Wake County Genealogical Society Blog

Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Wake Wednesday 250 - Spreading Rebellion Locally Wayyyy Before the Internet

I have been mulling over different directions to take the Wake Wednesday posts lately. I enjoy them, but there are not always enough research hours in the day. Another consideration is that Heather Leah has started doing something very similar with her new Facebook page. She is doing a great job and producing content at a rate that I just can't match. I encourage you to visit Heather's page. I may direct you there from time to time when I see she has written about something really special.

Otherwise, I am on a quest to see if I can dredge up content from the 1770's through 1790's to inform us how the denizens of Wake County lived, rebelled and coped with the political turmoil of their day. I hope to capture as much or more about life lived around and in spite of the politics, but I am sure both topics will appear over time.

As I was toying with the idea, one of my resources suggested this great article from the Muscogee Muckraker as an example. It offers extensive discussion of the era and the times leading up to the Declaration and the Revolutionary War. The article covers influences from French and Indian War, Stamp and Tea Acts, Lexington and Concord and Siege of Boston to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It is a handy article to read now if you are all-in on the spirit of America 250.

How Local Citizen Newspapers Spread Independence In A World Before Twitter
-Muscogee Muckraker, Jan.8, 2024

Read along and wish me luck on finding articles of a local nature. If you know of any interesting ones, please share here with atribution! I would love to feature guest posts.

Pushing back against the Stamp Act -

No stamp purchased.
Source

Upside down stamp overlaid with
an attacking devil. Source

Monday, January 5, 2026

Search Past Issues of the Wake Genealogy Watch Newsletter!

I have a little New Years surprise for you! I needed to find a previously written article last week. After nearly 10 years of writing this newsletter, I could not find it to save me! My frustration led to the creation of this Cumulative Index for Wake Genealogy Watch 2017-2026. It is arranged by issue and searchable. You can use the categories to get you started or try any search term you like. The Search feature is in the Tool Menu at the upper left. The size can be increased using the plus in the gray bar.

Each article is linked to its issue. You can view it by clicking the "volume.issue" link. Note the page number before you leave and find it in the issue!

I hope it helps you find an article you wanted to revisit but forgot.

Sunday, January 4, 2026

Wake Genealogy Watch - Winter 2026, 9.2 - Live now!

The Winter 2026 issue (Vol. 9, Issue 2) of our award-winning newsletter, Wake Genealogy Watch, is now available online for reading or download. Visit the WCGS website or click here: Wake Genealogy Watch, Winter 2026

This issue includes:

Recap and photos of our Fall 2025 events
News from the NCGS Fall Conference
A house history from WCGS member Gayle Williams focusing on history, genealogy and evolution of building materials through 200 years of maintenance and preservation
A revisit of the WCGS Surname Search feature at our website
A fantastic workflow for identifying and researching your Revolutionary Ancestors
Our winter calendar of upcoming events
A new cumulative index to all published issues of Wake Genealogy Watch

Dive in and explore all the resources and stories designed to enrich your genealogy journey. Be sure to visit the last page for the link to the index!

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.

Friday, January 2, 2026

Genealogy Resolutions for 2026

Have you made any Genealogy Resolutions yet?

I haven't specifically, but I recently got caught up in an effort to identify any ancestors that would be Revolutionary War Patriots. It looks like that is becoming my resolution! Watch for more on that in the next issue of the Wake Genealogy Watch newsletter that will publish shortly.

If you haven't made your resolutions yet, you might like to try one or both of these ideas from Connie Knox. Each is inspired by her latest videos.

Resolution #1 - Adopt a comprehensive and consistent workflow that is informed by the Genealogy Proof Standard. (Don't panic, she has a template for that.) Her plan is covered in this video and she has even made it easy to know what you are looking for and remember where you found it. If you are intrigued, watch Research Notes Updated for 2026 - Game Changer for Family History Brick Walls

ai image generated with Gemini Nano Banana

Resolution #2 - Create an online storage system (with automatic backups) for your genealogy research logs, photos, documents, media, etc. that you can access from any of your devices - PC, laptop, tablet, and/or phone. Going online immediately makes you more efficient since you can research from wherever you happen to be when the mood or opportunity arises. Watch New Workflow for 2026 - Avoiding Disaster

Whether you decide to go all in on research notes or you dream of seamless access to your genealogy on all your devices, I hope you have great success with your New Years Resolution.

Happy New Year!

Thursday, December 18, 2025

Upchurch and Allied Families Association Newsletter - December 2025

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

December 2025

Special congratulations to UAFA Board Director Carla Michaels for winning Cary’s Hometown Spirit Award. A much-deserved accolade!

View past UAFA newsletters here

Wednesday, December 10, 2025

Wake Wednesday - Merry Christmas from Raleigh c. 1907

So, I was casting about for a WW post with a holiday theme and happened on this quaint turn of the century Christmas postcard that was featured in the North Carolina Postcards section of the digital North Carolina Collection at UNC.

