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Find Your Family History Files Faster With This Naming Strategy

This is a reprint from Wake Genealogy Watch, Spring 2019 (v2.3) . The strategy mentioned has stood the test of time and has not failed me yet. I wish I could be disciplined enough to get ALL my files converted to this method. That is the life of a genealogist - too much to do, not enough time to do it all! - CD File naming is one of the biggest challenges for me in my genealogy pursuits. There are so many files, with so many names—some the same that need differentiating, and all different types of records. Separate by name, surname group, record type, file type??… We all struggle with this. Two years ago, I was following along on Thomas MacEntee’s Genealogy Do Over Facebook group and happened on to a discussion of document naming strategies . There were many very good strategies and suggestions there, but one was a game changer. It is something that I use consistently and it has proven itself in usefulness and accuracy. I currently use it for pictures and documents. I plan to use a ve...
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2026 Wake County Genealogical Society Virtual Meetings - next - Sept 22, 2026

Tuesday, Sept 22, 2026 @ 6:30pm – Virtual Topic:   Using Artificial Intelligence Tools in Genealogy Speaker:   David McCorkle Learn how to use AI tools to process genealogical evidence from various records in a more comprehensive and less time consuming manner. This lecture will cover document analysis, reading handwriting, processing images, and more, using real examples and the latest tools. This is an introductory lecture, so no AI knowledge is required. 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! **Get the video recording to watch on-demand for 30 days and access to our webinar handout library with your WCGS membership!**           ** At presenters discretion. Upcoming Events  View events page for details...
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NC Archives is Hosting an NC History Trivia Night - October 14

This sounds like fun. Does WCGS have enough trivia buffs to pull a team together? From NC Archives: Think you're an expert on North Carolina history, geography, and culture? Here's your chance to show off your skills about North Carolina whiskey, the Regulators movement, and historic mills across North Carolina. On Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at 7 pm * , players can participate—individually or in teams—at the Transfer Co. Food Hall as we present fascinating trivia about the Old North State. Bragging rights are on the line in this Carolina contest of wits! We look forward to seeing you there.  * All details at this link . Any questions should be directed to the the contact info at the weblink.   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 | Donate | Contact - info(at)wakecogen(dot)org
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Upchurch and Allied Families Association Newsletter - August 2026

For those following along, here is the latest Upchurch and Allied Families Association Newsletter. August 2026  - The feature article (not to be missed) a new website built by Jason Forrest and Jennifer Ray from the writings of Phil Upchurch that tells history and expansive story of the Ray family of northern Wake County, in Barton's Creek Township. The article is linked to an amazing  and beautiful content rich website. If this Ray family is in your sphere of interest, you will have a nice long read. You will find an interactive surprise if you continue to the end of the end of the website. Do not miss this issue. I mean it.  If I could nominate the article/website for an award, I would do it The information provided spans early 1600s to 2009! Better take a look if you have Ray family in the area of Creedmoor Rd, Peed Rd, Norwood Rd or the Rogers Store area. View past UAFA newsletters here Visit Wake County Genealogical Society's Website - Homepage | WCGS Events | Join...
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Ancestry Updates: Hint and DNA Tools

Have you seen the latest updates from Ancestry yet? I heard Crista Cowan say on a video last week that it currently takes a full six months to roll out updates to all members.  I had waited a good 2-3 months before I finally started seeing the changes in my own Ancestry profile last week. (Some of these tools may require the Ancestry ProTools, an extra monthly subscription.) If you use the Ancestry Hints system, you will notice a big change to the look and feel of the experience. In addition to a visually cleaner interface, you will see:  a persistent side panel that show the family group details side by side comparison of records to the family group workflow adjustments for accepting or ignoring hints a new look that is cleaner allows easier navigation  Here is what you can expect from the new look. Notice the records on the left and the family group on the right. I like that the number of hints is highlighted at the top in green and that I can always see the family memb...
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Help with Elusive Ancestors - BYU Video Will Give You New Tools and Ideas!

