Wake County Genealogical Society Blog: June 2022

Thursday, June 30, 2022

Special Event from Wake County Genealogical Society - A Day with Dana Leeds - August 6 afternoon

A SATURDAY WITH DANA LEEDS

Saturday, August 6

12:45 pm to 5:00 pm

Note change to Virtual via Zoom only

A Saturday with Dana Leeds - Creator of the LEEDS method for Autosomal DNA analysis

Where: Note this event is now virtual only see the WCGS Event page to register

What: Wake County Genealogical Society is proud to host the one and only Dana Leeds, who will present two separate talks in this Saturday afternoon of genealogy.

Genetic Genealogist Dana Leeds started researching her family tree in 1998. She bought her first DNA kit in 2016 and solved her first unknown parentage case in early 2018. While working on another case that year, she created the innovative genetic genealogy tool known as the Leeds Method. This method quickly sorts DNA matches into clusters allowing the user to see which matches belong together. Dana quickly became a nationally known genetic genealogy speaker, and she enjoys helping others to easily understand and work with their DNA results. Her helpful creation has been shared widely on blogs (including her own), at Legacy Webinars, RootsTech, and other genealogy conferences.

Presentation One: The Leeds Method of Organizing Your Autosomal DNA Matches
Dana will introduce participants to the nuts and bolts of her “Leeds Method” of sorting matches into “grandparent” lines. Dana's method of sorting matches requires no prior knowledge of DNA jargon or techniques, and even better, no prior knowledge of the focus tester’s matches. It is widely used to help solve unknown parentage cases. It is a simple, approachable method that is available to the novice and expert alike.

Presentation Two: One Man, Multiple Names: An Unexpected DNA Discovery
Dana will present a case study that just happened to turn her research to Wake County and involves the local Beddingfield surname. The presentation tells the story of William Emmitt Hunter who arrived in Oklahoma around 1910 in his early to mid-30s. He married and raised eight children, but he apparently never told them about his past. Only DNA could unravel his secrets. This presentation will share the fascinating story of his family as well as the genetic and traditional genealogy methodology that was used to uncover it.

There will be a 45 minute break between presentations. Light snacks will be offered for on-site participants.

Cost (for either in-person participation or virtual participation):

WCGS Members: $10 (Sign into the member's area before making your selection in the store.)

Non-Members: $20

Learn more about the Leeds Method of working with your family DNA here. Questions? Email George Thomas, Program Manager for the Wake County Genealogical Society.

Advanced registration strongly recommended. Limited seating for both in-person and virtual participants. On-site registration (cash or check only) will be an option if any in-person slots remain after advanced registration.

Visit our Events Page to register.

Wednesday, June 29, 2022

Wake Wednesday: The importance of Bloomsbury c.1771

When Wake County was formed in 1771, there was no Raleigh. The city of Raleigh did not come into being until about twenty years later.

The original center of business and county seat when Wake was first established was called Bloomsbury and alternately Wake Courthouse. It was the site of many Wake County firsts - first election, first court, first militia formation. I remember reading (in an old N&O article) that Bloomsbury may have been the sight of the first reading of the Declaration of Independence in Wake County. It is worth visiting that spot and imagining the magic of that moment.

A placque to commemorate the importance of the hamlet of Bloomsbury still stands near the Joel Lane house who gave the land on which the hamlet was located. The inscription reads -

On and around this spot stood the old town of

Bloomsbury

Wake Court-house

which was erected and made the county seat when Wake County was established in 1771.

This place was the rendezvous point of a part of Governor Tryon's army when he marched against the Regulators in 1771; Here met the state Revolutionary Assembly in 1781, and to this vicinity was removed the seat of government when the capital city of Raleigh was incorporated in 1792. This memorial placed by Bloomsbury Chapter, Daughters of the Revolution, A. D. 1911.

Source: docsouth.unc.edu

Was Bloomsbury the location for the first reading of the Declaration of Independence in Wake County? Can you stand on that very spot today? Read on...

Happy Independence Day.

https://www.carolana.com/NC/Towns/Bloomsbury_NC.html

Thursday, June 23, 2022

Reminder: Next Wakecogen Virtual Meeting - June 28 - NC Moravian Culture in Early - Mid 1800's

There is still plenty of time to sign up for our next virtual Society Meeting. Mark your calendar for Tuesday, June 28, 6:30pm.

Topic: Wachovia, Where German Moravians Became Slaveholding Americans and Avid Confederates

Speaker: Dr. Larry E. Tise, Author, Educator, Historian

I grew up as a Methodist in the Moravian religious preserve originally denominated as Wachovia in 1753. Despite the demise of its best-known homemade namesake Wachovia Bank and Trust Company, the metes and bounds and symbolic power of the name Wachovia has remained a looming presence in the land where Moravian ideas, ideals, and customs were established. Some of those traditions can still be observed in Winston Salem today. We grew up listening to Moravian bands, eating Moravian buns and cookies, and flocking to Moravian love feasts. Austerity, love, and religious ceremonies set the Moravians apart for us. The story of how they came into the backcountry wilderness to practice their gentle religion set them apart from all other Christians for us. We were in awe of their gentle ways and their spirituality. They were pacificists during the American Revolution.

Moravians were for us a holy people. Thus, imagine how difficult and shocking it was for us as citizens of an imperfect nation and a complicated world to learn that our beloved Moravians were slaveholders. Not just owners of slaves, but adroit managers of enslaved peoples. Sometimes traders in flesh. Embracers of the notion that white and black Christians should be separated one from the other. Proud employers of black slaves in every trade and in factories fabricating uniforms for Confederate soldiers. Even progenitors of well-clad young men who volunteered enthusiastically to defend the Confederate States of America from Bull Run in 1861 until the surrender of Confederate officers and beleaguered warriors at Bennet’s Place near Durham Station in North Carolina in 1865. This is the story of how this transformation began in colonial America and flourished in the land known as Wachovia from its Moravian founders until the emergence of the Old South.

This virtual meeting and presentation is open to all, but registration is required. Visit the WCGS Events page to access the registration link.

To learn Zoom tips for successfully joining the meeting, please read Important ZOOM Tips.

Tuesday, June 7, 2022

Wake Cemetery Survey c. 1978 is now Live at the Wakecogen Website!

Just in case you are following along at home, ALL 20 townships of the Wake Cemetery Census c.1978 are published* and live at our website.

Come check out the Survey. You may just find some new insight there. 

https://wakecogen.org/cpage.php?pt=49

*This is just the first pass there will be future updates and additions.

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