Mississippi Genealogical Records

Mississippi Birth & Baptism Records

Evangelical Lutheran Church of America Records (1875-1940)

An index to and images of Lutheran registers containing close to 3 million baptism, marriage and death records.

US Consular Reports of Births (1910-1945)

An index to and images of 36,000 birth records for children of US citizens registered abroad. Records contain child's name, date and place of birth, parents' names and ages, occupations, residence, passport numbers, consulate where registered, parents' naturalization dates, parents place of of birth and number of living children to the parents.

Foreign and Overseas Registers of British Subjects (1627-1965)

Registers of births/baptisms, marriages and deaths/burials containing over 160,000 entries from over 30 countries. These largely relate to British subjects.

Newspaper Birth, Marriage & Death Announcements (1851-2003)

An index to around 1.5 million birth, marriage and death announcements published in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Boston Globe, The Chicago Defender, The Chicago Tribune, The Hartford Courant, The Washington Post and The Atlanta Constitution.

British Nationals Born Overseas (1818-2006)

An index to births of British citizens born overseas that were registered with the British Consul or High Commissioner. Provides a reference that can be used to order a birth certificate.

Mississippi Marriage & Divorce Records

Mississippi Marriages (1800-1911)

An index to several-hundred-thousand marriages recorded in the state. The index can be used to locate original records, which may contain further information.

Mississippi Marriage Index (1826-1900)

An index to 30,000 marriages recorded in the state. The index can be used to locate original records, which likely contain information not recorded in the index.

Mississippi Marriage Index (1826-1850)

An index to over 11,000 early marriages recorded in the state.

Mississippi Marriages (1750-1825)

An index to 4,500 early Mississippi marriages.

Instant Checkmate (1980-Present)

A collection of billions of records on American citizens and residents. Includes records for addresses, phone numbers, voting, foreclosure, criminal activity and arrests, business affiliations, dates of birth, property, tax, weapon and hunting permits, vehicle ownership, marriages, divorces and more.

Mississippi Death & Burial Records

Mississippi Marriages (1776-1935)

An index to around 350,000 marriages, including name, spouse's name, and marriage date and location. The index can be used to locate original records, which will include further details.

United States Social Security Death Index (1962-Present)

An index to over 93 million people whose death has been recorded by the Social Security Administration. It includes date of birth, date of death, last place of residence and other details. It can be used to located other records, such as death certificates, which will provide more information.

US Mortality Schedules (1849-1886)

Details of over 1.6 million people who died between 1849 and 1886. Entries may list name, gender, colour, marital status, place of birth, occupation, cause of death and more.

US Rosters of World War II Dead (1939-1945)

A list of over 350,000 US armed servicemen who lost their lives in WWII. Records contain name, place of internment, rank, service number, name of temporary interment site, religion, race and disposition.

US Mortality Schedule (1850)

Name index and images of mortality schedules listing inhabitants of the United States who died between June 1849 and May 1850. Includes name, age, gender, colour, whether a slave, marital status, place of birth, month of death, cause of death, number of days ill and occupation.

Mississippi Census & Population Lists

Mississippi State & Territorial Censuses (1792-1866)

An index to and digital images of registers containing around 87,000 names. The censuses were carried out in twenty-three separate years and may contain name, residence, race, gender, age and place of birth.

Mississippi Census & Substitutes Index (1805-1890)

A collection of extracted details from various territorial, state local censuses, including veterans schedules, pensioner lists and slave schedules.

US WWII Old Man's Draft Registration (1942)

Records registering over 15 million men born between 1877 and 1897, including name, age, birth date and place, residence, employer, and physical description.

1940 United States Census (1940)

A name index and digital images of registers recording almost 135 million people living in the United States. The registers record age, place of birth, relationships, occupations and more.

1930 United States Census (1930)

An index to 125 million people living in the United States, linked to registers recording their age, place of birth, family relationships and more.

Newspapers Covering Mississippi

Newspaper Archive: US (1753-Present)

Text-searchable editions of over 7,500 newspaper titles from the United States, containing 2 billion articles and over 100 million obituaries.

Newspapers.com (1728-Present)

A growing collection of text-searchable, digitalised newspapers from the United States of America. Contains thousands of titles and over 100 million pages.

Genealogy Bank Newspapers (1690-Present)

Text-searchable editions of and over 250 million obituaries and death notices extracted from over 7,500 United States newspaper titles.

US Quaker Periodicals (1828-1929)

This database contains digitized volumes of more than 60 Quaker publications, including some foreign-language periodicals. Names have been indexed from a variety of articles including births, marriage notices, obituaries, officers, missionaries, committee members, names of people who have moved, and other references to members of the Society of Friends.

Name Card Index to AP Stories (1905-1990)

An index to over 2.1 million people mentioned in Associated Press stories, including name, subject, location, date and a reference to the article.

Mississippi Wills & Probate Records

Mississippi Wills & Probate Records (1780-1982)

An index to and images of more than 235,000 wills and probate documents. They typically record details of the deceased's relatives; and sometimes describe real and personal property, sentiments, convictions, intended places of burial and more.

British Inheritance Disputes Index (1574-1714)

An index to almost 78,000 wills that were disputed. The index can lead you to documents that may shed a great deal of genealogical information as disputes often arose between siblings and cousins.

Genealogical Gleanings in England Vol. I (1400-1650)

Abstracts of English wills that are connected to early American families. In addition, it contains genealogical notes and pedigrees, maps, tabular charts, illustrations, and an index of 30,000 names as well as a fifty-one page index of places, with details of where many of the early families settled.

