogical Addresses

See Also Other Mississippi Genealogical Addresses

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

  • Submit a website for Washington Co. Genealogical Addresses
  • Greenville Public Library, 341 Main Street, Greenville, MS 38701
  • 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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Washington County Cemeteries & Graveyards

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

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

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