Wake County Genealogical Society Blog

Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Wake Wednesday: Wake Forest University Special Collections - Baptist Records and more

I first featured this Baptist Record collection several years ago when someone mentioned its availability online. After several years, the links were all changed or broken. The NC Baptist Chruch Records Special collection housed at the Z. Smith Reynolds Library on the campus of Wake Forest University is just to special and massive to not feature again. It "contains material on 118 North Carolina Baptist churches (some dating back to the 1700s) selected from our NC Baptist Historical Collection. Objects digitized include original records, photocopies of records, and microfilmed records. The collection may contain timelines of constitutional dates, associational memberships, and any name changes, divisions, or mergers the church may have gone through; newspaper clippings; brief historical sketches; lists of former and current pastors; church directories; and photographs.

The featured Baptist collections can be views by using "Baptist" as the keyword from the search menu on the Special Collections page. once in this collection you can use the keyword "Wake" to narrow the search further. All the records here seem digitized. Some have on screen viewers to use. Others require downloading to read and may be very large. If your personal computer and network are not robust enough, you may need to visit a library to gather these downloads. The first two screen captures below required downloads.

From that page, you are offered several collections of Baptist memorabilia and historical files to choose. Looking through North Carolina Baptist Church Records I found some really old records. There was a Minutes book from Olive Chapel dated 1864-1869. Below is an excerpt of the details found there.

Excerpt Olive Chapel Minute Book 1864-1869
ZSR Special Collections, Winston Salem, NC

This preview is from the 1850 Minutes book of the Holly Springs Baptist Church. This looks to be very early in the church's history.

Excerpt Holly Springs Minute Book 1850 - 1922
ZSR Special Collections, Winston Salem, NC

This next preview is from an 1848 letter from Cedar Fork Baptist in Durham. This letter was viewable at the site.

1848 Cedar Forks Letter
ZSR Special Collections, Winston Salem, NC

In addition to the minute books, and letter you see here, you will find member lists, bulletins, letters of dismissal, publicity books, financial notes and reports, newspaper clippings, historical sketches, pastor lists, directories and photographs.

Browsing within the Baptist Church Records will reveal collections for Newspapers, Conventions, the NC Baptist Church and Association Files and much more.

When you visit the ZSR Library site, be sure to browse to see the other special collections they offer including Campus Photos, University Archive Photos, and Biographical files. The viewing capability of the ZSR seems somewhat hit and miss, but if you can spare the bandwidth, these are special records and may just fill in some nice history for you.

Visit Wake County Genealogical Society's Website -

Tuesday, April 23, 2024

HBCU Event at Shaw University April 26

The Importance of HBCU Collections and Hometown Treasures:
A Student Archival Exhibit and Symposium

The James E. Cheek Learning Resource Center at Shaw University will host a one-day event. Please join us on April 26, 2024, for a pop-up exhibition curated by our students, guest speakers, and a Lunch and Learn (registration is required for the Lunch and Learn).

The Lunch and Learn is provided by the National Museum of African American History and Culture. It will be hosted by Dr. Vanessa Cogdell Moore. The Lunch and Learn will provide community members with knowledge and hands-on experience related to the preservation of family heirlooms such as pictures, artifacts, and documents. It will begin at 12:00 pm. Click here to register: Lunch and Learn Registration

Speakers, presentations and more details at the registration page.

Shaw Campus - Estey Hall Auditorium
118 E. South St.
Raleigh, NC 27601

April 26, 9am - 4pm

Thursday, April 18, 2024

2024 Wake County Genealogical Society Virtual Meetings - next - April 23, 2024

Sign up soon! Join us for the next Virtual Meeting from WCGS on April 23.

Tuesday, April 23 @ 6:30pm - Virtual

Topic: Genealogical Research at UNC-Chapel Hill's Wilson Special Collections Library

Speaker: Jason Tomberlin, Head of Research & Instructional Services and Interim Curator of the North Carolina Collection

This virtual meeting and presentation is open to all, but registration is required. *

Wilson Library is home to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Libraries’ special collections. Several collecting areas, including especially the North Carolina Collection and the Southern Historical Collection, hold records that are of interest to individuals conducting genealogical research in North Carolina and many places across the American South. Jason Tomberlin, will discuss categories of records, how to locate and access these materials, what you can expect to find online, and how the Wilson Library Improvement Project (https://library.unc.edu/wilson-project/) will impact access and opportunities.

*Please register by 4pm day of meeting.

*Please save your passcode and link for ease of entry at start time.

