Let's Network

From Alabama to Wyoming and all states in between...Australia and New Zealand...to Barbados and Bermuda...this blog has posted those with the JONES surname who are recorded to have arrive early in their history.  The documentation is derived from a publication called Jones Journeys which was published from 1973 until 1992.  Folks from all over the world that shared an interest in the JONES surname participated in this endeavor.  Let's continue in this process.  Those who have a JONES family from any area posted, please identify this family by dates under the post that matches the location.  This can be done in the comment section of each post.  Then those who share an interest  can "network" among these branches.

Alaska and Hawaii 1959

The last two to join the Union were Alaska and Hawaii in 1959.  Not so long ago it would seem being eight years old at the time.  Using "Jones Journeys" for the years 1973 - 1992 [19 volumes], there were no listings for the JONES surname from either state.  I would guess that there are JONES families living in these states at the present time, but before 1992 there were no writings from those who would have interest in the genealogy of our surname. 

This bring us through all 50 states.   Any Jones families from Hawaii or Alaska out there?  Would love to hear from you.

New Mexico 1912

It would appear that after the 1880s, the folks with the JONES surname had pretty much settled down across these United States.  From the standpoint of those genealogist researching this surname from 1973 - 1992 [as recorded in Jones Journeys], there were not any involved from New Mexico.  Any folks out there who might have a JONES family to settle this area near or prior to 1912?

Utah 1896

East coast to West coast came together here in 1896.  A Thomas Jones seems to have arrived before 1890, Salt Lake City, where his 9th child was born 17 May, 1890.  He is recorded as being the son of Thomas and Mary Jones of Cardiff, Wales where his prior 8 children were born starting 1876.  He died 11 October 1909 Salt Lake City, and is buried Mt. Olivet Cemetery.  Ten children total were born.  There must be a lot of descendants beginning here.  Any folks connected?

Taken from: Jones Journeys, Vol. 8, 1980, p. 309.

Florida 1845

On March 3, 1845, Florida was the twenty-seventh State to be admitted to the Union.  The Spanish word "florida" means "blooming" and was named by those early Spanish explorers Ponce de Leon, De Narvaez, and De Soto. 

The first JONES to be recorded appear in the 1840 census of Florida.  Not sure why it is recorded as the 1840 census, but Washington Co., Jackson Co., and Columbia Co., Florida are listed with the JONES surname.

They are as follows:     Washington Co., FL  Jonah Jones , Jonathan Jones, Wiley Jones

                                      Jackson Co., FL  Samuel Jones, J.S. Jones, Kindred Jones, Jonathan Jones,
                                                                  William Jones

                                      Columbia Co., FL   Keziah Jones, Heary Jones, Thomas Jones

There is no indication which Jones was actually the first to settle the area.  The reference is found in Jones Journeys, Vol. 2, 1974, p. 10 and p. 78.

Anyone out there who knows the story of this 1840 census of Florida?  Please post...:-).

                                     

Barbados 1628

The "Triangular Trade" routes of the early colonial period included Barbados.  London merchants had their fingers in just about every pie [competition with Dutch West India Company], and in 1628 sent a ship to begin the settlement on this island.  On July 5th, 1628 the "master" of the ship Marygold arrived Carlisle Bay.  This "master" was John Jones!  Of course it would have to be a "John". 

The following is a reference which is very helpful for those with Barbados connections.

Anyone out there with interest in the JONES surname and Barbados please comment.

This post has several themes including geographic (g.), chronological (ch.), and resources (r.).  Come join in the branches.

A post on this topic can be found http://thejonessurname.blogspot.com , January 6, 2012.

New Zealand

Cook had his job cut out for him in 1770 when charted all of New Zealand.  "Terra Australis" was the goal, and those folks from the Royal Society had much to learn.  In the same manner, I have much to learn about the JONES surname in this part of the world! 

The younger brother of my Grandfather Jones had family members that left old Kentucky for this New Zealand.  I do not know if they were successful here, but are there any JONES families in the Islands that have their roots in old KY?  I would suspect that there are some with the surname.

It was more than eight years ago that the Public Radio Station in New Zealand called me and discussed my work as a genealogist on the surname JONES.   This gave me some sense that there must be an interest in this surname, but have not had any further contact.  Anyone out there with an interest in New Zealand and the JONES surname?  Let's network y'all...:-).

U.S.

The United States are the forth geographic area to have lots of folks with the surname JONES.  Each state varies as to the absolute numbers and distribution of this surname among the population.  On a national level, some of the earliest data is the 1790 census.

