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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 Jonestown (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 Jonestown. 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.

Neighboring Counties ...

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

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

So when searching for records, we had our best success by looking in neighboring counties 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 south contained their burial records. If we hadn't included the neighboring counties, we would have missed many valuable sources of information.

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

Jonestown is located in Coahoma County.

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 Coahoma County: Phillips (AR), Bolivar, Quitman, Tallahatchie & Tunica.

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

  • Coahoma County     (The home county of Jonestown)
  • Bolivar County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Jonestown, with the one closest to Jonestown listed first.
    • Alligator
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the southwest)
    • Duncan
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the southwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Duncan have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Duncan
      • Duncan is located in Bolivar County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 376 people
    • Hushpuckena
      (27 miles [43.5 km] to the southwest)
    • Round Lake
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the southwest)
  • Panola County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Jonestown, with the one closest to Jonestown listed first.
    • Mims
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the east)
    • Crenshaw
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Crenshaw have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Crenshaw
      • Crenshaw is located in Panola County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 845 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Crenshaw <2>
    • Askew
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the northeast)
    • Longtown
      (23 miles [37 km] to the northeast)
    • Chapeltown
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the east)
    • Courtland
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the east)
    • Pope
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Pope have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Pope
      • Pope is located in Panola County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 245 people
    • Batesville
      (30 miles [48.3 km] to the east)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Batesville have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Batesville
      • Batesville is located in Panola County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 7,116 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Batesville <2>
  • Quitman County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Jonestown, with the one closest to Jonestown listed first.
    • Marks
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Marks have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Marks
      • Marks is located in Quitman County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,408 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Marks <2>
    • Falcon
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Falcon have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Falcon
      • Falcon is located in Quitman County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 142 people
    • Lambert
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the southeast)
    • Yarbrough
      (13 miles [20.9 km] to the southeast)
    • Sledge
      (15 miles [24.1 km] to the northeast)
    • Bobo
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the east)
    • Vance
      (18 miles [29 km] to the south)
    • Crowder
      (20 miles [32.2 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Crowder have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Crowder
      • Crowder is located in Quitman County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 645 people
  • Sunflower County
  • Tallahatchie County
    • The following are listed by their distance from Jonestown, with the one closest to Jonestown listed first.
    • Tutwiler
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the south)
    • Sumner
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the south)
    • Webb
      (26 miles [41.8 km] to the south)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Webb. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Webb
      • Webb is located in Tallahatchie County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 468 people
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Webb
      • From Jonestown to Webb
    • Albin
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the south)
    • Crevi ‑ Historic
      (29 miles [46.7 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Crevi have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Crevi
      • Crevi is located in Tallahatchie County
  • Tate County
    • Goode
      (23 miles [37 km] to the northeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Goode have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Goode
      • Goode is located in Tate County
  • Tunica County
  • Lee County (AR)
  • Phillips County (AR)
    • The following are listed by their distance from Jonestown, with the one closest to Jonestown listed first.
    • Helena
      (16 miles [25.7 km] to the northwest)
    • Helena - West Helena
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Helena - West Helena have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Helena - West Helena
      • Helena - West Helena is located in Phillips County (AR)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 10,032 people
    • Old Town
      (17 miles [27.4 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Old Town have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Old Town
      • Old Town is located in Phillips County (AR)
    • Huma
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Huma. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Huma
      • Huma is located in Phillips County (AR)
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Huma
      • From Jonestown to Huma
    • West Helena
      (19 miles [30.6 km] to the northwest)
    • Oneida
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Oneida have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Oneida
      • Oneida is located in Phillips County (AR)
    • Lakeview
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Lakeview have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lakeview
      • Lakeview is located in Phillips County (AR)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 349 people
    • Wabash
      (21 miles [33.8 km] to the west)
    • Elaine
      (22 miles [35.4 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Elaine have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Elaine
      • Elaine is located in Phillips County (AR)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 481 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Elaine <2>
    • Barton
      (23 miles [37 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Barton. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Barton
      • Barton is located in Phillips County (AR)
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Barton
      • From Jonestown to Barton
    • Latour
      (24 miles [38.6 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: We haven't been able to verify our GPS coordinates for Latour. Although the coordinates have been estimated, they should be in the vicinity.<1>
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Latour
      • Latour is located in Phillips County (AR)
      • Google driving directions:
      • From your current location to Latour
      • From Jonestown to Latour
    • Lexa
      (25 miles [40.2 km] to the northwest)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Lexa have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Lexa
      • Lexa is located in Phillips County (AR)
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 230 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Lexa <2>

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

Cemeteries Near Jonestown ...

