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! Visit Wake County Genealogical Society's Website  -  Homepage  |  WCGS Events  |  Join WCGS  |  Publications  |  Wake Cemetery Survey Images  |  Society Surnames  |  Digital Resources  |  History Resources  |  More Links and Resources  |   Contact - info(at)wakecogen(dot)org

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 They: Maintain vital records and historical documents Provide research assistance and educational resources Connect people with their heritage Preserve local history for future generations Your donation directly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...

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 b...

A reader recently received the following message in an email from Wake County Public Libraries . Access to Ancestry.com Library addition is a great plus to your library services and its availability at any of the 23 library locations is a huge bonus. If you are an occasional researcher or just don't want to invest in a personal subscription at the moment, this is an excellent way to keep your research options open! Call your local branch for details. Message from WCPL: As families gather to celebrate Thanksgiving, many of us may find ourselves sharing stories about our grandparents, great-aunts, great-uncles and generations that came before us. This season of gratitude is the perfect time to explore your own family history, and at Wake County Public Libraries, we can help make that journey possible. With your Wake County Public Library card, you have free access to one of our many online databases known as Ancestry Library Edition. This is a genealogy resource of military, court, ...

Join Wake County Gen Soc Dec 4 for our Holiday Dinner At Relish Craft Kitchen - 3 seats left! The Wake County Genealogical Society annual holiday dinner is open to everyone, members and non-members alike! This year's dinner will be on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at 6 pm at Relish Craft Kitchen, 5625 Creedmoor Rd, Raleigh, NC 27612. We are not limited to a fixed menu at Relish. Everyone can order to their preference. Here is a peek at the menu . Up to 30 of us will be seated in a semi-private raised area which is up three steps. Members and non-members are all welcome so bring your spouse, friends, etc. Reservation link and details - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044CA9A72CAAFA7-58203190-wcgs Visit Wake County Genealogical Society's Website  -  Homepage  |  WCGS Events  |  Join WCGS  |  Publications  |  Wake Cemetery Survey Images  |  Society Surnames  |  Digital Resources  |  History Resources  |...

Fire gutted the original State Capitol building on June 21, 1831. How did a previous fire, an iron pot and zinc roof shingles factor into Raleigh's near demise as the center of our state government? How did this event seal Raleigh's place as Capital City in North Carolina history? Read the terrifying and fascinating account in detail at NCPedia here: The Fires of 1831:  Fayetteville and Raleigh in Flames The remodeled North Carolina State House about 1831 by W. Goodacre. - source Looking not very much different from today with the exception of its wooden roof. Visit Wake County Genealogical Society's Website  -  Homepage  |  WCGS Events  |  Join WCGS  |  Publications  |  Wake Cemetery Survey Images  |  Society Surnames  |  Digital Resources  |  History Resources  |  More Links and Resources  |   Contact - info(at)wakecogen(dot)org

Not the original capital of North Carolina, in the early days of the colony, Raleigh wasn't even in the running. You will want to check out this NC Archives blog series for the evolution of the state capital in all its iterations. Great maps, great stories....A Capital Affair.  Read here. Source Visit Wake County Genealogical Society's Website  -  Homepage  |  WCGS Events  |  Join WCGS  |  Publications  |  Wake Cemetery Survey Images  |  Society Surnames  |  Digital Resources  |  History Resources  |  More Links and Resources  |   Contact - info(at)wakecogen(dot)org

The Friends of the NC Archives held their yearly meeting this past Saturday, Nov 1. After their business meeting, they offered four presentations and a Q&A session, all focused on their theme of Commemoration of the 250th Anniversary of the Founding of the Armed Forces .  If you were not able to attend, you are in luck. The proceedings were captured on video and can be viewed at the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources YouTube page.  Here is the link -  https://www.youtube.com/live/PsZO7OCcS4g The business meeting run for the first 30 minutes and then the focus presentations commence. Here is the schedule from the event so that you can approximate the timing on each individual topic. Visit Wake County Genealogical Society's Website  -  Homepage  |  WCGS Events  |  Join WCGS  |  Publications  |  Wake Cemetery Survey Images  |  Society Surnames  |  Digital Resources  |  His...