This is a postcard that B. H. Woodell, of Raleigh, had personalized and printed to send to his friends and colleagues in December 1907. It is a very classic and formal card typical the ones I have seen from that time period.

Source

I am not familiar with Mr. Woodell and wondered what sort of footprint he left in Wake County for that time period.

A Google search turned up several entries for him in an 1887 Raleigh City Directory housed at the NC Archives. This ad from the directory shows that he was a business man in downtown Raleigh at that time.

source

There are several other mentions of Mr. Woodell in this directory. They document his dual occupations of shoe merchant and broker/commission merchant, and his membership in the Odd Fellows, a fraternal and benevolent society. His home address of 118 N. Dawson and business address of 230 Fayetteville Street indicates that Raleigh was truly a walk-able city back then. He could have walked the half mile trip in about 10 or 15 minutes.

The next hit on my Google search turned up several newspaper articles that documented his activities as Grand Secretary in the Odd Fellows, his travels, his visitors, and even an illness. He was active and well known in his community.

Another hit turned up a free ebook on Google books documenting the 1907 Annual Session of the Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of North Carolina. Mr. Woodell was a busy man! I count more than twenty mentions of him in this book. (If you have ancestors from Wake who were Odd Fellows, you want to check out this free book.)

Next, my search pulled a hit at My Heritage that told me that his daughter Mary married into the Briggs family, also prominent at that time.

I made all these discoveries about someone I am unfamiliar with, and I hadn't even touched Ancestry or FamilySearch yet.

A quick search at Ancestry tells me that Mr. Woodell was born in August 1839. His full name was Burwell Henry Woodell. He married Emily Jane Buchanan in his home county of Chatham in 1868. They were living in Raleigh at least by 1871. They had six children, four of which were born here in Raleigh. They lived at various times on Blount Street and Person Street. B. H. died in Wayne County in 1919, but was buried in Raleigh at Oakwood Cemetery.

A biography Mr. Woodell's life can be found on Ancestry in "History of North Carolina, Vol. 5." It chronicles his early life in rural Chatham County, his military service in the Civil War, and his early entrepreneurial career in Raleigh. There is a very thorough and impressive accounting of his time and activities in the Odd Fellows. As the other sources hinted at, he was a very important man in this organization, not only for Raleigh, but for all of the state as well. From the text:

"Mr. Woodell has personally organized a large per cent of the Odd Fellow lodges in North Carolina, and his voice has been heard in almost every lodge room in the state. In 1885, when he was elected grand secretary, there were forty-two lodges in North Carolina, with 1,208 members. In June 1916, there were 240 lodges with more than 15,000 members, and a large part of this gain in membership may be directly attributed to his faithful and untiring efforts."

Mr. Woodell must have had many, many of those postcards printed up! I suspect the high esteem was mutual many times around.

For me, this exercise was certainly a lesson in being open to non traditional sources to fill in the gaps in your research. I will make every effort to"peek around the corners and under the rugs" for my next search.

Merry Christmas, Mr. B. H. Woodell.

Sunday, December 7, 2025

WCGS Holiday Meet-up Photos - Dinner at Relish - What a good time!

We met at Relish Craft Kitchen on the evening of Thursday, December 4 for the WCGS Holiday Meet-up. We had a great crowd and lots of fun catching up with everyone.

Relish was a great place to meet for a group of almost 30. We had a nearly private spot in the elevated room right off the entry. While not totally enclosed, it was roomy and comfortable and the elevation helped neutralize the ambient noise from outside our dining area. We had a top notch waitress who handled our orders without a blink or a miss! She is obviously a trained professional. The food came out quickly and was fabulous all round. Relish has my vote for future meal centered gatherings!

It was truly great to see everyone and I did not hear a lull in the conversation all evening until the food arrived. Here are some photos we managed to capture of the evening.

Can I just say --

These ladies are bringing the Chrismas Cheer!

Viewing hint - Click on each image for a larger version.

Left to right: Sandra Webb, Carol Stahl, Barbara McGeachy, Cini Gage,

Harriet Jenkins, Mary Ann Loss. Photo by Steve Deal.

Left to right: Don Spitler (friend of Mary Ann from TX), Betty Spitler,
Ed Ruse, Kathy Ruse, Harriet Jenkins, Cini Gage, Ann Ashmore,
Mary Ann Loss, Scott Gagnon. Photo by Barbara McGeachy.

Left to right: John Myhre, Ann Myhre, Carol Kimball Stahl,

Kathleen Condidine, Jessica Conklin. Photo by Barbara McGeachy.

Left to right: Kathleen Considine, Jessica Conklin, Barbara McGeachy,
John Myhre, Ann Myhre. Photo by Carol Kimball Stahl

Left to right: Brian Sweeney, Charlotte Sweeney, Lori Winklestein, Cyndi Deal,

Steve Deal, Sandra Webb, Ed Webb, Marcus Boyd, Jack McGeachy. Photo by

Barbara McGeachy.

