Creator: State Auditor (RG 29)

Collection Summary: A collection of documents related to the investigation of questionable or suspicious deaths in Mississippi. The first legislation creating the office of the coroner came in 1799 with Sargent’s Code where coroners were tasked with taking inquests of all “violent, sudden, or casual deaths…as well as deaths in prison,” and empaneling juries to investigate the deaths. The series is divided into inquest verdicts which include the findings of the juries, and juror certificates that detail the number of days a juror served and the amount of compensation received. They are arranged chronologically by year.

Access Restrictions: None

Date(s): 1817-1873

Volume: 6.0 cubic feet

Finding Aid Created By: Shaun Stalzer in August 2024 

Related Materials: 

Series 507: Certifications, Warrants, & Receipts, 1800-1817

Series 350: Auditor's Reports, 1817-1971

Record Group History:  The position of Mississippi State Auditor was created by the 1817 Mississippi Constitution. The State Auditor was originally selected by the state legislature until the 1832 Constitution made it an elected position with a two-year term that was eventually expanded to a four-year term by the 1868 Constitution. The State Auditor was not allowed to serve consecutive terms, but a constitutional amendment was passed in 1966 which removed this restriction. The State Auditor is the head of the Department of Audit which works to monitor the finances of state and local government agencies. The Department regularly reviews the finances of government agencies to ensure that public funds are being used appropriately and that no financial impropriety is occurring. The State Auditor and Department of Audit additionally serve as advisors on financial matters for local governments. 

Collection Inventory:
Box Content

Box Number

Verdicts: 1813-1845

33407

Verdicts: 1846-1853

34055

Verdicts: 1854-1859

34397

Verdicts: 1860-1873

34398

Certificates: 1831-1856

34056

Certificates: 1856-1869

33408