NCPedia's Early Settlement article provides valuable context for understanding North Carolina's colonial growth. The colorful map below illustrates the frontier development from 1657-1835. The article explores the finer points that spurred that development, including the massive and rapid growth that occured after King George took NC lands back from the Lords Proprietors in 1729. Discover why this created a boom that lasted until the Revolution era.  Image source - NCpedia The article shares two other maps that provide background for understanding early settlement and migration trends. A trail map traces not only the Great Wagon Road, but also migration routes from coastal ports. It highlights which groups tended to take each path. The associated text emphasizes how the Piedmont and coastal areas were essentially cut off from each other. By the mid 1700s, the Piedmont settlers had more trade and communication with Philadelphia and their South Carolina neighbors than the coasta...

Correction***Please note that the only event supported by WCHS is the Isaac Hunter event in October.*** I thought to pull this post, but that would add further confusion. Just be aware that the other events listed are not WCHS supported. Disregard or persue  the others  as separate entities. The Wake County Historical Society October program features "Isaac Hunter and His Tavern," presented by Belle Long, a Hunter family researcher for over 20 years. I am especially interested in this one as the remains of the tavern still stood not far from our home in the late 1960's. The photo looks just like I remember it.     October 5, 7PM at Mordecai Visitor Center .  Details for these and many other events of local historical interest can be found in their newsletter. You can find all at this link .  Visit Wake County Genealogical Society's Website - Homepage | WCGS Events | Join WCGS | Publications | Wake Cemetery Survey Images | Society Surnames | Digit...

The three men who saw the colony of North Carolina through the transition from British rule to independence are pictured below. Did you know that none of these men were born in colonial NC? Each found their way here on their path to destiny. Their fate was to leave a legacy for those who came after. Portraits by Ole Erekson, Engraver, c. 1876, Library of Congress as viewed at USHistory.org These three men were William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, and John Penn.  They were the same delegates who with other local leaders outlined the NC colonists' needs and grievances in Halifax on April 12, 1776 and distilled these sentiments into the document historically known as the Halifax Resolves.  The trio presented  the Resolves to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia just months later. That document became the bones of the Declaration of Independence written in June of the same year by Thomas Jefferson and a committee of men. This timeline is remarkable. Just 83 days elapsed from...

I ran across a two part series on the Family Tree DNA blog recently. Entitled  Researching the Ancestry of Formerly-Enslaved African American Families, the series was written by two well-known and respected researchers - Paul Heinegg and Ayo Heinegg Magwood. They have been researching and documenting both formerly enslaved and early free people of color for a long time. Heinegg and Magwood are both frequently found on genealogy lecture schedules. The authors have combined all the knowledge that they have gathered over the years in this series to share and empower others taking the same research journey. Each part of the series contains extensive information and puts links to the FamilySearch Wiki convienently at your fingertips at each new step. The FamilySearch Wiki is a knowledge base known for its vast and thorough content.  Part 1: Up to the 1870 Brick Wall  - The "brick wall" being the 1870 census, part 1 includes strategies for using all the standard vital...

We had a great time and talked about so many topics - from GRIP classes to the next NGS, records that need correcting, cemetery tours, researching for ourselves and others, and so many more topics. The conversation was flying hard and fast!  Thanks to the anonymous lady who took our photo! Back row (left to right): Cyndi, Kathy, Heather, Ed, Jennie. Front row (left to right): Cini, Gayle, Barbara, Saundra. We hope you can join us next time! We met at Panera on Glenwood. Hope to rotate locations around the county so all can join at one point or another. If you would be interested in hosting a coffee event, contact Barbara McGeachy via email - president(at)wakecogen(dot)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 | Donate | Contact - info(at)wakecogen(dot)org