Link to register at the Wakecogen website events page.

Registration is now open!

Upcoming Events - view events page for details

Tuesday, May 28 @ 6:30pm - Virtual

Topic: Are You Calling My Granddad a Liar? Family Lore and What To Do With It

Speaker: Jessica Conklin

Tuesday, Jun 25 @ 6:30pm - Virtual

Topic: Digging for Gold in Colonial North Carolina Records
Speaker: Diane Richard, MEng & MBA, Mosaic Research

Tuesday, Jul 23 @ 6:30pm - Virtual

Topic: Gravestone Symbolism
Speaker: Robin Simonton, Executive Director, Historic Oakwood Cemetery

Wednesday, April 17, 2024

Wake Wednesday - Check out the UAFA Biofiles online

This post is featured in the Spring 2024 Issue of the Wake Genealogy Watch newsletter.

If you are researching your Wake County ancestors, you will want to visit the Upchurch and Allied Families Association website to review their massive Biofile collection. UAFA has just recently placed all of the accumulated images on their website and available for the benefit of all Wake County researchers.

The late local researcher, Phil Upchurch, created his Biofiles system for American Upchurches and their descendants, as well as for allied families who were connected in some way, by business or marriage. This extensive collection represents over forty years of Phil's own research and contributions from others. The end result is a wide and diverse body of information dealing with land ownership, occupations, lifestyles, and political landscapes associated with individuals who lived in particular communities throughout America.

In essence, Phil’s goal was to create a massive "Fan Club" of Upchurches and relations (including Wake County inhabitants) years before the phrase was coined or the concept was being shared widely via workshops and webinars. His vision started many years before computers came into use to bridge these connections for us. Phil’s efforts leave us with a massive treasure trove of notes and connections on the Upchurches and kin. You should check before you assume your Wake families are not included.

While the files include areas farther flung than Wake, those researching locally should check for all possible kin in these records, especially the early ones. When you visit the Biofile webpage, you will receive a thorough explanation of the concept and organization. You will also be tipped off to the distinctive triangle symbol “∆” that peppers Phil's personal files. Spoiler Alert - It points to associated Biofiles linked by documents copied in each.

At the top right of the Biofile webpage you will find these links to take you to all the buried treasure within.

TRANSCRIBED UPCHURCH BIOFILES - The Upchurch files are being transcribed for readability and searchability. They are organized by each clan from Michael 1 (the original English Ancestor)

UPCHURCH FAMILY BIOBILES - instructions to find any Upchurch by specific given name
ALLIED FAMILIES BIOFILES - this page offers a series of alphabetical links. Choose starting letter of the surname and click through, then click through the next list for the appropriate first letter of the given name. These files are not transcribed and therefor not truly searchable. They are so factually dense, that it is worth a quick look when you are reviewing your research for your Wake County ancestor.

As an example, visit the file for Needham Price to see how the Allied Families files work. Needham Price was an early Wake landowner and business man that I researched in the beginning of my WGW newsletter career. You can "use the front door" by clicking the "Allied Biofile" link, then letter "P" for surname Price. Then you will need to choose the file group containing Needham. In this case, that is "K through Z". Scroll to the start of Needham's information (pp. 52 - 59) and be amazed at the depth of data included in this file curated by Phil Upchurch. I was surprised to find my early writing included in this file and thrilled to see how much further Phil had taken his research. Take this link to see the file containing Needham Price. You will still need to scroll to page 52.

While I have focused on Wake County files, this data set includes records for other NC locations and other states as well. I hope you find some gold when you check here. Many thanks to Phil Upchurch, the Upchurch and Allied Families Association and their tireless volunteers for creating this rich resource.

Visit Wake County Genealogical Society's Website -

Monday, April 15, 2024

Upchurch and Allied Families Association Newsletter - April 2024

For those of you following UAFA, here is the latest news.

Click on the link below to open the latest Footprints, the Upchurch and Allied Families newsletter.

The feature for April discusses UAFA trees at Ancestry.com and how to use them for your research.

April 2024

View past UAFA newsletters here

Wednesday, April 10, 2024

Wake Wednesday - Historic Roads in Raleigh

Enjoy a little light historical reading with this fun article about the older roads in our area.