Genealogical Gleanings in England Vol. II (1400-1650)

Abstracts of English wills that are connected to early American families. In addition, it contains genealogical notes and pedigrees, maps, tabular charts, illustrations, and an index of 30,000 names as well as a fifty-one page index of places, with details of where many of the early families settled.

Mississippi Immigration & Travel Records

Mississippi Naturalization Records (1867-2008)

An index to and digital images of documents recording applications for and grants of US citizenship. They may contain name, age, birthplace, names of family members, occupations, immigration details and much more.

New York Passenger and Crew Lists (1909-1957)

Digital images of registers recording the arrival of passengers and crew at New York harbour. Varying details are included, such as name, age, gender, occupation, nationality, race, last place of residence, intended place of residence and more. The registers can be searched by a name index of over 28 million names.

Canada-US Border Crossings (1895-1956)

This database contains an index of aliens and citizens crossing into the U.S. from Canada via various ports of entry along the U.S.-Canadian border. It may include name, age, date and place of birth, gender, ethnicity/nationality, names of friends and relatives and more.

San Francisco Passenger Lists (1893-1953)

Name index and images from passenger lists of those arriving in San Francisco, California. Records details, such as place of birth and occupation of around 3 million people.

New York Passenger Arrival Lists (1892-Present)

Images of passenger and crew lists, searchable by an index of more than 51 million names. Lists may contain details such as age, gender, place of origin, occupation and much more.

Mississippi Military Records

Local Board for Military Duty Records (1917-1918)

Documents recording over 600,000 men from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee who were called up for military service. Includes names, occupations and military details.

Confederate Citizens File (1861-1865)

An index to and images of hundreds-of-thousands of documents relating to goods furnished or services rendered the Confederate government by private individuals or business firms.

Mississippi State Archives (1820-1951)

Digital images of almost 190,000 documents, including slave narratives, land records, lists of military veterans and military grave registers.

Confederate Navy Subject File (1861-1865)

Naval records of the Confederate States relating to ships, personnel, government relationships, and history, during the Civil War era, although some Union records are included as well. Of particular interest are paymasters' vouchers, which list disbursements for supplies, equipment, transportation, and other services.

Corinth National Cemetery Gravestones (1866-2010)

Images of over 3,400 gravestones of Mississippian military veterans and casualties.

US Freedmen Bureau Records of Field Offices (1863-1878)

Digital images of labor contracts, letters, applications for rations, reports of abandoned land, reports of clothes and medicine issued, school reports, court trials, hospital records, employment records, complaints and more relating to refugees and freedmen. Searchable by and index of around 550,000 names.

Mississippi State Archives (1820-1951)

Digital images of almost 190,000 documents, including slave narratives, land records, lists of military veterans and military grave registers.

US Southern Claims Commission Master Index (1871-1880)

An index and digital images of claims filed by residents of Southern states for reimbursement due to property damaged during The Civil War.

US Passport Applications (1795-1925)

Digital images of applications for passports, which list name, date and place of birth, father's particulars, immigration and naturalisation details, residence, occupation, photograph and more. Searchable by a name index.

US Social Security Applications & Claims Index (1936-2007)

An index to 49 million applications and claims for social security. The index includes name, SSN, date and place of birth, nation of citizenship, gender, father's name, mother's maiden name and race.

Mississippi Taxation Records

IRS Tax Assessment Lists (1862-1918)

An index to and digital images of registers recording 8.8 million instances of taxation. The records list the name of the person or business being taxed: their address and details tax assessed and paid.

Mississippi Land & Property Records

US General Land Office Records (1796-1907)

An index to and digital images of 2.2 million land patents, primarily cash and homestead, from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Ohio and Wisconsin.

Mississippi Homestead & Cash Entry Patents (1770-1908)

Documents recording land transfers. The records contain names, acreages, signatures, dates, mineral rights, bounds, descriptions of land and more.

US Freedmen Bureau Records of Field Offices (1863-1878)

Digital images of labor contracts, letters, applications for rations, reports of abandoned land, reports of clothes and medicine issued, school reports, court trials, hospital records, employment records, complaints and more relating to refugees and freedmen. Searchable by and index of around 550,000 names.

Mississippi State Archives (1820-1951)

Digital images of almost 190,000 documents, including slave narratives, land records, lists of military veterans and military grave registers.

US Early Land Records & Plats (1785-1898)

Maps of Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin listing land owners and details of the land.

Mississippi Directories & Gazetteers

Mississippi State Gazetteer & Shippers' Guide (1866)

A text index linked to digital images of a book that lists important information about the area and the names of its residents and businesses.

Mississippi Valley Business Directory (1844)

A searchable book containing information relating to the area, its residents and businesses.

Thom's Official Directory of Great Britain & Ireland (1914)

A directory of the court, parliament, aristocracy, mayors, civil service, military, militia and banks in the British Empire.

US City Directories (1821-1989)

An index to around 1.5 billion names found in books containing list of citizens & businesses: their addresses and occupation or business. The index is linked to scanned images of the books, which may also contain local history, details of government bodies, officials and more.

The American Gazetteer (1798)

One of the earliest attempt to form a comprehensive dictionary of places in The Americas.

Mississippi Cemeteries

Corinth National Cemetery Gravestones (1866-2010)

Images of over 3,400 gravestones of Mississippian military veterans and casualties.

