New Member Special - Join Early for Special Access - There is Still Time!

There is still time to take advantage of this great offer.

Sign up June - August and Get  up to 15 Months instead of 12!

Join WCGS in June - August 2025 and your membership will be valid until August 31. 2026!

If you follow the blog and newsletter or have joined us for a virtual meeting in the past year, we hope you have appreciated the insights, tools, and inspiration we’ve shared through our various outreach channels. We invite you to take the next step and become a full member of the Wake County Genealogical Society.

Your membership grants you access to a wealth of resources available at our website, such as:

• 24/7 access to both our award-winning publications:
  • Wake Treasures, our journal - 31 years of issues from 1991 to 2022.
  • Wake Genealogy Watch, our quarterly newsletter.
• Eleven virtual monthly meetings on the fourth Tuesday (Nov/Dec combined meeting).
• Access to recordings from prior monthly virtual programs. 
• Members-only presentation materials.
• Reduced pricing for special events.
• Member directory and surname database - connect to those who are researching similar interests and family lines so you can collaborate.
• Personalized notification of WCGS meetings and events.
• 50% off Legacy Family Tree Webinars (only for new LFT members).
• Our WCGS Welcome kit.

We are offering extra value exclusively to new members who register in June. With our special offer of up to 15 months for the price of 12, there’s no better time to join. When you become a member, you’re not just signing up for benefits—your membership is an investment in a shared journey of discovery. Your support advances our mission to further genealogical research, provide education through virtual meetings and in-person events, promote collaboration, and preserve records important to your history and ours. Genealogy isn't just about looking back. It's about moving forward together. 

Join now and be part of something enduring.
Questions? Reach out to Membership Chair Carol Kimball Stahl at membership(at)wakecogen.org.

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

WCGS Membership Renewal Time is Upon Us

Members and interested followers - 

The new membership year runs from September 1, 2024 to August 31, 2025. Members have received an email reminder to renew your subscription. You can also log in and renew through the website. The grace period ends mid-October. Renew soon so you don't miss any updates or content.

Those of you who are new to us or who have been following along for a while, consider joining our community! If you have caught any of our virtual monthly meetings, you know we offer only the best and you will always leave the evening with some new tip or hint you can use. Your support fuels our efforts, allowing us to continue offering great content, including our monthly virtual meetings, newsletter, blog and special projects with your help. For information on joining the society, click here.

Wakecogen Holiday Gathering 2023

Visit Wake County Genealogical Society's Website - 

Homepage | WCGS Events | Join WCGS | Journal | Wake Cemetery Survey Images | Society Surnames | Digital Resources | History Resources | More Links and Resources | Research Guides | Newsletter | Blog | Contact

Wake Genealogy Watch - Summer Edition 2024, v7.4 - Live Now at our website

The Summer 2024 Issue (Vol. 7 Issue 4) of our award-winning newsletter, Wake Genealogy Watch, is now available online for reading or download. You can visit the WCGS website  or access through this link -  Wake Genealogy Watch, Summer 2024.

  Features in this issue include:

• Our updated slate of officers for the WCGS Board of Directors
  
  
• Past president Carla Stancil reflects on the progress and challenges faced by our society during her tenure.
  
  
• Ed Morris, retired executive director of the Wake Forest Historical Museum, shares his vast knowledge of Major General Calvin Jones, M.D. of Wake Forest. You will be amazed at his many accomplishments and contributions to Wake County.
  
  
• Cynthia Gage made some very special discoveries about her ancestors using the resources at places of higher learning. She shares her tips with us.
  
  
• A clean up and preservation guide to help you know what to do and who to contact for help saving your aging family cemeteries in need of care.
  
  
• A new resource to help you get started researching the Wake Cemetery Survey Image records. Come check out our quick tips for successful searches.
  
  
• Details of our Summer 2024 Events Calendar.

Photo Note: If you choose to read a printed version of this newsletter, some of the photos will be difficult to view due to size constraints. Please refer to the online edition where you can enlarge the photos to accommodate better viewing. 

Click this newsletter page link to view this and all past newsletter content. 

We welcome your feedback, input, and submissions for inclusion in future editions. Please address all concerns to newsletter@wakecogen.org.

Visit the WCGS Blog for more events, late breaking news, tutorials, updates, and other special posts.  

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 | Wake Cemetery Survey c. 1978 online | Contact

Volunteer with WCGS - Be Our New Webmaster

Members and researchers who have visited the Wake County Genealogical Society website will have noticed its many features.

· Our easy sidebar system for finding and registering for upcoming events.

· The topical front and center features from our blog, newsletters, and journal on regular rotation on the Wakecogen  home page.

