I really am enjoying the new and improved Ancestor Hints on AncestryDNA — especially now that they have the ability to color code matches into surname and other custom groups. One issue that keeps coming up, though, is suggested matches who may not have their data exactly right. One such case is Rachel Ann Spear […]
Update on the William S. Morris family of New Bern
Nearly five years ago I published a post for a will I had stumbled upon for a William S. MORRIS of New Bern in which he declares his wishes that his “negro woman Patty” and her “mulatto” children be freed and well-maintained after his death. The will was dated 1831 and as far as I […]
Did you know all of these new records were at FamilySearch? I’ve got all of the links right here!
FamilySearch has been steadily putting a ton of North Carolina records on their site that aren’t yet easy to access through the normal browsing methods. (Another thanks to Becky for tipping me off about some of the great new things that have gone up over the last few months!) Anyhow, I decided to compile a […]
There were TWO Rocksolanah Carruthers. Here are the records to prove it. (For both of them!)
Yes, there were, indeed, two Rocksolanah CARRUTHERS. I used to think there were two Rocksolanahs, but then because of some dates that were discussed in the old W’ton List (probably close to 15 years ago!), I began to think that there was only one. It was generally accepted that it was the same woman who […]
Craven County Bastardy Bonds & related items in County Court Minutes (1764-1791)
I have the complete set of Craven County Court Minutes books by the late Weynette Parks Haun, and while I LOVE them— and I recognize them as an amazing resource — there are some index items that I wish she would have included, for instance, Craven County Bastardy Bonds. There are plenty of them in […]
The parents of Stephen AVERY of Beaufort and Craven Counties are…
This article relates to Stephen AVERY (Stephen AVERITT) of Craven and Beaufort Counties, husband of Nancy GARDNER and later Nancy Ada FOY, and father of Nancy, Enoch, Allen, Lewis, Noah, William, Patsy, Julia Ann, Susan, Pollie Ann, and Nancy Augusta AVERY, all of Beaufort County.
Bastardy Bonds for Selah Averitt of Craven County
This article was originally published August 28, 2016, but I’ve updated it today (May 23, 2017) because I’ve just found new information. I found the following while researching one of my ancestors, Celia AVERY, the wife of John HOLMES. I was looking for all variations of the name since I have seen both spelled many different […]
John Holmes sells wife’s interest in slaves to Church Chapman (1833)
Below I have transcribed a deed from my 4th great-grandfather John HOLMES to Church CHAPMAN of Craven County. In the deed, John HOLMES is selling his wife’s (and by extension, his) interest in four slaves who were originally the property of David AVERITT, but who were lent to David’s wife Sally during her widowhood in […]
Petition for relief from taxes for William McIntosh and wife (1786) – Craven County
I found the following while browsing through the Craven County Estates, wills, 1786, 1794, 1858, 1869-1921 (p. 352-353) at FamilySearch. It interested me because my 5th great-grandfather is James McIntosh of Craven County (abt. 1765-1837) and I’ve wondered if William McIntosh could be his father, though I have to admit this document makes me wonder if that’s […]
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 […]
Will of Willoughby MOORE – Beaufort County (Feb 1824)
The following is from Beaufort Orphans — 1808-1828. Willoughby Moore and this particular Moore family were listed as “Other Free” in the Beaufort County census. In 1810 Willoughby’s household also lists one slave. North Carolina ) Beaufort County) In the name of God Amen. I Willoughby MOORE of the County and State aforesaid being some […]
Researching Apprentice Records
When researching one’s genealogy, an often neglected resource is a county’s apprenticeship bonds. At times, children apprenticed out were poor orphans. Many other times, the children being bound out simply had the misfortune of being born to non-white parents, or of having a father who died without specifying in a will that the children’s mother […]
Five things you DIDN’T know about Blackbeard
Most of what is known about Blackbeard today goes back to a single source — A General History of the Robberies & Murders of the Most Notorious Pirates by Charles Captain Johnson (pseudonym), more popularly known as A General History of the Pyrates, published in 1724 and often attributed to Robinson Crusoe author, Daniel Defoe. This is […]
William S. Morris of New Bern’s will provides instructions to emancipate “my negro woman and three mulatto children”
Before offering the transcription of this will, first it seems appropriate to provide some context. In 1808 the Act Prohibiting Importation of Slaves became effective. Even before that, however, North Carolina never played as big a role in slave importation as Virginia and South Carolina, largely due to the lack of suitable ports. The exception […]
Some Bertie County deeds relating to Tuscarora reservation lands
The following is re-posted with permission from Coastal Carolina Indian Center. From Deeds of Bertie County 1772-1785, Abstracted by Stephen Bradley, Jr. – typed from copy for this website by Sara Whitford (Entries below can be found on page 31 of aforementioned book.) 296-(314) Articles of agreement between WHITMELL TUFDICK, WILLIAM ROBERTS, WILLIAM CAIN, WILLIAM […]
Indians and mixed-race people named in court records of Carteret County
If you are researching your ancestry, and know that one of your forebears was one of North Carolina’s earliest citizens, you should visit CoastalCarolinaIndians.com for the vast number of research resources available. The following item appeared on that site and has been reposted here with permission. (I’ve worked with Coastal Carolina Indian Center since it […]
North Carolina Slave Narratives
Between 1936 and 1937, the Works Progress Administration conducted a series of interviews with men and women who were born in slavery. The unique collection of narratives recorded give us an unpolished look into the lives of former slaves, as well as their masters. Their stories paint a very complex and nuanced historical picture, that […]
Some HENBY and HENLEY entries from Encylopedia of American Quaker Genealogy, Vol. 1
KEY TO ABBREVIATIONS in the Encylopedia of American Quaker Genealogy:b – born bur – buried cert – certificate ch – child, children co – chosen overseer (s) com – complained, complained of con – condemned d – died dec – deceased dis – disowned, disowned for dt – daughter, daughters fam – family form – […]
Blackbeard’s Men
Are you the descendant of one of North Carolina’s notorious pirates? Maybe one of Blackbeard’s crewmembers is in your family tree! If you have roots that go back to Bath, it’s more likely than you might think. . Researching Pirate Ancestry Do these names appear in your family tree? If so, you may descend from […]
Researching Pirate Ancestry
Are you the descendant of one of North Carolina’s notorious pirates? By Sara Whitford ©2007 All Rights Reserved. Maybe one of Blackbeard’s crewmembers is in your family tree! If you have roots that go back to coastal North Carolina, it’s more likely than you might think. A number of surnames associated with communities along the […]
