Upchurch and Allied Families Association Newsletter - June 2025

For those following along, here is the latest Upchurch and Allied Families Association Newsletter.

June 2025

This issue includes a nice biography of Phil Upchurch and a useful guide to the Enrolled Families and Descendant Reports in their Biofile collection.

View past UAFA newsletters here

Visit Wake County Genealogical Society's Website - Homepage | WCGS Events | Join WCGS | Publications | Wake Cemetery Survey Images | Society Surnames | Digital Resources | History Resources | More Links and Resources | Contact - info(at)wakecogen(dot)org

Wake Wednesday: Don't Forget, Wake Treasures Journal Access now open access for all

We just can't help reminding folks. This is such a great boon to researchers. Be sure to check the highlighted collections below.

All past issues of the WCGS Wake Treasures Journal are now available to all Wake researchers any time they need to browse! 24/7. All the time.

There are 31 years of valuable Wake-centric content stored at this link. If you have not checked the offerings yet, you better take a peek to see just what you are missing. 

 WCGS Publications > Wake Treasures. From the journal landing page, you can browse issues by year  or check the subject index that is available for years 1-25 (1995 - 2015).  There is an impromptu index that was created for another project. It was covers the years 2007—2022. I started with the year 2022 and works backwards.   While not complete, you may still find it helpful for discovery of content and location. It is available in searchable spreadsheet form here. I hope to get this list completed with the earlier content and that from 2023 soon.

Just to show the power of the files available in the Journal, here are some Freedmen’s Records* found in these volumes found by searching freedmen in the newer index:  vol. 17.1 (2007),  24.1 (2014), and 24.2 (2014).

Insolvent Debtors* can be found in these issues:  vol. 18.2 (2008) all townships, 22.1 (2012), 22.2 (2012), and 28.3 (2018).

Divorce records* are found here - vol. 18.2 (2008), 19.1 (2009), 20.2 (2010), 21.1 (2010/2011), 26.3 (2016), and 27.2 (2017).

* This is a sampling of some of the record sets and topics covered in the journal and is not complete. You will want to browse further in the earlier issues. Check out both indexes described above. Hopefully all issues will be in an index soon.

Once you start browsing within the individual issues, they are searchable by any name, location or topic within. Have fun looking for your ancestors!

 

Visit Wake County Genealogical Society's Website - Homepage | WCGS Events | Join WCGS | Publications | Wake Cemetery Survey Images | Society Surnames | Digital Resources | History Resources | More Links and Resources | Contact - info@wakecogen.org

Wake Wednesday - 1914 Raleigh Street Car Map

This wonderful street car map from 1914 recently passed thru my Facebook Feed. Mike Legeros of Legeros Fire Blog shared his map with the "You know you grew up in Raleigh when..." group there. 
His map is an annotated version showing the street car lines of the time. It is viewable at his website. Click map to see larger.

Source

The original is available via North Carolina Maps site from UNC-CH.

Visit Wake County Genealogical Society's Website - Homepage | WCGS Events | Join WCGS | Publications | Wake Cemetery Survey Images | Society Surnames | Digital Resources | History Resources | More Links and Resources | Contact - info@wakecogen.org

New Member Special - Join in June for Special Access

Sign up in June and Get 15 Months instead of 12!

Join WCGS in June 2025 and your membership will be valid until August 2026!

If you follow the blog and newsletter or have joined us for a virtual meeting in the past year, we hope you have appreciated the insights, tools, and inspiration we’ve shared through our various outreach channels. We invite you to take the next step and become a full member of the Wake County Genealogical Society.

Your membership grants you access to a wealth of resources available at our website, such as:

• 24/7 access to both our award-winning publications:
  • Wake Treasures, our journal - 31 years of issues from 1991 to 2022.
  • Wake Genealogy Watch, our quarterly newsletter.
• Eleven virtual monthly meetings on the fourth Tuesday (Nov/Dec combined meeting).
• Access to recordings from prior monthly virtual programs. 
• Members-only presentation materials.
• Reduced pricing for special events.
• Member directory and surname database - connect to those who are researching similar interests and family lines so you can collaborate.
• Personalized notification of WCGS meetings and events.
• 50% off Legacy Family Tree Webinars (only for new LFT members).
• Our WCGS Welcome kit.