"When Raleigh first came into existence at the end of the 18th century, it was often called “a city of streets with no houses,” a square-mile grid designed by surveyor and onetime state senator William Christmas. Downtown’s principal streets—think Wilmington, Hillsborough, New Bern Avenue—radiated from the central statehouse, where the Capitol Building now stands. Each street was named for one of North Carolina’s eight judicial districts, and North, South, East and West Streets created geographical boundaries to Raleigh’s 400-acre city center. As the city’s population grew, so did its footprint, creating a sprawling artery system of highways and backroads." - Tracy Jones, Raleighmag

Plan of the City of Raleigh, 1797

To find out the rest of the story about some historic roads in plain sight that you travel often, visit the online article - Historic Roads of Raleigh, by Tracy Jones

Wednesday, April 3, 2024

Wake Wednesday - Latta University Historic Park Dedication - April 20, 2024 - Register by April 12

Join Raleigh Parks for the dedication of Latta University Historic Park!

This park contributes to a rich history that deepens our understanding of African American life in Raleigh at the turn of the 20th century.

All parking for this event will be at Jaycee Park (2405 Wade Ave, Raleigh, NC 27607), which is a five-minute walk from Latta University Historic Park (1001 Parker Street, Raleigh, NC 27607). Transportation from the parking area to the event via trolley will also be available starting at 3:45 p.m.

Event Details

Ages: All

Cost: Free

RSVP by Friday, April 12

Email: RSVP@raleighnc.gov

Phone: 919-996-3285

Event Website - https://raleighnc.gov/parks/events/latta-university-historic-park-dedication

See historic resourse links below.

The Latta House was a home in the African American neighborhood of Oberlin, but it was so much more. The home was the last remaining building of the Latta University complex that included a tradeschool, gradeschool, dormitories and an orphanage. The University was the vision and purpose of Reverand Morgan London Latta, a freedman and former slave who received his education at Shaw University. His overarching purpose in creating the coeducational Latta University was to provide an education to underprivileged and orphan children in Raleigh’s Black community.

Wikipedia

Latta University existed as a school from 1892 to 1920. In its prime, the university encompassed about 300 acres and had 23 buildings. After the school shut down in 1920, the land was sold and the buildings disappeared and the village grew up around the last remaining structure. That structure was the Latta home, a beautiful Queen Anne style home built in the early 1900s, Sadly the Latta home burned beyond saving in 2007.

The event on April 20 will recognize this Grand Dame of a home and Rev. Latta's history and contributions in the surrounding community. The park will ensure that many know this story in Raleigh's African American history.

More about Reverand Latta, the Latta House and Latta University -

Lost University: How an entire college vanished near downtown Raleigh - a documentary by Heather Leah

The Dreams That Linger - Our State Magazine by T. Edward Nickens

Rev. M. L. Latta House at Wikipedia - Be sure to see the wonderful collection of linked photos of Rev. Latta, his family and the University property in its heyday.

And of course, (because you know I love the wealth of resources and historic context in these documents)...

The Latta House Architectural Report for the Raleigh Historic District Commission and City of Raleigh which includes photos of the campus and the home before and after the fire.

Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Wake Wednesday - Raleigh: A Capital City Travel Guide

Now that the weather is starting to get milder, it is time to get out and explore. We need to stretch our legs and our minds. If you get an itch to explore locally, enjoy this wonderful offering from the National Park Service.

Raleigh: A Capital City - A National Register of Historic Places Travel Itinerary
When you are ready to roam, you can open this handy travel guide right on your phone to choose your day's adventure. There is a wonderful portable travel guide features a a brief overview on the town and a list of historical sites to visit. (Note - Use the links at the footer of the page. Quite a few of the links in the header are broken. There is a wealth of information still active and accessed at the bottom of the page.)

One of these links you will want to keep handy is the one for the Early History of Raleigh (bottom of page) but is a wonderful thumbnail sketch of Raleigh's history from the days of Joel Lane up to the growth of suburbs im the mid-20th Century.

These other active links will help you plan the perfect outing:

African American History
Suburbanization
Modernism
Preservation

Will you visit the Raleigh Power House that was built in 1910 to power coal fired steam driven turbines and has now been converted to a microbrewery/cafe?

Raleigh Electric Company Power House
1910 -1930

Or the Ritcher House?

Frank Lloyd Wright inspired,
designed in 1951 by George Matsumoto

Or the Pullen Park Carousel?

Pullen Carousel was formerly located
At Bloomsbury Park from 1912 - 1915.
The carousel itself dates to 1900.

Or so many other cool "history in plain sight" places to visit on the list?

Take a hometown trip and enjoy your discoveries!

Visit Wake County Genealogical Society's Website -

Thursday, March 21, 2024

Next WCGS in-person Meet Up - March 23 - City of Raleigh Museum

There are still some spots available to join our outing and lunch. Sign up here. See you Saturday!