Mississippi Gravestones (1800-Present)

A growing database of over 6,000 gravestones, searchable by name and organised by cemetery.

US Veteran's Gravesites (1775-2008)

A database containing details of the burial of 7.6 million US military veterans. Entries may contain details of birth, next of kin and more.

Billion Graves (1200-Present)

Photographs and transcriptions of millions of gravestones from cemeteries around the world.

US Cemetery & Funeral Home Collection (1777-Present)

A growing collection of millions of funeral and cemetery record transcriptions, including obituaries and names of relatives.

Mississippi Obituaries

Newspaper Archive: US (1753-Present)

Text-searchable editions of over 7,500 newspaper titles from the United States, containing 2 billion articles and over 100 million obituaries.

US Cemetery & Funeral Home Collection (1777-Present)

A growing collection of millions of funeral and cemetery record transcriptions, including obituaries and names of relatives.

US Obituary Collection (1700-Present)

A growing database containing 10s of millions of abstract obituaries with a reference to the publication it occurred in and a link to the full obituary if available online.

Genealogy Bank Newspapers (1690-Present)

Text-searchable editions of and over 250 million obituaries and death notices extracted from over 7,500 United States newspaper titles.

Daily Obituary Digest (1995-Present)

A growing index to more than 16 million obituaries, citing name, age, residence and source publication.

Mississippi Histories & Books

The American Gazetteer (1798)

One of the earliest attempt to form a comprehensive dictionary of places in The Americas.

Mary Evans Picture Library (2000 BC-Present)

A database of over 300,000 photos, etchings, engravings and other mediums depicting places and events in the British Isles and the rest of the world.

Ancestry Member Stories (6000 BC-Present)

Over 7 million remembrances and historic details submitted by Ancestry members. Useful for local historians.

Ancestry Member Photos & Documents (6000 BC-Present)

Over 60 million historic photographs and documents submitted to Ancestry. This rich collection contains many rare sources of interest to local historians and will be relevant to most genealogical research.

US Historical Postcards (1880-1940)

This database contains over 115,000 historical postcards with photos of places in the United States. Each postcard caption has been indexed and may be searched by keyword or location.

Mississippi School & Education Records

US Freedmen Bureau Records of Field Offices (1863-1878)

Digital images of labor contracts, letters, applications for rations, reports of abandoned land, reports of clothes and medicine issued, school reports, court trials, hospital records, employment records, complaints and more relating to refugees and freedmen. Searchable by and index of around 550,000 names.

US School Yearbooks (1880-2012)

A growing index to over 300 million entries in middle school, junior high, high school, and college yearbooks linked to digital images of the yearbook pages. Yearbooks usually include name and photo, but may include biographical data, such as family relations, academic achievements and hobbies.

US School Yearbooks (1880-2012)

An index to and digital images of over 20,000 year books, listing details of schools, students and staff. Many contain photographs.

US School Catalogues (1765-1935)

A variety of publications listing names of students, faculty, alumni, and others associated with US universities, seminaries and theological institutes, normal schools, medical schools, academies, military schools, etc. Records include catalogues, obituary records and necrologies, class histories, speeches and addresses, commencement exercises, class reports, registers, prospectus, circulars, proceedings, annual reports, magazines and other documents.

High School Student Lists (1821-1923)

Digital images of a variety of publications listing the names of students, faculty, alumni, and others associated primarily with preparatory and similar schools, including academies, high schools, seminaries, reform schools, institutes, industrial schools, military academies, dance schools, grammar schools, Latin schools and others. Searchable by an index of around 650,000 names.

Mississippi Occupation & Business Records

Confederate Citizens File (1861-1865)

An index to and images of hundreds-of-thousands of documents relating to goods furnished or services rendered the Confederate government by private individuals or business firms.

US Crew Lists and Manifests (1890-1963)

Digital images of crew lists for ships arriving in Maine, Washington, Massachusetts, Georgia, South Carolina, Illinois, Texas, South Carolina, Mississippi, Texas, Wisconsin, Alaska, Louisiana, Florida, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, California, Georgia and Puerto Rico.

US Freedmen Bureau Records of Field Offices (1863-1878)

Digital images of labor contracts, letters, applications for rations, reports of abandoned land, reports of clothes and medicine issued, school reports, court trials, hospital records, employment records, complaints and more relating to refugees and freedmen. Searchable by and index of around 550,000 names.

FBI Case Files (1908-1922)

Over 2.3 million records from investigations of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

US Federal Census Non-Population Schedules (1850-1880)

An index and digital images of schedules recording statistical data concerning agriculture, industry, social and other areas. Includes many people and businesses.

Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering Mississippi

Daughters of the American Revolution Lineage Books (1620-1938)

Pedigrees of women who were descendants of one or more servicemen of The American Revolutionary War. Contains 100,000s of names.

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Colonial Families in the US (1600-1920)

Genealogical charts, and coats of arms where appropriate, of prominent families in America's early history.

Ancestry Member Family Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A compilation of lineage-linked family trees submitted by Ancestry users. The database contains over 2 billion individuals and is searchable by numerous metrics.

Spanish-American Family History Guide (1514-1990)

Detailed guides for researchers with Spanish-American ancestors. It includes biographies and genealogical charts for over 700 noted Spanish-American families.

Mississippi Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

History of England Society & Government (56 BC-1867)

A lengthy history of England detailing the country's connection to the U.S.A. Includes much detail on royalty, nobility and other historical figures of note.