Registration is now open for both.   Both conferences are virtual and in-person.  August 21-23 -  East Coast Genetic Genealogy Conference ECGGC 2026 Attend the fifth annual Genetic Genealogy Conference August 21-23, 2026 virtually or in-person in Boston, Massachusetts.  Take your genetic genealogy skills to the next level. Twenty-two nationally known educators . I know you will recognize these names! View ECGGC 2026 Conference Schedule here.      Registration Details here.  Sept 18-19 -  NCGS 2026 Fall Conference NCGS Fall Conference 2026 Featuring Judy G. Russell, JD, CG, CGL, FUGA, along with 24 other genealogy experts. You’ll get 22 lectures either in person or livestreamed.  This local conference held in Raleigh offers ten different focus topics: Records, NC Research, Tips and Techniques, America 250 NC, Underrepresented Populations, NC Archives and Libraries, Artificial Intelligence, DNA, Online Records View Speaker List View L...

Long time readers of the Wake County Genealogical Society blog will have noticed a few changes over the last few weeks. Starting with a newish name (that is not so new...) and a new look. These changes were in preparation for a larger change necessitated by ever-pressing progress. This blog space is our new home! After nine years as editor of the Wake Genealogy Watch newsletter I find I must transition to a new delivery platform. This is necessitated by Microsoft's discontinuation of Publisher in October 2026. After testing several alternatives this year, I've determined that the most efficient solution is to move our newsletter to an online format. This change is happening now, ahead of the Sept. 1 start date of our new calendar year. Since this space is already up and running it will become the official new home of the online newsletter. Longtime readers won't notice too much change. You'll continue receiving the same quality content—articles, announcements, and event...

Join Wakecogensoc for "Coffee & Conversation"  What - July Meet-up When - Thursday, July 16 , at 9:30 am   Where - Panera Bread - (Glenwood/Pleasant Valley),  6201 Glenwood Avenue , Raleigh, NC 27612 Designed by pch.vector / Freepik Our first coffee gathering was so fun, we are going to do it again!  We’ll chat about what genealogical topics we're working on, or a brick wall, or ask other members how to do something.  No RSVP - just show up , order your beverage or food, and look around for Barbara at a large table with a sign for WCGS. We tentatively plan to hold several more “Coffee and Conversation” events on different days and locations throughout 2026. If you are interested in hosting one, email President@WakeCoGen.org and we'll choose a date and location. Visit Wake County Genealogical Society's Website  -  Homepage  |  WCGS Events  |  Join WCGS  |  Publications  |  Wake Cemetery Survey Images  |...

Our own Saundra Russ Cropps will share her presentation on People of Color During the Revolutionary War in Granville and Wake Counties, North Carolina . Sign up before July 13 to hear her talk. Details are in the poster. This is a four part series. Other dates and topics are included in the second poster. Sign up once and you are registered for all the talks.  Use QR Link below to register from your phone. note: the link  and qr in poster above is broken. Details for the rest of the dates -   June 8, July 13, Aug 10, and Sept 14 Address questions to AAHGS NC Triangle Chapter America 250 Speaker Series 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 |    Donate | Contact - info(at)wakecogen(dot)org

Connie Knox of Genealogy TV  took a road trip to Raleigh recently to find information about a patriot ancestor. Her destination was the NC Archives and State Library of NC. The experience and findings are detailed in this video. Though she did not find the information she had hoped for, she covered a lot of records sets that might help you in your search for your own ancestors.  Watch on Youtube:  Patriot or Legend? Captain William Clark's Rev War Service & Genealogy Research Image generated using Google Imagen You will find other patriot research possibilities in the following articles from past issues of Wake Genealogy Watch. Identify Your Revolutionary Ancestors - Vol 9, Issue 2, pp. 11-13. More Than a Musket: Who Qualified as a Revolutionary Patriot? - Vol 9.3, p11. Your Patriot’s Experience: Two Websites to Help Your Discoveries - Vol 9.4, p.6 Visit Wake County Genealogical Society's Website - Homepage | WCGS Events | Join WCGS | Publications | Wake Cemetery...