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 or Wake Court-house which was erected and made the county seat when Wake County was established in 1771. This place was the rendezvous point...

I have had a lot of folks asking lately about how to start understanding their autosomal DNA match lists. The very best teacher for a beginner is Diahan Southard aka Your DNA Guide.  This post was shared just after RootsTech 2024 in the spring but it is definitely worth sharing again. Save the post link for future reference!  Diahan Southard has been involved in Genetics and Genetic Genealogy for over 20 years. She started at Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation, the pioneer genetic genealogy database. In the ensuing years, she has earned her place as one of the most popular teachers of genetic genealogy in the field today. I took one of her yearlong DNA Study Groups and a peek at some of my favorite concepts and strategies can be found in videos 3, 4, & 5. Of course, if you are brand new to Genetic Genealogy start with the short bonus video - What is a Centimorgan? Enjoy this short video series created to get you started in the easy, no-pressure style that Diahan has ...

Updates on HB383 sec 11: The bill was passed on June 26 with the language that places old abandoned family cemeteries as well as historic archealogical relics at possibly more risk than before. The following language of HB385 Section 11 is taken directly form the Legislative Reporting Service at UNC School of Government.   The wording below is the version that passed. The concerning portions are highlighted in yellow as restrictions to the OSA  that did not exist previously. Part XI Removes all of former Part XI (amending various statutes related to coastal development) and replaces it with the following new content. Section 11 Adds new GS 113A-113.1 (requiring the Office of State Archeology [OSA] to provide information to owners and prospective purchasers in areas of environmental concern). Requires OSA to, upon request of an owner or prospective purchaser of land located in an area of environmental concern, to provide the owner or prospective purchaser with information as to...

All Bible records held by the State Archives are now described in their  online catalog .  They have been digitized and the images and transcriptions are available as  part of the  North Carolina Digital Collections . Once you access the Family Record link above, you can search by Wake or any other county. At the left side of the page, you will find a "Format" box that will allow you to focus only on the bible records. You can search for a particular family by using the "Title" box drop down menu also on the left side bar.   The Wake County Bible section includes 190 record groups at this writing including names that have long been a part of Wake County history. You will find records for the families of Etheldred and Jane Jones , Col. Matthew and Sarah Lane McCullers , Col. William Hinton , and so many more. I ran into records for both maternal and paternal sides of a good friend just browsing the list!  The records span colonial times through 1989. ...

I happened upon this little book about Wake County one day when I was researching something specific. This popped up in the google search and stole a couple hours of my afternoon. Thought you might like to take a look!.  Historic Wake County: The Story of Raleigh and Wake County, by K. Todd Johnson. Visit Wake County Genealogical Society's Website  -  Homepage  |  WCGS Events  |  Join WCGS  |  Publications  |  Wake Cemetery Survey Images  | Digital Resources  |  History Resources  |  More Links and Resources  |  Contact

" Oberlin was not part of Raleigh. It was a proud freestanding, self-sufficient community of former slaves, free blacks, and their descendants, founded after the Civil War. In 1914, a New York newspaper described Oberlin as 'a unique little village of nearly twelve hundred inhabitants. The neat-looking buildings are artistically painted, and the front yards are planted with rose bushes and other shrubberies.' Oberlin actually surpassed Raleigh on some measures of homeownership and education."   - News and Observer, Nov. 2019 For a glimpse at the history of Oberlin Village, its residents,  and a look inside at some of the homes visit the Saving Places blog post from the National Trust for Historic Preservation here .  . Restored Parlor of the Graves Fields House, Oberlin Village.   A collection of interviews describes the life, residents and restoration of the village and various homes. “Everything that I am, and everything that I became, is because of that house and...

How were they acknowledging and celebrating Independence Day in Wake County in 1800?  Here is an account from the from the Weekly Raleigh Register dated July 8, 1800.  Bear in mind that this particular celebration was 24 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence (1776), 17 years after the end of the Revolutionary War (1783) and 13 years after the signing of the U. S. Constitution (1787). The memories and experiences of the town folk were living, breathing things. They were very serious about their accomplishment as they should be. It seems to be a reverant and dignified event. I am glad to see the sixteen toasts were interspersed with patriotic songs so everyone could pace themselves. I guess you could say  it was also a "spirited" celebration. You can read directly at the Raleigh Register here , and view the Declaration as it was read at the event on page 1 . Happy Independence Day to all of our readers. Visit Wake County Genealogical Society's Website ...