Mississippi Church Records

US Quaker Meeting Records (1681-1935)

An index to and digital images of documents recording almost 6 million names. They include registers of births, marriages and deaths; lists of members; movement of members between congregations; records of discipline; disownment; burials and more.

US Quaker Periodicals (1828-1929)

This database contains digitized volumes of more than 60 Quaker publications, including some foreign-language periodicals. Names have been indexed from a variety of articles including births, marriage notices, obituaries, officers, missionaries, committee members, names of people who have moved, and other references to members of the Society of Friends.

Index to Quaker Records (1680-1940)

An index to close to 900,000 names occurring in Quaker meeting records. These cover items such as discipline, admittance, movement between meetings, some vital events and much more.

Evangelical Lutheran Church of America Records (1875-1940)

An index to and images of Lutheran registers containing close to 3 million baptism, marriage and death records.

US & Canada Quaker Annual Reports (1808-1930)

Digital images of records from the highest bodies in the Quaker church. The minutes contain names of representatives and committee members, memorials and obituary notices, along with business news.

Biographical Directories Covering Mississippi

Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans (1904)

A ten volume work containing close to 20,000 biographies of notable Americans.

American Biographical Library (1774-1949)

Over 75,000 biographies covering congressmen, women, military and other notable individuals.

Biography & Genealogy Master Index (1600-Present)

An index to millions of biographies, listing names, dates of birth and death and the biography's source publication.

Spanish-American Family History Guide (1514-1990)

Detailed guides for researchers with Spanish-American ancestors. It includes biographies and genealogical charts for over 700 noted Spanish-American families.

American Genealogical-Biographical Index (1450-Present)

This database contains millions of records of people whose names have appeared in printed genealogical records and family histories.

Mississippi Maps

US Early Land Records & Plats (1785-1898)

Maps of Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin listing land owners and details of the land.

US Enumeration District Maps & Descriptions (1940)

Maps recording districts used to allot areas in which census takers would operate. Searchable by street name and more.

County Land Ownership Maps (1860-1918)

Various maps and documents listing and delineating around 7 million land plots and their owners. Searchable by a name index.

Historic Land Ownership and Reference Atlases (1507-2000)

This database is a collection of maps and atlases detailing land areas that comprise the present-day United States and Canada, as well as various other parts of the world.

Old Maps Online (1497-2010)

An interactive index to thousands of maps covering the world, continents, countries and regions. The majority of maps cover Britain and Ireland.

Mississippi Reference Works

Periodical Source Index (1825-Present)

An index to over 2.7 million articles published in various genealogical, historical and ethnographic publications.

US Free Genealogical Data Search Engine (1513-Present)

A search engine that covers over 2.5 million pages of vital records, family trees, biographies and other genealogical resources.

A Guide to the NARA Field Branches (1988)

Details of record collections held by numerous sub-branches of The National Archives.

Spanish-American Family History Guide (1514-1990)

Detailed guides for researchers with Spanish-American ancestors. It includes biographies and genealogical charts for over 700 noted Spanish-American families.

US Family Historian's Address Book (1997)

A directory of bodies that hold important collections of genealogical and historical records, ordered by state. As it was published in 1997, some contact details may be out of date, but the organizations' names can be used to locate updated information.

Historical Description

MISSISSIPPI, one of the most southern states of the American Union, was formerly included in the country claimed by France as a part of Louisiana. As early as 1716, a French colony settled on the spot now occupied by the city of Natchez, where they erected a fort; but in 1729, the inhabitants, together with those of two other settlements in the vicinity, were exterminated by the neighboring Indian tribes, only three or four persons, out of 700, escaping the general massacre. The territory, for many years thereafter, remained exclusively in possession of the savages. In 1763, France ceded the whole territory east of the Mississippi River to Great Britain, the subjects of which power soon afterwards occupied and strengthened the various posts, and began to settle around them. After several changes of proprietorship, and much negotiation, during some 15 years prior to 1798, between England, Spain, and the United States, the country lying east of the Mississippi, and west of the boundary of Georgia, was, in 1800, erected into a distinct territorial government. It then comprehended both Alabama and Mississippi, under the name of the latter. In 1817, a separation took place, and Mississippi, having formed a constitution, was admitted into the Union as an independent state.

Boundaries and Extent

This state is bounded north by Tennessee, east by Alabama, south by Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico, and west by Mississippi and Pearl Rivers, dividing it from Arkansas and Louisiana. It extends from 30° 10' to 35° north latitude, and from 88° 10' to 91° 35' west longitude, and contains 47,156 square miles, its extreme length being about 338 miles, and its breadth averaging 135.

Government

The governor is chosen every two years by the people, and is eligible only for four in any period of six years. The Senate consists of 30 members, one half elected every two years; the term of service of each is four years. The representatives, 91 in number, are chosen biennially. The people also elect judges, state secretary and treasurer, chancellor, and sheriffs. White male residents in the state for one year, being 21 years of age, enjoy the right of suffrage. The legislature meets at Jackson, in the month of January, every other year.

Judiciary

The state is divided into three judicial districts, in one of which, every two years, a judge of the High Court of Errors and Appeals is chosen for six years. Circuit Courts are held in seven different districts, by judges resident and chosen therein, and have original jurisdiction of all criminal cases, and in civil cases involving more than 50 dollars. The Court of Chancery has full equity powers.

