The North Carolina Genealogical Society held its fall workshop yesterday in Raleigh. The guest lecturer was the Reverend David McDonald, a 40-year genealogy veteran and former president of the National Genealogical Society. Four fascinating topics were covered – religion in early North Carolina, the Draper Manuscript Collection, transcribing records and overcoming brick walls. It was a genealogy lovefest. The Draper… More →
Month: October 2016
Goodger Giddy
This week I obtained the final probate records of Stephen Goodger, my 3rd great grandfather. I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t the most exciting thing that happened to me this week. It was. From these documents I now know that Stephen died sometime before July of 1848 in Tishomingo County, Mississippi. The brass ring of wills and estate… More →
Two Americans
An act of cowardice ended the life of two Americans this last July. Sean Copeland and his son, Brodie, were killed when a madman drove his truck into a crowd of people celebrating Bastille Day in Nice, France. Eighty-four people died that day and more than a hundred others were injured. When I heard about this tragedy on the news, I… More →
Birth Cousin, Part 2
When I look back on my 2016 accomplishments, helping my DNA match find her birth family will be at the top of the list. Fortune smiled upon her. The brothers I helped identify from public records were correct. Carefully penned letters were sent and received. A few days later a phone call from one of the brothers united the siblings for… More →