· Quick access to free 24/7 content offered in The Wake Cemetery Survey Images, the thirty plus years of Wake Treasures Journal content, and seven years of content in the Wake Genealogy Watch newsletter.

· The several Resource pages including Wake research, Wake history, NC resources, Society Surnames, and Articles and Guides - all curated content by our webmaster.

You have our current webmaster Cynthia Gage to thank for all of that. She has built our website from a simple information page to the useful community hub and education center it is today. Cynthia assumed the role in 2015 and after nine years, she has decided to step down from this role to pursue her other genealogical interests.

Wake County Genealogical Society is seeking a new Webmaster

If you have web skills (or are interested in learning as you go), want to collaborate with fellow genealogists (always a fun time) and want to work with a great bunch of volunteers, we would love to have you.

WebMaster Position Description

 Our new webmaster will:

· Maintain the content and appearance of the website for the Wake County Genealogical Society at www.wakecogen.org.

· Maintain the various email boxes for Society communication.

· Communicate with BlueCrab Software (via EasyNet Sites) on technical details and website structure options as needed to maintain the website.

· Monitor for proper function and ensure the site is available to users.

· Receive new and updated information from members of the board, committees, and projects, and posts it in a timely manner on the website.

· Provide a quarterly report to the board about any website changes and recommendations.

· Will eventually facilitate the conversion of our website to the new ENS Responsive mode (no time frame yet).

This unpaid position is completely remote. 

Contact us via info@wakecogen.org,  if you would like to apply for this position. Please mark the subject line - Attn Saundra Crops - Website Volunteer Position.

We look forward to hearing from you.

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

Wake County Genealogical Society Monthy Meetings for 2023 - next - December 5

Register for the next Virtual Meeting from WCGS!

Topic: Genealogy Escape Room™ – The Case of William Sydney Porter: Oh Henry! 

Speaker: Thomas MacEntee

Tuesday, Dec 5, 2023 @ 6:30pm - Virtual

Audience Level: Beginner. The more, the merrier, join us for a fun evening of Genealogy Sleuthing led by Thomas!

Imagine you are trapped in your state archive and the only way out is to solve a series of genealogy research puzzles. Are you up to the challenge? Are you ready for Genealogy Escape Room™? 

Based on the popular escape room concept, Genealogy Escape Room™ turns the typical webinar format upside down! Each registrant will receive a Case Review File used to solve a series of online research tasks BEFORE the live webinar takes place. The webinar is the "reveal," where a step-by-step review of each puzzle, task, and clue all the way to the final "key" to open the door. 

Genealogy methodology concepts will be summarized before announcing who escaped first! You are locked in at the Olivia Raney Local History Library in Raleigh, North Carolina. 

You are working on an article on famous American authors. In order to unlock the office door and escape, you need to locate the New York State 1905 Census record of William Sydney Porter (1862-1910), better known as O. Henry. 

You MUST complete your research on William Sydney Porter by answering a list of genealogy research questions and FIND the New York 1905 Census record to UNLOCK the main door and escape!

This virtual meeting and presentation is open to all, but registration is required.  *

*Please register by 4pm day of meeting.

*Please save your passcode and link for ease of entry at start time. 

Fun, free, and virtual! 

Link to register at the Wakecogen website events page. 
https://wakecogen.org/eventListings.php?nm=20

Contact: info@wakecogen.org

Upcoming Events - view events page for details

Tuesday, January 23 @ 6:30pm - Virtual

Topic:  Bounty Land, Military Pensions, & Alt. Records

Speaker: Debra Dudek
Registration opens shortly after the December meeting.

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

Reminder: Next Saturday - December 10 - Visit the State Library of North Carolina - WCGS meetup

Join members of Wakecogen for an in person meet up at the State Library of NC. 

• Learn what resources and services are available.
• Grab a library card. 
• Browse the collections. 
• Reconnect with friends at a lunch spot nearby. 

We are looking forward to seeing you there! Free and open to all. Questions?

Here is a sneak peek at their Genealogy and Family History offerings.

What:  WCGS visits SLNC
When: Dec.10, 10am - 12pm
Where: 109 East Jones St.

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

Wake County Genealogical Society Monthy Meetings for 2022

Join us for the next Virtual Meeting from WCGS!

Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022 @ 6:30pm - Virtual (combined November-December)

Topic:  Finding and Understanding NC Court Records
Speaker: David McCorkle

Courts have always dealt with crimes and disputes, but in the past they also handled much more routine items that can be of great interest to your genealogical research.   These include many functions now performed by other government offices such as proving deeds, probate, petitions, taxes, appointment of local officials, licenses, bastardy, manumission – the list goes on.  To complicate things, the type of courts and what areas they were responsible for has changed over time. This discussion will help you know what you can find along with how and where to find it. 