Education

There are several colleges in the state, which are generously endowed and in flourishing condition. Academies and other literary institutions are numerous and well sustained. Common schools are also established throughout the state. In 1840, there were 8360 white inhabitants above the age of 20 years who could neither read nor write.

Finances

The receipts into the state treasury for the year ending 30th April, 1850, amounted to $379,402.63, and the expenditures during the same period to $284,999.58. The sources whence the revenue is derived are, a state tax, internal improvement, sinking and other funds. The chief items of expenditure are for judicial and legislative purposes. Among the enumerated items per last returns is one of 17 cents, as the contribution of the state for common schools-the support of these institutions being confided, under special laws, to the several counties. The state debt, incurred for banking purposes, amounted, in 1840, to $7,000,000.

Surface, Soil, &c.— For about 100 miles inland, from the junction of the southern border of the state with the Gulf of Mexico, the surface is low and generally level, presenting a series of swamps and woodlands, overgrown with cypress and pines, with occasional open prairies, and flooded marshes. The land then becomes more elevated and uneven, and so continues to the northern extremity of the state, but nowhere rises to a height sufficiently lofty to deserve the name of a mountain. A vast tract of table land extends over much of the state, terminating in the low coasts of the Mississippi River. This produces, in its natural state, an immense growth of oak, maple, ash, and other timber, together with an undergrowth of grape-vines, spicewood, papaw, and other plants. The soil throughout is naturally very fertile, especially those alluvial lands on the river banks, which are not liable to inundation. The staple product of the state is cotton, which is raised in great abundance; and, by slight cultivation, the soil yields profusely Indian corn, rice, wheat, rye, and other grains, sweet potatoes, indigo, tobacco, melons, grapes, figs, apples, plums, peaches, lemons, oranges, &c.

Rivers

Besides the Mississippi, which washes the western margin of the state by its windings through a space of 530 miles, the Yazoo is the most considerable stream which flows wholly within the state; this is 200 miles in length, passing through a healthy region, affording navigation for large boats some 50 miles, and emptying into the Mississippi near Vicksburg. Big Black River is of the same length, is alike navigable, and enters the Mississippi near Grand Gulf. Pearl River rises near the centre of the state, and in part divides it from Louisiana. There are several other rivers of considerable magnitude; as, the Tombigbee, Homochitto, Pascagoula, &c. The state has a sea-coast of 70 miles, but no harbor sufficient for the admission of large vessels. Pascagoula Bay, 65 miles long by 7 wide, affords some inland navigation; but its entrances admit no craft drawing more than 8 feet of water.

Internal Improvements

Several railroads have been completed, or partially finished, within the state, and others have been projected. The most extensive work of this kind commences at Vicksburg, and proceeds in an easterly direction, partly across the state. Another extends from Natchez, and either intersects or is intended to intersect the former. The state presents numerous opportunities for advantageous public improvements, which in due time will doubtless be prosecuted.

Minerals

Mississippi is probably not rich in mineral products; at least no extensive investigations of her resources in this respect have yet been made. Clay, of good quality, suited to the manufacture of pottery and bricks, abounds in various localities; and sundry descriptions of pigments have also been found. It is not known whether any coal formations, or any indications of metallic deposits, have yet been discovered.

Manufactures

There are in the state a number of cotton factories, on a small scale, several mills of considerable importance for the manufacture of flour, and numerous other establishments, producing most of the articles required for domestic consumption or family use. The amount of capital employed for manufacturing purposes, in 1840, was less than $2,000,000.

Indians

Large portions of the northern and eastern sections of the state are still held by the Choctaw and Chickasaw Indians. These tracts include some of the best lands in the state, abounding in broad and fertile prairies, which are well cultivated by their owners, who possess also large numbers of cattle, horses, swine, and sheep. These Indians are intelligent and industrious, many of them being good mechanics. The females, also, are expert at spinning and weaving.

Population

Between the years 1820 and 1830, the population of Mississippi increased more than 80 per cent.; and between the latter year and 1840, the increase Was more than 175 per cent. Of a population of 175,000, upwards of one half were laves. The people are almost exclusively engaged in agricultural employments. Population in 1850, 606,555.

Climate

For the most part the climate is decidedly healthy. The low country is of course subject to the ordinary diseases which prevail throughout all similar regions in the Southern States. But in the upper districts, the atmosphere is pure, and the climate, though variable, is temperate and salubrious.

Religion

The most numerous of the religious denominations are the Methodists and Baptists-the former, compared with the latter, numbering as 3 to 1. The Presbyterians are next in numerical order; and the Episcopalians have several flourishing parishes.

A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States (1854) by Thomas Baldwin