Below are cemeteries that are in the vicinity of Jonestown.

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 Jonestown covers a larger area, with the cemeteries listed in alphabetical order.

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

  • Jonestown Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the west)
  • Alcorn Cemetery
    (Less than 2 miles to the southwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Alcorn Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Alcorn Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Coahoma Cemetery
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the northwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Coahoma Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Coahoma Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Long Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the west)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Long Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Long Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Heavenly Rest Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southwest)
  • Chrestman Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
  • Chrestman Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the southeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Chrestman Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Chrestman Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Hull Cemetery
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northwest)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Hull Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Hull Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Gleason Grove Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the northeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Gleason Grove Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Gleason Grove Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Mt. Mariah Cemetery
    (5 miles [8 km] to the west)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Mt. Mariah Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Mt. Mariah Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Walton Cemetery
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the north)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Walton Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Walton Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Belen Cemetery
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southeast)
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Belen Cemetery
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Belen Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
  • Continue List   (216 more) ...
    • Montroy Cemetery
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Montroy Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Montroy Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Fredonia Cemetery
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the northwest)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Fredonia Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Fredonia Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Saunders Cemetery
      (6 miles [9.7 km] to the west)
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for the Saunders Cemetery
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for the Saunders Cemetery have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.

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.<5>

The Rand McNally Atlas shows that Jonestown had a population of 286 people in 1895 with a post office and railroad service. In 2020, Jonestown had a population of 1,070 people.

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

  • Matagorda
    (Less than 2 miles to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Matagorda have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Matagorda
    • Matagorda is located in Coahoma County
  • Eagles Nest
    (2 miles [3.2 km] to the south)
  • Wildwood ‑ Historic
    (3 miles [4.8 km] to the north)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Wildwood have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Wildwood
    • Wildwood is located in Coahoma County
  • Coahoma
    (4 miles [6.4 km] to the northwest)
  • Clover Hill
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southwest)
  • Belen
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the southeast)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Belen have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Belen
    • Belen is located in Quitman County
  • Rich
    (6 miles [9.7 km] to the north)
  • Lyon
    (8 miles [12.9 km] to the southwest)
  • Lula
    (9 miles [14.5 km] to the north)
  • Clarksdale
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the southwest)
  • Friars Point
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the west)
  • Dickerson
    (10 miles [16.1 km] to the west)
    • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Dickerson have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
    • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Dickerson
    • Dickerson is located in Coahoma County
  • Continue List   (14 more) ...
    • Marks
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the southeast)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Marks have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Marks
      • Marks is located in Quitman County
      • Population from the 2020 Census: 1,408 people
      • Jump to TripAdvisor's Tourism page for Marks <2>
    • Stovall
      (11 miles [17.7 km] to the west)
      • Note: The GPS coordinates that we are using for Stovall have been provided by the GNIS.<3> The coordinates still need to be verified.
      • Jump to our Gazetteer entry for Stovall
      • Stovall is located in Coahoma County
    • Powell
      (12 miles [19.3 km] to the north)

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

Newspapers Published in Jonestown ...

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 46 newspapers that have been published in the area around Jonestown.

Although we're unaware of any newspapers that were published in the immediate area of Jonestown, there are papers which were published within 22 miles [35.4 km]<4>. A list of those papers, sorted by paper name, can be found on the Extended Newspaper List for Jonestown.

Websites to Help With Your Genealogy Research ...

When we do our genealogical research, we start with the websites from Cyndi's List, FamilySearch and Genealogy Trails. These websites either 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 Jonestown:

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

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

Footnotes ...

<1>An 'estimated' location is one where we have been given GPS coordinates, but are unable to verify the accuracy of those coordinates. That said, we have some confidence that we have placed the marker near the actual location. A typical reason for being unable to verify a location is that it might be on private property or maybe historic and gone without an obvious trace.
<2>While we're fans and frequent users of TripAdvisor, you should know that we're also members of the TripAdvisor affiliate program.
<3>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.
<4>Our distances are not driving distances, but are calculated as a 'point-to-point' distance. A straight line distance ignores obstructions like rivers, canyons, lakes, et cetera - it's truly a line from Point A (ie- Jonestown) to Point B.Our distance measurements begin at a specific point in Jonestown. The point we use is located at these GPS coordinates - Latitude: 34.3217, Longitude: -90.4543    
<5>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 Jonestown, please let us know so that we can improve our accuracy.




 

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This page was last modified/updated: 06 Aug 2025