Welcome to the Pontotoc County Mississippi Genealogy & History Network website providing free information to genealogical and historical researchers.
To share your Pontotoc County, Mississippi genealogy or history information, send an email to msghn@outlook.com - we will be pleased to include it here. If you have information to share for other Mississippi Counties, visit the Mississippi Genealogy & History Network state website and choose the appropriate county.
Pontotoc County was proclaimed a county by the state legislature on February 9, 1836. The Mississippi legislature appointed John Bell, Samuel Watts, Robert Tenning, Robert Gordon and John Bradford commissioners to organize the county. From the legends of the Frenchman, D'Artaguette, to the grandeur of Lochinvar, Pontotc County is rich in history.
Pontotoc was founded by General Thomas MacMackin. Although the term general was used only as a compliment, General McMackin was a successful land speculator and hotel keeper. He purchased the land where Pontotoc County was organized from the Chickasaw Indians for $1,000.00 on February 9, 1836. Within a month he had divided the land into lots and had turned his investment into $80,000. The first courthouse was built in 1810. Pontotoc became a town on May 4, 1836, when the streets, public square, and other property were conveyed to the Board of Police. The first courthouse was built in 1840. During this time in the South, cotton was king. Large farms and plantation homes dotted the landscape. Four skirmishes were fought in Pontotoc County during the War Between the States, and many lives as well as fortunes were lost.
Lee and Union counties were formed from the land area that was Pontotoc before the Civil War. Many changes occured after the war, which devalued personal property and reduced the population. However, by 1888, the railroad came throuh Pontotoc and the future became bright. Unfortunately, in 1900 the original courthouse was destroyed by fire. However, the spirit of Pontotc was not daunted. The famous Sawilmon Hotel, Governor Bilbo's summer capitol, was constructed in 1911, and the current courthouse was dedicated in 1917. ....READ MORE
Pontotoc County MSGHN has many records here on our website. Marriage Records, Cemetery listings, tombstone photos, and more. Look at the Pontotoc County Data links for a list of available data.
Birth Records - The Mississippi Department of Health maintains records of births after November 1, 1912 on file. This was the year Mississippi began keeping official birth records. You can obtain official copies of birth certificates by mail by using this birth record application on their website. If you just have to order by internet or phone, or use a credit card, you can use VitalCheck, a third party records company recognized by the Mississippi Dept. of Health. Since there are no official birth records before November 1, 1912 for births prior to that date you will need to determine birth information from census records, bible records, baptismal records, cemetery tombstones, etc.
Death Records - The Mississippi Department of Health maintains births recorded after November 1, 1912 on file. This was the year Mississippi began keeping official death records. You can obtain official copies of death certificates by mail by using this death record application on their website. If you just have to order by internet or phone, or use a credit card, you can use VitalCheck, a third party records company recognized by the Mississippi Dept. of Health. Since there are no official death records before November 1, 1912 ...READ MORE
Pontotoc County is located in the northern portion of Mississippi.
Marriage information is an important part of any family genealogy. These dates may assist you in your Pontotoc County, Mississippi research.
For a list of Pontotoc County, Mississippi Cemeteries, tombstone photos and more.