Step-by-Step Mississippi Research, 1880-Present

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Step 1. Find out everything possible from living relatives and their family records.
Every good genealogy project starts with finding all the clues that can be gathered from living relatives — both from their memories and from documents or memorabilia in their homes.

What are the best questions to ask?
In order to extend research, ask for names, dates, and places. Everything about who a relative was and when and where they lived is a clue to a new record search. For ideas, see :


 * 50 Questions to Ask Relatives About Family History at ThoughtCo.com
 * Creating Oral Histories at FamilySearch Wiki

What documents should be collected or copied?
Because these records cover names, dates, places, and relationships, they are a valuable source of clues. Look for them in your home, your parents' home, and ask living grandparents to check for them.

Step 2. Find ancestors in every possible census record, 1850-1950, online.

 * A census is a count and description of the population for a given date. A census took a "snapshot" of a family on a certain day.
 * For each person living in a household (depending on the year), their name, age, birthplace, relationship to head of household, place of birth for father and mother, citizenship status, year of immigration, mother of how many children and number of children living, native language, and whether they were a veteran of the military can be listed.
 * Searching for a family in census records every ten years can identify all the children in a family.
 * Searching in earlier census records to find someone as a child can identify parents.=== Using clues to lead to census record searches. ===

The first step would be to search the 1950 and 1940 censuses of Mississippi, the most recent censuses available. Here is the family of Roy J. and Lillian (his first wife) in both the 1950 and 1940 censuses of Winona, Montgomery, Mississippi.

Finding the next generation back.
'''In 1940, Roy Rhine is 25 years old. The next step would be to search for Roy as a 15-year-old son in his parents' home in the 1930 census, and a 5-year-old son in the 1920 census.''' In those census records, he is living with his parents, Calvin E. and Matilda Rhine. Following up in earlier censues, Calvin Rhine, father of Roy J. Rhine, is in the 1910 census of Mississippi, and in 1900 he was still in Ohio.



Look for ancestors in as many censuses as possible. Use the clues from each census for hints where to find families in both earlier and later census records.
- For more information, see Mississippi Census and United States Census.

Step 3: Find birth, marriage, and death certificates for your ancestors and their children.
States, counties, or (even towns in some states) recorded births, marriages, and deaths.
 * In addition to the child's name, birth date, and place of birth, a birth certificate may give the birthplaces of the parents, their ages, and occupations.
 * A marriage certificate might list the parents of the bride and groom.
 * A death certificate may give the person's birth date and place, parents' names and birthplaces, and spouse's name.

Using census clues to lead to a birth certificate.
Census information gives approximate birth years and probable birth places, and that information leads to finding important birth records. In addition to basic birth date and place, a birth certificate can give age, birthplace, occupation, etc. about the parents. Currently (May 2023), there are no online indexes or images for Mississippi birth records.
 * Where to Write for Mississippi Birth, Marriage, Death and Divorce Records at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC.gov
 * for birth records starting in 1912.

Using census clues to lead to a marriage certificate.
Finding marriage records can: Example of an indexed marriage record.
 * establish the full identity of the wife, with her maiden name and possible birth details.
 * find the names of the parents of the bride and groom.



Using the census clues to lead to a death certificate.
Moving forward in time, older generations stop showing up in the census. That is a clue that they probably died in the last 10 years. The death certificate is important because of all the possible secondary data beyond just the date and place of death: Example of an indexed death record. -
 * birth date and place of the deceased
 * maiden name of the wife
 * names of the deceased's parents
 * birth places of the deceased's parents.

How to Find the Records
There are basically three ways to find these indexes or full original certificates:
 * online databases
 * writing to a county courthouse (prior to the beginning of state civil registration)
 * purchasing them through the mail at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC.gov

Records at the County Courthouse.
These records were originally created by county clerks, and then copies were sent to the state. County clerks can be willing to help find all the birth records for one family or perform other searches that the state would not do. To contact county clerks by e-mail or telephone, go to the Wiki article for each county. Links to the county Wiki articles are found at the end of this page or by clicking here: Mississippi Counties.