Most Common Surnames in Mississippi

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in United States
1Smith49,5471:631.72%1
2Williams35,8181:871.87%3
3Johnson34,2171:921.56%2
4Jones33,4671:942.01%5
5Brown28,1351:1111.59%4
6Davis25,5641:1231.82%6
7Moore16,9951:1841.97%13
8Jackson16,7431:1872.01%16
9Harris15,6741:2002.04%21
10Taylor15,3781:2041.72%11
11Wilson14,2501:2201.46%9
12White13,8951:2251.71%18
13Thomas13,4511:2331.54%12
14Walker12,6091:2481.99%26
15Robinson12,4761:2511.98%27
16Miller12,3591:2540.91%7
17Thompson12,1931:2571.55%20
18Clark11,4151:2741.58%22
19Anderson11,0441:2841.09%8
20Martin10,8681:2881.33%17
21Lee10,6781:2931.27%15
22Lewis10,2681:3051.59%25
23Allen9,5111:3291.52%28
24Hill9,4951:3301.75%35
25Carter9,3941:3341.93%42
26Young9,3541:3351.56%31
27Parker9,2561:3382.22%51
28Hall9,0271:3471.46%30
29King8,7791:3571.56%32
30Green8,7391:3591.63%37
31Evans8,4001:3731.85%46
32Roberts7,9501:3941.68%43
33Coleman7,7871:4022.79%92
34Stewart7,7451:4051.93%54
35Turner7,7431:4051.81%48
36Mitchell7,7061:4071.69%45
37Edwards7,2661:4311.71%49
38Adams7,2061:4351.30%34
39Sanders7,0191:4462.50%90
40Scott6,9501:4511.29%38
41Barnes6,8611:4572.45%89
42Phillips6,5041:4821.48%47
43Collins6,4761:4841.55%50
44Bell6,4571:4851.79%62
45Morgan6,4401:4861.77%60
46Rogers6,4171:4881.66%57
47Gray6,3391:4941.97%75
48Griffin6,2831:4992.49%111
49Wright6,2391:5021.12%33
50Jenkins6,1421:5102.24%100
51Washington5,9271:5292.89%146
52Jordan5,7941:5412.28%108
53James5,7481:5451.91%79
54Reed5,7021:5491.64%66
55Cooper5,6351:5561.55%61
56Cook5,6121:5581.42%56
57Simmons5,4991:5702.16%106
58Bailey5,4301:5771.52%64
59Butler5,3191:5891.88%88
60Campbell5,2981:5911.08%41
61Russell5,2431:5981.89%95
62Hughes5,2021:6021.71%78
63Ward5,1491:6081.56%71
64Henderson5,1221:6121.87%99
65McDonald5,1181:6122.18%122
66Morris4,9961:6271.25%55
67Richardson4,9851:6281.59%77
68Cox4,9561:6321.44%67
69Powell4,7751:6561.74%97
70Watson4,7471:6601.49%76
71Graham4,7301:6621.83%103
72Brooks4,7191:6641.44%73
73Alexander4,7141:6651.80%101
74Baker4,5991:6810.85%36
75Wells4,5701:6862.05%130
76Ellis4,5391:6901.86%115
77Bennett4,5131:6941.39%74
78Kelly4,4881:6981.36%72
79Sims4,4851:6993.24%264
80Holmes4,4761:7002.34%168
81Hudson4,4741:7002.59%203
82Sullivan4,4721:7011.52%83
83Nelson4,4561:7030.83%39
84Warren4,4321:7072.30%165
85Ford4,3891:7141.86%121
86Price4,3861:7141.50%86
87Howard4,3641:7181.31%70
88Bryant4,3431:7211.79%116
89Patterson4,3401:7221.70%107
90Dixon4,3101:7272.11%148
91Wallace4,3091:7271.70%110
92Byrd4,2761:7333.53%299
93Boyd4,2441:7382.11%154
94McGee4,1871:7484.37%409
95Ladner4,1661:75250.08%5,347
96Woods4,1641:7521.89%132
97Cole4,1511:7551.64%109
98Foster4,1461:7561.41%81
99Ross4,1061:7631.39%80
100Knight4,0991:7642.39%206
101Magee4,0621:77111.38%1,233
102Harrison3,9801:7871.68%120
103Brewer3,9341:7962.92%271
104Tucker3,8891:8061.85%140
105West3,8451:8151.50%104
106Owens3,8051:8231.67%127
107Ray3,7861:8282.19%202
108Williamson3,7501:8352.53%243
109Freeman3,7321:8401.72%133
110Harper3,6361:8622.25%224
111Gibson3,5991:8711.50%117
112Robertson3,5881:8731.86%163
113Myers3,5721:8771.22%84
114Porter3,5591:8801.77%153
115Webb3,4521:9081.63%137
116Berry3,4451:9091.95%192
117Pittman3,4361:9125.03%604
118Howell3,4321:9132.37%248
119Hayes3,3771:9281.37%114
120Watkins3,3291:9412.04%221
121Kennedy3,3011:9491.45%129
122Thornton3,2921:9523.22%381
123Montgomery3,2651:9602.18%239
124Willis3,2271:9711.94%216
125Walters3,2161:9742.34%268
126Gordon3,1831:9841.48%136
127Perry3,1551:9931.15%98
128Hamilton3,1421:9971.21%102
129Nichols3,1411:9971.69%177
130Pierce3,1101:1,0071.78%199
131May3,1081:1,0082.28%270
132Hawkins3,0951:1,0121.71%182
133Burns3,0631:1,0231.38%131
134Watts3,0491:1,0282.66%319
135Long3,0421:1,0301.06%87
