If you're like me, you spent more time watching YouTube in 2020 than you had previously. Some of those months when so many things had seemed to grind to a halt, there was a limited selection of things to do. And regular TV is just boring to me. Most of the time, if I'm not learning something, I feel like I'm wasting my time. Anyway, I did discover some helpful … [Read more...] about Genealogy on YouTube
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General Assembly Session Records available online
I've had to take a break from research for the past few months because I've been so busy with work, but knowing we'll all be hunkering down for much of the coming weeks, I thought last night was a perfect time to get back to research. I was thrilled to see the North Carolina Digital Collections now has General Assembly Session Records online. I'm not sure if … [Read more...] about General Assembly Session Records available online
Ancestry ThruLines™ — Proceed with caution!
I logged in to AncestryDNA today and was greeted by a new feature called ThruLines™ where the DNA Circles used to be. I'm always excited to see new features and this one was no exception until I saw what was coming up in my ThruLines. The Perpetuation of Family Tree "Fake News" Thomas Morris and Rachel Platt are not the parents of Laban Morris. I've been battling this … [Read more...] about Ancestry ThruLines™ — Proceed with caution!
East Carolina Roots now recommends AncestryDNA for genealogy testing
(Get $10 off the AncestryDNA test! Link is below.) Thanks to many modern advances, such as the internet and genetic testing, we can now break through genealogy barriers that have stumped our forebears for generations. In the past, East Carolina Roots has recommended using FamilyTreeDNA for autosomal DNA testing, but now, based on my own experience, it seems like AncestryDNA is … [Read more...] about East Carolina Roots now recommends AncestryDNA for genealogy testing
Colonial Coroners’ Inquests for Beaufort, Craven, and Pitt Counties
Next to genealogy and history research, my second favorite obsession is watching MeTV. I love those old shows, from Andy Griffith to Macgyver, and I especially love courtroom and mystery shows, like Perry Mason and Matlock, Diagnosis Murder and Columbo. Perhaps that's why I like poring over old court records — whether it's apprentice bonds, or depositions given during murder … [Read more...] about Colonial Coroners’ Inquests for Beaufort, Craven, and Pitt Counties
Letter from Turner Nelson to James Roach – 1825
The following is a transcription of a letter from Turner Nelson to James Roach dated July 19, 1825. This is of particular interest to me because there is a section at the bottom that mentions my ancestor, Laban Morris. Turner Nelson is mentioned elsewhere on this site because he served as a school teacher in Swift Creek, Craven County for a time before moving out to Posey … [Read more...] about Letter from Turner Nelson to James Roach – 1825
Just because it’s on a sign, doesn’t mean it’s true
If you’re ever in the Old Burying Ground in Beaufort, NC and see this sign, just know it’s wrong. The “Tuscarora War,” which was actually an Indian War that included militants from multiple tribes, wasn’t fought anywhere near the town of Beaufort. On September 22, 1711, a group of more than 500 men, comprised of Tuscarora, Bay (Bear) River, Machapunga, Neusioc and Coree … [Read more...] about Just because it’s on a sign, doesn’t mean it’s true
Create a historical calendar, with moon phases
Have you ever wondered what day of the week a historical event happened? Or what about what kind of moon was in the sky during that blustery February in eastern North Carolina when the Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge was fought? Well, now you can have your answers. I got the idea to actually plot out a calendar for the characters in a historical novel I've been working … [Read more...] about Create a historical calendar, with moon phases
Gen-101: 10 Advanced Search Engine Tricks
When you go to Google to search for your ancestors, how do you do it? You may think you know how to search for things on the Internet, but there are some advanced tricks and tips you can employ to take your searches even further. The following are Advanced Search techniques which I have modified from Google's own instructions to reflect genealogical search … [Read more...] about Gen-101: 10 Advanced Search Engine Tricks
Genealogy 101: How to research your family tree
You've finally decided to start researching your family tree. Congratulations! You are about to embark on a wonderful, exciting, sometimes frustrating, sometimes tearful, but mostly joy-filled journey back into the past to find your ancestors and get to know them. Whatever your reasons for beginning your search, the basics of how to get started are the … [Read more...] about Genealogy 101: How to research your family tree
Top Ten Genealogy Research Sites
Depending on where you live in the world, or more accurately, where your ancestors lived in the world, you might find there are other sites of greater use to you, but here in eastern North Carolina, where my family has lived for about 300 years, I find these sites have been most helpful to me. They are grouped into two categories — national and North … [Read more...] about Top Ten Genealogy Research Sites
Many early North Carolina families are named on the Moseley Map (1733). Is one of them yours?
How early were your ancestors in North Carolina? If they were here prior to the War of Independence, then it might be worthwhile to check the Moseley Map for their names, or at least their surnames. The Moseley Map was created in 1733 by Edward Moseley (1682-1749), who was Surveyor General of North Carolina from 1710 — just after the famous John Lawson — and was marketed … [Read more...] about Many early North Carolina families are named on the Moseley Map (1733). Is one of them yours?