Order Certificates from Mississippi Vital Records Department.
Almost always the full original certificate will contain information not contained in the index. Although it costs money, consider sending for the full original certificates, particularly for direct line ancestors (grandparents, great-grandparents, etc).


 * Where to Write for Mississippi Birth, Marriage, Death and Divorce Records at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC.gov

For more information on birth, marriage, and death records in Mississippi, see How to Find Mississippi Birth Records, How to Find Mississippi Marriage Records, and How to Find Mississippi Death Records.

Step 4: Using all the death date information, try to find additional details about your ancestors in Social Security records, obituaries, and cemetery records online.
There are additional record collections available, based upon a person's death: obituaries, cemetery records, and Social Security records. These are a great source for more details about a person. Here are some examples; notice the level of details.

Obituaries

 * 1980-2014 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * Mississippi Newspapers and Obituaries at LDS Genealogy — index
 * Mississippi Obituaries at ObitsArchive.com — index & images ($)
 * Mississippi Obituaries Help and Genealogy Resources at ObituariesHelp.org — index
 * Online Mississippi Death Records and Indexes at DeathIndexes.com — index

Cemeteries

 * 1822-1921 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
 * 1949-1969 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
 * BillionGraves — index & images
 * at FamilySearch — How to Use This Collection; index; Also at: Findmypast ($)
 * FindaGrave — index & images
 * at FamilySearch — How to Use This Collection; index; Also at: Ancestry ($)
 * MDAH Cemetery Index at Mississippi Department of Archives and History — index
 * Mississippi Cemeteries at I Dream of Genealogy
 * Mississippi Cemeteries at USGenWeb Tombstone Transcription Project — index
 * Mississippi Cemetery Records at LDS Genealogy — index
 * Mississippi Death Records and Mississippi Cemetery Records at Interment.net — index
 * Online Mississippi Death Records and Indexes at DeathIndexes.com — index

U.S. Social Security Death Index and Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007

 * The U.S. Social Security program began in 1935 but most deaths recorded in the index happened after 1962.
 * The Social Security Death index includes those who had a Social Security number and/or applied for benefits.
 * You can search these records online at


 * 1935-2014 U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014 at Ancestry — index ($)
 * 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry — index ($); Picks up where the Social Security Death Index (SSDI) leaves off by providing information filed in the application or claims process
 * 1962-2014 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index


 * If you find an ancestor in the SSDI index, you can order a copy of their original Social Security application (SS-5). If you can prove the individual has died (by sending an obituary or copy of their cemetery headstone), the application will also give the deceased's parents' names, if listed.

For more information, see Mississippi Obituaries and Mississippi Cemeteries.

Step 5: Search military records: World War I and II draft cards.
There are many different types of military records: draft records, enlistment records, service records, pension records, etc. Information in military records can vary from a simple lists of name, age, and residence, to more detailed records including name, residence, age, occupation, marital status, birthplace, physical description, number of dependents, pensions received, disabled veterans, needy veterans, widows or orphans of veterans, and other information. - Example of a World War I draft card. - Example of a World War II draft card.



'''Search the World War I and World War II Draft Collections for male relatives.
- For more information and additional collections, see Mississippi Military Records.
 * 1917-1918 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * 1942 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images

Step 6: Look for church records online.
Church records function as vital records. Church records are particularly helpful prior to the advent of civil registration.
 * An infant christening or baptism record documents a birth.
 * Many, if not most, people are married in a church, and then a record is created by the minister.
 * Likewise, ministers presided over funerals, then creating a burial record, which documents a death.



Search for church records that can provide additional birth, marriage, and death information.

