How nice to have a response to my query about Bairds in Yalobusha County. I have been looking for information on this family for some time. Most of the information I have on John Wallace Baird and his descendants comes from family tradition. Much of the information concerning the William Wallace Baird branch was compiled by Minnie Baird and Latane Stevens in 1967. The information on the Francis Marion Baird branch was provided by John C. Baird of Olive Branch, MS. Family tradition indicates that John Wallace was born in Scotland and came to the USA as a child with his parents. However, the 1880 census record (Desoto Co. MS) for William Wallace Baird shows the place of birth of his Father as "N.Y." The earliest record I have found for this family is the 1850 census for Yalobusha Co., MS (p 480, family 258) which shows Eliza Beard (Baird), age 41, born in S.C. as head of household. Children listed are: Thamana (Thomana ?), age 11, William W., age 9, and Francis M., age 4. Place of birth of the children is shown as Miss. Family tradition indicates that William Wallace was born at Graysport, MS, (sometimes refered to as Gravesport) a now extinct town lying at the bottom of Grenada Lake. The area around Graysport is in Grenada County today but was in Yalobusha County in 1850. However, Mississippi Grave Registration information indicates that William was born in Jefferson County, MS. I am unsure which is correct. My assumption is that John Wallace must have died sometime after Francis Marion was conceived and before the 1850 census was taken. In the 1860 census for Chickasaw Co, MS, (p 122, family # 620) Eliza Baird, age 56, Seamstress, is listed as head of family. Children listed are: William, age 17, Day Laborer, and Marion, age 14, Day Laborer. Place of birth of the children is Miss. Family # 619 in this census is Henry and Thomana Owen, ages 22 & 21. Due to the unusual name (Thomana) her age and the proximity of the dwelling to the Eliza Baird family, I suspect that this is Thomana Baird but have not been able to confirm that fact. The 1870 census for Chickasaw Co, MS (p 8) shows Eliza Baird, age 64, At House, living with the Greenville Bray family (#53). The Bray family was also living near the Bairds in 1860 and it is possible that the families are related. Mrs. Bray was born in SC so she and Eliza might have been sisters. I have heard that there was an older daughter named Ann and that she married Eli Bray but have not been able to confirm this. Family # 54 in this census is William Baird, age 25, Farmer, born Miss., Gennie (Virginia ?) Baird, age 23, Keeping House, born Miss., Josephine (Joetta ?) Baird, age 3, and Sarah F. Baird, age 1.

I have extensive information in Family Tree Maker about the descendents of William Wallace and Francis Marion which I would be happy to share either in hard copy or by GEDCOM file.

I would surely like to have more information concerning the source of Pat Welch's information and any more detail that could be provided.