Harrison County, Mississippi Genealogy
Guide to Harrison County, Mississippi ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, marriage records, death records, census records, and military records.
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County Information
Description
This county was named for William Henry Harrison. Harrison County is located in the southeast area of the state.[2]
County Courthouse
Harrison County Courthouse - Judicial District 1
1801 23rd Ave
P.O. Box 1461
Gulfport, MS 39502
Phone: 228-865-4000
Harrison County Website
Harrison County Courthouse - Judicial District 2
730 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
P.O. Box 235
Biloxi, MS 39533
Phone: 228-435-8251
Harrison County Website
Clerk Circuit Court has marriage records from 1841 and court records.
Clerk Chancery Court has divorce, probate and land records.[3]
Harrison County, Mississippi Record Dates
Information for this chart was taken from various sources, often containing conflicting dates. This information should be taken as a guide and should be verified by contacting the county and/or the state government agency.
| Birth* | Marriage | Death* | Court | Land | Probate | Census |
| 1 Nov 1912 | 1841 | 1 Nov 1912 | 1840 | 1841 | 1853 | 1810 |
Record Loss
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1916 Some records were lost.
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Boundary Changes
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Populated Places
For a complete list of populated places, including small neighborhoods and suburbs, visit Hometown Locator. The following are the most historically and genealogically relevant populated places in this county:[6]
| Cities | ||
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| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Census-designated places | ||
History Timeline
Resources
Bible Records
Biographies
Business, Commerce, and Occupations
Cemeteries
Census Records
| Historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± |
| 1850 | 4,875 | — |
| 1860 | 4,819 | −1.1% |
| 1870 | 5,795 | 20.3% |
| 1880 | 7,895 | 36.2% |
| 1890 | 12,481 | 58.1% |
| 1900 | 21,002 | 68.3% |
| 1910 | 34,658 | 65.0% |
| 1920 | 32,855 | −5.2% |
| 1930 | 44,143 | 34.4% |
| 1940 | 50,799 | 15.1% |
| 1950 | 84,073 | 65.5% |
| 1960 | 119,489 | 42.1% |
| 1970 | 134,582 | 12.6% |
| 1980 | 157,665 | 17.2% |
| 1990 | 165,365 | 4.9% |
| 2000 | 189,601 | 14.7% |
| 2010 | 187,105 | −1.3% |
| Source: "Wikipedia.org". | ||
For tips on accessing Harrison County census records online, see: Mississippi Census.
Federal Census
- 1660-1820 U.S. Census Reconstructed Records, 1660-1820 at Ancestry $
- 1850 United States Census (Mortality Schedule), 1850 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index and some images
- 1850 United States Census (Slave Schedule), 1850 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1860 United States Census (Slave Schedule), 1860 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
State Census
- 1792-1866 Mississippi, State and Territorial Census Collection, 1792-1866 at Ancestry $
- 1805-1890 Mississippi, Compiled Census and Census Substitutes Index, 1805-1890 at Ancestry $
- 1845 State Census Returns 1845 - Harrison County Collection at FamilySearch - images only
- 1870 State Census Returns 1870 - Harrison County Collection at FamilySearch - images only
Church Records
Church records and the information they provide vary significantly depending on the denomination and the record keeper. They may contain information about members of the congregation, such as age, date of baptism, christening, or birth; marriage information and maiden names; and death date. For general information about Mississippi denominations, view the Mississippi Church Records wiki page.
- 1910-1919 Mississippi, Church Records, 1910-1919 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
List of Churches and Church Parishes
Ward and Branch Records of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Biloxi
Court Records
- 1840-1922 Chancery Records, 1840-1922; Indexes 1847-1915, 1840-1922(*); Chancery Clerk and Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1842-1854 Minutes of the Vice Chancery Court, Harrison County, 1842-1854(*); Vice Chancery Clerk at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
Directories
- 1970-2024 United States, Residence Database, 1970-2024 at FamilySearch — How to Use this Collection; index, coverage may vary
Emigration and Immigration
Ethnic, Political, and Religious Groups
African Americans
- 1863-1866 Mississippi, Freedmen's Department (Pre-Bureau Records), 1863-1866 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; images only
- 1865-1872 Mississippi, Freedmen's Bureau Field Office Records, 1865-1872 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; images only
- The Freedmen's Bureau Marriage Records at Mississippi Department of Archives and History - index and transcription
Funeral Homes
- Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Homes in Biloxi, D'Iberville and Gulfport.
- Dickey Brothers Memorial Funeral Home, LLC in Biloxi.
- Hartwell's Christian Mortuary in Gulfport.
- Infinity Funeral Home in Biloxi.
