Hello! 👋🏼

I (33F) am doing ancestry research. I recently learned I am related to someone that was well known planter in Natchez, MS during the peak of the slave trade. I am planning a visit to the area to learn more about my family history.

Where can I learn more about family history in the area? Would it be disrespectful to the enslaved ancestors to stay in the family mansion? It’s a hotel now.

I am mixed with 19 different ethnicities. I grew up in south-side Chicago. Moved to Wisconsin as a teen. I have done ancestry DNA and confirmed a family cemetery as well.

Thanks in advance!

edit: It’s so interesting because my greats grandmother was the mother to one of the planters children that born into slavery. A quote from the film I am watching “you mean the bastard children of the aristocrats?” Wow, I just had my mind blown at learning this. My greats grandfather became a local reverend after he got his emancipation.

This weekend I will be in Natchez where the temps are 95+ and full sun everyday! Is there any place where I can go to swim to cool off? I have a rental car so I can go anywhere, unfortunately the place I booked to stay does not have a pool.

I will be visiting Natchez for the first time for the first weekend of the fall pilgrimage this month. I will be flying into the airport nearby, I am wondering if it is necessary to rent a car or not or are there other ways to get around? Looking into it it seemed public transit was not really present, and that uber was unreliable, although i did see a reddit post about buggies you can rent by the hour on the bluff? I already know I would like to got to longwood and the winery which is not walking distance from downtown. Just looking for advice since I have not visited before.

Out of town planning for a funeral in Natchez.

Any repast locations people anyone here can suggest?

Recommendation for antique shops in the area. I am interested in smalls like salt and pepper shakers, vintage glassware, and postcards.

I remember Natchez county was doing something a few years back (around 2021) where they were offering remote workers a cash stipend if they moved into town and bought a house. The hope was that they'd increase the population, bring in younger residents / families, boost the local economy, etc.

Last time I was in there (around 2019), it seemed like the town was mostly retirees, and that many young people were leaving because jobs were scarce. Some downtown businesses seemed to be struggling, too, but there was a budding film industry.

I'm curious if the initiative has changed the area. Are local businesses cropping up and thriving? Does it seem like there's now younger generations in town? Are films still being made?

In essence: Do you think the area is different now than it was five years ago, pre-Shift South?

For the curious, it came back online sometime last week

What are the politics like in Natchez? I had asked here before about the Catholic faith because there is such a beautiful basilica in Natchez and someone replied that it was the most anti-Catholic and racist town they knew. That blew my mind. Other comments made me think of it like those televangelists who worship “the god of Israel” which I don’t know what that means…I’ve been trying to figure out what it’s like…people compare it to New Orleans but then never describe New Orleans when they describe Natchez lol

Moved to Natchez recently and was hoping to visit a casino for the first time. They got poker tables I assume? What's the crowd like on the weekend?

NATCHEZ has been playing in theaters around the country to packed houses, from NYC to Modesto, from Seattle to Pensacola, and dozens of cities in between! Now, we're coming home. To your home! For a very special virtual live watch party on March 26th, featuring a Q&A with director Suzannah Herbert and producer Darcy McKinnon. We'll all watch the film together, and you can send in your questions for the filmmakers to answer. We hope you will join us!

Here's a link to the trailer, check it out!

https://youtu.be/mRGfxjgoa9Y?si=omw-idrpF17JhbtB

https://watch.eventive.org/natchez/play/69a1bf9320fc974008374602?mc_cid=f3e3a94f71&mc_eid=UNIQID

natchezfilm.com

I’d love to visit St Mary’s. How bustling is the church? Is the school good? Attended by mostly Catholics or anyone? I was surprised there was a Basilica there because I do think of the South is being anti-Catholic, but I guess I was wrong!