In 1909, there was a booklet published by the U.S. Government that listed all the surnames and their variations which were represented by at least 100 white persons in the U.S. in 1790.  There were approximately 5700 surnames plus variations of the spellings.  The average size of each family, the total number of heads of families, the total number of all other members, and a breakdown of the number of families per state was given.

For the JONES surname, the total number of "Heads of Family" was 2,561.  The average family size for these JONES families were 5.6.  All other members were found to be 11,739.

North Carolina and Virginia headed the list with 558 and 345 respectively for the states given.  Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Maryland had similar numbers at 289, 287, and 239.  A third group of states;  New York, South Carolina, and Connecticut followed at 210, 190, and 173.  New Hampshire and Maine were at 104 and 87.   Vermont and Rhode Island brought of the rear at 59 and 20.

So, to North Carolina and Virginia you would come to find your JONES surname at this point in history. 

The data were first analyzed at "U.S. Census of 1790 and The Jones Surname", Monday, Sept. 12, 2011, @ my blog http://thejonessurname.blogspot.com.  Anyone wish to join me in this topic please comment below.

Across The Great Pond

The initial colonization of the New World involved folks from Wales, Ireland, and England, all with the surname JONES.  Coming across the great pond took much effort and drive, which in some cases even cost the very life of that individual. 

The colonization period is coded with the theme chronology (ch.), and deals with those who carried the JONES surname.  On the most part, it geographically deals with the American continent and the surrounding islands for the dates 1580 - 1650. 

For the JONES surname the following has been written:

     First JONES to the New World...Friday, July 29, 2011

    The First Jones to Virginia...Friday, August 5, 2011

     Jones in Virginia 1623 - 1666...Sat., February 2, 2013

which can be found at http://thejonessurname.blogspot.com.

It is often this chronological period that gives a great deal of difficulty to the genealogist trying to swim across the great pond.  Those who share an interest in this time period, please identify yourself in the comment section below.

England

The third country to have a major role in the origin and history of the JONES surname is England.  It is the transliteration of the Welsh to the English during the transition period produced by the Act of Union 1536 that seems to be the main factor.  [Certainly other factors also involved.] 

My own posts that give some background to this topic are:

    1)  Early English Records and the Jones Surname, March 21, 2011

    2)  Ancient Petitions A Transition Period, April 18, 2011

    3)  The First JONES Surname in English Records, March 21, 2011

    4)  Jones Surname 1273 - 1500 in England and Wales, May 17, 2011

    5)  Jones Surname in England and Wales 1500 - 1700, June 2, 2011

All posts can be found at  http://thejonesgenealogist.blogspot.com  .  Other subjects and themes can be found here also.

England and the surname JONES, one of the three countries that are key to the geography (g.).  Those who have an interest in this theme, please post in the comment section.

Ireland

The next geographic area to be coded is Ireland.  The original Celtic tribal groups exchanged their cultures and languages across the Irish Sea for many generations.  It was not until Hadrian IV (1154-1159 AD), the first and only English Pope, gave the "o.k." for Henry II to take control of Ireland, that a large number Welsh  Calvary and archers arrived to put their foot in the door.  It is from this Welsh influence that many with the surname JONES have their origins.  It was around Dublin that this (and later) invaders had their most significant influences.  Anyone who has an interest, and shares a JONES surname, please identify your self in the comment section of this post.

My blog posts that have discussed this geographic area are:

      Jones Surname to Ireland = http://thejonessurname.blogspot.com  Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2011

      Jones Surname to Ireland (part II) =  http://thejonessurname.blogspot.com Wednesday, Nov.2, 2011

      Irish Counties and The Jones Surname = http://thejonessurname.blogspot.com Wed. Jan. 16, 2013

Ireland, it is a key area to network for the JONES surname.  Who's out there?

DNA (d.)

The blueprint for our human existence is contained in this thing abbreviated DNA.   Deoxyribonucleic acid it is formally called.  It is that double helix, genetic coding, replicating, series of codons that give our cells instruction.  Half of our DNA is from mom, and half is from dad.  For the male, it is the same DNA that every former generation of males in the family tree have passed down to the next generation.

For the genealogist, this DNA can be an answer to some of the questions that give us problems in surname analysis.  It certainly has produced a lot of opportunities to clarify descent, such as haplogroups, and haplotypes.  [analysis which tags certain ethic groups ]

This theme will be coded (d.).  A great deal of groups which follow the Jones surname DNA exist.  In some cases, individual Jones families may share the same DNA.  However, on the whole, there is not a single DNA pattern that fits all family groups.  This theme will give those a way to network their interest in the JONES surname DNA.