WELCOME to the Wake County Genealogical Society Website!
FUTURE EVENTS: Check the right panel on this page or visit our Events page.
Follow Wake 250 Content at our Blog
 |
This year, at the Wakecogen blog, we are turning our attention to the days leading up to and including the Revolutionary war. We are exploring how that would be experienced by the colonists of our area from the 1750 through the 1790. Follow their trials, and successes here.
View All Wake 250 Content
|
February 2026 Blog Content
|
Be sure to check out the Black History content attached to our blog. There are several years of articles of interest.
Upcoming articles include a feature on John Chavis, notable Black educator, preacher and Revolutionary Soldier.
Also look for the feature on North Carolina's Black Patriots coming soon.
|
|
Special Black History Month Presentations
Saundra Russ Cropps, WCGS Diversity Officer and member of the South Atlantic Region of Society of the First African Families of English America, presented at the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society-Triangle Chapter on February 7. She shared the story of her Forgotten Patriot ancestor Private Jesse Harris and the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church (from the original project collaboration with the Wake County Historical Society and Wake County Genealogical Society). Russ Cropps shared the storu of her ancestor Private Jesse Harris (1762-1844), a free Black man who served for 18 months in the 10th North Carolina Regiment of the Continental Army after being hired by a "class of men" to fulfill their service obligation.
Wake Genealogy Watch - Winter 2026 issue
The Winter 2026 issue (Vol. 9, Issue 2) of our award-winning newsletter, Wake Genealogy Watch, is now available online for reading or download. Visit the WCGS website or click here: Wake Genealogy Watch, Winter 2026
This issue includes:
- Recap and photos of our Fall 2025 events
- News from the NCGS Fall Conference
- A house history from WCGS member Gayle Williams focusing on history, genealogy and evolution of building materials through 200 years of maintenance and preservation
- A revisit of the WCGS Surname Search feature at our website
- A fantastic workflow for identifying and researching your Revolutionary Ancestors
- Our winter calendar of upcoming events
- A new cumulative index to all published issues of Wake Genealogy Watch
Dive in and explore all the resources and stories designed to enrich your genealogy journey. Be sure to visit the last page for the link to the index!
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.
We told you Fall 2025 would be a busy season...
We had so many events planned this fall. Here are some highlights. I hope you were in on the fun.
Each image can be viewed larger at our blog where more photos and full event accounts are shared. Just follow the links below.
and a Revolutionary ancestor. Many more photos at the link.
October 24-25 - NCGS Fall Conference
WCGS was well represented at the conference.
December 4 - WCGS Holiday Meet-up at Relish Kitchen
We had a great time! Follow these lovely Christmas elves to our blog post the recap and photos!
That wraps up the local events for this year. Looking forward to seeing you out and about in 2026!
Saundra Cropps, WCGS's New Diversity Officer
We are delighted to announce the election of Saundra Cropps as the new Diversity and Inclusion Officer at the WCGS (Wake County Genealogical Society). With a rich background in genealogy and community engagement, Saundra brings a fresh perspective to our organization's leadership.
The role of Diversity Officer at WCGS is a board-level advisory position that plays a pivotal role in realizing our society's vision of becoming an inclusive and welcoming community for all individuals seeking to discover and embrace their family stories. As the Diversity Officer, Saundra will help ensure that WCGS programs and projects address and support the diverse needs of the genealogical community.
One of the primary objectives of this position is to promote partnerships with other societies, fostering collaboration and exchange of knowledge, ideas, and resources. Among these critical partnerships is the Triangle Chapter of the African American Historical and Genealogical Society, through which Saundra will help strengthen connections. Furthermore, as we strive to expand access to education, research, and records, Saundra will play a role in making sure our outreach efforts resonate with all segments of the genealogical community and help establish WCGS as a place where everyone feels inspired to uncover their ancestral roots.
Saundra served for many years as the Library Manager for Wake County’s Olivia Raney Local History Library, and she also serves WCGS as our coordinator and respondent for queries sent to us by members and the public. Her many years of genealogical research and experience contribute to the skill set she brings into this new board position. Please join us in warmly welcoming Saundra Cropps as the new Diversity Officer at the Wake County Genealogical Society. If you need any assistance or have questions, you may reach her through query@wakecogen.org.
|
|
February 24
NC Archives Digital Services: Using the website, digital collections, and online catalog
Presenter: Anna Peitzman Join us for a review of the digital resources offered by the State Archives! Topics will include: Navigating the SANC ...
|
|
March 24
Who's your daddy? Exploring North Carolina Bastardy Bonds
Presenter: A. Danielle Pritchett, MLS Explore North Carolina Bastardy Bonds, historical documents revealing paternity and societal attitudes towards unwed mothers and their children. ...
|
|
April 28
Researching Your Mom: Don't overlook researching your immediate family!
Presenter: Diane L Richard Think you know your mom? Our research skills aren't just for researching the long-ago deceased; they can be used for ...
|
|
May 26
Preserving Small Family Cemeteries
Presenter: Joel Hobby Join us for a discussion on the ins and outs of preserving small family cemeteries. Join us! Free and ...
|
|
June 23
Fishing in Every Pond: Cousin Baiting
Presenter: Christine Cohen We will discuss the many ways to reach out to distant living cousins to help you expand your pedigree chart ...
|
Volunteer needs
Near or far, there is always a way you can help WCGS!
|