136Lott3,0251:1,0368.83%1,299
137Wood3,0051:1,0430.89%69
138Mason3,0001:1,0441.48%151
139Perkins2,9971:1,0451.86%226
140Crawford2,9571:1,0601.37%134
141Daniels2,9441:1,0641.60%179
142Shaw2,9411:1,0651.41%143
143Banks2,9371:1,0672.21%278
144Little2,9141:1,0752.19%276
145Bishop2,9071:1,0781.89%234
146Gardner2,9011:1,0801.54%173
147Murphy2,8831:1,0870.75%58
148Lindsey2,8811:1,0873.62%508
149Riley2,8461:1,1011.68%209
150Palmer2,8261:1,1091.43%159
151McDaniel2,8231:1,1102.46%318
152Stevens2,8221:1,1101.19%119
153Tate2,8161:1,1133.16%449
154Bridges2,8141:1,1133.89%554
155Wade2,8101:1,1152.21%286
156Carpenter2,8091:1,1151.67%212
157Hicks2,7961:1,1211.42%161
158Hodges2,7931:1,1223.02%429
159Ferguson2,7801:1,1271.44%166
160Barnett2,7741:1,1292.20%288
161Bradley2,7691:1,1311.54%188
162Armstrong2,7511:1,1391.56%196
163Reynolds2,7161:1,1541.06%105
164Henry2,7011:1,1601.28%138
165McCoy2,6461:1,1841.87%260
166Payne2,6201:1,1961.47%191
167Franklin2,6141:1,1991.74%238
168Carr2,6111:1,2001.66%230
169Hunt2,6071:1,2021.29%152
170Welch2,6051:1,2031.84%257
171Graves2,5891:1,2102.37%342
172Garner2,5761:1,2162.63%398
173Black2,5711:1,2191.25%145
173Spencer2,5711:1,2191.48%201
175Harvey2,5631:1,2221.72%240
176Marshall2,5511:1,2281.12%128
177Malone2,5481:1,2302.75%425
178Odom2,5201:1,2435.86%1,005
179Vaughn2,5041:1,2512.21%326
180Reeves2,4771:1,2652.35%359
181Matthews2,4651:1,2711.46%211
182Love2,4341:1,2872.18%331
183Hunter2,4261:1,2911.23%158
184Bullock2,4091:1,3014.09%710
185Holland2,3961:1,3081.76%269
186Cooley2,3821:1,3155.34%959
187Neal2,3701:1,3222.09%324
188Haynes2,3341:1,3422.11%335
188Simpson2,3341:1,3421.15%149
190Mills2,3301:1,3451.22%171
191Bates2,3031:1,3601.87%294
192Dean2,2921:1,3671.50%235
193Strickland2,2911:1,3682.70%476
194Floyd2,2651:1,3832.64%471
195Stephens2,2551:1,3891.23%180
196Pearson2,2401:1,3991.69%279
197Fleming2,2301:1,4051.86%302
198Stokes2,2271:1,4072.83%513
199Chandler2,2201:1,4112.09%356
200Townsend2,2041:1,4222.49%454
RankSurnameIncidenceFrequencyPercent of ParentRank in United States
1Smith18,5351:612.94%1
2Williams18,2201:625.70%4
3Johnson16,9961:674.44%2
4Jones15,8841:714.99%5
5Brown12,3501:923.48%3
6Davis10,0491:1133.96%7
7Jackson8,5601:1325.81%14
8Harris7,5121:1515.85%18
9Moore7,1201:1594.46%12
10Taylor6,4951:1743.83%9
11Wilson6,1731:1843.28%8
12White6,0431:1883.74%11
13Thompson5,6441:2013.58%13
14Thomas5,5071:2063.76%16
15Walker5,4941:2064.67%23
16Anderson5,1961:2183.56%17
17Miller4,7571:2381.70%6
18Young4,5291:2503.93%24
19Robinson4,5241:2514.36%30
20Green4,3751:2593.59%19
21Martin4,3181:2622.93%15
22Lewis4,1381:2743.49%22
23Carter4,0701:2784.95%36
24Hill3,7531:3023.55%28
25Washington3,7471:3029.81%126
26Allen3,6981:3063.07%21
27Scott3,6581:3103.50%29
28Turner3,6271:3124.59%40
29Clark3,6101:3142.16%10
30Lee3,6051:3144.37%35
31Bell3,2871:3454.94%51
32Hall3,1241:3632.58%20
33Parker3,1181:3633.88%37
34Coleman3,0621:3706.66%93
35King3,0201:3752.85%27
36Adams2,8761:3942.95%31
37Wright2,7301:4152.56%26
38Stewart2,7291:4153.82%45
39Sanders2,6951:4216.34%108
40Evans2,6481:4283.59%43
41Edwards2,6051:4353.98%52
42Collins2,5701:4413.38%41
43Gray2,4761:4584.17%61
44Henderson2,4111:4704.80%77
45Mitchell2,3651:4793.71%54
46Brooks2,3181:4894.23%68
47Morgan2,2721:4993.53%53
48Watson2,2711:4993.84%63
49Cook2,2661:5002.59%33
50Griffin2,2641:5015.07%98
51James2,2451:5054.53%78
52Roberts2,1831:5192.73%39
53Nelson2,1411:5293.09%47
54Rogers2,1161:5363.38%55
55Cooper2,0851:5443.49%60
56Ford2,0751:5464.60%96
57Simmons2,0641:5495.32%123
58Butler2,0411:5553.89%71
59Baker2,0391:5561.83%25
60Ross2,0351:5574.05%76
61Ward1,9931:5692.98%50
62Alexander1,9411:5844.54%105
63Reed1,9361:5852.57%42
64Harrison1,9191:5914.37%100
65Richardson1,9101:5933.26%64
66Price1,8961:5983.45%67
