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Our Genealogy Helper

Introduction ...

We have a couple of goals for our Gazetteer:

  • That it be a tool which helps us with planning our trips.
  • We're trying to shape our Gazetteer as a tool to help us understand the community in which our ancestors lived, the community that was part of their daily lives.
  • On our trips, we try to visit those places where our ancestors left their footprints.

By learning about Port Gibson (and the surrounding area) during the time that our ancestors lived, we hope to have a better understanding of both their community and its relationship to their lifes. We hope that this tool helps to give us an insight into their world.

As we add data and organize our Gazetteer to help with our family research, we will be adding to this our Genealogical Helper for Port Gibson. While we don't have information that is specific to any given person or family, we intend to expand our understanding about where and how people lived.

Name Variations for Port Gibson ...

When searching records, keep in mind that names and their spelling can change over time. Our sources include documents like maps, railroad schedules, Travel, Express and Shipping Guides. Many of these documents date from the 1800's and it's common to find spelling differences.

Although we can't give a definitive list, hopefully the following will give you a feel for the variations that might have occurred.

For example, a typical abbreviation for Port Gibson: Prt. Gibson

If you have information about these names (such as the reason for the change, date of change, the origin of the name), please Contact Us.

Neighboring Counties/Parishes ...

When searching for family records, we have frequently made the mistake of not checking the neighboring counties/parishes.

For example, we have great-grandparents who lived in the northeast corner of their home county. During their lives, most hospitals were in the next county to the east. Almost all of the nearby churches and cemeteries were in the county to the north.

So when searching for records, we had our best success by looking in neighboring counties/parishes instead of the county in which they lived:  their home county contained property and probate records; the county to the east contained birth and death records; the county to the north contained their burial records. If we hadn't included the neighboring counties/parishes, we would have missed many valuable sources of information.

If you're in a similar situation, we hope that the following information helps.

Port Gibson is located in Claiborne County and is the County Seat.

To see how the shape of Mississippi's counties have changed over time, we recommend the Atlas of Historical County Boundaries.

The following counties adjoin and form the boundaries of Claiborne County: Tensas (LA), Copiah, Hinds, Jefferson & Warren.

Below are the counties/parishes that are near Port Gibson. For each of these counties/parishes, we show a sample of those communities that are closest to Port Gibson:

