Gifts for history/genealogy buffs available at library (Sampling History)

The “Jackson County Cemetery Book” has a new special price in time for seasonal giving. (Submitted by Joanne Anderson)

For the history or genealogy buff, the Jackson County Historical and Genealogical Society has several gift ideas for this Christmas and Hanukkah.

For starters, the “Jackson County Cemetery Book” has a new special price of $30.

A beautiful hard-bound deluxe edition of 719 pages, it contains nearly 50,000 names of those interred in the more than 250 cemeteries inside Jackson County, including all cities, communities and rural areas. A byproduct of the research was the discovery of lost cemeteries and, in some cases, improved cemetery care.

The first publication that includes all known African-American cemeteries, the book also has more than 50 cemeteries that have never been previously recorded.

Editor Else Martin’s footnotes add genealogical information to many of the entries. Military buffs will discover a number of military graves that have been identified.

Maps are provided for many of the cemeteries. A description of each cemetery’s location is included and often contains interesting historical information on the cemetery. A comprehensive index lists first and last names for ease of searching.

In many cases, it even includes cross-referencing by maiden names of married women. The book serves as a research aid for those with personal, business or legal purposes.

Another must-have for any local history buff is “Thought You Should Know II,” a history of Pascagoula, by Betty Oswald. In 2007, the book was published for the third time following a sellout in 1975 and destruction by Katrina in 2005.

The 175-page paperback, with a new reduced price, sells for $10. Divided into three sections, History, Oral History and Photos from the Past, the first is organized around the claim sections of Antonio Krebs, Helaire Krebs, Augustine Krebs, Francisco Krebs, Mary L. Dupont and Valentine Delmas.

Subjects include: colonial beginnings, Beach School, Home of Former Sen. Trent Lott, Anderson Park, Military Asylum, Longfellow house, Old Spanish Fort and Scranton-Pascagoula Fire Department.

The oral history section features stories like The Hangman’s Oak, The Battle of Pascagoula, Early Settlers Bring Religion With Them, Historic Homes and Why Admiral Farragut Captured Pascagoula.

Well illustrated with photos, maps, drawings and copies of original documents, the cover’s color photos include the Singing River Indians Mural, the Longfellow House, Old Spanish Fort (now renamed more accurately the LaPointe-Krebs House), Papa’s Tree and The Shipyard.

A new offering this year is a DVD of the out-of-print “History of Jackson County,” originally published in 1986. The DVD copy of the 428-page book sells for $20.

Back copies of out-of-print journals of the JCHGS are also available at $10 per copy.

A membership in the society would also make a nice gift. Annual dues of $25 per person or couple include a free journal. Student memberships are $5.

All of these items may be purchased at Pascagoula Public Library in the Local Genealogy and History Department located on the second floor.

Proceeds benefit the JCHGS’s historic preservation and research efforts.

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Anyone who would like to share historical records, photos and/or documents may contact this columnist by email at joandy42@cableone.net or contact Sherry Owens and Renee Hague at Pascagoula Public Library, 228-769-3078. Photos and original documents will be digitized and returned to owners.