* Free Memberships - To celebrate its 30th year anniversary, the JCGHO is awarding free JCGHO annual memberships to nonmembers who attend a monthly meeting during the 2025-2026 club year. All who are interested in learning more about family history research and/or the history of Jones County and surrounding areas are encouraged to take advantage of this limited time special offer!

* Read All About It! - The JCGHO met on Saturday, August 23, at the Laurel-Jones County Library. At that time, the group began its 30th year by looking back with a program entitled Read All About It! Susie Burroughs, the JCGHO President, and Susan Blakeney, the LJCL Genealogy Department Director were the speakers. Their presentation included demonstrations of how family researchers and amateur historians can access and search old newspapers for critical bits of information.

* A Legacy of Love for America - The JCGHO will hold its monthly meeting on Saturday, September 27, at the Laurel-Jones County Library from 10:00 until12:00. At that time, the group will be reflecting on America’s upcoming 250th birthday and the many generations that built our great nation. Speaker for the day will be Col. Craig Ziemba, USAF, ret. His presentation, A Legacy of Love for America, will highlight how his own family history discoveries revealed a legacy of service. Members and nonmembers alike are invited to attend.

* Genealogical Research with FamilySearch - The JCGHO will hold its monthly meeting on Saturday, October 25, at the Laurel-Jones County Library from 10:00 until 12:00. Heidi Thompson, Director of the Hattiesburg FamilySearch Center, will be the speaker, and she will be assisted by Dr. Andrew O. Pace, Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Southern Mississippi and former professional genealogist at Ancestry. Together, they will share what is new at FamilySearch and what FamilySearch centers can offer family history researchers. Members and nonmembers alike are invited to attend.