Please join the Wake County Genealogical Society for our next quarterly meet up! Please sign up here so we can plan accordingly. We will gather for lunch after touring the museum at The Big Easy, a one-minute walk from the museum. Please indicate in the comments section when signing up if you plan to join us for lunch.

City of Raleigh Museum in
Briggs Hardware Building

Location: City of Raleigh Museum, 220 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, NC.

Date: Saturday, March 23, 2024

Time: 10:30am (museum tour), 12:15pm (lunch)

Parking: Available in the Salisbury Lot, 202 S Salisbury Street. A 3 minute (0.1 mile) walk to the museum. Street parking is also available.

The City of Raleigh Museum curates temporary and permanent exhibits about the City’s people, places, and resources; maintains a collection of approximately 5,000 artifacts; and offers educational programming and tours.

Current exhibits include:

Women of Change: The Legacy of the 19th Amendment
The People’s Politics: Local Democracy in Raleigh
Raleigh’s City Flag: Lost and Found
Let Us March On: Raleigh's Journey Toward Civil Rights
Hello! We are Raleigh

Hope to see you there! Questions? Email - President@wakecogen.org

Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Wake Wednesday - Raleigh Little Theater & Rose Garden, Old Fairgrounds, and Camp Polk

What could these three Raleigh icons have in common? Why the very ground they sat on! This parcel of land between Hillsborough, Horne and Brooks streets was home to all three.

The Old State Fairgrounds was established in 1873 and hosted the fair until 1925.

At the outset of World War 1, the large flat expanse of land that was the Fairgrounds was appropriated for military housing and training as it made an excellent site for tank maneuvers.

At the end of the war the Fairground activities were in full swing again and two racetracks were built on the site. Over time, the financial burden of second racetrack resulted in the sale of the land to create the Fairmont subdivision, but portions of that land proved too sunken and muddy for building.

The City of Raleigh bought these compromised sites to create a park and the rose garden. The theater was built in the mid-1930s.

As a frequent visitor to the Raleigh Little Theater Rose Garden, I was very surprised to learn this important and varied history of the ground we tread as we "stop to smell the roses." Let me direct your attention to the history page at the Raleigh Little Theater website. Now, you can appreciate this little corner of Wake County in all its iterations - military, agricultural, fun, festive, horticultural and theatrical!

Tanks drill at Camp Polk in the future
location of the rose beds

Map showing the double race tracks, circa 1920
Courtesy Wake County Register of Deeds

Raleigh Little Theater Rose Garden in full glory

Visit Wake County Genealogical Society's Website -

Friday, March 15, 2024

Free Beginner DNA methodology videos from Diahan Southard at RootsTech 2024

This is a great set of webinars in you are just sticking your toe in the DNA pool or if you need a refresher on the basic methodology. All classes are free. The fifth class requires a registration but also links you to Diahan's other great video and blog content.

Diahan Southard has been involved in Genetics and Genetic Genealogy for over 20 years. She started at Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation, the pioneer genetic genealogy database. In the ensuing years, she has earned her place as one of the most popular teachers of genetic genealogy in the field today.

Enjoy this short video series created to get you started in the easy, no-pressure style that Diahan has become known for.

You Can DO the DNA #1–Get Started (or Restarted)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsStbH9mccE

You Can DO the DNA #2–Get Your Best Ethnicity Estimate

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DWr8BhKLO4

You Can DO the DNA #3-Light Your DNA Match List on Fire

https://www.familysearch.org/en/rootstech/session/you-can-do-the-dna-3-light-your-dna-match-list-on-fire

You Can DO the DNA #4–See What DNA Success Looks Like: Real Case Studies

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4i57flZVRs

Last one is Free at Diahann’s website, but requires a registration -

You Can DO the DNA #5- DNA is Easy Until it Isn't: A Slightly Complicated Case Study

https://webinar.yourdnaguide.com/rt-attendees-2024-registration-7866?_ga=2.171548128.1519257469.1710518013-1420229660.1687972683

Bonus freebie – the most important concept to master early in your DNA journey.

What is a Centimorgan? | Centimorgans Explained

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acPXHnBPscs

Visit Wake County Genealogical Society's Website -

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Wake Wednesday - Women who shaped Wake County and more

In honor of Women's History Month, check out these notable women of Wake that have been featured in the WCGS blog. Let's all ponder and appreciate these women with ties to Wake county that have left their mark, made lasting contributions, and left the world a better place.

Take a moment to acknowlege the women making history in your own family tree.