Discovering My Roots: A Genealogy Research Vacation in Jones County, Mississippi

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Most people go on vacation to unwind. I go to dig into the past — and this year, my destination wasn’t a beach or a big city, but the pine-covered hills of Jones County, Mississippi. Known for its deep roots, Civil War history, and small-town charm, Jones County turned out to be the perfect place for a genealogy research vacation.

Planning the Trip

Every good research trip starts long before you pack your bags. I began by reviewing what I already knew — family names, census records, and a few clues from my grandparents’ stories. I used FamilySearch, Ancestry, and Find a Grave to narrow down locations where my ancestors lived and were buried.

Once I had a list of surnames and sites, I reached out to the Laurel–Jones County Library, home to an outstanding genealogy and local history department. Their genealogist helped me prepare by identifying which records were available locally and which were held at the Jones County Courthouse or nearby archives.

Tip: Before any research trip, call ahead! Libraries and courthouses often have limited hours, and some older documents require appointments or staff retrieval.

Digging Into History

My first stop is always the library. Here you can spend hours exploring vertical files, family histories, and microfilmed newspapers.

The Jones County Courthouse was my next destination. There’s something special about holding an original land deed or will — documents written by the hands of the people you’re researching. With the help of the courthouse staff, I traced how the family farm changed hands through generations.

I also visited a few rural cemeteries, where moss-covered stones told silent stories of lives lived long ago. Standing beside my great-grandparents’ grave, I felt an unexpected connection — a sense that my journey had brought me full circle.

What I Learned

Every genealogy trip teaches new lessons. I learned to bring:

·         A research notebook for notes and source citations

·         A camera or smartphone for quick photos of records and gravestones

·         A USB flash drive for saving scanned documents

·         And, perhaps most importantly, patience — because historical research is as much about the journey as the destination.

One of the greatest joys of a genealogy vacation is meeting people who share a love for local history. Librarians, courthouse clerks, and even a few distant cousins offered insights that no online database could match.

Why a Genealogy Vacation Is Worth It

Combining travel with family history research turns a simple trip into something deeply meaningful. Visiting the places where your ancestors lived helps you see them not just as names on paper, but as real people with stories, struggles, and dreams.

If you’ve ever thought about taking a genealogy research vacation, I encourage you to start where your story began — maybe even right here in Jones County. Bring your curiosity, a good map, comfortable clothing and shoes, and an open heart. You might come home with more than records — you might come home with a piece of yourself.

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