We are offering extra value exclusively to new members who register in June. With our special offer of 15 months for the price of 12, there’s no better time to join. When you become a member, you’re not just signing up for benefits—your membership is an investment in a shared journey of discovery. Your support advances our mission to further genealogical research, provide education through virtual meetings and in-person events, promote collaboration, and preserve records important to your history and ours. Genealogy isn't just about looking back. It's about moving forward together. 

Join now and be part of something enduring.
Questions? Reach out to Membership Chair Carol Kimball Stahl at membership(at)wakecogen.org.

Visit Wake County Genealogical Society's Website - Homepage | WCGS Events | Join WCGS | Publications | Wake Cemetery Survey Images | Society Surnames | Digital Resources | History Resources | More Links and Resources | Contact - info(at)wakecogen(dot)org

Did you miss the last NC Archive & Library Tour? Here is your second chance!

Back by popular demand! Join us for a repeat of our February tour of the NC Archives and genealogy library in downtown Raleigh. We will offer a free tour of the NC Archives and the State Library, organized by President Barbara McGeachy.

June Tour Details -

• Event: Tour of NC Archives and Genealogy Library
  
  
• Date: Monday, June 23, 10 AM - Noon (followed by optional lunch)
  
  
• Location: 109 E. Jones St., Raleigh (meet in the lobby)
  
  
• Lunch: Optional at the cafeteria in the basement of the legislature building, featuring hot food, salads, and sandwiches. Security check required; no special ID needed.

This tour is open to everyone, with 30 spots available. Sign up here:                                             https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044CA9A72CAAFA7-56338096-tour

Each tour lasts 45-60 minutes, concluding by noon. The Archives tour is optional; participants can choose to visit only the library first. Research is not permitted on this day as both facilities are closed to the public on Mondays.

The NC Archives has original documents and some books but it's only about North Carolina. The staff will explain the types of materials in the archives and how to request them. They will have documents ready for us to look at. You can ask questions. The tour includes the vault which is normally closed to the public.

The State Library (Genealogy Room) has books and materials from other states in addition to N.C. The staff will explain the types of materials and how to request them. The library has many resources including vertical files (miscellaneous documents donated to the library), free access to databases including newspaper websites and Fold3, an overhead copy machine, and more. N.C. residents can get a free library card to check out books and to use some databases from home.

For questions, contact Barbara McGeachy at President@WakeCoGen.org

We look forward to seeing you on June 23!

Visit Wake County Genealogical Society's Website - Homepage | WCGS Events | Join WCGS | Publications | Wake Cemetery Survey Images | Society Surnames | Digital Resources | History Resources | More Links and Resources | Contact - info(at)wakecogen(dot)org

2025 Wake County Genealogical Society Virtual Meetings - next - June 24

Tuesday, June 24, 2025 @ 6:30pm – Virtual

Topic: Squeezing All the Facts Out of Your DNA Matches 

Speaker: Kate Penny Howard

Near the top of your match list, you’ve got this mystery match that just might be the key to your research. The only problem is: they don’t have a visible tree and they didn’t respond to the message you sent two years ago. But that doesn’t mean that you should give up!  

This class will give users of every skill level more tools to crack that difficult case. You’ll learn about strategies for logically approaching your search, what you can glean from your match’s profile, how free & paid resources can help you, and you’ll receive a research template that will help you ensure you have left no stone unturned. 

This is an entertaining, fast-paced presentation, so join us with whatever note-taking device you prefer, and bring your questions for the Q&A session at the end.

 Join us!  Free and virtual!

*Please register by 4pm day of meeting.

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

*Presentation starts promptly at 6:30 pm.

Link to register at the Wakecogen website events page. 

Registration is now open!

