This post is featured in the Spring 2024 Issue of the Wake Genealogy Watch newsletter.
If you are researching your Wake County ancestors, you will want to visit the Upchurch and Allied Families Association website to review their massive Biofile collection. UAFA has just recently placed all of the accumulated images on their website and available for the benefit of all Wake County researchers.
The late local researcher, Phil Upchurch, created his Biofiles system for American Upchurches and their descendants, as well as for allied families who were connected in some way, by business or marriage. This extensive collection represents over forty years of Phil's own research and contributions from others. The end result is a wide and diverse body of information dealing with land ownership, occupations, lifestyles, and political landscapes associated with individuals who lived in particular communities throughout America.
In essence, Phil’s goal was to create a massive "Fan Club" of Upchurches and relations (including Wake County inhabitants) years before the phrase was coined or the concept was being shared widely via workshops and webinars. His vision started many years before computers came into use to bridge these connections for us. Phil’s efforts leave us with a massive treasure trove of notes and connections on the Upchurches and kin. You should check before you assume your Wake families are not included.
While the files include areas farther flung than Wake, those researching locally should check for all possible kin in these records, especially the early ones. When you visit the Biofile webpage, you will receive a thorough explanation of the concept and organization. You will also be tipped off to the distinctive triangle symbol “∆” that peppers Phil's personal files. Spoiler Alert - It points to associated Biofiles linked by documents copied in each.
At the top right of the Biofile webpage you will find these links to take you to all the buried treasure within.
TRANSCRIBED UPCHURCH BIOFILES - The Upchurch files are being transcribed for readability and searchability. They are organized by each clan from Michael 1 (the original English Ancestor)
UPCHURCH FAMILY BIOBILES - instructions to find any Upchurch by specific given name
ALLIED FAMILIES BIOFILES - this page offers a series of alphabetical links. Choose starting letter of the surname and click through, then click through the next list for the appropriate first letter of the given name. These files are not transcribed and therefor not truly searchable. They are so factually dense, that it is worth a quick look when you are reviewing your research for your Wake County ancestor.
As an example, visit the file for Needham Price to see how the Allied Families files work. Needham Price was an early Wake landowner and business man that I researched in the beginning of my WGW newsletter career. You can "use the front door" by clicking the "Allied Biofile" link, then letter "P" for surname Price. Then you will need to choose the file group containing Needham. In this case, that is "K through Z". Scroll to the start of Needham's information (pp. 52 - 59) and be amazed at the depth of data included in this file curated by Phil Upchurch. I was surprised to find my early writing included in this file and thrilled to see how much further Phil had taken his research. Take this link to see the file containing Needham Price. You will still need to scroll to page 52.
While I have focused on Wake County files, this data set includes records for other NC locations and other states as well. I hope you find some gold when you check here. Many thanks to Phil Upchurch, the Upchurch and Allied Families Association and their tireless volunteers for creating this rich resource.
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