The Jones County Genealogical and Historical Organization of has been working on preparing and publishing the Jones County history and family history book, “Echoes From Our Past.”

For more than two years, the book committee has been soliciting written family histories as well as other historical information about Jones County.

A family is a gift from God and for generations families have exerted efforts to make a better life for each succeeding generation.

The early settlers of Jones County found a wild but beautiful place in which to rear families and to raise crops and livestock. The timber industry soon provided other means of livelihood.

In an effort to preserve their rich history, 545 family histories and stories, together with photographs, have been written and shared by their descendants. Printed “in their own words,” each story is unique.

“Echoes From Our Past” contains more than 600 pages. In addition to family history, it also includes photos of the city of Laurel elected officials from the first mayor to the current administration. There are several chapters covering Jones County and its unusual history, its military history, 60 histories of older churches, stories and a list of communities, truths and legends, and other information, plus a surname index.

Under the leadership and guidance of chairman Rick Ellzey, the nine-member book committee has spent many hours soliciting, writing and proof reading family stories, histories, and other information for the publication.

Ellzey and Beverly McNease have spent even more hours assembling and entering data, as well as arranging layout for hundreds of photographs.

Book committee members are Ellzey, Jim Robinson, Jean H. Holifield, Royce Stringer, E. Roy Hammond, Dorothy Baugh, Susan Blakeney, Beverly McNease and Nell Lowe.

At a recent meeting of the book committee, Ellzey reported that final proof copies will be reviewed within the next few days, with the finished material going to the printer soon thereafter.

The expected delivery date of “Echoes from Our Past” is mid- to late-October.

Pre-orders for the book will be accepted by calling 601-428-4313, and asking for Susan Blakeney, or by visiting the JCGHO during Genealogy Department hours, upstairs at the Laurel-Jones County Library.

You may go on line to the webpage, www.rootsweb.com/~msjcgho/, print the pre-sale form, complete the form, include your check and mail to JCGHO, P. O. Box 2644, Laurel, MS 39442. The books are $50 each (including sales tax) plus $5 for shipping and handling, if mailed. Prepayment insures delivery as soon as possible when the books are delivered to JCGHO.

The book will be available for sale to the public for the first time at the press conference/reception on the main floor of the Laurel/Jones County Library. The exact date will be announced at the time the books are received.