 * 1776-1935 Mississippi, U.S., Compiled Marriage Index, 1776-1935 at Ancestry — index ($)
 * 1800-1825 Mississippi, U.S., Compiled Marriages, 1800-1825 at Ancestry — index ($)
 * 1800-1911 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images
 * 1822-1921 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
 * 1826-1850 Mississippi, U.S., Compiled Marriages, 1826-1850 at Ancestry — index ($)
 * 1826-1900 Mississippi, U.S., Compiled Marriages, 1826-1900 at Ancestry — index ($)
 * 1910-1919 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index

Dutch Reformed

 * 1639-1989 U.S., Dutch Reformed Church Records in Selected States, 1639-1989 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
 * 1701-1995 U.S., Selected States Dutch Reformed Church Membership Records, 1701-1995 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
 * 1856-1970 U.S., Dutch Christian Reformed Church Membership Records, 1856-1970 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
 * 1856-1970 U.S., Dutch Christian Reformed Church Vital Records, 1856-1970 at Ancestry — index & images ($)

Presbyterian

 * 1701-1970 U.S., Presbyterian Church Records, 1701-1970 at Ancestry — index & images ($)

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 * For help with church records kept in Mississippi, see Mississippi Church Records.
 * To search records by denomination, if you know your ancestors religion, go to Searching for Church Records by Denomination.

Step 7: Search for online wills and probate packets.
For more information, see U.S. Probate Records Class Handout.



Search these indexes and images for probate records.

 * 1780-1982 Mississippi, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1780-1982 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
 * 1781-1930 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images

Probate Information in County Wiki Articles
Each Mississippi county Research Wiki page lists additional probate sources, including where to write for records: Mississippi Counties

For more information, see Mississippi Probate Records and United States Probate Records.

Step 8: If any ancestor was an immigrant, search immigration and naturalization records online.
The census records may show that an ancestor was born in another country. It will be necessary to try to find the town or city they were born in to continue research in the country of origin. Searches of immigration records (usually passenger lists) and naturalization (citizenship) records would be the next step.



Mississippi Immigration Records

 * United States Immigration Online Genealogy Records


 * 1500-Onward All U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s at Ancestry — index & images; includes those with destination of Mississippi ($); Also at: MyHeritage ($)
 * 1820-1870 Atlantic and Gulf Ports, Passenger List Card Index, 1820-1870 at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
 * 1849-1862 Passports and Ship Passengers 1849-1862 : Mobile, Alabama, by Hageness, MariLee Beatty. Anniston, AL: MLH Research, 2002. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library
 * 1895-1956 United States, Border Crossings from Canada, 1895-1956 at MyHeritage — index & images; includes those with destination of Mississippi ($)
 * 1895-1960 U.S., Border Crossings from Canada to U.S., 1895-1960 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
 * 1903-1935 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index
 * 1903-1954 (*) United States, Immigration and Naturalization Service at FamilySearch Catalog — images
 * 1904-1962 Alabama, U.S., Arriving Passenger Lists, 1904-1962 at Ancestry — index & images ($)
 * Four Centuries on the Pascagoula, by Cain, Cyril Edward. U.S.A.: Cyril E. Cain, 1953. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library

Cultural Groups

 * 1920-1939 Germany, Bremen Emigration Lists, 1920-1939 at MyHeritage — index ($); includes those with destination of Mississippi
 * Germans Immigrating to the United States at MyHeritage  — index ($) ; includes those with destination of Mississippi
 * Italians Immigrating to the United States at MyHeritage — index ($); includes those with destination of Mississippi
 * Russians Immigrating to the United States at MyHeritage — index ($); includes those with destination of Mississippi
 * The Arrival of 150 Acadians, Acadian Genealogy Exchange - V. 10, No. 3 Jul 1981 by Jehn, Janet B. Covington, KY: Janet B. Jehn, 1981. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library

Passport Records Online

 * 1795-1925 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index & images; Also at: Ancestry ($)

Mississippi Naturalization and Citizenship Online Records

 * United States Naturalization and Citizenship Online Genealogy Records


 * 1907-2008 Mississippi, U.S., Naturalization Records, 1907-2008 at Ancestry — index & images ($)

For more information, see Mississippi Emigration and Immigration and Mississippi Naturalization and Citizenship.

