The Mississippi Department of Archives and History hosts several genealogy workshops a year, teaching individuals how to trace their family history. During a recent workshop, Joyce Dixon-Lawson shared how the Dawes Rolls are a research tool for Native American genealogy.
Lawson explored the ways in which participants can utilize census records, land deeds, and other files to build their family tree. She also encouraged the participants to use the archives at MDAH to research their families.
Lawson has been researching and helping others find their genealogy for years. She formerly served as a manager of research and genealogy at the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum. Lawson told workshop participants that genealogy results can sometimes yield surprising results.
“Genealogy is personal. If you're not ready to embrace whatever record you find, genealogy is may not be something you want to do,” Lawson said.
Lawson encourages anyone who is researching to start with themselves and their families. “You start with what you know, and you systematically work your way down.” Lawson said.
She also reminded people to utilize MDAH resources, including census records, and to be persistent.
“Genealogy is a lifelong journey,” she said.
Ready to begin your genealogy search? Start here.
The Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH) recently welcomed Andrea Scott of Ackerman as the 2025 Family Genealogy Fellow.
The Family Genealogy Fellowship supports researchers in locating information about their Mississippi-based families using MDAH’s resources. The five-day fellowship includes funding for travel and hotel accommodation.
Scott, who works in a hospital business office, said she’s been researching her family history for years.
“I love genealogy … and this just gave me the chance to do nonstop research,” she said, referring to the fellowship.
Scott said the fellowship has been an opportunity to find the missing link in one of her great grandparents’ family lines. All sides of her family have been in Mississippi since at least the mid-1800s, though some relatives lived in the state even earlier.
MDAH has a wealth of resources and unique collections relating to families in Mississippi. As part of her research, Scott pulled files, family trees, books, and microfilms. She said that she wanted to take full advantage of MDAH’s resources.
What were some of her discoveries?
“I was able to pull the minutes from my mom’s home church in Calhoun County. Just looking through there, I was actually able to find the baptismal record of my great grandfather, which was really cool to find,” Scott said.
To learn more about the genealogy fellowship and genealogy workshops at MDAH, please visit https://www.mdah.ms.gov/genealogy/genealogy-fellowship.
The Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH) will award fellowships of up to $2,000 to support individuals hoping to locate information related to their family history using resources available at MDAH. The fellowships are a part of a year-long initiative in 2022 to expand understanding of the Great Migration and its impact on Mississippi and the nation.
“The Great Migration is the largest internal migration of people in U.S. history. Many families who left Mississippi still feel a close connection to our state. We’re glad to be able to help them come back to Mississippi and research their roots,” said MDAH director Katie Blount.
Ten research stipends of up to $2,000 will be awarded to ten researchers to travel to Jackson, MS, and conduct three consecutive days of research at MDAH. Selected applicants may schedule their fellowships during the months of February, April, May, June, and July 2022. The stipend may be used to cover travel, accommodations, and other expenses accrued during the researcher’s time at MDAH such as the cost of copies. For more information or to apply, click here.
The Great Migration Initiative is a partnership between MDAH and the Mississippi Museum of Art (MMA). Additional programs and events include the exhibitions A Movement in Every Direction: Legacies of the Great Migration at MMA, The Negro Motorist Green Book Guide at MDAH, joint teacher workshop, and other programs related to art and history. For more information on the Great Migration Initiative, email info@mdah.ms.gov.
The Mississippi Department of Archives and History’s (MDAH) website was named one of the best genealogical websites in the country by Family Tree Magazine, a national family history publication.
“We are grateful for being included on this list,” said Ally Mellon, MDAH library services director. “We strive to connect people with genealogical resources pertaining to Mississippi both online and in person and are delighted others have found the page useful.”
MDAH has compiled a list of online resources for researchers interested in tracing their family history. Reference librarians provide quick answers to basic questions using available reference works and finding aids. Email your research questions to refdesk@mdah.ms.gov.
Due to safety precautions for COVID-19, appointments are recommended for research in the William F. Winter Archives and History Building. Available appointment times are Monday–Friday at 9–11:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m., and 2–4 p.m. Call 601-576-6837 to schedule your time. Patrons without an appointment will be accommodated as space allows.
Appointment times for Saturdays will be 8:15–10:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.–12:45 p.m.
The Mississippi Department of Archives and History was founded in 1902. It is the second-oldest state department of archives and history in the country. For more information email info@mdah.ms.gov.
Learn how to trace your family tree with resources available at the Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH) on Saturday, September 14, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Joyce Dixon-Lawson, curator of research and genealogy, will lead the Genealogy for Beginners Workshop in the Craig H. Neilsen Auditorium at the Two Mississippi Museums.
“I always recommend that people start by gathering information at home and from family members,” said Dixon-Lawson. “The state archives has thousands of records available for research. Don’t be afraid to ask the hard questions or to learn the answers. The goal is to find them so you can reach the next person.”
Following the presentation, attendees are invited to start their family search in the state archives, which is located next door in the William F. Winter Archives and History Building.
Dixon-Lawson has been on staff at MDAH for more than thirty years. She earned her BA and MA degrees in history from Jackson State University. She has led numerous introductory genealogy, African American genealogy, and Native American genealogy workshops in Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee, Louisiana, Alabama, and Indiana.
The cost of the workshop is $10 per person. Light refreshments will be provided. Register online here. For more information call 601-576-6800.