Wake Genealogy Watch

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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...

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...

Upcoming Events of Interest From Wake County Historical Society - Corrections and updates

Correction***Please note that the only event supported by WCHS is the Isaac Hunter event in October.*** I thought to pull this post, but that would add further confusion. Just be aware that the other events listed are not WCHS supported. Disregard or persue the others as separate entities. The Wake County Historical Society October program features "Isaac Hunter and His Tavern," presented by Belle Long, a Hunter family researcher for over 20 years. I am especially interested in this one as the remains of the tavern still stood not far from our home in the late 1960's. The photo looks just like I remember it. October 5, 7PM at Mordecai Visitor Center . Details for these and many other events of local historical interest can be found in their newsletter. You can find all at this link . Visit Wake County Genealogical Society's Website - Homepage | WCGS Events | Join WCGS | Publications | Wake Cemetery Survey Images | Society Surnames | Digit...

Reminder: 2026 Wake County Genealogical Society Virtual Meetings - next - July 28, 2026

Tuesday, Aug 25, 2026 @ 6:30pm – Virtual Topic: Doing European Research When You Don't Speak the Language Speaker: Jessica Conklin If your ancestors crossed the Atlantic, there's no need for a language barrier to stop your research in its tracks! With my 4-step method for decoding genealogical records in unfamiliar languages, you can learn to read documents from your ancestor's country of origin. We'll also explore computer tips and useful online resources (like translation tools and even AI) that help make foreign languages accessible and understandable. 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!** ...

Wake Wednesday 250: Three NC Signers of the Declaration of Independence

The three men who saw the colony of North Carolina through the transition from British rule to independence are pictured below. Did you know that none of these men were born in colonial NC? Each found their way here on their path to destiny. Their fate was to leave a legacy for those who came after. Portraits by Ole Erekson, Engraver, c. 1876, Library of Congress as viewed at USHistory.org These three men were William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, and John Penn. They were the same delegates who with other local leaders outlined the NC colonists' needs and grievances in Halifax on April 12, 1776 and distilled these sentiments into the document historically known as the Halifax Resolves. The trio presented the Resolves to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia just months later. That document became the bones of the Declaration of Independence written in June of the same year by Thomas Jefferson and a committee of men. This timeline is remarkable. Just 83 days elapsed from...

Researching Formerly Enslaved Ancestors - Help from Family Tree DNA

I ran across a two part series on the Family Tree DNA blog recently. Entitled Researching the Ancestry of Formerly-Enslaved African American Families, the series was written by two well-known and respected researchers - Paul Heinegg and Ayo Heinegg Magwood. They have been researching and documenting both formerly enslaved and early free people of color for a long time. Heinegg and Magwood are both frequently found on genealogy lecture schedules. The authors have combined all the knowledge that they have gathered over the years in this series to share and empower others taking the same research journey. Each part of the series contains extensive information and puts links to the FamilySearch Wiki convienently at your fingertips at each new step. The FamilySearch Wiki is a knowledge base known for its vast and thorough content. Part 1: Up to the 1870 Brick Wall - The "brick wall" being the 1870 census, part 1 includes strategies for using all the standard vital...

Photo up! Most Recent WCGS Meet-up Coffee Event - 7/16/2026

We had a great time and talked about so many topics - from GRIP classes to the next NGS, records that need correcting, cemetery tours, researching for ourselves and others, and so many more topics. The conversation was flying hard and fast! Thanks to the anonymous lady who took our photo! Back row (left to right): Cyndi, Kathy, Heather, Ed, Jennie. Front row (left to right): Cini, Gayle, Barbara, Saundra. We hope you can join us next time! We met at Panera on Glenwood. Hope to rotate locations around the county so all can join at one point or another. If you would be interested in hosting a coffee event, contact Barbara McGeachy via email - president(at)wakecogen(dot)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 | Donate | Contact - info(at)wakecogen(dot)org

Upchurch and Allied Families Association Newsletter - July 2026

For those following along, here is the latest Upchurch and Allied Families Association Newsletter. July 2026 - Features various search tips from Ancestor Hunt and a heritage Southern cornbread recipe. I am here for the cornbread! It looks exactly like my Grandmother's. 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

Two Upcoming Conferences of Interest: ECGGC in August and NCGS Fall Conference/Raleigh in September

Registration is now open for both. Both conferences are virtual and in-person. August 21-23 - East Coast Genetic Genealogy Conference ECGGC 2026 Attend the fifth annual Genetic Genealogy Conference August 21-23, 2026 virtually or in-person in Boston, Massachusetts. Take your genetic genealogy skills to the next level. Twenty-two nationally known educators . I know you will recognize these names! View ECGGC 2026 Conference Schedule here. Registration Details here. Sept 18-19 - NCGS 2026 Fall Conference NCGS Fall Conference 2026 Featuring Judy G. Russell, JD, CG, CGL, FUGA, along with 24 other genealogy experts. You’ll get 22 lectures either in person or livestreamed. This local conference held in Raleigh offers ten different focus topics: Records, NC Research, Tips and Techniques, America 250 NC, Underrepresented Populations, NC Archives and Libraries, Artificial Intelligence, DNA, Online Records View Speaker List View L...

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