Local Histories

 * Published histories of towns, counties, and states sometimes contain biographies and accounts of early or prominent families.
 * Here are several websites that feature online copies of printed county histories: Mississippi; that will bring up too many hits. Just use the name of the county and "county": for example, "Hyde County"


 * Google Books. Use keywords "Mississippi" and the county name. Hits will list online readable books, lists of libraries that carry the book, and purchasing opportunities.
 * Family History Books
 * County and Town Histories
 * Internet Archive. Use keywords "Mississippi" and the county name.
 * Ancestry.com ($). In the Card Catalog search box, use Mississippi and the name of the county.

FamilySearch Collected Local Histories

 * Local histories are extensively collected by the FamilySearch Library, public and university libraries, and state and local historical societies.
 * If you have access to the FamilySearch Library or a FamilySearch center, you can find local histories by:
 * Go to the FamilySearch Catalog.
 * In the "Place" field, type the name of your county and click "Search".
 * A list of subheadings for the county will appear. Local histories containing genealogies and biographies will be found under Biography, Genealogy, History, or History - Indexes.

Biography Collections
These collections of biographies can be searched online. Most have a table of contents and an index. Or use the "Find" function on a computer.


 * County and Town Histories, Mississippi at LearnWebSkills — index & images
 * MDAH Biographical Index at Mississippi Department of Archives and History — index
 * Men of Spine in Mississippi, by Coughlin, Harry. Gulfport, Mississippi: Dixie Press, 1940. Online at: HathiTrust
 * Mississippians All, by Smith, Frank Ellis and Audrey Warren. New Orleans: Pelican Pub. House, 1968. Online at:  Internet Archive
 * Mississippi, as a Province, Territory, and State, by Claiborne, J. F. H. Jackson, Miss: Power and Barksdale, 1880. Online at: ULS Digital Library, University of Pittsburgh
 * Mississippi Heroes, by Wells, Dean Faulkner and Hunter Cole. Jackson: University Press of Mississippi, 1980. Online at: Internet Archive
 * Who's Who in Louisiana and Mississippi, n.p.: The Times-Picayune, 1918. Online at: HathiTrust

Step 10: Contact a local historical or genealogical society.
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 * Historical societies have collections that are frequently little known and often overlooked.
 * Many have a surname file, where they have collected genealogies, newspaper clippings, old photographs, etc.
 * Many have a sort of "pioneer ancestor" program, where people can submit pedigrees to prove they are the descendants of an early resident of the area.
 * Most keep track of queries about families that once lived in the area from other distant relatives who may actually have more family memorabilia.
 * Most keep track of queries about families that once lived in the area from other distant relatives who may actually have more family memorabilia.


 * Find the society on the internet, and they may list their holdings. Or call them on the phone, find out what they have, and find out what arrangements can be made to search their collection. Frequently, one of their members can be hired to search the collection for you.

This online directory by GenealogyInc. lists historical and genealogical societies by county: Click on the map to select a county, then scroll down to the historical or genealogical society listings. Here is an example of an internet website for a local genealogical society.

Historical Images
Records collected and digitized by FamilySearch can all be found through their Historical Images feature.
 * Mississippi, United States Historical Images, New Version
 * Mississippi, United States Historical Images, Old Version

Mississippi Online Genealogy Records
Search any other online records listed in Mississippi Online Genealogy Records. The steps given here are intended to list record sources which can most efficiently identify descendants. Many other online records which might or might not mention descendants are listed in the Mississippi Online Genealogy Records page, including immigration records, land records, military records, newspapers, and probate records, and others. These can be records that cover a smaller group within the population, such as men who served in the military, etc.
 * Mississippi Online Genealogy Records

Step 12: Study the Research Wiki pages for any county in Mississippi.
This article focused more on Mississippi state or state-wide records. There is a separate Wiki article for each county in Mississippi. These articles give information, office addresses, and links to county records.