Greetings & Welcome!

My name is Julia Sumrall, and I am delighted to have recently joined the staff at the Laurel–Jones County Library System (LJCLS). Originally from the Pacific Northwest, Moselle, Mississippi has been home for the past thirteen years. My husband, Jonathan Sumrall, is a Laurel native and a graduate of West Jones HS and Jones College.

As a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, I earned a master’s degree in library and information science. My academic focus was archives, and I earned an Archive Certification enhancement during my studies. After spending the past few years working in the archives at USM, I am excited to begin this new chapter with LJCLS. I look forward to combining my passion for archival work with the LJCLS Genealogy Department to help patrons discover, cherish and preserve their family histories for future generations.

Although archival preservation and access have

been my focus, I am enjoying discovering my own family roots as I learn my new role here at LJCLS. I am currently taking an online family history course with the National Genealogical Society, and it has already led me down quite a few fascinating rabbit holes. Growing up, my grandfather told us our family were Italian immigrants, but that turns out only a small piece of the genealogical puzzle! So far, I have discovered strong English and Scottish roots in addition to that little bit of Italian. I was also excited to discover two Revolutionary War soldiers in my own family tree, a connection that feels especially meaningful as our nation approaches its 250th birthday!

Researching my husband Jon’s family tree has been particularly enjoyable due to the abundance of local resources we have right here in the library. There is no need to travel to Jackson! We have wonderful genealogy resources available at LJCLS. Our local genealogy collections include county records, city directories, yearbooks, family compilations and so much more!

Highlights include:

• Approximately 4,000 family files and family history books

• Census information for the state of Mississippi for the years 1820-1880 and 1900-1940

• Microfilm copies of the Laurel Leader-Call from 1902 to March 2012

• Various histories of military units, biographies, and memoirs

You never know what surprises may be waiting for you when you begin your own genealogy journey. I hope you will stop by the Genealogy Department—I would love to meet and learn alongside you!

Our hours are Wednesdays 1-4:30, Thursdays & Fridays 9 -4:30 (closed 12 to 1 for lunch) Saturdays by appointment at least one week in advance.

#laureljonescounty library #genealogy #family heritage #familysearch #learnwithme

"History remembers only the celebrated, genealogy remembers them all."

~ Laurence Overmire