- J. T. Hall Funeral Home, Inc. in Gulfport.
- Lockett-Williams Mortuary, Inc. in Gulfport.
- Riemann Family Funeral Homes in Biloxi, Gulfport, Long Beach and Pass Christian.
Genealogies
Guardianship
Land and Property Records
Land and property records can place an ancestor in a particular location, provide economic information, and reveal family relationships. Land records include: deeds, abstracts and indexes, mortgages, leases, grants and land patents.
See Mississippi Land and Property for additional information about early Mississippi land ownership. After land was transferred to private ownership, subsequent transactions were usually recorded at the county courthouse and where records are currently housed.
Online Land Indexes and Records
- Full-Text Search - Land Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
Local Histories
Local histories are available for Harrison County. County histories may include biographies, church, school and government history, and military information. For more information about local histories see the wiki page section Mississippi Local Histories.
Maps and Gazetteers
for more resources
- FamilySearch Places: Map of cities and towns in this county - How to Use FS Places
- Maps of Mississippi (1785-1918)
Migration
Military Records
Multiple Wars
- 1769-1951 Military grave registrations - Harrison County Collection at FamilySearch - images only
- 1852-1861 Register of Military Commissions - Harrison County Collection at FamilySearch - images only
Mexican-American War
- 1846-1848 United States Mexican War Index and Service Records, 1846-1848 How to Use this Collection; at FamilySearch — index & images
Civil War
- 1861-1865 Mississippi, Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images at partner site
- 1861-1865 Mississippi, Civil War Service Records of Union Soldiers, 1861-1865 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images at partner site
- 1861-1865 U.S., Confederate Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861-1865 at Ancestry free index
- 1861-1865 U.S., Union Soldiers Compiled Service Records, 1861-1865 at Ancestry free index
- 1889-1942 Mississippi, Confederate Records, 1889-1942 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; images only
- 1900-1974 Mississippi, Confederate Veterans and Widows Pension Applications, 1900-1974 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; images only
- 1936-1939 Civil war records a Memorial list of those that served in the Civil War - Harrison County Collection at FamilySearch - images only
Regiments. Men in Harrison County served in various regiments. Men often joined a company (within a regiment) that originated in their county. Listed below are companies that were specifically formed in Harrison County:
- - 3rd Regiment, Mississippi Infantry
- Company E - Biloxi Rifles, aka Biloxi Rifle Guards
- Company H - Dahlgren Guards
- - 9th Regiment, Mississippi Cavalry
- Company C - Mayers’ Company
- - 17th Battalion, Mississippi Cavalry
- Company C - Evans’ Rangers
- Company E - Mayers’ Company
World War I
- 1917-1919 Mississippi, World War I Service Cards, 1917-1919 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
- 1917-1918 Mississippi, World War I Army Veterans, Master alphabetical index, 1917-1918 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
Naturalization and Citizenship
- 1936-1941 Certificates of naturalization, (1925-1933) - Harrison County Collection at FamilySearch - Index
Newspapers
- 1800s-Current Mississippi, U.S., Newspapers.com™ Stories and Events Index, 1800's-Current at Ancestry — index & images ($)
Obituaries
Other Records
State Archives
- 1820-1951 Mississippi, State Archives, Various Records, 1820-1951 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images - incomplete - Topics covered: Ex Slave Narratives, list of military veterans, Military grave registrations, Naturalizations and some Land records.
VOTER List
- 1871-1967 Mississippi, Voter Registration, 1871-1967 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
Periodicals
Probate Records
Probate records are held by the Harrison County, Mississippi Genealogy Clerk of Court and are housed at the Harrison County, Mississippi Genealogy Courthouse. Microfilmed records can be found online at Mississippi Probate Records, 1781-1930. See the wiki page Mississippi Probate Records for information about how to use probate records.
Content: Probate Records may give the decedent's date of death, names of his or her spouse, children, parents, siblings, in-laws, neighbors, associates, relatives, and their place of residence.
Record types: Wills, estates, guardianships, naturalizations, and adoptions.
