Elizabeth Reid Murray's Wake Capitol County of North Carolina, Vol.1 now available online

 If you are a seasoned Wake County researcher, you no doubt know of Elizabeth Reid Murray and her comprehensive history of Wake County. If not, you should. Her two volumes cover the history of the land we love from the prehistoric times in the region up through the 1920s. 

The first volume has always been my favorite with stories of dinosaurs and Wake underwater, on thru the early settlement, the "trouble" with Regulators, the Revolution and choice of Wake for the state capitol. I am delighted to bring to your attention that this first volume of Wake: Capitol County of North Carolina is available to read and enjoy online through a partnership between Olivia Raney Family History Library and Digital NC. The details and links are found in this blog post from the Digital North Carolina Blog:

http://www.digitalnc.org/blog/book-about-the-history-of-wake-county-now-online/

Enjoy!

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NGS Press Release seeking nominations for 2021

 From the National Genealogy Society:

Contact: Susan Yockey Phone: 571-234-8021 awards@ngsgenealogy.org For Release: 19 October 2020

National Genealogical Society Invites Nominations for its 2021 Awards & Competitions

FALLS CHURCH, va, 19 October 2020—The National Genealogical Society (NGS) invites individuals, societies, and organizations to participate in its 2021 Awards and Competitions program. NGS annually recognizes excellence in the field of genealogy. This year it has expanded its program to reflect its merger with the Federation of Genealogical Societies.  The deadline for submission of nominations is 15 December 2020.  The NGS Awards program recognizes scholarship, service, excellence, and achievement in the fields of genealogy, history, and biography by presenting awards to individuals, societies, and organizations. The Society’s competitions challenge individuals and societies! “We encourage you to nominate an organization or an individual you work with, research with, or admire for an award.  We hope you will also consider participating in one of our competitions,” said Janet L. Bailey, chair of the awards committee. “There are so many outstanding individuals, societies, and organizations that deserve national recognition. We hope their peers will consider nominating them before December 15.”

Founded in 1903, the National Genealogical Society is dedicated to genealogical education, exemplary standards of research, and the preservation of genealogical records. The Arlington, Virginia-based nonprofit is the premier national society for everyone, from the beginner to the most advanced family historian seeking excellence in publications, educational offerings, and guidance in research. It also offers many opportunities to interact with other genealogists. On 1 October 2020, NGS and the Federation of Genealogical Societies merged, making support for genealogy societies, family history associations, and other organizations an important part of the NGS mission. We welcome your organization to the new NGS.

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WCGS Volunteer Opportunities - October 2020

We currently have several volunteer spots that we are seeking to fill - Treasurer, Publications Manager, and multiple Transcriptionists. Here are the descriptions of the available positions. Everything is being done online right now. If you would like to build connections with a great group of fellow genealogy enthusiasts and have some interesting diversions, consider joining us!

WCGS Treasure position:

· Would you like to contribute your fair share to the Wake County Genealogical Society?

· Are you good with numbers?

· Do you have the ability to write checks?

· Are you willing to use Quicken to create quarterly reports?

· Would you like the honor of being a member of the Board of the Wake County Genealogical Society?

If so, you would be an ideal candidate for Treasurer of the Wake County Genealogical Society.  Please email president@wakecogen.org to talk with our President, Carla Stancil, about this volunteer position.

Transcriptionists:

We have an ongoing need for Transcriptionists. The journal is looking for volunteers to transcribe original documents for the purpose of publication in Wake Treasures, the Wake County Genealogical Society’s journal.   We provide templates and you can transcribe from the comfort of home while ensuring that these records are published for all to use.  Whether you have time to transcribe a page or a series of pages, your contribution is greatly appreciated.  All skill levels are welcome! Please contact journal@wakecogen.org

To all our current and future Volunteers - Your participation allows us to sustain our vibrant group and continue to provide the rich genealogical content and presentations for which the Wake County Genealogical Society is known. We thank you and appreciate your efforts!

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NARA introduces new feature - Treaties Explorer

 From NARA:

Hundreds of Native American treaties have been scanned and are freely available online, for the first time, through the National Archives Catalog. Also, in partnership with The Museum of Indian Arts and Culture (MIAC), these treaties and extensive additional historical and contextual information are available through Treaties Explorer.

NARA is also appealing to citizen archivists for assistance in transcribing the treaty documents to make them more searchable and accessible.  

View the NARA post here for full details.

Update:  Here is a Smithsonian Magazine article about the new feature.

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Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society (AAHGS) - Virtual Conference, October 14 -17, 2020

 Saundra Cropps, our WCGS Volunteer CoOrdinator, is sharing an interesting even and resource with us today. The Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society (AAHGS) annual conference is virtual this weekend. From Saundra:

"The Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society (AAHGS) annual conference is the largest international African American conference that promotes African-ancestored family history, genealogy, and cultural diversity. Due to COVID-19 the conference is virtual from October 14, 2020-October 17, 2020. Topics include Ethnicity, Race and Nationality, Family Presentations, Research, Genealogy, DNA, History, Migration, Preservation, Special Topics, Educational Methods, etc. I am particularly interested in the arrival of the first documented Africans in English America in 1619 at Point Comfort (not Jamestown); and the ancestors who fought in every battle on American and foreign soil."

To find out more, click on this link - AAHGS Conference final_digital version.pdf

I have peeked at the AAHGS Syllabus. It is a hefty two hundreds and eighty pages packed with content. I see some great topics including:

Grave Concerns: Where do Cemeteries Go When They Die?

Miseducation In The Classroom

The Emotional Side of DNA Testing

Traveling with the Green Book

Reconstructing Family from Post Emancipation Records

How to Know What to Ask When I Don't Know What to Ask

Searching for Descendant Communities at Virginia Plantations

Gathering at the Welcome Table

There is so much good content here. I see many names I recognize among the presenters - Renate Yarborough Sanders, Andre Kearns, Desi Campbell and WCGS's own Diane Richard, are but a few in the lineup.

Check out this treasure trove of information and resources! For those interested in the conference, visit the AAHGS webpage. The registration page is here if you would like to participate.