 

A North Carolina native, David is President and founder of NC Historical Records Online (NCHRO), with a mission to provide public online access to images of original records and other relevant information useful to researching North Carolina history and genealogy. He is the creator of NCHRO’s main project: the free website NC Land Grant Images and Data which contains searchable records for all 200,000+ land grants issued by North Carolina, along with close to a million images of original records.

 

This virtual meeting and presentation is open to all, but registration is required.  

Link to register at the Wakecogen website events page.

Upcoming Events - view events page for topic details

Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2023 @ 6:30pm - Virtual

Topic:  Applying Investigative Skills from the Financial Crime World to Genealogy
Speaker: Kate Townsend

Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023 @ 6:30pm - Virtual

Topic:  Sorrow Songs:  Messages in Voice
Speaker: Mary Williams

Tuesday, Mar. 28, 2023 @ 6:30pm - Virtual

Topic:  Make Sense of Your Research
Speaker: Robyn N. Smith

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

WCGS recognized at the NCGS Annual Meeting, October 15, 2022

WCGS webmaster, Cynthia Gage received the Award for Excellence in Web Presence. Having worked on the backend of our website a good bit this year, I can tell you that the website mechanics are a bit fiddly at times and Cynthia always manages make her job look easy as she presents WCGS content in a very orderly and polished fashion. Congratulations to Cynthia.

The two coordinators of the Wake Cemetery Survey c.1978 Digitization Project received Certificates of Appreciation. Cyndi Deal received a certificate for directing the digitization portion of the project.  Original Survey project director, Irene Kittinger received a certificate for her original role. Many more participants deserve recognition for their roles in the project both recently and in the past. WCGS considers that these certificates really represent the group effort.

Visit the WCGS webpage and The Wake Cemetery Survey Project to see the results of all our hard work.

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

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.

 

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 | Wake Cemetery Survey c. 1978 online | Contact

Reminder: Upcoming Wake Co Gen Soc Events in the next few days!

 Come visit with us on Saturday and enjoy a great learning opportunity next Tuesday!

Wake County Genealogical Societ Meet up - Saturday, May 21 (in-person event)

When:  Saturday, May 21, 2022

Time:  1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Where:  Oak View Historical Park, 4028 Carya Drive, Raleigh, NC  meet on the front porch of the Main Farm House @ 1pm

Come join WCGS members for some fresh air and fresh faces. Bring your questions. Come compare ancestors and  sleuting tips, or just enjoy meeting like minded curious souls who love family history and stories! No registration required. Open to members, potential members and those who are just plain curious.

Wake County Genealogical Society Monthly Meeting - Tuesday, May 24 (Virtual Event)

When: Tuesday, May 24, 2022 @ 6:30pm - Virtual

Topic:  The 1950 Census - A Glimpse Inside Mid-Century America 
Speaker: Lisa Lisson

The 1950 Census is here! For the first time, the census record gives researchers a glimpse into the lives of their ancestors in post-WWII America. From war brides to suburbia to baby boomers, we'll find it all in the 1950 census. 

This virtual meeting and presentation is open to all, but registration is required.  Registeration details on Wakecogen.org Events Page.

We look forward to seeing you live or virtually this week!

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 | Wake Cemetery Survey c. 1978 online | Contact

Join us at the first Wake County Genealogy Society Meet up of 2022 - April 9 - 9AM-Noon

Calling all WCGS members and interested parties for our first face to face meet up of 2022. As we are a service organization, this first one will involve a service project!

Please join the Wake County Genealogical Society as we participate in the Raleigh Day of Service: Historic Oberlin Cemetery Clean Up on April 9, 2022 from 9am to noon. This is a perfect opportunity for us to gather in a way we have not had an opportuity to in over 2 years!  Perhaps we can even go to lunch after, if a group would like to do so. 

This is a regular activity and so is well organized by the Friends of Oberlin Village.  Bring your own work gloves, closed toe shoes, garden cutters, and perhaps a tarp. And don't forget your water bottle! No need to register, just show up ready to help preserve history - rain or shine!

If you don't live locally or cannot participate, the Friends of Oberlin Village is always grateful to receive donations to further their cause as well as materials (such as tarps, etc) to aid in the clean up effort.  

Oberlin Village is an African American reconstruction settlement established in 1866 in Raleigh, NC. Despite their suffering from slavery, segregation, discrimination and gentrification, the residents of Oberlin Village established a strong community bond and always exhibited pride, purpose and prosperity. In a News & Observer article dated August 8, 1948, Willis Briggs stated the residents of Oberlin “were esteemed by both races for their industry, frugality and high character.”

 

More information here:  https://friendsofoberlinvillage.org/

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 | Wake Cemetery Survey c. 1978 online | Contact