  • Claiborne County     (The home county of Port Gibson)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Port Gibson, with the one closest to Port Gibson listed first.
    • Grand Gulf
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Grand Gulf have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Grand Gulf
      • Grand Gulf is located in Claiborne County
    • Willows
      (7 miles [11.3 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Willows
      • Willows is located in Claiborne County
    • Westside
      (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Westside have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Westside
      • Westside is located in Claiborne County
    • Saint Elmo
      (10 miles [16.1 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Saint Elmo have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Saint Elmo
      • Saint Elmo is located in Claiborne County
    • Carlisle
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Carlisle have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Carlisle
      • Carlisle is located in Claiborne County
    • Rocky Springs
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rocky Springs
      • Rocky Springs is located in Claiborne County
  • Adams County
    • Selma
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Selma have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Selma
      • Selma is located in Adams County
  • Copiah County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Port Gibson, with the one closest to Port Gibson listed first.
    • Myles
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Myles have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Myles
      • Myles is located in Copiah County
    • Carpenter
      (18 miles [29 km] to the east)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Carpenter
      • Carpenter is located in Copiah County
    • Bowerton
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Bowerton have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bowerton
      • Bowerton is located in Copiah County
    • Glancy
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Glancy have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Glancy
      • Glancy is located in Copiah County
  • Franklin County
    • Hamburg
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the south)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hamburg
      • Hamburg is located in Franklin County
  • Hinds County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Port Gibson, with the one closest to Port Gibson listed first.
    • Cayuga
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Cayuga
      • Cayuga is located in Hinds County
    • Utica
      (23 miles [37 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Utica have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Utica
      • Utica is located in Hinds County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 889 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Utica <2>
    • Newman
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Newman have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Newman
      • Newman is located in Hinds County
    • Bear Creek
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Bear Creek have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Bear Creek
      • Bear Creek is located in Hinds County
    • Adams
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Adams
      • Adams is located in Hinds County
    • Learned
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Learned have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Learned
      • Learned is located in Hinds County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 82 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Learned <2>
  • Jefferson County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Port Gibson, with the one closest to Port Gibson listed first.
    • Red Lick
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Red Lick have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Red Lick
      • Red Lick is located in Jefferson County
    • Rodney
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rodney
      • Rodney is located in Jefferson County
    • Harriston
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the south)
    • Fayette
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the south)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Fayette have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Fayette
      • Fayette is located in Jefferson County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,432 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Fayette <2>
  • Lincoln County
    • Caseyville
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Caseyville have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Caseyville
      • Caseyville is located in Lincoln County
  • Warren County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Port Gibson, with the one closest to Port Gibson listed first.
    • Stout
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Stout have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stout
      • Stout is located in Warren County
    • Vicksburg
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Vicksburg have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Vicksburg
      • Vicksburg is located in Warren County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 21,351 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Vicksburg <2>
  • Madison Parish (LA)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Port Gibson, with the one closest to Port Gibson listed first.
    • Delta
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Delta have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Delta
      • Delta is located in Madison Parish (LA)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 246 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Delta <2>
    • Mound
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the north)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Mound
      • Mound is located in Madison Parish (LA)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 15 people
    • Thomastown
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the north)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Thomastown
      • Thomastown is located in Madison Parish (LA)
    • Barnes
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Barnes have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Barnes
      • Barnes is located in Madison Parish (LA)
  • Tensas Parish (LA)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Port Gibson, with the one closest to Port Gibson listed first.
    • Yucatan Landing
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Yucatan Landing
      • Yucatan Landing is located in Tensas Parish (LA)
    • Saint Joseph
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the west)
    • Newellton
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Newellton have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Newellton
      • Newellton is located in Tensas Parish (LA)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 927 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Newellton <2>
    • Waterproof
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Waterproof have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Waterproof
      • Waterproof is located in Tensas Parish (LA)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 532 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Waterproof <2>
    • Newlight
      (28 miles [45.1 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Newlight have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Newlight
      • Newlight is located in Tensas Parish (LA)
    • Highland
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the west)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Highland
      • Highland is located in Tensas Parish (LA)

For an expanded list of the communities that are closest to Port Gibson, see our County-by-County Page for Port Gibson.

Newspapers Published in the Vicinity of Port Gibson ...

An ongoing effort between the Library of Congress and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has resulted in the National Digital Newspaper Program (NDNP).

To share their results, the partnership has created the Chronicling America website. The goal of this partnership is to assemble a database about the current and historic newspapers of the United States. This includes a growing collection of scanned images from selected papers. All of it available to the public on their website.

Using information that we've taken from the Chronicling America website, we've identified 108 newspapers that have been published in the area around Port Gibson.

We have organized these newspapers into two lists:

  • A Local Newspaper List - focusing on the papers published in the immediate area of Port Gibson. There are actually two parts to this list - papers printed in the immediate area of Port Gibson and those printed in the larger area surrounding Port Gibson.
  • An Extended Newspaper List - a longer list, sorted by paper name and containing those papers published within 25 miles [40.2 km]<3> of Port Gibson.

Websites to Help With Your Genealogy Research ...

When we do our genealogical research, we like to start with the websites from Cyndi's List, FamilySearch and Genealogy Trails. These helpful websites offer the information directly or else point to where you can find it. Their information is open to everyone.

To help you get started, the following links will take you to the pages that are relevant to Port Gibson:

Cemeteries Near Port Gibson ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Port Gibson.

This is a new section and is likely to have errors. If you find an error, such as a missing cemetery or we have the wrong name, please let us know. If you know of them, we would also appreciate learning about previous or alternate names.

If you need information about a burial or interment, photos, transcripts, how to contact the cemetery or local authorities, please visit our selection of Genealogy Websites (see below).

If not found below, our Cemetery List for Port Gibson covers a larger area, with the cemeteries listed in alphabetical order.

The following cemeteries are listed based on their distance from Port Gibson, with the one closest to Port Gibson listed first.