Julia Anderson walk us through some difficult ancestor searches in her video " The Needle in the Haystack: Researching Women and Minorities using FamilySearch’s Full-Text Search " offered through BYU Library Family History Center.  This video is packed with tons of  information.  I found it so helpful that I  have already found two new records for my most stubborn brick wall ancestor and I have   only tried one of her many tips so far.  Julia focuses on finding women, enslaved and other minority groups using FamilySearch's Full Text Search (FTS) tool. She offers a basic intro to the FTS and strategies for finding a variety of challenging ancestor groups - women, enslaved, Native American, and immigrants. She presents many examples and suggestions to bring you success in  your own search.  Plan to watch this video at least a couple of times to absorb all the knowlege Julia is sharing.  There is also a five page handout to help you with t...
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Pin Down Your Ancestor With a FAN and a Map!

Good maps are great for genealogical research. Landowner maps are perfect tools for assisting your ancestor hunt.  Once you have a general idea of the time and place of your ancestor, you should turn your search to finding mapd that document landowners of the time period. These may be legal land administration maps, subscription county maps, or any map referred to as a cadastral map. When looking online, try to search with both "land ownership" and "cadastral" as keywords to see which produces. A cadastral map is a very specific type of map that records legal land parcel boundaries and ownership. Examples of cadastral maps would be land survey plat maps and the modern Wake County iMaps  (an interactive geographic system (GIS) maintained by the City of Raleigh).    A cadastral map is but one type of map with names included. Other maps with recorded names exist that are just as useful though they may not be considered official. Topographic maps and county subscription...
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Diana Elder Featured Speaker at GRIVA Fall Conference - Attend Virtually!

Event update from Genealogical Research Institute of Virginia (GRIVA) sharing their upcoming virtual fall conference: GRIVA 2026 Virtual Fall Conference presents: Digging Up Your Ancestors – An Introduction to Using AI Date: Saturday, October 31, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 3:45 PM EDT Location: Virtual via Zoom Featured Speaker: Diana Elder, AGⓇ, AGL™ Discover how artificial intelligence can transform your family history research! Join the Genealogical Research Institute of Virginia (GRIVA) for a full-day virtual conference covering AI fundamentals, practical research workflows, transcribing complex court records, and solving tough Southern ancestor brick walls. Registration: $35 for GRIVA members | $45 for non-members Full schedule and online registration: https://griva.org/event/2026-fall-conference-event/ Brochure link here. Visit Wake County Genealogical Society's Website - Homepage | WCGS Events | Join WCGS | Publications | Wake Cemetery Survey Images | Society Surnames | Digita...
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Help Reading Handwriting from Library of Congress

Do you struggle with reading modern cursive writing? Do you want to run away and hide more than you want the clue that is scribbled in the old-style handwritten document in front of you? If so the Library of Congress is here to help. Their online resource, Paleography: Interpreting Handwriting in Genealogical Research   is the comprehensive tool you need to blast through those handwriting roadblocks. Most sections after the introduction contains both a bibliography and links to online resources. Categories of help include English Scripts, Early American Handwriting, Modern Cursive, Signatures, Transcription and Spelling, Latin scripts, Languages and Subject headings, General Reference and Dictionaries. Follow the link to the source to find the  signatures of some famous aviators! The English Scripts section includes information on English and Scottish document from 1500-1700 as well as a link out to an incredible Script tutorial hosted at Brigham Young University that links to...
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Map Series Explores the Settlement and Expansion of Early North Carolina

NCPedia's Early Settlement article provides valuable context for understanding North Carolina's colonial growth. The colorful map below illustrates the frontier development from 1657-1835. The article explores the finer points that spurred that development, including the massive and rapid growth that occured after King George took NC lands back from the Lords Proprietors in 1729. Discover why this created a boom that lasted until the Revolution era.  Image source - NCpedia The article shares two other maps that provide background for understanding early settlement and migration trends. A trail map traces not only the Great Wagon Road, but also migration routes from coastal ports. It highlights which groups tended to take each path. The associated text emphasizes how the Piedmont and coastal areas were essentially cut off from each other. By the mid 1700s, the Piedmont settlers had more trade and communication with Philadelphia and their South Carolina neighbors than the coasta...
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