Upcoming Events 

View events page for details 

Tuesday, July 22, 2025 @ 6:30pm - Virtual
Creating an Ancestor Sketch 
presented by Thomas MacEntee, author, educator, founder of Genealogy Bargains

Tuesday, Aug 26, 2025 @ 6:30pm - Virtual
Military Collection at the NC Archives  
presented by Ashley Latta, Military Records Archivist

Tuesday, Sep 23 , 2025 @ 6:30pm - Virtual
Revolutionary War:  Moore's Creek Battleground and the Scots-Irish in NC 
presented by John Miles

Tuesday, Oct 28, 2025 @ 6:30pm - Virtual
Reconstruct your Ancestor's World with Google
presented by Lisa Louise Cooke, GenealogyGems.com

Visit Wake County Genealogical Society's Website - Homepage | WCGS Events | Join WCGS | Publications | Wake Cemetery Survey Images | Society Surnames | Digital Resources | History Resources | More Links and Resources | Contact - info(at)wakecogen(dot)org

First Colonies: 1565-1700 - This video will help with your early colonial research

What happened where and when is important. You will find this short video very important for establishing historical location and context for you Colonial ancestors.

First Colonies: 1565-1700 | American Colonial History | Jamestown, Plymouth, Puritans, Quakers This presentation outlines the development of European colonies in the future United States and Canada, from 1565 to 1700.

source

Visit Wake County Genealogical Society's Website - Homepage | WCGS Events | Join WCGS | Publications | Wake Cemetery Survey Images | Society Surnames | Digital Resources | History Resources | More Links and Resources | Contact - info(at)wakecogen(dot)org

Find your Family with WCGS! Join us Saturday, May 31 at Laurel Hills Community Center.

Join us this Saturday, May 31 at the Laurel Hills Community Center. This will be a fun, family event.

Questions - info@wakecogen.org

Visit Wake County Genealogical Society's Website - Homepage | WCGS Events | Join WCGS | Publications | Wake Cemetery Survey Images | Society Surnames | Digital Resources | History Resources | More Links and Resources | Contact - info(at)wakecogen(dot)org

Wake Wednesday - Wake County Yearbooks for Filling in the Gaps

Shared by WCGS member and former webmaster - Cynthia Gage

Cynthia found this collection when she was searching for something else. I am so glad she shared it with me. Who can resist old yearbooks? 

The collection includes Wake County high school and junior high books from a time span of 1909 to 2009. Cynthia also mentions that she found some reunion booklets, university catalogs and Elizabeth Murray Reid's Wake History Book through this link. The collection is digitized and offered online by Olivia Raney Local History Library.

What fun to be able to find your parent or grandparents in these pages. Maybe you will find your own photo or that of a cherished friend. Bonus gold is lurking in the ads that were included. Looking for a small family business? You may find evidence of it this way. 

Enjoy these delightful images from the 1913 Raleigh High School Rattler! 

Are you from elsewhere in North Carolina, but still curious about your relative's school history? Visit Digital NC's Yearbook collection. You might just strike gold!

Visit Wake County Genealogical Society's Website - Homepage | WCGS Events | Join WCGS | Publications | Wake Cemetery Survey Images | Society Surnames | Digital Resources | History Resources | More Links and Resources | Contact - info(at)wakecogen(dot)org

Wake Wednesday - Turn of the Century view of Fayetteville Street

Raleigh - 1891

I am really enjoying this very quaint view of Fayetteville Street in 1891 that I found at NCPedia. The Mahler building features prominently, exactly center in the photo.

It looks like Henry Mahler, an immigrant from Prussia, made quite the name and place for himself in Raleigh as a jeweler and engraver. The NCPedia article on him is filled with detail. If you are researching Henry Mahler or his descendants, you will want to check it out.

 

I believe the two brick buildings in this photo still stand and the two story wooden J. C. S. Lumsden & Sons building was replaced after 1896 with a 3 story brick building.

 

See the Google street view here. Notice  the arch window features on the middle brick building are a perfect match for the H. Mahler building.  Modern day Mahler building. The building at the extreme right of this photo is now a UNC Health Care facility. The molding trim at the top and window trim make a strong case that it is the same building.

Do you have any old photos of street scenes around Wake County that can be compared to their present day location? I would love to see  how much changed and how much stayed the same!

Visit Wake County Genealogical Society's Website - Homepage | WCGS Events | Join WCGS | Publications | Wake Cemetery Survey Images | Society Surnames | Digital Resources | History Resources | More Links and Resources | Contact - info(at)wakecogen(dot)org

 

 

Wake Genealogy Watch - Summer 2025, 8.4. Latest issue of our newsletter is live now!