Online Probate Indexes and Records
- 1780-1982 Mississippi Wills and Probate Records 1780-1982 at Ancestry ($)
- 1781-1930 Mississippi Probate Records 1781-1930 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; images only
- 1837-1927 Probate Records, ca. 1837-1927(*); Chancery Clerk at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1838-1916 Probate Records, Indexes, 1838-1916(*); Probate Court at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1853-1927 Administrators, Executors and Guardianship Records, 1853-1927; Index 1916-1921, 1853-1927(*); Chancery Clerk at FamilySearch Catalog — index & images
- 1853-1927 Harrison County, Mississippi, Index of Wills, 1853-1927. By Guice, Julia Cook. Biloxi, Mississippi : Guice, Julia Cook, n.d. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library
- 1853-1927 Wills : Harrison County, Mississippi : 1853-1927. By Nicovich, Darnell and Julia Cook Guice. Biloxi, Mississippi : Julia Guice, n.d. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library
- Full-Text Search - Wills and Probate Records at FamilySearch - index & images; dates, records, and places vary; How to Search
School Records
- 1850-1892; 1908-1957 Enumeration of Educable Children, 1850-1892; 1908-1957 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images
Social Security Records
- 1935-2014 United States Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index. Also at Ancestry, findmypast, Fold3, GenealogyBank, MyHeritage, and Steve Morse. Click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 at Ancestry ($) — index, click here for more information.
- 1936-2007 United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
Tax Records
Mississippi tax records replace missing censuses and provide lists of residents during years between censuses. There may be gaps of several years. For more information, see Mississippi Taxation.
- 1846-1899 County Tax rolls (1846-1899) - Harrison County Collection at FamilySearch - images only
Vital Records
Vital Records consist of births, adoptions, marriages, divorces, and deaths recorded on registers, certificates, and documents. Mississippi law did not require keeping birth or death records until 1912. Births and deaths are kept by the Mississippi Bureau of Vital Statistics. Marriage records are kept by the county. See also How to order Mississippi Vital Records or order electronically online.
See Mississippi Vital Records for more information on getting Mississippi records.
Birth
Marriage
- 1776-1935 Mississippi Marriages, 1776-1935 at Ancestry $
- 1800-1825 Mississippi Marriages to 1825 at Ancestry $
- 1800-1911 Mississippi, Marriages, 1800-1911 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
- 1826-1850 Mississippi Marriages, 1826-50 at Ancestry $
- 1826-1900 Mississippi Marriages, 1826-1900 at Ancestry $
- 1841-1895 Harrison County Marriage Books 1-11 Index 1841-1895 in International Genealogical Index at FamilySearch
- 1858-1979 Mississippi, County Marriages, 1858-1979 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index & images for various counties
Death
- 1822-1921 Mississippi Deaths and Burials, 1822-1921 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index, some images
- 1912-1943 Mississippi, Death Certificate Index, 1912-1943 at FamilySearch - How to Use this Collection; index
- 1912-1943 Reclaim the Records: Mississippi Death Index at Archive - images of index
Divorce
Research Facilities
Archives
Listed below are archives in Harrison County. For state-wide archival repositories, see Mississippi Archives and Libraries.
FamilySearch Centers
FamilySearch Center and Affiliate Library Locator map - search for local FamilySearch Centers or Affiliate Libraries
- FamilySearch Centers provide one-on-one assistance, free access to center-only databases, and to premium genealogical websites.
- FamilySearch Affiliate Libraries have access to most center-only databases, but may not always have full services normally provided by a FamilySearch center.
Local Centers and Affiliate Libraries
- Gulfport Mississippi FamilySearch Center
- New Orleans Louisiana FamilySearch Center
- St. Tammany Parish Public Library - an affiliate library
Libraries
Listed below are libraries in Harrison County. For state-wide library facilities, see Mississippi Archives and Libraries.
Museums
Historical Society and Museum of Gulfport
1419 27th Ave
Union Station Depot
PO Box 662
Gulfport, MS 39501
228-861-6600
Email: gulfporthistory@gmail.com
Website
Facebook
Societies
Listed below are societies in Harrison County. For state-wide genealogical societies, see Mississippi Societies.
Historical Society of Gulfport
1419 27th Ave
PO Box 662
Gulfport, MS 39501
228-861-6600
Email: gulfporthistory@gmail.com
Website
Facebook
Websites
- Harrison County Mississippi Genealogy & History Network
- USGenWeb Harrison County, Mississippi project. Has maps, name indexes, history or other information for this county.
- Mississippi Genealogy Network Group on Facebook
- FamilySearch Catalog – The FamilySearch catalog contains descriptions and access information for all genealogical materials (including books, online materials, microfilm, microfiche, and publications) in their collection. Use Historical Records to search for specific individuals in genealogical records.
Research Guides
References
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Mississippi.At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Harrison, Mississippi," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harrison_County,_Mississippi."
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Mississippi.At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Harrison County, Mississippi . Page 378-384 At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002; Alice Eichholz, ed. Ancestry’s Red Book: American State, County, and Town Sources, Third ed. (Provo, Utah: Ancestry, 2004), 379-381.
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), Mississippi.At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Harrison County, Mississippi," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harrison_County,_Mississippi, Last accessed 17 September 2019.