  • Wintergreen Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Wintergreen Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Wintergreen Cemetery
  • Port Gibson Catholic Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Port Gibson Catholic Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Port Gibson Catholic Cemetery
  • Jewish Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Jewish Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Jewish Cemetery
  • Scott Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Scott Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Scott Cemetery
  • Wilson Family Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the west)
  • Spring Hill Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Spring Hill Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Spring Hill Cemetery
  • Humphreys Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Humphreys Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Humphreys Cemetery
  • Wilson Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Wilson Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Wilson Cemetery
  • Holly Hill Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Holly Hill Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Holly Hill Cemetery
  • Douglass Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Douglass Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Douglass Cemetery
  • Briscoe Cemetery
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Briscoe Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Briscoe Cemetery
  • Turnipseed Cemetery
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Turnipseed Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Turnipseed Cemetery
  • Continue List   (257 more) ...
    • Shiloh Cemetery
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Shiloh Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Shiloh Cemetery
    • Willis Cemetery
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Willis Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Willis Cemetery
    • Grand Gulf Cemetery
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Grand Gulf Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Grand Gulf Cemetery

Nearby Communities in 1895 ...

We've built the following list with information that came from an Atlas published by Rand McNally in 1895. The Atlas had details such as the population of the community (which appears to have come from the 1890 Census) and whether there was a post office and/or railroad service available. We also indicate if the community no longer exists and is now historic.<4>

The Rand McNally Atlas shows that Port Gibson had a population of 124 people in 1895 with a post office and railroad service. In 2020, Port Gibson had a population of 1,287 people.

These communities are listed based on their distance from Port Gibson, with the one closest to Port Gibson listed first.

  • Oaklawn
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Oaklawn have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Oaklawn
    • Oaklawn is located in Claiborne County
  • Gordon
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Gordon have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Gordon
    • Gordon is located in Claiborne County
  • Russum
    (5 miles [8 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Russum have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Russum
    • Russum is located in Claiborne County
  • Ingleside
    (5 miles [8 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Ingleside have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Ingleside
    • Ingleside is located in Claiborne County
  • Grand Gulf
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Grand Gulf have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Grand Gulf
    • Grand Gulf is located in Claiborne County
  • Hermanville
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Hermanville have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Hermanville
    • Hermanville is located in Claiborne County
  • Westside
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the southwest)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Westside have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Westside
    • Westside is located in Claiborne County
  • Saint Elmo
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Saint Elmo have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Saint Elmo
    • Saint Elmo is located in Claiborne County
  • Red Lick
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Red Lick have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Red Lick
    • Red Lick is located in Jefferson County
  • Humphreys
    (11 miles [17.7 km] to the northeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Humphreys have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Humphreys
    • Humphreys is located in Claiborne County
  • Carlisle
    (12 miles [19.3 km] to the east)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Carlisle have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Carlisle
    • Carlisle is located in Claiborne County
  • Stonington
    (13 miles [20.9 km] to the south)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Stonington have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stonington
    • Stonington is located in Jefferson County
  • Continue List   (14 more) ...
    • Rocky Springs
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the northeast)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rocky Springs
      • Rocky Springs is located in Claiborne County
    • Rodney
      (14 miles [22.5 km] to the southwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Rodney
      • Rodney is located in Jefferson County
    • Yokena
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the north)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Yokena have been provided by the GNIS.<1> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Yokena
      • Yokena is located in Warren County

We've also created an expanded list of communities that existed in the 1890's and were located in the area around Port Gibson. See our List of 1890's Communities around Port Gibson.

Unfortunately, we don't know of a website for Port Gibson. If you can help, please contact us through our Feedback Page.

The official website for State of Mississippi: https://www.ms.gov/

Footnotes ...

<1>The location has been supplied by the Geographic Names Information System - which is maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). While these values should be definitive, we found that accuracy can vary and you should double-check the location if accuracy is required.
<2>While we're fans and frequent users of TripAdvisor, you should know that we're also members of the TripAdvisor affiliate program.
<3>Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a 'straight-line' distance. A straight line distance ignores things like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line drawn from Point A (ie- Port Gibson) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Port Gibson. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 31.9568, Longitude: -90.9834    
<4>We use the term 'Historic' broadly and it generally means that the community no longer exists. However, it can also mean that the community might still exist, but was significantly larger or had a more 'official' existence in the past than it does now. Unfortunately our sources of data have proven to be unreliable. If you can provide us with more specific information about Port Gibson, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.




 

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This page was last modified/updated: 07 Apr 2024