66Howard1,8961:5983.06%56
68Campbell1,8841:6022.19%34
69Cox1,8451:6143.08%57
70Ellis1,8021:6293.99%94
71Jenkins1,7531:6463.94%99
72Porter1,7301:6553.83%95
73Gibson1,7261:6574.17%111
74Wells1,6731:6773.63%92
75Foster1,6701:6792.81%62
76Morris1,6601:6832.38%46
77Banks1,6211:6997.67%248
78Perkins1,6041:7074.40%139
79Robertson1,6021:7074.45%142
80Powell1,5991:7093.75%106
81Barnes1,5951:7113.38%83
82Holmes1,5811:7174.28%132
83Hunter1,5601:7263.81%113
84Harper1,5531:7305.76%192
85Woods1,5431:7344.18%134
86Phillips1,5341:7392.56%59
87Hamilton1,5331:7393.14%80
88Cole1,5301:7412.94%73
89Wallace1,4901:7613.33%97
90Jordan1,4791:7664.39%156
91Bailey1,4681:7722.66%66
92Tucker1,4641:7743.81%124
93Love1,4531:7808.11%317
94Wood1,4481:7831.81%38
95West1,4431:7853.12%90
96Kelly1,4251:7951.96%44
97Crawford1,4231:7963.56%117
98Hughes1,4211:7983.07%89
99Patterson1,4171:8002.81%75
100Bryant1,4161:8004.05%147
101Montgomery1,4111:8035.47%199
102Hawkins1,4091:8044.16%153
103Hudson1,3981:8115.03%190
104Boyd1,3911:8153.91%144
105McDonald1,3571:8352.60%72
106Roberson1,3551:8368.03%341
107Hunt1,3211:8583.05%102
108Willis1,3181:8604.71%188
109Armstrong1,3071:8673.45%129
110Sims1,3041:8697.21%313
111Owens1,2851:8823.72%150
112Shaw1,2831:8832.96%103
113Franklin1,2821:8845.37%220
114Gordon1,2631:8974.40%178
115Henry1,2581:9012.96%107
116Graham1,2491:9072.69%88
117Ray1,2481:9084.23%170
118Magee1,2371:91617.37%888
119Myers1,2321:9202.13%65
120Berry1,2301:9213.34%135
121Watkins1,2161:9324.78%204
122Webb1,2141:9343.36%141
123May1,2131:9344.65%194
124Warren1,2061:9403.35%143
125Spencer1,1851:9563.51%155
126Perry1,1781:9622.53%87
127Long1,1771:9631.96%58
128Wade1,1701:9695.26%239
129McGee1,1571:9806.92%345
130Bennett1,1491:9862.16%70
131Russell1,1481:9872.46%86
132Mathews1,1461:9893.89%171
133Murphy1,1081:1,0231.17%32
134Black1,1001:1,0302.82%121
135Miles1,0941:1,0365.17%247
136Simpson1,0901:1,0402.86%127
137Freeman1,0861:1,0443.12%148
137Marshall1,0861:1,0442.83%125
139Mason1,0841:1,0452.49%101
140Tate1,0551:1,0747.78%447
141Rodgers1,0521:1,0774.56%231
142Williamson1,0461:1,0833.59%172
142Carr1,0461:1,0833.06%152
144Clay1,0371:1,0938.23%489
144Hicks1,0371:1,0933.46%168
146Thornton1,0131:1,1195.54%304
147Garner1,0061:1,1277.22%431
148Sykes9911:1,14418.15%1,166
149Jefferson9741:1,1649.29%597
150Riley9711:1,1672.25%104
150Gardner9711:1,1672.65%136
152Payne9601:1,1813.37%180
153Stevens9571:1,1842.05%85
154Johnston9561:1,1852.46%122
155Little9371:1,2093.69%206
156Walton9331:1,2155.41%328
157Hardy9251:1,2255.25%321
158Watts9131:1,2415.00%304
158Bush9131:1,2413.87%224
160Dixon9081:1,2483.47%193
161Terry8881:1,2765.26%339
161Page8881:1,2763.43%198
163Fields8871:1,2784.40%264
164Oliver8821:1,2853.62%216
165Bridges8781:1,2919.06%652
166Howell8751:1,2953.81%234
167Burns8741:1,2971.70%74
168Dean8731:1,2983.14%189
169Harvey8711:1,3013.41%203
170Duncan8581:1,3213.06%186
171Fisher8501:1,3331.27%49
171Malone8501:1,3335.35%373
173Whitfield8471:1,33814.31%1,096
174Haynes8431:1,3445.44%382
175Burton8411:1,3483.49%218
176Austin8401:1,3492.95%182
177Neal8341:1,3594.57%306
178Hays8281:1,3693.34%212
179Knight8271:1,3702.95%185
180Hopkins8221:1,3792.85%177
181Hampton8171:1,3876.71%509
181Hodges8171:1,3875.96%440
183Houston8151:1,3917.25%556
183Stokes8151:1,3916.39%480
185Mitchel8061:1,4063.98%262
185Ware8061:1,4066.61%508
185Rice8061:1,4061.75%91
188Chapman8031:1,4112.33%151
189Dunn8011:1,4151.90%109
189Cotton8011:1,4159.79%774
191Stephens7941:1,4272.54%165
192Fox7921:1,4311.99%118
193Lott7911:1,43316.32%1,355
194Carpenter7891:1,4362.12%130
195Chandler7871:1,4404.30%303
196Byrd7841:1,44610.03%803
197Flowers7761:1,4609.28%750
198Garrett7731:1,4664.19%298
199Bishop7711:1,4702.75%184
200William7701:1,4726.63%533