JASPER COUNTY HISTORY AND LOOKUP

County History Books

History of Jasper County Mississippi by H.H. Daniel, (1890) – 230 Pages
Source: Internet Archive
Book ID: CH.2023.12.05.1142.CD.AR

Jasper County, Mississippi: A Genealogical Overview

Located in the heart of Mississippi’s “Piney Woods” region, Jasper County was established in the wave of expansion that followed the final Choctaw land cessions of the 1830s. Its history is shaped by the yeoman farmers who first settled the area, the transformative impact of the railroad and timber industries in the late 19th century, and a unique administrative history as a “two-shire” county with dual seats of government. For genealogists, understanding this dual-district system and the impact of a major courthouse fire is essential for successful research.

I. County Formation and Evolution

Jasper County’s origins lie in the transfer of Native American lands to the United States, and its records are split between two locations.

  • 1833: County Formed: Jasper County was authorized and created on December 13, 1833, from lands that were formerly part of Jones and Wayne counties.
  • Parent Entity: The land was part of the vast territory ceded by the Choctaw Nation to the United States in the 1830 Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek. Research into individuals present before this date requires consulting Choctaw history and federal records related to the tribe.
  • Subsequent Formations: A portion of Jasper County’s northern territory was used to help create Newton County in 1836.
  • Name Origin: The county was named in honor of Sergeant William Jasper, a celebrated hero of the American Revolutionary War who died during the 1779 Siege of Savannah.
  • County Seat History: Jasper County’s administrative history is complex and directly impacts record location.
    • Garlandville served as the temporary first county seat from 1834.
    • Paulding was established as the permanent county seat shortly thereafter and remained the sole seat for over 50 years.
    • In 1890, the county was divided into two judicial districts to better serve its citizens. Paulding remained the seat of the First District (eastern part), and Bay Springs was established as the seat of the Second District (western part). This dual-seat system remains in effect today.
    • Courthouse Fire: A devastating fire at the Paulding courthouse in February 1932 destroyed the majority of county records, including most land deeds, probate files, and court minutes prior to that date. This record loss is a major challenge for researchers.

II. Settlement and Early History

  • Early Inhabitants: The area was the homeland of the Choctaw Nation for centuries before European-American settlement.
  • Antebellum Settlement and Economy: Following the Choctaw Cession, settlers—primarily of Anglo-American stock from Georgia, the Carolinas, Alabama, and Tennessee—began arriving. The antebellum economy was overwhelmingly agricultural, based on small to mid-sized farms growing cotton and corn. While slavery existed, the county’s landscape and economy did not support the large-scale plantation system seen in the Mississippi Delta.
  • Post-War and Timber Boom: The county’s economy and demographics were transformed after the Civil War with the arrival of railroads, such as the Gulf and Ship Island Railroad. The railroads provided access to the county’s vast longleaf pine forests, fueling a massive timber and turpentine industry that led to the growth of towns like Bay Springs, Heidelberg, and Vossburg.

III. Genealogical Records and Resources

Successful research in Jasper County requires navigating its dual-district system and seeking alternative sources for records lost in the 1932 fire.

  • County Courthouses: Records are housed in two separate locations. Researchers must determine which district their ancestor lived in.
    • First Judicial District (Paulding): Jasper County Courthouse, 27 Courthouse Square, Paulding, MS 39348. This is the repository for records in the eastern part of the county. Records are sparse prior to the 1932 fire.
    • Second Judicial District (Bay Springs): Jasper County Courthouse, 37 West 8th Avenue, Bay Springs, MS 39422. This courthouse holds records for the western part of the county, generally dating from its establishment in 1890.
  • Vital Records:
    • Birth and Death Records: Statewide registration of births and deaths in Mississippi began in November 1912. These records are held by the Mississippi State Department of Health. For earlier events, researchers must use church records, family Bibles, cemetery inscriptions, and newspapers.
    • Marriage Records: Marriage records are a key strength for Jasper County genealogy as they largely survived the 1932 fire. The earliest records, dating from the county’s formation in 1833, are held at the Circuit Clerk’s office in Paulding.
  • Libraries with Genealogy Collections:
    • Jasper County Public Library System: Offers local history resources at its branches in Bay Springs and Heidelberg.
    • Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH): Located in Jackson, MDAH is the state’s premier genealogical repository. It holds microfilm copies of Jasper County’s surviving records. Its collection of state tax rolls is a crucial substitute for locating individuals in years where census and county records have been lost.
  • Bordering Jurisdictions:
    • Clarke County (east)
    • Jones County (south)
    • Newton County (north)
    • Smith County (west)
    • Wayne County (southeast)

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