Washington County History and Information

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Washington County Mississippi Map
VEIW FULL SIZED D.O.T. COUNTY MAP

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 (southeast), Issaquena County (south) and Chicot County, Arkansas (west) . Cities and Towns include Arcola, Greenville, Hollandale, Leland, Metcalfe .

See Extended History for More information. The Official County Website is located at ?.

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Washington County Court Records

See Also Mississippi Land Records, Marriage Records, Court & Probate Records

Search Mississippi Historical Records - Databases include Court, Land, Wills & Financial Records; Birth, Marriage & Death Records; Voter Lists & Census Records; Immigration & Emigration Records; Obituary Records; Military Records; Family Tree Records; Pictures; Stories, Memories & Histories; Directories & Member Lists and much more....

Researchers often overlook the importance of court records, probate records, and land records as a source of family history information.

PLEASE READ FIRST!!!! Please call the clerk's department to confirm hours, mailing address, fees and other specifics before visiting or requesting information because of sometimes changing contact information.

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.

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 Vital Records

See Also Vital 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 for FREEicon
  • 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.
  • Order Online: You can also order Order Electronically Online to obtain a certified copy of a birth, marriage, death or divorce record with a credit or debit card and get the certificates within 2-5 days by ordering from VitalChek Express Certificate Service.

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:

  • VitalChek Express Certificate Service - Some documents are just too important to wait six weeks for. With VitalChek Express Certificate Service you won’t have to. VitalChek is the fast and convenient way to order certified government-issued vital records online. They make it easy for you to purchase the documents to which you are legally entitled. Beware of other online services that do not have relationships directly with the agencies that store your vital records. VitalChek's order process usually takes less than 10 minutes --And you can select express courier service for even faster delivery when time is running out.
  • Click Here to Search the Social Security Death Index for FREEicon - Search over 82 million death records and get genealogical information crucial to your family research. New content added weekly! Most comprehensive SSDI site online!
  • Research Death records In The World's Largest Newspaper Archive at NewpaperArchive.com! - Find thousands of historical newspaper articles about deaths. Search for local articles about an old family friend that died many years ago or a celebrity that committed suicide. Historical newspapers contain a wealth of information about the deceased.
  • Washington County, Mississippi Birth, Marriage & Death Books at Amazon.com
  • Birth, Marriage & Death - Vital records (births, deaths, marriages, and divorces) mark the milestones of our lives and are the foundation of family history research. Vital records, usually kept by a civic authority, can give you a more complete picture of your ancestor, help you distinguish between two people with the same name, and help you find links to a new generation.
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Washington County Census Records

See Also Research In Census Records & Statewide Records that exist 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 and 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:

  • Washington County, Mississippi Census Books at Amazon.com
  • Mississippi Census, 1805-90
  • Census & Voter Lists - A census is an official list of the people in a particular area at a given time, while voter lists show those who were registered to vote in a certain area. The valuable information found on census records helps you to understand your family in their time and place. Voter Lists serve as a confirmation of residence in between the years that the census was taken.
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Washington County Maps & Atlases

See Also Research In State Map Collections

Genealogy Atlas has images of old American atlases during the years 1795, 1814, 1822, 1823, 1836, 1838, 1845, 1856, 1866, 1879 and 1897 for Alabama and other states.

You can view rotating animated maps for Mississippi showing all the county boundaries for each census year overlayed with past and present maps so you can see the changes in county boundaries. You can view a list of maps for other states at Census Maps

ou can view rotating animated maps for Mississippi showing all the county boundary changes for each year overlayed with past and present maps so you can see the changes in county boundaries . You can view a list of maps for other states and State Department of Transportation Maps at County Maps. The Alabama Department of Transportation has county maps the show the locations of churches, cemeteries, roads, ect... free for viewing or download here

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

  • The Mississippi Digital Map Library
  • Washington County, Mississippi Map Books at Amazon.com
  • Maps, Atlases & Gazetteers - Maps are an invaluable part of family history research, especially if you live far from where your ancestor lived. Because political boundaries often changed, historic maps are critical in helping you discover the precise location of your ancestor's hometown, what land they owned, who their neighbors were, and more.
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Washington County Military Records

See Also Military Records in Mississippi

Military and civil service records provide unique facts and insights into the lives of men and women who have served their country at home and abroad.

The uses and value of military records in genealogical research for ancestors who were veterans are obvious, but military records can also be important to re-searchers whose direct ancestors were not soldiers in any war. The fathers, grandfathers, brothers, and other close relatives of an ancestor may have served in a war, and their service or pension records could contain information that will assist in further identifying the family of primary interest. Due to the amount of genealogical information contained in some military pension files, they should never be overlooked during the research process. Those records not containing specific genealogical information are of historic value and should be included in any overall research design.

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 Tax Records

See Also Research In Tax Records

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

  • Washington County, Mississippi Tax Books at Amazon.com
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Washington County Genealogical Addresses

See Also Other Mississippi Genealogical Addresses

The Repositories in this section are Archives, Libraries, Museums, Genealogical and Historical Societies. Many County Historical and Genealogical Societies publish magazines and/or news letters on a monthly, quarterly, bi-annual or annual basis. Contacting the local societies should not be over looked. State Archives and Societies are usually much larger and better organized with much larger archived materials than their smaller county cousins but they can be more generalized and over look the smaller details that local societies tend to have. Libraries can also be a good place to look for local information. Some libraries have a genealogy section and may have some resources that are not located at archives or societies. Also, take a special look at any museums in the area. They sometimes have photos and items from years gone by as well as information of a genealogical interest. All these places are vitally important to the family genealogist and must not be passed over.

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:

  • 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.
  • Directories & Member Lists - Directories and member lists are typically compilations of information about people who belonged to various associations and groups or lived within city boundaries. They can be thought of as the predecessors to the modern-day phone book and usually list names, addresses, and sometimes the occupations of your ancestors.
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Washington County Church & Cemeteries

See Also Church & Cemetery Records in Mississippi

Obituaries can vary in the amount of information they contain, but many of them are genealogical goldmines, including information such as names, dates, places of birth and death, marriage information, and family relationships.

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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Family Trees & Genealogy Tidbits

 

The use of published genealogies, electronic files containing genealogical lineage, and other compiled sources can be of tremendous value to a researcher.

When view family trees online or not, be sure to only take the info at face value and always follow up with your own sources or verify the ones they provide. 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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Extended History

 

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