Left to right: Marcus Boyd, Jack McGeachy, Brian Sweeny, Charlotte Sweeney,
Lori Winklestein, Cyndi Deal. Photo by Barbara McGeachy.

Thursday, December 4, 2025

2026 Wake County Genealogical Society Virtual Meetings - next - Jan. 27, 2026

click to enlarge text

Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026 @ 6:30pm – Virtual

Topic: Getting Started in Genealogical Research

Speaker: Renate Y Sanders

This presentation provides a comprehensive introduction to genealogy research! It guides participants through the crucial initial steps of gathering existing family knowledge and documents. You'll learn fundamental research methodology, emphasizing a systematic approach to researching your ancestry. The class also covers a range of suggested resources, both digital and physical, along with an overview of the key types of records essential for successful genealogical exploration. It aims to equip beginners with the foundational skills and knowledge to confidently embark on their personal journey of family history discovery, and to remind experienced genealogists of the basics. Join us!

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

Tuesday, Feb 24, 2026 @ 6:30pm - Virtual
NC Archives Digital Services: Using the Website Digital Collections and Online Catalog
presented by Anna Peitzman

Tuesday, Mar 24, 2026 @ 6:30pm - Virtual
Who's your daddy? Exploring North Carolina Bastardy Bonds
presented by A. Danielle Pritchett, MLS

Tuesday, Apr 28, 2026 @ 6:30pm - Virtual
Researching Your Mom: Don't overlook researching your immediate family!
presented by Diane L Richard

Tuesday, May 26, 2026 @ 6:30pm - Virtual
Preserving Small Family Cemeteries
Presented by Joel Hobby

Wednesday, December 3, 2025

Wake Wednesday - Wake Forest Christmas c. 1875

I have shared this before, but I just love this account of Christmas in Wake Forest in 1875.

Source

Visit the Wake Forest Museum Blog for the full story of Christmas from the students point of view. It was too difficult for some to travel home at that time and they left to their own devices for merry making! Local residents took them in for the holidays. In addition to the traditional Christmas activities, the students spent their time at Tackey Parties and Night Suppers. Travel back in time here!

Tuesday, November 25, 2025

The Fourth Thursday in November - Just Why is That?

This blog post by Kim Bernard at the UNC Law School blog spells out the details for us. You will find her post here -
https://library.law.unc.edu/2024/11/the-history-of-the-thanksgiving-holiday/

When you are finished reading, enjoy these vintage Thanksgiving card images I have collected over the years.

Happy

Thanksgiving!

May you be surrounded by
wonderful food, friends and family!

Give a Gift That Honors the Past and Preserves the Future

Are you looking for a meaningful way to honor someone special—a family historian, a loved one who cherished their heritage, or someone who helped you discover your roots?

The Wake County Genealogical Society (WCGS) invites you to make a donation in your loved one's honor and receive a beautiful, customized certificate to share with them.

Why Support WCGS?

Genealogical societies are the heart of family history preservation. They:

Maintain vital records and historical documents
Provide research assistance and educational resources
Connect people with their heritage
Preserve local history for future generations

Your donation directly supports these efforts in Wake County, ensuring that the stories of our ancestors remain accessible for years to come.

How It Works

It's simple:

Make a donation of any amount at wakecogen.org/donation.php?dc=1
Email President@WakeCoGen.org to request your free customized printable certificate. Note - Certificate arrives as a pdf file that you print.
Present the certificate to honor your loved one or family historian

Perfect For:

Birthday or holiday gifts for genealogy enthusiasts
Honoring the memory of a loved one
Thanking a relative who has documented your family history
Celebrating a genealogical breakthrough or discovery
Recognizing a mentor or researcher who helped you

A Gift That Keeps Giving

Unlike traditional gifts that may be used and forgotten, your donation creates a lasting impact. You'll honor someone meaningful in your life while supporting the preservation of history and helping others discover their own family stories.

Ready to make a difference?

Visit wakecogen.org/donation.php?dc=1 today and honor someone who values the past as much as you do.

For questions or to receive your customized certificate, contact President@WakeCoGen.org.

Wednesday, November 19, 2025

Wake Wednesday - North Carolina Inspired Thanksgiving Cooking

I am posting early so you have plenty of time to browse. Here is a Thanksgiving cooking collection shared by the NC State University Libraries - Special Collections. I am sure you will find some old treasures, new favorites and a few surprises in the mix. Have fun planning your North Carolina Thanksgiving dinner!

Governor Terry Sanford with turkey "Chef Boy" on leash.
University Archives Photograph Collection. Agricultural Extension and Research services (UA023.007), Special Collections Research Center at NC State University Libraries.

Blog post from NCSU - A Thanksgiving Feast from the Special Collections Research Center

Note there are several collections here. You may find a lag in loading time, but it should be worth it.

Extension Service miscellaneous pamphlets (S544.3 .N8 N657),
Special Collections Research Center at NC State University Libraries, p.14.

I agree with all above but definitely include the celery, nuts, sage and onion!

Hope your Thanksgiving meal is the best!

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