The Summer 2025 issue (Vol. 8, Issue 4) of our award-winning newsletter, Wake Genealogy Watch, is now available online for reading or download. Visit the WCGS website or click the link here: Wake Genealogy Watch, Summer 2025.

 This issue features:

• Details and Registration for three WCGS events that are fast approaching.
• Barbara McGeachy shares a special family heirloom written in WWII code.
• Tips to pull more clues from a WWI registration form that just what is included on the form.
• A special announcement about one of our own members.
• Learn about the excellent research guides available at NARA.
• Take a trick or two from this short and simple AI use case to make extracting information from your documents easier and quicker.
• A busy summer events calendar that you won’t want to miss!

Dive in and explore all the resources and stories designed to enrich your genealogy journey!

 

Photo Note: If you choose to read a printed version of this newsletter, some of the photos will be difficult to view due to size constraints. Please refer to the online edition where you can enlarge the photos to accommodate better viewing. 

 

Click this newsletter page link to view this and all past newsletter content. 

 

We welcome your feedback, input, and submissions for inclusion in future editions. Please address all concerns to newsletter@wakecogen.org.

Visit Wake County Genealogical Society's Website - Homepage | WCGS Events | Join WCGS | Publications | Wake Cemetery Survey Images | Society Surnames | Digital Resources | History Resources | More Links and Resources | Contact - info(at)wakecogen(dot)org

Wake Wednesday - Early Wake County Fire History and links to more

Wake County has been blessed with plentiful woods and forests as since its beginning. This blessing forced on the inhabitants the need for a contingency plan for the inevitable fiery conflagrations. In fact, fire protection was on the minds of the original city planners and the need for protection and prevention dictated portions of the layout requirements of the town of Raleigh.

The width of the streets were dictated in an attempt to protect fires spreading between building. The four main roads were 99 feet wide and all others within town limits were 66 feet wide. Among early fire regulations was a rule forbidding private porches, platforms, or other wooden structures located at building fronts that would encroach on the streets of Raleigh. 

In 1800, the city charter was revised to give the City Commissioners the power to do anything they deem necessary to to stop the progress of a fire, even removing structures in the path of the fire to prevent its spreading. Every adult male was required to take a turn on the City Watch. At the sounding of the fire bell, it was every citizen's duty to help and turn out with "water buckets, sand buckets, ladders or whatever equipment he might have" to battle the blaze. At that time there were no fire trucks and the only water sources were wells, mostly private and without pumps. Every citizen fell in line to help with the bucket brigade. 

The first fire engine in Raleigh was ordered by the City in 1814 and arrived in March of 1819. Engines of this era were basically pump wagons that were hand drawn and needed access to a water source. It may have needed a water brigade to feed it water if there was not a sufficient source available. It would take the whole village and a lot of ingenuity to fight a fire with this contraption but it was the sweet tech of its day. The first engine in Wake County may have looked something like the ones on display at this link - https://hallofflame.org/hand-and-horse-drawn-apparatus/  

source

This story of the early fire protection is highlighted in the Raleigh Fire Department publication of 1984. It covers this and much more. If you have an ancestor who was a firefighter, you will want to read this book. It is available for reading online thanks to Digital NC. The updated volume from 2002 is here. 

Another source for researching local fire lore is the Raleigh Fire Museum website. There you will find links to their Flickr account of fire history photos, a YouTube page, a page detailing notable fires in Raleigh history and a link to a more detailed downloadable 60+ page list of fire history in Raleigh. Did this impact any of your forbears?

Visit the Raleigh Fire Museum for their monthly second-Saturday fire museum opening. Hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free. The are located just south of downtown at 105 Keeter Center Drive, at the fire training center. Details appear at their Facebook page.

Another good collection of local fire lore was the Legeros Fire Blog that shuttered in 2015. The archives still exist and you can find them here. Mike Legeros has taken up posting to his own Facebook page and many of the important stories will be found there.

Here is a link to some Wake Forest fire history regarding the Downtown Blaze of 1896

If you know of other good fire fighting resources for Wake County, please let me know so we can add them here.

Visit Wake County Genealogical Society's Website - Homepage | WCGS Events | Join WCGS | Publications | Wake Cemetery Survey Images | Society Surnames | Digital Resources | History Resources | More Links and Resources | Contact - info(at)wakecogen(dot)org